Moving from Newark, NJ to Detroit, MI
About 550 miles across a state line, from New Jersey into Michigan, so the federal interstate rules apply from the first quote.
Distance estimated from city coordinates; the calculator measures your exact route. Prices from our published model, not quotes.
In short
Moving from Newark, NJ to Detroit, MI covers about 550 miles and is an interstate move. Full-service movers cost $2,475 – $3,300 for a two-bedroom home in our model, delivered in 3 to 7 days. About 11 people a year move between the two counties (Census).
The route
At 550 miles between New Jersey and Michigan, this sits in the range where carriers differ most. Some run it dedicated with a firm date; others consolidate it with other shipments and quote a window of 3 to 7 days. The price gap between those two is real — a two-bedroom home runs $2,475 – $3,300 full-service — so ask which one you are buying.
- Move type
- Interstate move
- Driving
- about 10 hours
- Usually moves on
- either a dedicated truck or a consolidated load
- Book ahead
- 4 to 6 weeks
Cost of moving from Newark to Detroit
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,856 – $2,475 | $1,337 – $1,782 | $891 – $1,188 |
| 1 bedroom | $2,228 – $2,970 | $1,604 – $2,138 | $1,069 – $1,426 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,475 – $3,300 | $1,782 – $2,376 | $1,188 – $1,584 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,846 – $3,795 | $2,049 – $2,732 | $1,366 – $1,822 |
| 4 bedrooms | $3,218 – $4,290 | $2,317 – $3,089 | $1,544 – $2,059 |
| 5+ bedrooms | $3,713 – $4,950 | $2,673 – $3,564 | $1,782 – $2,376 |
Transport only, for an estimated 550 miles, from our published model: distance × home-size factor × service rate, shown as −10% to +20% around the base figure. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items sit on top. How we price it.
Worked example: a two-bedroom home, Newark to Detroit
550 miles × 2.0 (two-bedroom size multiplier) × $2.50 (full-service rate) = $2,750. The range runs 10% under that to 20% over: $2,475 to $3,300, transport only. Every parameter is on the methodology page; moving cost per mile explains why the rate falls with distance.
How many people move from Newark to Detroit
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates that about 11 people a year (±18) moved from Essex County, NJ, home to Newark, to Wayne County, MI, home to Detroit. The margin of error is as large as the estimate, so read it as a handful of households rather than a count. Too few went the other way to estimate. Movers from Essex County make up 0.0% of the 55,518 people a year who moved into Wayne County from another county or state.
At state level, the 2024 survey counts about 2,646 people a year (±1,670) moving from New Jersey to Michigan and about 1,831 people a year (±810) from Michigan to New Jersey — a net gain for Michigan of about 815 people a year.
| County | People a year |
|---|---|
| Union County, NJ | 5,365 ±874 |
| Hudson County, NJ | 2,777 ±643 |
| Morris County, NJ | 2,393 ±502 |
| Passaic County, NJ | 2,180 ±581 |
| Middlesex County, NJ | 1,890 ±526 |
| County | People a year |
|---|---|
| Oakland County, MI | 13,518 ±1,232 |
| Macomb County, MI | 7,434 ±1,075 |
| Washtenaw County, MI | 5,459 ±736 |
| Monroe County, MI | 1,454 ±349 |
| Ingham County, MI | 1,103 ±254 |
Licensed movers at each end
517 household-goods carriers with interstate authority are based within 30 miles of Newark (922 counting those licensed only inside New Jersey). 317 of them had a roadside inspection in the last 24 months, and 15.1% of their 1,846 vehicle inspections ended with a truck put out of service. The largest by registered fleet:
| Carrier | Based in | Size | Inspections, 24 mo | Vehicle out of service |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Piece of Cake MovingUSDOT 3066988 | New York City · 10 mi | 340 trucks | 383 | 10.2% of 246 |
| Roadway MovingUSDOT 1854436 | New York City · 17 mi | 190 trucks | 236 | 12.0% of 166 |
| Budd Van Lines IncUSDOT 185771 | Somerset · 25 mi | 124 trucks | 107 | 7.1% of 56 |
| Great Moving IncUSDOT 2180117 | Staten Island · 9 mi | 70 trucks | 5 | 0.0% of 4 |
| Great Moving & Storage IncUSDOT 3547419 | South Plainfiel · 17 mi | 70 trucks | 20 | 21.4% of 14 |
| Oz Moving & Storage IncUSDOT 1058063 | Yonkers · 21 mi | 35 trucks | 27 | 13.3% of 15 |
How these figures are calculated
At the Detroit end
For a local crew after delivery, the largest licensed carriers within 30 miles of Detroit: Corrigan Moving Systems Premier Relocations (Dearborn, 245 trucks), Imlach Movers Inc (Trenton, 45 trucks), Morse Moving & Storage Inc (Romulus, 43 trucks), Rose Moving & Storage (Canton, 42 trucks).
