Estimate my move

How Much Does It Cost to Move a Studio Apartment?

A studio move with two movers, minimum hours and travel time, plus whether a cargo van or a 10 ft truck holds a typical studio load.

MoveDayPlan Editorial Updated

Example

$350 – $450

studio, 15 miles between homes, two movers at a placeholder $50 per mover-hour, self-packed — output of our moving cost calculator; $450 – $600 if the movers pack

A studio is the smallest full household move, and that changes which costs dominate. The loading itself is short, so fixed parts of the bill — minimum hours, travel time to and from the depot, a flat truck fee, parking — make up a larger share of the total than they do for a house. The way to price a studio move is to check those fixed parts first and the hourly rate second.

What a studio move costs with movers

Billed hours = 2–3 h of loading and unloading (our assumption) + drive time at 30 mph + 1 h depot travel
ScenarioCrewBilled hoursExample at $50/mover-hour
Self-packed, 15 miles 2 movers 3.5–4.5 h $350 – $450
Movers pack, 15 miles 2 movers 4.5–6 h $450 – $600
Self-packed, 5 miles 2 movers about 3.2–4.2 h about $317 – $417

Our model assumes two movers and two to three hours of handling, which suits a studio with a bed, a sofa, a table, a dresser and about two dozen boxes. Add an hour of travel to and from the depot and the drive between the homes. If a company bills a minimum of, say, three or four hours, the minimum can be larger than the time the job actually takes, so ask for the minimum in writing before you compare hourly rates.

Cargo van or 10 ft truck

Provider specifications checked October 26, 2026; assigned equipment may differ
CheckU-Haul 9 ft cargo vanU-Haul 10 ft truckOur studio estimate
Cargo space 246 cu ft 402 cu ft about 300–350 cu ft loaded
Published max load 4,030 lb 2,850 lb about 2,070 lb constructive weight
Deck height 2 ft 5 in 29 in —
Rear opening 5 ft 1 in × 4 ft 1 in 5 ft 11 in × 5 ft 7 in measure your tallest piece

By volume, a typical studio is larger than a cargo van: our estimate of 300–350 cu ft of loaded space is above the 246 cu ft U-Haul publishes for its van, so a van usually means two trips or leaving furniture behind. The 10 ft truck holds the volume, and the estimated weight of about 2,070 lb is below its published 2,850 lb maximum load. If you have a lot of books or a heavy dresser, run the weight calculator with your own inventory before choosing the smaller vehicle.

Ways to keep a studio move small

  1. Ask about minimum hours Get the minimum, the travel charge and the billing increment for each quote; on a short job they decide the total.
  2. Consider labor only If you can drive a 10 ft truck, hiring two movers just for loading and unloading separates the labor bill from the truck rental.
  3. Book the elevator and parking In an apartment building, a reserved elevator and a spot for the truck near the door can save more time than packing faster.
  4. Count your boxes An average studio fills about 23 boxes in our box calculator; knowing the number helps every company quote the same job.

For a move out of state, the hourly table no longer applies. Interstate movers usually price by weight and distance, and a small studio shipment may be carried together with other customers’ goods, which changes the delivery window. Read the long-distance cost guide before you compare those quotes with a local price.

Plan a studio move

How much does it cost to move a studio apartment?

With two movers at a placeholder $50 per mover-hour and homes 15 miles apart, our calculator gives $350 – $450 if you pack yourself. Your quoted rate, the company’s minimum hours and access at both buildings decide the real figure.

Is a cargo van big enough for a studio?

Often not in one trip. Our studio estimate is about 300–350 cu ft of loaded space, while U-Haul lists its 9 ft cargo van at 246 cu ft. Measure the largest pieces and count boxes before deciding.

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 — 9 ft cargo van specifications — Published volume 246 cu ft, inside 9 ft 6 in x 5 ft 7 in x 4 ft 8 in, back door 5 ft 1 in x 4 ft 1 in, max load 4,030 lb, GVW 9,070 lb max; GMC, Ford and Ram models vary by location. (Checked 2026-10-26.)
  • U-Haul — 10 ft truck specifications — Published volume 402 cu ft. Assigned equipment may differ. Bedroom-based marketing is not a physical fit guarantee. (Checked 2026-10-22.)
  • 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.)
  • Public Storage — Size Guide — Nominal unit dimensions; actual doors, usable height and available units vary. (Checked 2026-10-22.)

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