The dream of tiny house living comes with a beautiful promise: freedom to pick up and move wherever life takes you. But here’s the thing nobody mentions at the glossy tiny house expos; moving that cozy 200-square-foot paradise can punch a serious hole in your budget.
I’ve watched hundreds of tiny house owners learn this lesson the hard way. The truth sits somewhere between a pleasant surprise and a financial gut-punch, depending on distance, size, and the choices you make.
Let’s crack open the real numbers.
The Bottom Line: What You’ll Actually Pay
Moving a tiny house runs between $200 and $5,000 for most people. That’s a massive range, and here’s why.
Short moves under 250 miles cost $200 to $1,500. Long-distance hauls over 250 miles jump to $1,000 up to $5,000. The average sits around $1,000 for most standard moves, but that number shifts fast based on six major factors.
Distance dominates the equation. Professional movers charge $1 to $4 per mile, with towing services at the lower end ($1 to $3 per mile) and flatbed transport climbing higher ($2.50 to $4 per mile).
Here’s a quick snapshot:
| Distance | Average Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Under 100 miles | $200 – $800 |
| 100 – 250 miles | $500 – $1,500 |
| 250 – 500 miles | $1,000 – $2,500 |
| 500 – 1,000 miles | $2,000 – $4,000 |
| Over 1,000 miles | $3,000 – $5,000+ |
A 50-mile local move might cost $450. That same tiny house traveling from Texas to Oregon? You’re looking at $3,800 minimum.
Breaking Down Every Cost Factor
Size and Weight Drive Your Quote
Your moving quote starts with two measurements: width and weight.
A standard tiny house on wheels measures 8.5 feet wide (102 inches). That’s the sweet spot. No special permits needed. No headaches at state lines.
Go wider than 8.5 feet, and you’ve entered oversized load territory. A 10-foot-wide tiny house needs wide-load permits from every single state you pass through. A 12-foot-wide home requires escort vehicles—those pilot cars with flashing lights that cost $1.50 per mile per vehicle.
Weight matters just as much. Tiny houses under 10,000 pounds face base fees around $260. Cross that threshold into the 10,001 to 24,999-pound range, and fees jump to $360 or higher.
Most tiny houses weigh 7,000 to 12,000 pounds empty. Add furniture, appliances, and your book collection? Some hit 15,000 pounds.
One builder I know loaded her farmhouse sink, cast iron tub, and granite countertops into a 24-foot tiny house. The porcelain sink cracked in six places during the move. The total weight pushed her trailer past safe limits, and the repair bill hit $2,400.
The lesson: lighter materials save money twice—once during the build, again during every move.
The Permit Maze (And What It Costs)
Every state wants its cut when you move an oversized load down public highways.
Single-trip permits run $10 to $250 per state, depending on your dimensions. Annual permits cost more upfront ($60 to $500) but make sense if you’re planning multiple moves.
Here’s what permits cost across different states:
| State | Single Trip Permit | Annual Permit |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana | $10 | $500 |
| Nebraska | $15 – $25 | N/A |
| Colorado | $15 | $250 – $400 |
| Missouri | $15 – $250 | $128 – $400 |
| Nevada | $25 (5-day) | $60 |
| California | $20 – $60 | Varies |
Cross-country moves get expensive fast. A Texas-to-Washington haul crosses eight states. Even at $20 per permit, you’re spending $160 just for permission to drive.
The process takes time, too. Some states handle permits online in 24 hours. Others require faxed applications, phone calls, and 3-5 business days. Miss a permit, and state troopers can fine you $500 to $2,000 per violation.
Escort Vehicles: When You Need Them
Escort vehicles (pilot cars) become mandatory when your tiny house exceeds certain dimensions:
- Width over 12 to 14 feet (varies by state)
- Height over 14 feet
- Length over 100 feet
Most tiny houses stay under these limits. But if yours doesn’t, budget $1.50 per mile per escort vehicle. Some states require two escorts (front and rear) for really wide loads.
