Moving usually costs between $1200 and $9800. We know that’s a huge window, but it’s for a good reason: Every move is different, and if you’re traveling farther and taking more stuff with you, you’ll end up paying quite a bit more than someone who’s just moving a studio across the hall. If you’re trying to figure out a ballpark estimate, it’s all about the mass and the miles.

Moving typically takes between 1 and 21 days. Much like the price of your move, the duration comes down to how much you’re moving, and how far you’re going – but it may not be mathed out as you’d expect.

As it turns out, moving a smaller amount of stuff can sometimes take LONGER than larger moves. It’s common practice for movers to bundle multiple small moves in one truck or trailer (while keeping everything safe and separate, of course). This cuts down on wasted space, and it keeps your cost down. But there’ll be delays for pickups and dropoffs along the way.

Since moving prices depend on how much you have to transport, it’s a good idea to trim down the excess before you shop for a quote. If you have any old, unwanted, or unused items that you’d like to get rid of or replace, now’s the time to do it. The less you have, the less you’ll pay.

Aside from downsizing all your stuff, we recommend scheduling smart. Try to shoot for a mid-week, mid-month move, far away from major holidays or vacation times. The first and last day of the month is usually when leases run out, and long weekends are also pretty impacted.

Peak moving season is always summer. June through August is when all the kids and college students are out of school, so everyone wants to take advantage of the summer break to move. This means higher prices, competitive time slots, and to top it all off, pretty brutal summer heat for the heavy-lifters. Lately, we’ve also seen rates go up in May and September, so make sure you schedule smart.

If you’re moving less than 100 miles and within the same state, you’ll need local movers. And if you’re moving more than 100 miles or across state lines, you’ll need long distance movers.

Local movers charger per hour, per mover (and it’s typically about two movers per bedroom). These guys are typically well-trained and experienced at navigating all those city streets, plus they know how to cut around traffic. Still, it’s best to schedule around rush hour so you don’t get charged extra.

Long distance movers charge per mile, per pound (although some will charge per cubic foot). Long distance moving companies are familiar with all the best routes to get from state to state, coast to coast, or border to border. Plus, they have to be certified with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to operate across state lines. Look for their MC number to be safe.