Shipping Rates for Household Goods

How do movers figure prices to transport belongings? 

Since the cost of shipping belongings typically makes up the largest percentage of what you’ll pay to move, choosing the right mover for your needs is essential.

Most moving services charge based on the weight of your things or the amount of space the items take up inside the equipment. Some companies make it easier than others to figure out costs — instant online quotes aren’t always available!

Home goods shipping costs with full-service movers

Full-service movers charge a premium rate for loading, transportation and unloading your things. Some companies also charge for packing and unpacking services. 

While having everything handled can be appealing, full-service is typically the most expensive way to ship household goods and can cost upwards of $20,000 to move a 3-bedroom home across the country. 

Most full-service movers require an in-home visit to estimate the weight of your things and determine the price. It’s important to note that the rate can change if the weight is higher than quoted.

Parcel service pricing for shipping belongings

Parcel service rates are usually reasonable for shipping an item or two. However, if you’re looking for the most affordable way to ship furniture, parcel shipping services like FedEx®, UPS® and USPS® are not the cheapest contenders.

Shipping costs can add up quickly with the companies since their rates are based on the size and weight of boxes or crates. With these parcel shipping services, you could spend several hundred dollars for each furniture item and pay for every moving box to be shipped separately. Not only does this raise the amount you spend, but it also increases the likelihood of loss during transit.

Rates for shipping household goods with a self-move service 

The most economical option for shipping at least one room of household belongings is a self-move service like U-Pack®.

With U-Pack, you pack, load and unload, and we take care of the transportation through our safe and efficient freight network. This gives you the benefits and savings of a DIY move without the hassle (and extra fuel costs) of driving a rental truck long distance.

U-Pack’s free online quoting process is easy, or you can speak to a moving consultant at 844-362-5303844-594-3077. Prices are based on the space you use in the moving trailer (down to a minimum of 5 linear feet) or the number of ReloCube® moving containers you use, never the weight of the shipment.

U-Pack shipping cost examples

Let’s look at some example quotes for shipping belongings with U-Pack. These prices were accurate at the time of posting.

Example costs for shipping household goods from Atlanta, GA, to Charlotte, NC, in June 2025.