A 12-foot-wide tiny house moving 300 miles with one escort vehicle adds $450 to your total. Two escorts? That’s $900.
Escorts aren’t just expensive—they restrict your travel times. Many states only permit oversized loads during daylight hours on weekdays. Your three-day road trip just became a week-long journey with overnight parking fees.
Towing vs. Flatbed Transport
You’ve got two main options for moving a tiny house: towing or flatbed transport.
Towing means hooking your tiny house trailer to a heavy-duty pickup truck and hauling it like an RV. Costs run $1 to $3 per mile. You’ll need a truck capable of pulling 10,000+ pounds, which most people don’t own. Renting a suitable truck costs $150 to $300 per day before fuel.
Flatbed transport loads your entire tiny house onto a specialized truck bed. Costs climb to $2.50 to $4 per mile, but you get professional drivers, better insurance coverage, and less risk of structural damage.
The math looks like this for a 400-mile move:
| Method | Cost Range | Total Estimate |
|---|---|---|
| DIY Towing (with rental truck) | $1/mile + $200/day truck + fuel | $1,200 – $1,800 |
| Professional Towing Service | $1 – $3/mile | $400 – $1,200 |
| Flatbed Transport | $2.50 – $4/mile | $1,000 – $1,600 |
Flatbed transport costs more upfront but includes professional securing, insurance, and experienced drivers who know how to navigate tight turns and low bridges.
The Hidden Costs Nobody Warns You About
The sticker price from your moving company? That’s just the beginning.
New tires: Tiny house trailers sit stationary for months or years. The tires develop flat spots, cracks, and dry rot. Transport companies often require new tires before they’ll touch your house. Budget $500 to $800+ for a full set.
Utility disconnection and reconnection: Unhooking water, electric, and sewer runs $100 to $300. Reconnecting at your new location costs the same. That’s $200 to $600 total.
Interior securing: Everything inside must be strapped down, taped, or removed. Cabinet doors fly open. Dishes shatter. Appliances shift. Professional packing services charge $200 to $500, or you spend a weekend doing it yourself.
Route surveys: Some companies require a pre-move route survey for long distances or tight locations. This costs $200 to $500 but prevents getting stuck under a 13-foot bridge with your 13.5-foot-tall tiny house.
Overnight parking: Long-distance moves span multiple days. Parking a tiny house overnight at truck stops or RV parks costs $30 to $100 per night. A cross-country move might need three overnight stops—that’s $90 to $300.
Storage delays: Your new location isn’t ready, but you’ve already scheduled movers. Storage for a tiny house runs $50 to $200 per day.
Insurance during transport: Standard tiny house insurance policies exclude moves. Transport insurance costs $100 to $300 for a single trip, covering damage during transit.
Add these up, and “hidden” costs easily reach $1,500 to $3,000 on top of your base moving quote.
DIY Move vs. Hiring Professionals
The DIY temptation hits hard when you see that $3,000 moving quote.
“I can rent a truck for $200 a day,” you think. “I’ll save thousands.”
Here’s the reality: DIY tiny house moves save money only if nothing goes wrong. And something almost always goes wrong.
True Cost of DIY Moving
- Heavy-duty truck rental: $150 – $300/day
- Fuel: $300 – $800 (depending on distance and truck MPG)
- Permits: $10 – $250 per state (you handle all paperwork)
- Your time: 3-7 days off work
- Stress level: extremely high
- Risk of damage: significant
One couple tried moving their tiny house themselves from Colorado to Montana. The truck rental, permits, and fuel totaled $1,400. Sounds like savings until the trailer hitch failed 200 miles in, causing $6,000 in structural damage. Their insurance didn’t cover the incident because they weren’t certified haulers.
Professional Movers Bring Peace of Mind
Professional tiny house movers charge more, but you get:
- Experienced drivers who’ve moved hundreds of tiny houses
- Proper equipment (heavy-duty trucks, securing straps, dollies)
- Commercial insurance covering damage during transport
- Route planning around low bridges and weight-restricted roads
- Permit acquisition (many companies handle this)
- Liability protection
The difference between a $1,200 DIY disaster and a $2,500 professional move? Your sanity, your time, and protection against catastrophic damage.
