How does PODS moving cost per mile work? PODS is a moving and storage solution that allows you to load at your own speed, and handles the delivery of your container for you. And many people want to know the PODS cost per mile or PODS per mile cost to help in their moving budgeting.
Whether moving locally or inter-state, understanding how the PODS moving cost per mile works can allows you to effectively check prices to compare with traditional movers, plus help inform your moving decisions. The final price you pay will vary based on the distance of your move, your location, the container size, and local or long distance service. Knowing the per-mile cost system allows you to estimate your moving costs before booking.
PODS Moving Cost Per Mile: Understanding the Rates
Many prospective movers ask, “What is the PODS moving cost per mile?” This is a much-needed query that will become especially important if you are comparing movers. The PODS distance charge is the charge based on distance, included as part of your moving price. This factor is important to know because it will help you determine how far your container would be traveling from point A to point B and how much it would cost.
What Does Cost Per Mile Mean for PODS Moving Services?
For PODS pricing, cost per mile is the cost included for every mile that is traveled with your container. Unlike container rental and delivery or pick-up charges, this cost is calculated based on distance. Generally, the cost per mile for moving pods becomes noticeable in long-distance moves, although a local move may have a greater price for distance, depending on the location.
How PODS Calculates Distance Charges for Local and Long-Distance Moves
With regard to distance charges, PODS has separate methods for calculating mileage charges for local and long-distance moves.
- Local Moves – Typically a flat fee that may include a maximum number of miles. If you exceed the maximum number of miles, PODS may add a per-mile charge.
- Long-Distance Moves – Mileage is part of your total moving quote. Distance matters as the higher the distance you travel, the higher the PODS per mile cost, because fuel, time spent by the driver, and transportation logistics increase over distance.
Factors that Affect the Cost Per Mile
Multiple factors can all affect what it costs for your moving pods on a cost per mile basis.
- Distance – Generally, longer routes usually have a higher charge for total mileage.
- Fuel Costs – When the price of fuel increases, transportation costs increase which can affect your cost per mile.
- Location – Moving between two metropolitan cities or simply moving to a remote area can cause increases in the total price charged as a result of PODS availability and routing to your new location.
- Time of Year – Summer is the busiest season for moving, and similarly could impact your overall price including charges based on mileage.
You may read How Much Does It Cost To Rent A Pods Moving?
PODS Moving Average Costs
Average prices for PODS moving depend on the distance, size of the desired move, and year timeframe. Knowing the average prices can help you properly budget when moving. PODS has different sizes of containers for small, medium, and large moves and adjust the pricing based on your distance
Estimated Average Cost Ranges by Move Size:
- Small Moves (Studio or 1-bedroom apartment)– Usually a smaller container is needed. Costs on average for local small moves are $300–$800 (long-distance average can be $1000–$3000).
- Medium Moves (2–3 bedroom home)– One size medium or large container may be used. For local moves $500–$1500 (long-distance average $2000–4500).
- Large Moves (4+ bedroom home)– Multiple containers are typically needed. Local moves will typically be $800–2000, long-distance anywhere from $3000–7000.
Example Scenarios:
- 50 mile local move for medium home– about $600–1200 for container and transport.
- 1000 mile long-distance move for large home– between $4000–6000 depending on season and gas costs.
Average Cost by Distance
| Distance | Small Move | Medium Move | Large Move |
| Local (Under 50 mi) | $300–$800 | $500–$1,500 | $800–$2,000 |
| 250 Miles | $800–$2,000 | $1,500–$3,000 | $2,500–$4,000 |
| 1,000 Miles | $1,000–$3,000 | $2,000–$4,500 | $3,000–$7,000 |
PODS Long-Distance Moving Cost
The total cost of using PODS to move long-distance is determined primarily by how far you’re moving, the size of the container, and how many containers you require. Moving long-distance is different from a local move, in that the distance (mileage) is factored directly into the final cost of the move. The distance would also take into account the transportation, fuel, labor from the driver, and even logistics of getting your container from one state to another.
How long-distance costs are determined
For long-distance and cross country moves, PODS will provide a quote (approximate cost) that covers several pricing factors:
- Container size / quantity – So, for larger homes, you may need multiple PODS containers, which may increase the total cost
- Distance / Mileage – A longer move (interstate or coast-to-coast move), will incur higher transportation rates.
- Fuel / Logistics – Cross country transport normally equals higher fuel costs, tolls, and logistics costs for transferring a container from one PODS location to another.
- Season / Demand – Summer is the busiest moving season, which may also drive up your costs for long-distance moves.
Mileage Fees for Cross-Country or Interstate Moves
PODS usually includes mileage fees into your quotes for interstate moves. You won’t usually have a separate fee for each mile, as the fee is baked into the quoted total. As you move further, more of the PODS long-distance moving cost will be attributed to mileage. For example, moving 500 miles will cost less than moving 2,000 miles, because there is less fuel and transportation utilization.
