How Much Does a Long-Distance Move From Minneapolis Cost?

A long-distance move from Minneapolis usually costs between $1,800 and $22,000 or more. Where you land in that range depends on how much you are moving and how far it has to go. A 2-bedroom home moving from Minneapolis to Chicago typically runs $3,200 to $5,500, while the same home heading to the East Coast runs $8,000 to $13,000.

This guide breaks down those numbers by home size and by route, explains what pushes the price up or down, and shows how to get a firm price before you commit. All figures come from our own pricing at Blue Dolly Moving & Storage.

Long-Distance Moving Costs From Minneapolis at a Glance

• Studio or 1-bedroom: $1,800 to $3,500
• 2-bedroom apartment or home: $3,200 to $5,500
• 3-bedroom home: $5,000 to $8,500
• 4-bedroom home: $7,500 to $13,000
• 5+ bedroom estate: $12,000 to $22,000 or more
• How it is priced: by shipment weight and mileage, for any move over 100 miles

How Long-Distance Moves Are Priced

A local move inside the Twin Cities is priced by the hour or as a flat fee. Once a move goes past 100 miles, the math changes. Long-distance moves are priced by the weight of your shipment and the miles it travels.

That is why two moves on the same day to the same city can be priced very differently. A 1-bedroom apartment and a 4-bedroom house might share a destination, but one weighs several times more than the other.

What a long-distance quote includes

With our long-distance moving service, the quote covers the movers, an insured truck, wrap pads, shrink wrap, floor and door protection, fuel, and stairs or long carries. We also dedicate one truck to your move from pickup to delivery, with no shared loads and no transfer warehouses along the way.

What costs extra

Two things sit outside the base price. Full-pack service adds $300 to $1,200 depending on home size. Pianos, safes and fine art are quoted as add-ons, because each one needs its own equipment and plan.

Long-Distance Moving Cost by Home Size

Home size is the biggest single driver of cost, because it sets the weight. Here is how our long-distance ranges compare to a local Twin Cities move for the same home.

• Studio or 1-bedroom apartment: $390 to $850 local, $1,800 to $3,500 long distance. Usually 2 movers.
• 2-bedroom apartment or home: $850 to $1,400 local, $3,200 to $5,500 long distance. Usually 2 to 3 movers.
• 3-bedroom home: $1,400 to $2,400 local, $5,000 to $8,500 long distance. Usually 3 movers.
• 4-bedroom home: $2,400 to $3,800 local, $7,500 to $13,000 long distance. Usually 3 to 4 movers.
• 5+ bedroom estate: $3,800 to $6,500+ local, $12,000 to $22,000+ long distance. Usually 4 to 5 movers.

If you are still deciding between staying in the metro and leaving the state, our local price guides for average moving costs in Bloomington, MN and how much movers cost in Eagan, MN show the local side in more detail.

Route Examples From Minneapolis

Distance is the second big driver. These are our typical ranges for a 2-bedroom home leaving Minneapolis.

• Minneapolis to Chicago: $3,200 to $5,500
• Minneapolis to Denver: $5,000 to $8,000
• Minneapolis to the West Coast: $7,500 to $11,000
• Minneapolis to the East Coast: $8,000 to $13,000

A smaller home costs less on every route, and a larger one costs more. For moves that cross most of the country, our cross-country moving page explains how those longer hauls are planned and scheduled.

What Changes the Price of a Long-Distance Move

How much you bring

Every box and piece of furniture adds weight, and weight is what you pay for. Decluttering before the move is the most direct way to lower a long-distance price. Anything you plan to sell, donate or replace at the new place is cheaper to leave behind than to ship.

When you move

Timing matters more than most people expect. Demand drops 15 to 30 percent from October through April, and moving mid-week and mid-month (the 8th to the 22nd) avoids peak surcharges. If you do move in the colder months, our Minnesota winter moving guide covers how to protect your home and belongings in snow and ice.

Packing help

Packing yourself, or doing a partial pack, skips the full-pack add-on. Many people pack books, clothes and decor on their own and leave the kitchen and fragile items to our packing and unpacking service.

Specialty items

A piano, gun safe or large piece of art is priced on its own because it needs rigging, straps and a planned route in and out. Our piano moving service covers uprights, grands and baby grands on long hauls too. Mention these items when you ask for a quote so the price is complete from the start.

How to Get a Firm Price Before You Book

An online calculator gets you a ballpark, usually within 15 to 25 percent of the final quote. To lock in an exact price, a mover needs to see what you are moving. For interstate moves, federal rules also require the mover to base the estimate on a survey of your goods, done on site or by video, unless you waive it in writing. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration explains this in its Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move handbook, which interstate movers must give you.

It also helps to know what kind of estimate you are getting. A binding estimate guarantees the total cost for the items and services listed on it. Before you book with any interstate mover, you can look up their USDOT number on the FMCSA company snapshot to confirm they are authorized. Blue Dolly Moving & Storage operates under USDOT 3928585 and MC 1521934.

If the total is more than you want to pay at once, our Move Now, Pay Later option lets you spread the cost out.

Planning the Rest of the Move

Cost is only one part of a long-distance move. If you are weighing a move within the region instead, our comparison of St. Paul vs. Minneapolis can help you decide where to land. And if you are coming the other way, our guides to moving to Minneapolis and moving to St. Paul, Minnesota cover what to expect once you arrive.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to move out of state from Minneapolis?

Most out-of-state moves from Minneapolis cost $1,800 to $22,000 or more with us. A studio or 1-bedroom sits at the low end, and a 5+ bedroom estate sits at the top. A 2-bedroom home runs $3,200 to $5,500 to Chicago and $8,000 to $13,000 to the East Coast.

What counts as a long-distance move?

We treat any move over 100 miles as long distance. Those moves are priced by weight and mileage instead of by the hour.

Is it cheaper to move long distance in winter?

Usually, yes. Demand drops 15 to 30 percent from October through April, which often means lower prices and more open dates.

Does a long-distance quote include packing?

Not full packing. Wrap pads, shrink wrap and floor protection are included, while full-pack service is an add-on of $300 to $1,200 depending on home size.

Will my things share a truck with another move?

Not with us. We dedicate one truck to your move from pickup to delivery, with no shared loads and no transfer warehouses.

Making the Move

A long-distance move from Minneapolis is a big expense, but it does not have to be a surprise. Know your home size, pick your timing, decide how much packing help you want, and get a price based on what you are actually moving. As a Minneapolis moving company that handles moves across the country, we put that price in writing before move day. When you are ready, request a free moving quote and tell us where you are headed.