Real Examples: What People Actually Paid
Let’s look at real costs from actual tiny house moves in 2025.
Sarah, Portland to Seattle (175 miles): Hired professional flatbed service. Tiny house dimensions: 8.5 feet wide, 20 feet long, 9,500 pounds. Total cost: $875 including one permit. Move completed in one day.
Marcus, Austin to Denver (900 miles): DIY tow with rented F-350. House dimensions: 8.5 feet wide, 24 feet long, 11,000 pounds. Truck rental (4 days): $1,100. Fuel: $480. Permits (4 states): $140. Blown tire mid-journey: $320. Total: $2,040 plus six days of stress.
Jennifer, Miami to California (2,750 miles): Professional long-haul transport. House dimensions: 10 feet wide, 26 feet long, 13,500 pounds. Flatbed transport: $8,250. Wide-load permits (12 states): $420. Escort vehicle (required in 3 states, 600 miles): $900. Total: $9,570.
Tom, Local move within county (45 miles): Hired local tiny house specialist. House dimensions: 8.5 feet wide, 18 feet long, 8,200 pounds. Total cost: $450. No permits needed for under-50-mile moves in his state.
These examples show the range clearly. Local moves stay affordable. Long-distance hauls, especially with oversized dimensions, climb fast.
How to Slash Your Moving Costs
Smart planning cuts hundreds or thousands from your tiny house moving bill.
1. Keep It Under 8.5 Feet Wide
This single decision saves more money than any other. Standard width means:
- No wide-load permits
- No escort vehicles
- No travel time restrictions
- Lower per-mile transport rates
The extra 18 inches of interior space from a 10-foot-wide tiny house costs $800 to $2,000 extra per move. For people who move frequently, that math never works out.
2. Move During Off-Peak Season
Moving companies charge premium rates May through September (peak moving season). November through March rates drop 20% to 40%.
The same 500-mile move that costs $2,200 in July might run $1,500 in February.
3. Handle Your Own Permits
Most moving companies charge $50 to $100 per permit as a service fee. State permits cost $10 to $60 direct.
Handling permits yourself for a five-state move saves $200 to $500. The tradeoff: you spend 3-5 hours researching requirements, filling forms, and following up.
4. Lighten Your Load
Every 1,000 pounds you remove reduces costs. Ship furniture separately, store heavy appliances, donate that clawfoot tub.
Weight-based fees jump at certain thresholds (10,000 pounds, 15,000 pounds, 20,000 pounds). Staying under the next threshold can save $100 to $300.
5. Get Multiple Quotes
Transport prices vary wildly. Get quotes from at least three companies.
One tiny house owner got quotes ranging from $1,800 to $4,200 for the same move. She went with the middle option ($2,600) that included insurance and had excellent reviews.
6. Bundle Services
Some transport companies offer discounts when you bundle services:
- Transport + permits
- Transport + insurance
- Multiple tiny houses (if you own more than one)
Bundling can save 10% to 15% off the total.
Choosing the Right Moving Company
Not all moving companies handle tiny houses. Standard house movers and furniture movers can’t help you.
You need specialists experienced with:
- Oversized load transport
- Trailer towing or flatbed hauling
- DOT regulations and permits
- Structural securing for travel
Questions to Ask Every Moving Company
“How many tiny houses have you moved?” Look for companies with 50+ tiny house moves under their belt.
“What’s included in your quote?” Clarify whether permits, insurance, and securing materials come included or cost extra.
“What insurance coverage do you carry?” Minimum commercial liability should be $1 million. Verify they carry cargo insurance covering your tiny house’s full value.
“What happens if there’s damage during transport?” Understand their claims process before signing anything.
“Do you handle permit acquisition?” Some companies include this; others expect you to obtain permits yourself.
