Moving From Dallas to Atlanta: Movers, Costs, and Benefits

Texas is getting crowded. With all the Californians moving in, it’s getting hard to recognize the Lone Star State - and it’s getting hard to afford it, too. Tons of people are getting out, but where to next?

Atlanta may not be on everyone’s radar, but that’s why it’s such a great choice. A hidden gem and a major hub at the same time, it’s less than 1,000 miles from Dallas, and there’s plenty to keep you occupied once you get out there. The only challenge is getting there in the first place, but that’s what iMoving’s here for.

At iMoving, we’ve built an online platform that makes it easier than ever to shop for movers. No house calls, no phone calls - just tell us more about your Atlanta to Dallas move, and take your pick from over 1,000 vetted and verified pros.

But enough about us. Let’s take a look at what you can expect when you move from Dallas to Atlanta, starting with how much it’ll cost…

It’ll typically cost between $2,000 and $5,000 to move from Dallas to Atlanta, but we’ve seen the odd move that was cheaper or more expensive. When you’re trying to figure out the price of a long-distance move, it all comes down to distance and size.

Long distance movers math out the price by looking at the miles they have to travel, and the physical size of your move (either in pounds or cubic feet). Dallas and Atlanta are about 800 miles apart, so there’s not much you can do about the distance. But you can do plenty about the size of your move.

We always recommend downsizing before you shop for a quote. If you’ve got a lot of items that you don’t want, don’t use, or just plain don’t like, you shouldn’t take them with you to your new place. Sell off that old sofa, donate those mom jeans, do whatever it takes to lighten the load. Your wallet will thank you.

Long-distance moving usually takes between 1 and 21 days. But since you’re looking at a Dallas to Atlanta move, expect a 2-day minimum. There are rules and regulations that determine how far your movers can travel in one day, and drivers aren’t allowed to clock more than 400 miles of interstate travel in the same 24-hour period.

Aside from labor laws, there’s also the matter of efficiency. Does all your stuff fill up an entire trailer? Unless you’re moving a McMansion, probably not. If there’s a lot of empty space in the back of the moving truck, your movers will probably wait until they have enough pickups and deliveries to fill that space. This is called bundling.

Bundling moves is a common practice. Movers will put multiple moves on the same truck (keeping everything safe and separate, of course), and they’ll make a few deliveries on the way to make sure they’re getting the most out of the gas they’re using up.

It’s good for keeping prices down, but if you’ve only got a small amount of stuff to move, expect your move to actually take LONGER.

$2,000 to $5,000 is a pretty big window. Your moving quote is actually based on several important factors, so it’s important to get familiar with these before you book.

1. Distance

The distance between Dallas and Atlanta is probably the most important factor. Fortunately, you’re not dealing with a coast-to-coast haul. There’s about 780 miles between Dallas and Atlanta, so it won’t be cheap. But hey, at least you’re not going from Maine to California or something.

2. Size

Next to the distance, the physical size of your move makes the most difference. Will you be moving a studio apartment, a 3-bedroom house, or a 10-room mansion? Your movers will assign a weight or volume value (in pounds or cubic feet, respectively) for all of your belongings. The more you have to haul, the more you’ll have to pay.

3. Packing

Packing won’t be included in your quote, since it’s an optional add-on. Should you shell out for it? That depends on how much you value your time and your sanity. Sure, you can pack by yourself, but it’s always the most time-consuming and frustrating part of the whole process.

Some add-ons are just worth the extra money, and if you want to avoid all those extra trips to Home Depot for boxes, tape, and packing peanuts, you’ll be thankful you paid for packing services.

4. Insurance

Speaking of “worth the money”, insurance is another one of those extras you don’t want to cheap out on. Moving companies do offer basic coverage for free, but this is only good for $0.60 per pound of damaged or lost items.

If you’d like to be reimbursed the full value for that broken laptop (instead of like… $2.40), you’ll have to pay a little more for full-value coverage.

5. Access Fees

Here’s a fun exercise for you: Walk from your front door to the street, and take notes on any obstacles you had to deal with on the way.

Did you have to go through gates, elevators, or multiple flights of stairs? All of these obstacles are going to be challenges for your moving team. “Access fees” is a catch-all term for all of these hiccups.

