To ship furniture to another state, you have five main options: hire a full-service moving company with white glove delivery ($1,500–$4,000+), use curbside/threshold delivery ($300–$800 per piece), ship via LTL freight ($200–$600 per piece, requires crating), rent a moving truck and do it yourself ($100–$1,500 depending on distance), or list your shipment on a transportation marketplace like CitizenShipper, where background-checked transporters bid on your listing and prices run 30–60% lower than traditional movers. The right choice depends on your budget, how much physical work you’re willing to do, and whether your furniture needs special handling.
This guide covers each shipping method in detail, breaks down costs by furniture type, and shares five strategies for reducing your total price. Whether you’re shipping a single couch across three states or an entire household cross-country, you’ll find a practical option below.
Furniture Shipping Options: White Glove, Curbside, Freight, and Marketplace
There are various types of furniture shipping options available for you. Each of them offers a service that is unique to what kind of furniture you may have. And each service is tailored to what you need from these furniture shipping companies. Let’s take a look at each of them so you can base your decision.
White Glove Delivery
White glove delivery is the high-end approach to moving. The company is hired to do it all — pack, unpack and put everything in its new place — and pay extra attention to your belongings. They’ll also offer professional installation services for all electrical items in your house — installing the washer and dryer, televisions and the other electrical items and appliances. This is good for people that do not want to lift a finger during the move. If you have expensive, weighty furniture and belongings that are fragile or antiques, white glove service may be the best option for you. It’s going to be much more expensive, but if you’re not afraid to pay for that, then this type of service is the way to go.
Curbside Delivery
Curbside delivery is not as extensive as white glove delivery. Furniture shipping companies usually deliver your items and leave them at the end of your driveway. Unlike white glove delivery, they don’t provide installation services and won’t assemble any items. Because of that, it’s your responsibility to bring the furniture inside and assemble each item. The upside to this option is it costs less than white glove delivery. This is a good option for those that have furniture that does not need too much assembly and have electrical appliances that are easy to install.
Expedited Shipping
When you need your furniture delivered within just a few days, expedited shipping is your friend. For additional costs, the furniture shipping company provides you with expedited shipping. This is convenient when you’re in a move with a quick turnaround, which is good for people with a busy schedule.
Consider Cost, Convenience and Level of Involvement Required
When you’re embarking on the journey of moving, consider the big picture of furniture shipping. On paper, there are costs, convenience and level of involvement you should consider when doing this. Will you be spending a lot of time and energy doing something where the cost of having someone else do it isn’t as big of a difference? When only looking at the price tag of things, it’s easy to ignore other factors. Moving is horrendous and the work involved is extremely exhausting. So, when you’re looking into furniture shipping companies, you should always look at the big picture and ensure you’re getting a good deal, but are also less stressed out.
Want to see actual prices for your move? Post your furniture details on CitizenShipper for free and get competing quotes from background-checked transporters — usually within minutes. Get Free Quotes →
How Much Does It Cost to Ship Furniture to Another State?
Shipping furniture long distances can be expensive. The rough estimates out there state that cross-country furniture shipping can cost as much as $4,000. Sometimes each piece of large furniture can cost between $300-$800 apiece. The options you have can be broad as there are many furniture shipping companies where they offer full services tailored to your every need.
Distance Matters: Distance plays a key role in determining the ultimate furniture shipping costs. The longer the distance, the more expensive the costs will be. Usually, these shipping costs are calculated based on miles traveled, so be aware of that.
Average Weight Plays a Role: The dimensions and weight of your furniture will determine the kinds of furniture costs — the bigger, the costlier. If you have antique furniture, it will play a role in your final furniture shipping costs, too.
Additional Fees May Apply: There are additional fees that could potentially determine your furniture shipping costs.
Pickup and Delivery Location: The pickup and delivery locations can be a huge factor in your ultimate costs. If you live in a remote area or you’re moving to a remote area and the dropoff is hard to get to, the costs will increase.
Extra Services You May Choose: If you decide you want extra services like expedited shipping or white glove services, those will incur additional costs that will play a role in the final furniture shipping costs.
Comparing Quotes Is Key
When researching companies, you should look after companies that have certain qualities that will make your life easier.
Some qualities to look for:
- Can they take any type of furniture?
- Do they adhere to all rules and regulations required by federal and state governments?