“What size trucks do you use?” Heavy-duty trucks rated for 15,000+ pound loads are standard. Anything less raises red flags.
“Can you provide references?” Talk to three previous customers about their experience.
Top-Rated Tiny House Moving Companies
Several companies specialize in tiny house transport nationwide:
International Van Lines offers full-service moving with quotes ranging $1,400 to $9,200. They handle permits and carry comprehensive insurance. Great for long-distance moves.
Heavy Haulers focuses exclusively on oversized load transport. Quotes run $1.50 to $4 per mile. They specialize in difficult moves (narrow roads, tight turns, remote locations).
Nationwide Transport Services provides tiny house shipping across all 50 states. Average costs $2 to $3 per mile for standard dimensions.
One Call Logistics handles transport and also offers consultation on route planning and permit acquisition. Mid-range pricing with excellent customer service reviews.
Always verify licensing, insurance, and BBB ratings before hiring anyone to move your home.
Common Mistakes That Cost Big Money
Mistake #1: Not Measuring Accurately
Tiny house owners eyeball dimensions and get unpleasant surprises when the moving company arrives.
Your tiny house measures 8 feet 7 inches wide, not 8 feet 5 inches. That 2-inch difference requires permits, changes your quote, and can delay your move by days.
Measure from the widest point—usually the roof overhang, not the wall.
Mistake #2: Forgetting About Height
Low bridges kill tiny house moves. Highway overpasses typically clear 14 to 16 feet. Many tiny houses top out at 13.5 feet on the trailer.
Add your truck height (5 to 6 feet from ground to hitch), and you’re dangerously close to bridges rated at 14 feet.
Professional movers plan routes around low clearances. DIY movers crash into bridges every year, causing $10,000+ in damage.
Mistake #3: Skipping Insurance
“The moving company has insurance” doesn’t mean your tiny house is covered.
Moving company insurance covers liability (damage they cause to others). Cargo insurance (covering damage to your house) often costs extra.
Read contracts carefully. Verify coverage limits. Get it in writing.
Mistake #4: Moving with Utilities Connected
Water lines freeze and burst. Propane lines leak. Electric hookups rip loose.
Disconnect everything before moving day. Drain all water from pipes, tanks, and the hot water heater. Turn off propane and disconnect tanks. Unplug electrical completely.
This sounds obvious, but emergency room visits happen every year from propane leaks during transport.
Mistake #5: Ignoring Weather
Winter moves face frozen roads, reduced visibility, and dangerous conditions. Summer heat melts tires and strains engines pulling heavy loads.
Spring and fall offer the best conditions: moderate temperatures, good visibility, dry roads.
The Cheapest Way to Move a Tiny House
The absolute cheapest method? Find someone relocating in your direction who owns a proper tow vehicle and offer them $500 to haul your tiny house as a “favor.”
This works occasionally but carries massive risks:
- No insurance protection
- No liability coverage
- No recourse if something goes wrong
- Potential friendship destruction
The smart cheapest method: Short local move (under 100 miles) during off-peak season using a professional towing service you hire directly.
A local heavy equipment hauler charges $200 to $600 for moves under 100 miles. They have proper trucks, insurance, and experience. You handle permits yourself (often free for under-50-mile moves within one state).
For long-distance moves, cheap doesn’t exist. Budget $1,500 minimum and expect to pay $2,500 to $4,000 for anything over 500 miles.
What About Permanent Tiny Houses?
Tiny houses built on permanent foundations move differently—and cost far more.
You’re looking at house moving specialists who:
- Jack up the entire structure
- Remove it from the foundation
- Load it onto specialized hydraulic trailers
- Transport at crawling speeds (5-10 mph)
Foundation-built tiny house moves cost $10,000 to $30,000 depending on size and distance. This process takes professional crews with cranes, permits, and engineering expertise.
Most people build tiny houses on wheels specifically to avoid this scenario.
