Example
$1,125 – $1,425
three-bedroom house, 15 miles between homes, three movers at a placeholder $50 per mover-hour, self-packed — output of our moving cost calculator; $1,575 – $2,025 if the movers pack
A three-bedroom house brings things that apartment moves rarely have: a garage, a basement or shed, outdoor furniture and larger appliances. The bedrooms set the base estimate, but those extra spaces are what make a house quote grow. This guide uses our standard three-bedroom inputs and then shows where a real house usually departs from them.
Cost of a local three-bedroom move
| Scenario | Crew | Billed hours | Example at $50/mover-hour |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-packed, 15 miles | 3 movers | 7.5–9.5 h | $1,125 – $1,425 |
| Movers pack, 15 miles | 3 movers | 10.5–13.5 h | $1,575 – $2,025 |
| Self-packed, 40 miles | about 3 movers | about 8.3–10.3 h | about $1,250 – $1,550 |
Our three-bedroom model assumes three movers and six to eight hours of handling for the house contents and about 61 boxes. It does not include a full garage, a workshop, a shed or a playset. List those separately when you ask for quotes; an estimator who sees them can size the crew and truck correctly, and one who does not will be guessing.
Truck and weight: why the 26 ft class
| Check | U-Haul 20 ft | Penske 22 ft | U-Haul 26 ft | Our 3 BR estimate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cargo space | 1,016 cu ft | 1,200 cu ft | 1,682 cu ft | about 1,030–1,060 cu ft |
| Published max load | 5,700 lb | 10,000 lb (load capacity) | 12,859 lb | about 7,180 lb constructive weight |
| GVWR / GVW | 14,500 lb | not published | 25,999 lb | — |
By volume alone, a three-bedroom load of about 1,030–1,060 cu ft is just over a 20 ft U-Haul truck. By weight, the gap is larger: about 7,180 lb at 7 lb per cu ft, against that truck’s published 5,700 lb maximum load. That is why our calculator recommends the 26 ft class for this size, or a 22 ft truck from a company that lists one. A 26 ft rental has a gross vehicle weight rating just under the federal commercial-license threshold; read the license guide before you book.
Long-distance: weight replaces hours
Out of state, a three-bedroom move is usually quoted by weight and distance rather than by the hour. Federal rules require an interstate mover charging by weight on a non-binding estimate to weigh the shipment on a certified scale before charging, and to explain in writing any conversion from a volume survey to weight. Our constructive weight of about 7,200 lb gives you a reference to compare against each written estimate; a figure far below it deserves a question.
- Walk the whole property with the estimator Include the garage, attic, basement, shed and yard so nothing is added on moving day.
- Decide what not to move Old paint, fuel and propane are usually excluded; heavy outdoor items may cost more to move than to replace.
- Plan for two vehicles if needed A second trip or a trailer is cheaper to plan than to improvise when the truck is full.
- Get the weight method in writing For interstate quotes, ask how weight will be determined and when you can see the weight tickets.
Plan a three-bedroom move
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Moving Truck Sizes Chart: 10, 15, 20 and 26 ft
Approximate cargo space of 10, 15, 20 and 26 ft moving trucks and the size of home each one usually fits.
15 ft
How much does it cost to move a three-bedroom house?
Locally, our calculator gives $1,125 – $1,425 with three movers at a placeholder $50 per mover-hour and homes 15 miles apart, self-packed. Garages, outbuildings, stairs and packing service add to it; out of state, the price is usually based on weight and distance.
How much does a three-bedroom house weigh for moving?
Our planning estimate is about 7,200 lb at 7 lb per cu ft for the average inventory we assume. Your own furniture and box count change it; the billed weight of an interstate move comes from a certified scale.
Sources checked October 26, 2026. Provider specifications apply only to the equipment described. Crew sizes, hours, furniture volumes, box counts and the $50 rate are our planning assumptions, not measured inventory or market prices.
- U-Haul — 20 ft truck specifications — Published volume 1,016 cu ft. Assigned equipment may differ. Bedroom-based marketing is not a physical fit guarantee. (Checked 2026-10-22.)
- U-Haul — 26 ft truck specifications — Published volume 1,682 cu ft. Assigned equipment may differ. Bedroom-based marketing is not a physical fit guarantee. (Checked 2026-10-22.)
- Penske Truck Rental — Moving truck sizes and features — Cargo van 404 cu ft / 3,500 lb; 12 ft 450 cu ft / 3,100 lb; 16 ft 800 cu ft / 4,300 lb; 22 ft 1,200 cu ft / 10,000 lb; 26 ft 1,700 cu ft / 10,000 lb ("load capacity"); sized in rooms; specs vary by make, model and year. (Checked 2026-10-26.)
- eCFR — 41 CFR 302-7.8, Methods of shipping HHG and how the weight is determined — Federal Travel Regulation, paragraph (d): when adequate scales are not available, a constructive weight based on 7 pounds per cubic foot of properly loaded van space may be used. Applies to federal-employee relocation entitlement, not to what a commercial mover may bill. (Checked 2026-10-26.)
- eCFR — 49 CFR 375.507–375.511, determining the weight of an interstate shipment — Weight-dependent non-binding estimates: the carrier must weigh on a certified scale (origin or back weigh), must explain any volume-to-weight conversion in writing, and may use a platform scale for shipments of 3,000 lb or less. (Checked 2026-10-26.)
- FMCSA — Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move — Current interstate consumer handbook: estimate scope, new estimates for applicable changes and delivery-payment rules. Replaces outdated wording in the legacy Subpart D web guide. (Checked 2026-10-22.)
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