Rules that apply to this move
Because the truck crosses from New Jersey into Michigan, 49 CFR Part 375 applies: a written estimate before loading, no more than 110% of a non-binding estimate collected at delivery, and full-value protection unless you choose released value in writing. See binding vs non-binding estimates and valuation explained.
Before you book Newark to Detroit
Ask: dedicated or consolidated?
This is the distance where carriers split. A dedicated truck costs more and delivers on a date; a consolidated load costs less and delivers in a window. Decide which you are buying before you compare prices.
Get it binding or not-to-exceed
A non-binding estimate is a guess with no ceiling. On 550 miles the gap between a guess and a weighed load is measured in four figures.
Arriving in Detroit
A local move inside Detroit later — across town, out of temporary housing — is billed by the hour: about $465 – $747 for a two-bedroom home and $777 – $1,371 for three bedrooms. The nearest cities we cover from Detroit are Ann Arbor (about 42 mi), Toledo (about 62 mi), Lansing (about 95 mi).
Other routes from Newark
All routes from Newark, nearest first.
| Route | Distance | 2-bedroom, movers |
|---|---|---|
| Newark to Jersey City, NJ | ~8 mi | $465 – $761 |
| Newark to New York City, NY | ~10 mi | $465 – $761 |
| Newark to Paterson, NJ | ~15 mi | $465 – $761 |
| Newark to Mount Vernon, NY | ~25 mi | $465 – $761 |
| Newark to Bridgeport, CT | ~70 mi | $465 – $761 |
| Newark to Philadelphia, PA | 85 mi | $465 – $761 |
| Newark to Providence, RI | ~189 mi | $851 – $1,134 |
| Newark to Baltimore, MD | ~190 mi | $855 – $1,140 |
Also moving to Detroit: from Ann Arbor, MI, from Toledo, OH, from Lansing, MI, from Cleveland, OH.
Newark to Detroit moving FAQ
How much does it cost to move from Newark to Detroit?
From our published model, full-service movers over about 550 miles cost about $1,856 – $2,475 for a studio, $2,475 – $3,300 for a two-bedroom home and $2,846 – $3,795 for a three-bedroom home, transport only; packing, storage and specialty items are extra.
How long does a move from Newark to Detroit take?
The drive is about 10 hours, but the move usually takes 3 to 7 days because it moves on either a dedicated truck or a consolidated load, depending on the carrier and the season. Ask for the delivery window in writing. Book ahead: 4 to 6 weeks, 6 to 8 in summer.
What is the cheapest way to move from Newark to Detroit?
Loading a freight trailer yourself: about $1,188 – $1,584 for a two-bedroom home, against $2,475 – $3,300 with full-service movers; a moving container is $1,782 – $2,376.
Do I need an interstate-licensed mover for Newark to Detroit?
Yes. Newark is in New Jersey and Detroit is in Michigan, so the carrier needs active FMCSA interstate authority (an MC number) as well as a USDOT number. 517 listed movers within 30 miles of Newark hold it.
How many people move from Newark to Detroit each year?
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates about 11 people a year (margin of error ±18) moved from Essex County, which contains Newark, to Wayne County, which contains Detroit.
Sources for this page
The published cost model; US Census Bureau ACS migration flows (± is the 90% margin of error); the FMCSA Motor Carrier Census and Safety Measurement System; 49 CFR Part 375. Data last refreshed September 24, 2026.