Regional Cost Differences
Moving costs vary by region due to:
- Local labor rates
- Permit costs (state-specific)
- Road conditions and infrastructure
- Competition among moving companies
West Coast: Higher costs overall. Moving a tiny house 300 miles in California runs $1,800 to $2,800 vs. $1,200 to $2,000 for the same distance in the Midwest.
Northeast: Expensive permits and tolls add up. Narrow roads and low bridges require special routing, increasing costs.
South: Generally lower moving costs due to cheaper labor and fewer permit restrictions. Texas, Louisiana, and Florida offer some of the most affordable tiny house moving.
Mountain States: Distance between locations and challenging terrain (mountain passes, winter conditions) push costs higher.
Timing Your Move
The timing of your move impacts costs significantly.
Best times to move:
- Late September through early November (after summer rush, before holiday season)
- February through April (before spring moving season starts)
- Weekdays vs. weekends (10% to 20% cheaper)
Worst times to move:
- Memorial Day through Labor Day (peak season, 30% to 50% price increase)
- End of month (everyone moves at month-end; companies charge premiums)
- Major holidays and surrounding weeks
Book your move 4-8 weeks in advance for the best rates. Last-minute bookings (under two weeks) often carry 25% to 40% rush fees.
Final Thoughts: Is Moving Worth It?
The cost to move a tiny house ranges from $200 for a short local haul to $5,000+ for cross-country transport. Most people pay $1,000 to $3,000 for typical moves.
That’s a significant expense. But here’s the perspective: Traditional homeowners can’t move their house at all. Apartment dwellers pay thousands for moving trucks, professional movers, and new deposits.
Tiny house owners pay once per move and arrive with their home intact. No packing boxes. No furniture trucks. No wondering if your stuff will arrive in one piece.
The freedom to relocate isn’t free, but it’s far cheaper than buying and selling traditional homes every time life changes direction.
Plan ahead, measure accurately, get multiple quotes, and hire professionals for long distances. Do those four things, and moving your tiny house becomes a manageable expense rather than a financial disaster.
The open road awaits. Now you know what it costs to get there.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to move a tiny house 100 miles?
Moving a tiny house 100 miles typically costs $200 to $800, averaging around $400 to $600 for standard 8.5-foot-wide homes. Costs increase if your tiny house exceeds standard dimensions or weighs over 10,000 pounds.
Do I need a special license to move a tiny house?
Licensing requirements depend on weight and your role. If hiring professionals, they handle licensing. For DIY moves, most states require a standard driver’s license for loads under 10,000 pounds. Heavier loads or commercial transport requires a CDL (Commercial Driver’s License).
Can I move a tiny house myself?
You can move a tiny house yourself if you have a heavy-duty truck (capable of towing 10,000+ pounds), proper trailer connections, and experience towing large loads. Budget $1,000 to $2,500 for DIY long-distance moves including truck rental, fuel, and permits. The risk of costly mistakes makes professional movers worth the expense for most people.
How long does it take to move a tiny house?
Local moves (under 100 miles) take 4-8 hours. Moves under 500 miles typically complete in 1-2 days. Cross-country transport (1,000+ miles) takes 3-7 days depending on route, weather, and permit restrictions on travel times.
What’s the most expensive part of moving a tiny house?
Transportation costs (per-mile charges) represent the largest expense, typically 60% to 75% of your total bill. For oversized loads, permit fees and escort vehicles add significantly to costs.
Do moving companies provide insurance for tiny houses?
Most moving companies carry liability insurance covering damage they cause to others. Cargo insurance (covering your tiny house during transport) often costs extra ($100 to $300 per move). Always verify coverage in writing before signing contracts.
Can you move a tiny house in winter?
Winter moves are possible but challenging. Snow, ice, and reduced visibility increase risks. Many northern states restrict oversized load permits during winter months. Summer and fall offer the safest conditions for tiny house transport.
How do I prepare my tiny house for moving?
Secure all interior items, remove or strap down loose objects, lock cabinet doors, disconnect utilities completely, drain all water from pipes and tanks, remove propane tanks, check tire pressure, and verify hitch connections. Professional movers provide detailed checklists when you book.