If you are a lover of long distance drives and are looking for a bit of an adventure, renting a truck and transporting your own things could be a good option for you. There is a certain security in knowing that all of your belongings are right with you and will arrive at your destination when you arrive. Most companies provide carts and furniture pads at additional costs to help expedite your packing and unpacking and generally have convenient truck pickup and drop-off locations across the country. Get a quote online and shop around for the least expensive dates and offers. If you are moving within the same city or town and can drop off the truck where you picked it up, it is much less expensive than driving it to a farther location. Keep in mind also that the trucks generally do not get very good gas mileage, and high fuel prices could make this option more costly than usual.
If you own a truck or a large van and have a trailer hitch, moving your own things without renting a vehicle could be the easiest and least expensive option, as all you will need to pay for is your own gas. Be sure, however, that you have bungee cords and a tarp to keep your belongings secure and dry during your trip. Calculate your vehicle's gas mileage ahead of time as well, factoring in the load that you will be pulling. Get a friend to keep you company on the drive, and test out how your vehicle handles while hauling a trailer before you set out on the road. This option is best perhaps for single-day moves, but could work for longer distances as well.
Many companies offer an all-inclusive service in which they will come to your home or office, load up all of your things and ship them for you. Some of these companies additionally offer free storage for periods of a month or so in case you need your things to arrive later than you yourself will. These movers generally charge by total weight and take an inventory of your belongings ahead of time, so be as thorough as possible in your catalogue of items to ensure your quoted price. One thousand dollars for the contents of a small studio or apartment to be shipped long distance is a fairly average price. Scheduling your move outside of peak relocating season (generally the summer) can help you to get the best rate possible.
If you are someone who wants to do the packing yourself, but does not want to be weighed down with the burden of driving or shipping your things to your new location, a hybrid alternative is the portable storage unit, where the moving company drops off the size unit you request and picks it up for you when you are finished loading it. This is a good option if you do not need your things right away and want some built-in flexibility in terms of storage (PODS). Depending on the distance of your move and the length of time you need storage, this option can be a bit more pricey than the others.
