What’s the real cost for a cross Canada move? Get the inside scoop from someone who just did it themselves. Includes prices, tips, checklists and more to plan your own budget.
Moving across Canada was one of the most exciting – and expensive – things I’ve ever done.
As a cross-Canada moving company loaded up my life into a truck headed from Nova Scotia to British Columbia, I realized no one fully prepared me for the true cost.
Let me break down exactly what I spent and what I wished I’d budgeted better for. Spoiler: it was way more than I expected.
My experience totals everything from packing supplies and moving insurance to food, lodging and unpredictable surprises along the 5,000 km journey.
Below I’ll cover:
- Realistic cross-Canada moving company quotes
- Additional expenses that snuck up on me
- Clever ways I could have saved $$$
- Itemized checklists to forecast your cross-country budget
Whether you want to move yourself or hire professional movers, have a realistic budget in place. This guide will prepare you – unlike me!
Getting Quotes from Cross-Canada Moving Companies
First, understand that only certain cross-Canada moving companies run routes across the entire country. I got quotes from 3 national movers along with 2 local companies.
The table below compares their base quotes:
| Company | Cubic Feet | Cost |
| National Movers | ||
| EasyCross Country Movers | 1,500 ft3 | $7,100 |
| Canada relocation Services | 1,500 ft3 | $7,850 |
| WeMoveYou.ca | 1,500 ft3 | $8,615 |
| Local Companies | ||
| Halifax Movers | 1,500 ft3 | $3,030 (local only) |
| Vancouver Movers | 1,500 ft3 | $2,415 (local only) |
I paid $150 per extra 100 cubic feet- Fuel surcharge and tax added another 15%
- Stair carry charges cost me $100 per flight
The most affordable cross-Canada moving company for my needs was EasyCross Country Movers. But even their “$7,100” quote wasn’t the full price tag…
“Hidden” Expenses That Blindsided My Budget
Despite getting quotes, these extra charges made my jaw drop:
- Packing Supplies: $520 for boxes, tape, padding and markers
- Motel Stays: $900 for me and my cat during the 7-day move
- Meals: $450 in restaurants and takeout
- Moving Insurance: An extra $375 for protection
- Cleaning Costs: $260 to professionally clean the old and new places
- Ferry Charge: $170 to transport the truck + car
- Tipping Movers: $100 in tips for the loading team
So the real cost of my cross-Canada move turned out to be over $10,000! Let’s break down each of these budget items in more detail…
Moving Company Base Quote
The baseline quote from your chosen cross-Canada moving company depends on:
- Cubic footage of belongings
- Distance and routes covered
- Timing during peak vs. off-seasons
Packing Supplies
Don’t wait until the last minute to get supplies! I used:
- 12 wardrobe boxes
- 45 Medium boxes
- 10 dish packs
- 50+ feet of bubblewrap
Temporary Housing
Hotels that allow pets got very expensive. Airbnbs offered better rates if booked 2-3 months ahead of time.
Food
I didn’t want to eat fast food for a week straight. Having nutritious snacks and ingredients to cook simple picnics saved money.
Insurance
I purchased third-party specialty moving insurance to cover damages, loss, theft and personal injuries.
Cleaning
Don’t lose your damage deposit! Hire professionals to thoroughly clean your old and new places.
Unexpected Costs
Be prepared for extra charges like ferries, parking permits, and storage fees. Keeping 20% wiggle room in your moving budget helps cover surprises.
Clever Tips to Slash Moving Expenses
If I could wind back time, here’s what I would have done differently:
✔️ Take only essentials. Reduce cubic footage charges by decluttering and donating unnecessary stuff beforehand.
✔️ DIY packing. Pack non-fragiles like clothes, towels and bedding myself using free recycled boxes from local stores.
✔️ Book a pet-friendly motel in advance for cheaper rates.
✔️ Cook simple healthy meals to save over fast food. Sandwiches, veggies, and grilled meat help stick to the moving budget.
Doing a cross-Canada move? Use this checklist to cover all bases:
❏ Calculate cubic footage
❏ Get quotes from 3+ companies
❏ Secure packing supplies
❏ Rent/borrow a moving dolly and utility cart
❏ Print maps and plan fuel stops + lodging
❏ Pack non-fragile items in advance
❏ Purge belongings to only essentials
❏ Clean old homes professionally
No matter which cross-Canada moving company you choose, at least you’ll avoid sticker shock! Being prepared makes a cross-country relocation less chaotic.
Now you can strategically budget using my $10k+ real-life example. Just don’t forget the hidden costs and tips that can secretly sink your moving budget!