Example Long-Distance Cost Breakdown
| Distance | Small Move (Studio/1-Bedroom) | Medium Move (2–3 Bedrooms) | Large Move (4+ Bedrooms) |
| 500 Miles | $1,500–$3,000 | $2,500–$4,500 | $3,500–$6,000 |
| 1,000 Miles | $1,800–$3,500 | $3,000–$5,000 | $4,000–$6,500 |
| 2,000 Miles | $2,000–$4,000 | $3,500–$5,500 | $4,500–$7,000 |
If you’d like, I can now merge this PODS Long-Distance Moving Cost section with your PODS Moving Cost Per Mile and Average Cost of PODS Moving into a single, fully SEO-optimized, entity-based guide that ranks for all your target keywords.
PODS Local Moving Cost
The PODS local moving cost is generally more affordable than long-distance moves, but pricing still depends on container size, rental period, and distance. Local moves are usually charged as a combination of a daily or monthly container rental rate plus any per-mile charges if you exceed a set mileage limit.
Pricing for Local Moves
- Container Rental Rate – For local moves, PODS will charge clients renting a container on a daily or monthly basis for container use. This rental fee accounts for the equipment needed to pack, move, and unpack their belongings.
- Delivery, Pickup, & Mileage Fee – Delivery and pick-up fees are one-time charges associated with bringing the container to your location and removing it after the move is complete. Some local quotes include a set mileage as part of your flat fee. If you go over the quoted mileage, you may be charged a small flat fee per mile after the fact.
Price Point Examples for 10–100 miles
- 10–20 miles (small move) – Approximately $200–$500 depending on the size of the container/components rented for the move.
- 30–50 miles (medium move) – Approximately $400-800 (including delivery and pick-up fees).
- 75–100 miles (large move) – These move quotes are generally an estimated $600-1,200 dollars depending on the time of year, fuel prices, and quantity of containers.
Other Charges to Consider for Short distance moves
- Excess mileage charge – typically you might not have an additional charge unless it is in your price quote (below).
- Longer rental charge – we typically charge based on how long you keep the container, see above.
- No parking permit – you may want to check the city if you are putting a dumpster on the city street.
- Fuel and seasonal surcharge – sometimes we have surcharges based on peak moving months, fuel surcharges, and transportation surcharges
PODS vs Moving Companies Cost Comparison
When looking at PODS vs. moving companies cost comparison, many people assume PODS is always cheaper. However, when you factor in cost per mile, additional fees, and convenience, a trusted full-service mover like Chamomile Go often provides more value especially for local moves in Sherman Oaks and surrounding areas.
Assessing PODS Cost Per Mile to Traditional Movers
- PODS – You’re paying for container rental, delivery fees / pickup fees, and mileage fees (typically accounted for in the quote). Plus, you’re responsible for loading, packing, and unloading all by yourself, or hiring help outside of that.
- Chamomile Go Moving Services – We give you upfront pricing that accounts for labor, truck, fuel, and mileage and no hidden fees. Our movers are trained to move all items for you from packing to unloading to save you a lift.
When PODS Might be Cheaper Vs. Full-Service Movers
- PODS May Be Cheaper – If you are moving a very small amount of items, have weeks to pack/unpack, and want to load everything yourself.
- Full-Service Movers Are Better – If you want to use professional packers, you want to move everything on the same day, or you don’t want to lift a heavy box. With Chamomile Go you can safely and efficiently move belongings with no extra container rental or multiple delivery fees. This is particularly cost effective for local and long-distance moves from Sherman Oaks.
Cost Comparison Table: PODS vs. Moving Company
| Move Type | PODS (Container + Delivery + Mileage) | Chamomile Go (Full-Service Move) |
| Local (50 miles) | $500–$1,200 + labor costs | $450–$950 all-inclusive |
| 500 Miles | $2,500–$4,500 + labor costs | $2,200–$4,000 all-inclusive |
| 1,000 Miles | $3,000–$6,000 + labor costs | $2,800–$5,200 all-inclusive |
With PODS, you’ll often have extra costs for hiring labor, extending container rentals, or exceeding mileage limits. Chamomile Go includes professional movers, proper equipment, fuel, and time-efficient service for one fair price making us the smarter choice for stress-free moving in Sherman Oaks.
Final Thoughts
The PODS cost per mile depends on container size, rental time, delivery, and mileage. While it can be affordable for small, flexible moves where you pack and load yourself, costs can add up for long-distance or multi-container moves.PODS works best for minimal furniture and short distances, but for larger moves or when you want a stress-free experience, full-service movers are often more cost-effective. Chamomile Go offers professional movers, packing help, and safe transportation all at one fair, all-inclusive price. If you want any help or have any query, contact us today.
FAQs
Does Pods Charge Separately For Mileage?
For long-distance moves, mileage costs are usually built into your quote. For local moves, you may have a set mileage allowance, and extra miles can result in additional per-mile charges.
How Does Pods Calculate Per-Mile Moving Costs?
PODS considers the size of your container, total distance traveled, fuel prices, and route logistics. The longer the distance, the higher the cost per mile.
Is Pods Cheaper For Short Or Long Distances?
PODS is generally more affordable for short distances, especially if you can load and unload the container yourself. Long-distance moves can be more expensive because mileage costs make up a larger portion of the total price.
Are There Extra Fees Besides The Cost Per Mile?
Yes. You may also pay for container rental time, delivery and pickup fees, storage fees if you keep the container longer, and additional services like hired labor.
