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

Dallas is getting crowded. So is Austin. The main difference? Austin’s got 6th Street. It also has tons of arts, culture, and a growing economy with tons of professional variety. It’s the city where all the cool kids are moving, and it shows.

But even though it’s just about a 3-hour drive, you’ll want to hire some professional help. Fortunately, Dallas to Austin moving companies can do the wrapping, packing, loading, and hauling so you don’t have to.

At iMoving, we make it easier than ever to find real pros. Our marketplace is entirely online, so you can shop around, compare prices, and book movers from the comfort of your phone or laptop. Plus, we go the extra mile to make sure all the movers in our marketplace are up to the task.

Sales pitch over. You know why you’re here. Read on to see what you can expect on moving day (and tell us more about your move if you already want to hit the road)!

It costs between $920 and $2,510 to hire movers from Dallas to Austin. During all our time in the industry, we’ve seen a few outliers in either direction, but the $920 and $2,510 window covers most of the bases.

We admit it’s a pretty big window. But the final price of your move comes down to how many miles you’re clocking, and how much stuff you’re hauling. A studio apartment won’t cost you much, but a 5-bedroom home? Let’s just be glad you’re only moving about 200 miles.

Fortunately, there’s one major step you can take to reduce the price of your move. Before you go shopping for quotes, downsize as much as possible. That old couch? Donate it. That quesadilla maker? Regift it. (It was probably regifted already.) Give it away, sell it off, throw it in your neighbor’s yard - just do what you can to get rid of that unwanted, unused stuff. Less to haul = less to pay.

Long-distance moving usually takes between 1 and 21 days. Drivers aren’t allowed to clock more than 400 miles of interstate travel per day, but you’re in luck! Austin and Dallas are just 200 miles apart.

It’s worth mentioning that movers bundle multiple moves to avoid empty space in their trucks or trailers. If a move doesn’t fill the whole truck, they’ll load several different moves for greater efficiency (while keeping everything separate and secure, of course).  While this practice keeps prices down, it also means you may have delays if you’re moving a smaller amount of belongings.

Most people assume their studios and one-bedrooms will get moved ASAP, but these small moves usually take more time. That’s because movers wait until the whole trailer is filled with other moves before heading out. They’ll also have to make pickups or deliveries along the way.

Moving quotes looks complicated, but when you’ve been in the industry as long as we have, you learn to recognize all the little fees and add-ons that contribute to your final price. Here’s a breakdown of your Dallas to Austin move:

1. Distance

Long distance moving (and yes, Dallas to Austin counts as a long distance move) is largely priced based on distance. Fortunately, you’re not dealing with a Maine to Miami relocation, so this factor shouldn’t be too bad.

2. Size

After distance, the next biggest factor behind your moving price is the physical size of your move. Most moving companies will take an inventory of all your belongings, and assign a weight value to everything. Other companies do the same process but use volume by cubic feet.

3. Packing

Packing may be an optional add-on, but if you value your sanity, it’s worth the extra cash. It’ll set you back anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand, but it means your movers will take care of all the boxes and bubble wrap. Plus, you’ll have to pay for packing if you want full-value insurance.

4. Storage

Another optional add-on, but again, one that’s worth paying for. Storage gives you some extra flexibility before, during, and after the big day. You’re getting extra square feet, plus you’re getting some extra time while you figure out what to do with all the excess furniture and boxes.

5. Access Fees

Think about how you get from your front door to the street. If there are any gates, elevators, extra flights of stairs, or extra long lobbies or driveways, odds are you’ll have to pay a little extra for the trouble.

6. Shuttle Fees

Shuttle fees are controversial, but they’re really city hall’s fault. Some cities have parking and zoning restrictions controlling where movers can park their big rigs. In these cases, your movers will have to park at a staging area outside of town and use a smaller box truck or cargo van to shuttle your stuff back and forth. Not convenient, and not cheap.

7. Insurance

Under federal law, moving companies have to offer some kind of insurance coverage for free. You can take the basic coverage, but be warned: It’s only good for $0.60 per pound. If you want to be reimbursed the actual value of your items, you’ll have to pay for full value coverage - and movers don’t offer this unless you’re also paying for packing.

8. Specialty Hauling

If you have a ton of fragile items, artwork, antiques, or anything else that requires a little TLC, you’ll want to find a mover that does specialty moving. It’s a bit more expensive, but it’s great peace of mind when your moving team comes equipped with the right tools and know-how.

Austin is attracting transplants from all over the US, including Dallas. But why? Take a look at some of the most common reasons folks are moving from Dallas to Austin:

• Great economy: If you’re working for work, Austin’s got it. Tech, finance, manufacturing, healthcare, and even a growing entertainment scene!

• Different vibe: Not only does Austin have a booming economy, but it also has a flourishing arts and culture scene. Chalk it up to the transplants, or the locals who are proud to keep Austin weird.

• Different politics: People call Austin a blue city in a red state. We don’t want to get sucked into some weird political culture war here, so we’re just gonna say this is a pro for some and a con for others.

• Still close to home: You’ve moved from Dallas, but if you’re ever homesick, it’s not a big commute to get back to your old stomping grounds. It’ll be easy to stay connected with all your family and friends (assuming you’re not trying to get away from them).

• Lots to do: Austin is also big enough to have plenty to do. You’re not going to be bored. In fact, we’ve got a whole section on how you can keep yourself entertained once you’ve made it to Austin… 

When you move to Austin, you definitely won’t be bored. Take a look at how you can keep yourself occupied in Bat City:

• 6th Street: Austin has plenty of watering holes, but the best joints are found on 6th Street. It’s a main drag full of bars, eateries, and live music galore.

• Zilker Park: This is Austin’s oldest metropolitan park, and it’s got plenty of room for you to stretch your legs and get some fresh air. It’s over 350 acres, and aside from ample space for trails and festivals, it’s also got…

• Barton Springs Municipal Pool: The Barton Springs Municipal Pool is one of the highlights of Zilker Park - especially since Austin gets pretty toasty during the summer. Take a dip, find some shade, and chill out.

• Live music: We brushed up on this when we mentioned 6th Street, but the live music itself deserves a special mention. Austin bills itself as the live music capital of the world, and it shows when you consider all the bands playing and festivals happening in town.

• Circuit of the Americas: Austin is a pretty car-centric city, but before you go whining on Reddit about how it’s “not walkable enough”, think about it this way: You can also race your car on the Circuit of the Americas, a Formula 1 track just outside town.

You made it to the end, and now you know a little more about what to expect from your Dallas to Austin move! If you’re ready to get started, iMoving is ready to help.

We’re the only place that lets you shop around, compare movers, and book your Dallas to Austin move from the comfort of your computer. No phone calls, no house calls - just tell us more about your move, and let’s get you on the road!