- Does the transporter have a reputation for providing regular updates and good communication?
If they have those qualities, add them to the list. Once you have compiled a list of several companies, reach out to them with your information. You’ll receive quotes that you can then compare. Make sure you compare quotes from all furniture shipping companies carefully, looking at each line-item to ensure that you aren’t being swindled. A few suggestions to keep in mind:
Read Reviews from Previous Customers
- Do your research and search for positive reviews.
- Join Facebook or social media groups related to furniture shipping.
Furniture Shipping Company Experience
- The best furniture shipping companies have years of experience.
- They have a proven track record of successfully providing furniture shipping services.
Customized Shipping Solutions
- Top-notch furniture shipping companies offer customized shipping to their customers, which can definitely make things a lot easier.
- If you have a certain way of doing things and the furniture shipping company can make that happen, it means the furniture shipping company cares about its customers.
How to Ship One Piece of Furniture to Another State
Shipping a single piece of furniture is different from hiring a full-service moving company. Traditional movers often price jobs around minimum loads, truck space, labor, and additional services, which can make moving one couch, dresser, or desk disproportionately expensive. If you only need to move one item, you’re paying for capacity you may not actually use.
A marketplace such as CitizenShipper can be a more practical alternative. Independent transporters may already be traveling your route with available space in their vehicle or trailer. Because they can add your furniture to a partial load, they may offer a lower rate than a traditional mover handling the shipment as a standalone job.
Before booking, measure the furniture and provide accurate dimensions and weight estimates. For packing, wrap upholstered pieces in moving blankets or furniture pads, then secure them with stretch wrap. Protect wood, glass, and finished surfaces with padding and corner protection, and place smaller removable parts in a labeled box or bag.
If possible, disassemble legs, shelves, bed frames, or other removable components. Photograph the furniture before pickup and make sure the transporter understands whether the item will be picked up from a house, apartment, storage unit, or other location.
How to Ship Specific Furniture Items
Different furniture pieces require different preparation, and their size and weight can significantly affect transportation costs. The following ranges are general estimates; actual prices depend on distance, dimensions, route, timing, and transporter availability.
| Furniture Item | Typical Cost | Packing Considerations | Disassembly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Couch/Sofa | $300–$800 | Wrap with moving blankets, protect corners, and cover upholstery with stretch wrap | Usually not required, but removable legs should be taken off |
| Bed/Mattress | $200–$600 | Bag or wrap the mattress; protect the frame and headboard with blankets | Usually recommended for the frame |
| Dresser | $200–$500 | Empty drawers, secure them separately, and protect finished surfaces with blankets | Usually optional |
| Desk | $200–$500 | Protect the desktop, corners, and drawers; remove loose hardware | Often recommended for large or heavy desks |
| Chair | $150–$400 | Wrap upholstery and protect legs and arms from scratches | Usually unnecessary |
Couches and sofas: Their bulky dimensions often make them more expensive than smaller furniture. Remove detachable legs and cushions, wrap the entire piece in moving blankets, and secure the padding so it cannot shift during transit.
Beds and mattresses: Mattresses should be placed in a protective mattress bag or heavy-duty plastic covering. Bed frames are usually easier and safer to transport after disassembly, with screws and hardware stored in a labeled bag.
Dressers: Empty the drawers before transport and remove them if necessary to reduce weight. Wrap the dresser in blankets and protect corners, handles, and finished surfaces from scratches.
Desks: Large desks may require partial disassembly, particularly if they have removable legs, drawers, or shelving. Protect the desktop carefully because finished surfaces can be easily scratched.
Chairs: Chairs are generally among the simplest pieces to transport. Cover upholstered chairs with protective material and pay particular attention to exposed legs and arms. Most chairs don’t require disassembly.
Shipping just one piece of furniture? CitizenShipper is ideal for single-item shipments. Transporters with partial loads bid on your listing, so you get professional service at a fraction of full-truckload prices. List Your Furniture for Free →
Tips for Saving Money on Long-Distance Furniture Shipping
The great thing is that you can get creative in saving money when shipping furniture long distances. There are a few tips and tricks that will help you cut down on shipping costs and ensure you’ll pay less.
Pack Your Own Boxes: Packing your own boxes allows you to organize your belongings into specifically labelled boxes. You’ll know where they belong for easier unpacking. When you pack your own things into boxes, it eliminates the need of movers doing that. Packing your own boxes can take hours, so it means saving hundreds of dollars on something you can do yourself.
