$4.00 – $8.00 Average Moving Costs Per Cubic Foot

Moving to another state and shipping household goods with movers on a per-cubic-foot basis costs around $5.75 per cubic foot. If you’re relocating a reasonably short distance, you might pay less; cross-country hauls tend to be more expensive—rates can climb to $7.00–$8.00 per cubic foot.

Man thinking with hand on chin, surrounded by orange trucks with dollar signs. Background has a light house outline, suggesting contemplation. — Cubic feet pricing varies from mover to mover, contact reputable moving companies and negotiate CF rates for best possible outcome.

Important Message:

Rates per cubic foot vary widely depending on moving company brand, mileage, and load size. There is no universal moving rate for per-cubic-foot pricing. Movers are within their rights to adjust these figures based on season, fuel costs, and overall demand. Contact a few reputable moving companies for a quote, negotiate and compare CF pricing for best results.

What's You'll Learn From This Article:

How Long-Distance Movers Calculate Cubic Feet.
Average Cubic-Foot Space for 15ft, 20ft, and 26ft Trucks.
Tips to Avoid Getting Scammed by Inflated Cubic-Foot Charges.
How To Calculate Cubic Feet Of Your Furniture.

Why Do Movers Charge by Cubic Foot?

In the moving industry, volume often dictates how much truck space your belongings occupy. Unlike weight-based pricing—where you can verify pounds at a weigh station—cubic-foot pricing relies on the length, width, and height of furniture, boxes, and other items. Some companies prefer this model because it estimates how much space you’ll need in the Truck, especially for moderate or large loads.

Determining The Cubic Feet Inches Of Your Furniture.

Yellow moving truck and large moving estimate paper with magnifying glass, set against a blue house and sky background. — Knowing how movers determine your estimated cubic footage on your estimate can help avoid any billing disputes with movers.

For an accurate long distance moving quote, follow the formula below to calculate the cubic feet of your load:

Measure Dimensions in Inches.

Measure the length, width, and height of each item and write down the dimensions.

Multiply Dimensions in a Calculator.

Multiply the three dimensions to get total cubic inches (36" × 20" × 30" = 21,600 cubic inches).

Divide Cubic Feet Inches by 1,728.

Since 1,728 cubic inches = 1 cubic foot, you'll divide 21,600 by 1,728 to see the item's cubic feet (in this example, ~12.5 cu. ft.).

Repeat for All Items

Adding up each piece's cubic footage gives you a close estimate of your total load size, which can help you avoid surprises when receiving quotes or loading the Truck.

Why Understanding The Cubic Footage Of Your Load Is Important.

Unethical state to state moving companies may manipulate your paperwork and charge you for more space than your load occupies. They take advantage of you not knowing how to determine the load size and charge you with what people call "hidden fees." You can avoid a potential moving scam by understanding how long distance movers calculate cubic feet.

How Many Cubic Feet in a 15-Foot, 20-Foot, and 26-Foot Truck?

Determining which truck size you need for your bedroom home can be done by knowing how many cubic feet fit in a standard Truck. Below is a chart you can use for refrence to see how much cubic feet are in standard 26 foot trucks and smaller:

15-Foot Truck.

Approx. Capacity: ~700–800 cubic feet
Best For: Studio or 1-bedroom apartments with moderate furniture
What Fits: A bed, small couch, dining set, and a handful of boxes
Considerations: If you have bulky furniture or more than 1–2 rooms worth of items, you may run out of space

20-Foot Truck.

Approx. Capacity: ~1,000–1,200 cubic feet
Best For: 2–3 bedroom homes, or a 1-bedroom with lots of furniture
What Fits: Beds, a larger living room set, appliances, and multiple boxes
Considerations: Ideal for moderate-volume moves, but may be tight if you have a large living room plus a home office

26-Foot Truck.

Approx. Capacity: ~1,400–1,600 cubic feet
Best For: 3–4 bedroom homes that are well furnished
What Fits: Multiple bedrooms’ worth of furniture, larger appliances, patio sets, plus plenty of boxes
Considerations: Even a 26-foot truck might not be enough if you have a fully furnished 4-bedroom (plus garage or patio). Some families need two trucks or a semi-truck to handle especially large loads.

4-Bedroom Homes May Need More Than One 26 Foot Truck or an 18-Wheeler.

A 4+ bedroom home or a household with several pieces of furniture—like multiple couches and bulky items can exceed the cubic foot space of a 26-foot truck. Ensuring the appropriate truck size and quantity is best to avoid unexpected charges:

Ask Your Mover: See if they can provide a larger semi-truck (often used for cross-country hauling) or two separate vehicles
Check Accuracy: Make sure your inventory list and estimated pounds/volume is reasonably accurate. This helps movers decide if you need multiple trucks and the true costs and cubic feet space of your shipment.
Avoid Surprises: Underestimating and reserving only one Truck can lead to premium fees later or result in having to dispose of the household good items that don't fit.

Final Thoughts.

How much Movers Charge per Cubic Foot can range from $3.00 for short out of state hauls or $6.00 to $8.00 for cross country relocations. By understanding how movers determine your estimated volume and getting a sense of truck sizes, you can budget accordingly and avoid surprises.

Related Articles: Cubic Feet Vs. Weight Estimates.

How Much Do Long-Distance Movers Charge Per Cubic Foot?