You may not be able to avoid these, but you can at least communicate ahead of time so your movers know what they’re getting into.

6. Shuttles

For the long haul from Dallas to Atlanta, the odds are your movers will use a big rig to transport everything. Unfortunately, if you’re moving to a more urban area, they won’t be able to park the rig on the street.

Instead, they’ll park the semi-truck in a safe staging area, and use a smaller truck to get everything shipped to your doorstep. Not convenient, not cheap.

7. Specialty Services

Pianos, pool tables, heck, even vintage motorcycles, and collections of anime figurines - these all need some extra TLC on a moving day. In some cases, your movers will have to build custom crates.

Other times, they’ll have to disassemble furniture, or even winch stuff out the window. This all costs extra, but unless you’re okay with rolling your piano down the stairs, it’s an expense you can’t avoid.

8. Gratuity

You may be rolling your eyes already, but this isn’t flipping an iPad around at your local Boba shack. Moving takes a lot of work, and in the industry, tips are accepted and expected. 15% to 20% is a good amount, to be split up between your whole moving team. Don’t forget the driver!

More and more people are moving to Atlanta. But why? Everyone’s got their own reasons, but here are some of the most popular excuses:

• Smaller in a good way: Dallas is like 3 times the size of Atlanta. You’ll still find everything you need in the ATL but with less sprawl. If you’re really trying to get away from crowds, you might want to look for some small towns instead.

• Career opportunities: Atlanta is a growing city, and there are a lot of career opportunities to reflect the changes. There’s medical, education, tech, and even a growing entertainment industry! 

• Genuine Southern hospitality: Okay, we still need to preface this by saying that Atlanta is a city, and city folks can be jerks sometimes. But Atlanta is also in the South, and Southern hospitality is a very real thing. As long as you don’t have California plates.

• Mild(er) weather: Yes, Atlanta has muggy summers. But it’s not as bad as Dallas. If you need a break from the sweltering Texas heat, Atlanta may offer you a nice break - at least to a certain degree.

• It’s up-and-coming: There are a lot of new jobs, new industries, and new faces in the ATL. We’re not going to resort to hyperbole and say it’s the “next LA” or something ridiculous like that, but it’s still growing fast. Better make the move before rent spikes.

Atlanta may be a third the size of Dallas, but you’ll still find plenty of great activities to keep you occupied. Here’s a few of the must-dos in your new hometown: 

• Georgia Aquarium: From 2005 to 2012, the Georgia Aquarium was actually the largest aquarium in the world. It’s packed with thousands of critters, and it’s definitely worth a visit just to see the whale sharks!

• Atlanta Botanic Garden: A slice of green in the big city. The Atlanta Botanic Garden is a world-class attraction, with over 30 acres of plants, trees, and sculpture gardens to wander through. If you’re looking for a chance to slow things down, go here.

• Fox Theater: If you’re a fan of live entertainment, Fox Theater is the place to be. Located in Midtown, the theater was recently renovated to restore its 1920s glory. Check out a play, and enjoy the architecture and design while you’re at it.

• Ponce City Market: Ponce City Market used to be a big ol’ distribution center for Sears, but it’s been since revitalized and renovated into a massive mixed-use site. You can find boutiques, restaurants, and a great view from the roof.

• Sports: You’ve got the Braves, the Hawks, the Falcons - heck, you’ve even got Atlanta United if you’re one of those weirdos who’s into soccer. If you want sports, Atlanta’s got you covered. Feel free to tailgate - except maybe at the FedEx Cup.

Atlanta has a lot going for it, and since it’s growing so quickly, there’s always something new to check out. The above list is just a quick snapshot of all the activities you’ll find in your new hometown!

You’ve seen our favorite moving companies, and you’ve learned a thing or two about the ATL. Now, all you have to do is book your movers, and tell your family and friends where they can find you next.

It may be tough to keep everyone in the loop about your move, but with iMoving, booking is easier than ever. We’ve got over 1,000 vetted and verified movers in our marketplace, and we’re the only platform that lets you shop, compare prices, and book entirely online - no phone calls or house calls required!

Ready to get started? We’ll make it easy. Tell us more about your move, and let’s get you Atlanta-bound!