Book Early: Another suggestion we recommend is to book your furniture shipping needs early. If you wait until the last minute, the costs will go up because of the quick turnaround that needs to happen. However, if you book calmly and early enough, those costs won’t go up because the furniture shipping company can plan shipping schedules.
Negotiate with Moving Companies: It’s always best to negotiate with moving companies. Remember that not everything is set in stone. Everything is negotiable and if you can bring down costs on several things, you may be able to pay a lower price for furniture shipping. Be on the lookout for things that can easily be knocked down — extra fees that could be eliminated.
At the end of the day, they want your business and if it means having them charge you one or two hundred dollars less instead of not having any business at all, they’ll take it in a heartbeat.
Is Your Furniture Worth Shipping?
Before paying to transport furniture, compare the shipping cost with the item’s replacement cost. If replacing the piece would cost less than shipping it, selling or donating the furniture and buying another one at your destination may make more financial sense. However, shipping can be worthwhile when the piece is antique, sentimental, custom-made, or difficult to replace. Also consider its condition and quality—well-made furniture that will last for years may justify a higher transportation cost. When in doubt, get a few transport quotes and compare the total against the cost of finding a suitable replacement.
Cheapest Ways to Move Furniture to Another State
There are various ways you can save money when shipping furniture to another location, especially if it’s another state. Sometimes you might think those rates are outrageous, but the reality is that there are some affordable options out there. Let’s take a look at a few you may want to consider.
Renting a Moving Truck: This is an easy, do-it-yourself option that can save you a lot of money. Renting a moving truck is cost effective. You do have to carry all of your furniture yourself and of course this is where helping hands come in and you can ask your friends and family to help out with the move. You’ll also have to drive the truck yourself to your new destination. This option is cheaper than others, but the downside is that you have to do it yourself. This is something worth thinking about.
Ship via Freight: Freight delivery is a common option. It can be more affordable, but one where you’re required to disassemble everything and put your items in wooden boxes. The freight delivery driver will pick up your boxes at your curb and deliver them to the next curb. Keep in mind that this usually is better for deliveries that are less than truckload (or LTL), as they can potentially be loaded and unloaded several times.
Compare Quotes from Multiple Movers on CitizenShipper
After you perused at the traditional furniture delivery company options, you may not be convinced about the quotes you’ve received. CitizenShipper can be the perfect alternative for you.
CitizenShipper has flexible pricing options and can provide various offers that you can then compare and contrast in order for you to pick the right one for you. Multiple transporters compete for your business, which means you can save up to 60-70% compared to those traditional moving companies. They’ll send you multiple quotes and you can get the best deal after looking at each one of them.
You can save money, time, and hassle. The best part about CitizenShipper is there are no hidden fees. Posting a listing on CitizenShipper, receiving and comparing quotes is super easy.
All you have to do is:
- Create a listing on CitizenShipper. Add all the details required to receive quotes. This includes your contact info, details about what furniture your transporter will be moving, the pick-up and drop-off locations and your preferred transport dates. It’s free to post a listing!
- Your listing is visible to a network of furniture transporters. Every driver on CitizenShipper has passed a strict background check.
- The drivers submit bids on your listing — you’ll usually receive those bids within minutes! It’s free to look over your quotes, chat with drivers and read reviews.
We pride ourselves in ensuring an easy process, having excellent customer service and making furniture shipping run safe, seamless and stress-free. All of those belongings will be in good hands with our qualified movers, who can provide frequent updates through our internal messaging system.
Navigate to the furniture shipping page, punch in your info and get quotes faster than bubble wrapping mirrors!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the cheapest way to ship furniture to another state?
2. How much does it cost to ship one piece of furniture?
3. Is it cheaper to ship furniture or buy new furniture?
4. How should I prepare furniture for shipping?
Wrap furniture with moving blankets or protective materials, secure loose components, protect corners and finished surfaces, and disassemble removable parts when practical. Photograph the furniture before pickup to document its condition.
5. How can I get quotes to ship furniture across the country?
Patrick MacFarland has been a teacher, a candidate for public office, and a local tour guide. But now he dedicates his time writing full-time, currently at CitizenShipper and VeraContent.
