A mattress is one of the biggest pieces of furniture we all own. So, if you are moving across the country or are buying a new mattress online, it’s important to understand the shipping cost. How much does it cost to ship a mattress?
The cost to ship a mattress should be at least $300. It depends on how big the mattress is, how heavy it is, and how far you want to ship it. Depending on the size, weight, and distance, the cost could double or even triple.
All things being equal, it is rather cheap to ship a mattress instead of buying a new one. If the mattress is still good and has many years left to its life, shipping it will be more cost-efficient than buying a new one.
Read on to learn more about how much it costs to ship a mattress, factors that affect shipping costs, and if it is worth it.
How Much Does It Cost to Ship a Mattress?
The cost of shipping a mattress depends on several factors. It is not that easy to give the exact amount required to ship a mattress. But you can expect the cost to be not less than $300.
It depends on its size and weight and the distance that the mattress will travel. This minimum cost could double or even triple.
On average, the shipping cost can be between $0.70 per mile for longer distances and $2.50 per mile for shorter distances. If everything is factored in, you can expect a shipping cost ranging from $300 to $700, again, depending on the size, weight, and distance.
If you want convenience, you can choose to ship through UPS. They offer mattress shipping. All you need to do is wrap and pack your mattress in the right box and call them to pick it up. UPS will pick it up at your doorstep and ship it to your desired destination.
All things considered, it is quite cheap to ship a mattress rather than to buy a new one. You can ship a good and still usable mattress for a fraction of the cost of a new one. It is a good option if you have a tight budget.
Factors That Affect the Cost of Shipping a Mattress
The actual shipping cost of any item, be it a mattress or bulkier furniture, depends on several factors.
These variables include the following:
- Mattress size (King, Queen, and so forth)
- Mattress dimensions
- Weight of the mattress
- Distance
- How quick you want it to be delivered
As you can see, the shipping cost will increase with the mattress’ size, travel distance, and the speed of the delivery you require.
Apart from these direct shipping costs, other factors would add to the actual cost of shipment.
Here are the other things that may jack up your shipping cost:
Cost of Insurance
If you want to be reimbursed for the damage or loss that can happen during transit, you need to get insurance. This is not required, but if the mattress is expensive, this option makes sense. It will give you peace of mind.
Cost of Packing
It would help if you bought the right box, packing materials such as wrap and tape to protect the mattress and ease transport.
How to Ship a Mattress?
Successfully shipping a mattress from point A to point B requires adequate preparation. If you want the mattress to arrive at its destination in one piece without a scratch, you have to follow certain shipping guidelines:
1. Measure the Mattress
Measure the mattress that you are going to ship. If you can’t measure it for one reason or another, you can refer to the table below:
| Size of Mattress | Dimension, Length x Width | Approximate Weight |
| California King | 84” x 72” | 85 to 125 pounds |
| King | 80” x 76” | 85 to 125 pounds |
| Queen | 80” x 60” | 60 to 110 pounds |
| Full | 75” x 54” | 50 to 75 pounds |
| Twin XL | 80” x 38” | 45 to 60 pounds |
| Twin | 75” x 38” | 40 to 55 pounds |
Typically, mattresses that are built entirely from foam are the lightest. Those which are made of latex, as well as hybrids, usually weigh more.
2. Ask for Quotes
Ask for several quotes from the carriers in your area. Strive to get at least three quotes from three separate carriers. Don’t settle for the first quote that you will receive.
For convenience, you can visit the websites of several carriers, preferably those nearest you. Some of the carriers that can ship your mattress are the following:
- UPS (United Parcel Service)
- GoShip
- Freight Pros
- FedEx
- UShip
- TSI Shipping
Request free quotes from these companies. You may be required to supply some information about your mattresses, such as their size, dimensions, weight, where they will be picked up, and their destination.
Indicate how fast you want the item to be delivered. Moreover, you can also name the price you are willing to pay if the carrier’s quote is above your budget.
When requesting a quote, ask the company about the things that can affect their price. They may bring their price down if you tell them to deliver the item to a drop-off point or that you are open to a flexible delivery date.
3. Box the Mattress
You should buy or make the box where you will put the mattress. Carriers usually prescribe the size of a box for a particular bed size. Check with your chosen carrier the size of the box that you will need to pack your mattress.
Don’t put the mattress directly on the box without any protection. If you can afford it, buy a mattress encasement. This will provide adequate protection on the mattress while it is in transit. If you are not willing to spend more, use bubble wrap or shrink wrap.
After wrapping the mattress, put it inside a cardboard box. If there are open spaces around the mattress, fill them up with packing foam. Once you see that the mattress is secure, close the box and tape its opening with packing tape. Use the packing tape to secure all the flaps and corners of the box.
4. Arrange for the Pickup of the Mattress
You can either drop off the mattress or ask the carrier to pick it up from your home. It will be cheaper if you will drop it off at the carrier’s drop-off point. If that is your choice, carefully load the box into your pickup truck and haul it off at the carrier’s location.
A more convenient way is to ask them to pick the mattress from your home. But that may add to the cost of shipping. Be sure that you are at home when they pick up the mattress. Or you can have someone in your family be there to do it.
Whatever arrangement you make, be sure that the carriers will acknowledge and confirm that they have the item in their hands for processing and eventual delivery.
Again, how much does it cost to ship a mattress? Depending on size, weight, and distance, the cost of shipping a mattress will cost you at least $300.
Options for Shipping a Mattress
You have at least two options for the shipping of your mattress:
1. White Glove Shipping
Use LTL Carriers
You are advised to use LTL carriers. These are less-than-truckload carriers that don’t require you to pay for the entire trailer or truck space. You have to pack the mattress yourself, which you are supposed to do if you are self-shipping. This arrangement will be the cheapest.
With this option, the carrier or shipper will be the one to do all the packing, boxing, pickup, and delivery, as well as the unpacking of your mattress at the delivery point. You don’t need to do anything but give them the mattress, and they will do all the preparation and the whole works.
If your mattress is pricey, this is the ideal shipping option for you. Carriers offer this special service to box springs and conventional mattress sizes.
2. DIY Mattress Shipping
If you are aiming for the cheapest, this is your best shipping option. You will do all the prep work, wrap and box the mattress and bring it to the carrier’s drop-off point. Arrange for the delivery and pick up at the destination point at the time and date you prefer.
Pack Your Mattress Properly
You need to pack your mattress properly to avoid damaging it during transit. The best is to pack the mattress and then strap it to a pallet. This will ensure safer transport for the item. Without residential fees, the freight cost for a bed and mattress ranges from $200 to $300.
3. Alternatives to Shipping a Mattress
There are some alternatives to shipping a mattress that is worth considering:
Use a Shipping Pod
Typically, a shipping pod is a case or a shell that you place in front of your house or inside your garage. You can put the items you want to ship on this pod, and the carrier will get it on the day you told them to.
Rent a Van and Ship the Mattress Yourself
Since only the mattress you are shipping and not the whole bed, a good-sized van or pickup truck will be enough to do it. This is ideal if you are also shipping other smaller items aside from the mattress.
If only the mattress you want to ship, that estimate could be cut back maybe in half. Let us say, from $100 to $150. Even if it goes up to $200, that amount is still $100 less than the accepted $300 minimum in the freight industry.
Shipping a Mattress – Is It Worth the Hassle?
Some industry insiders believe that if the lowest shipping cost you can get is about $300, it will not make sense to ship a mattress worth that much. It really isn’t worth it if the mattress is even cheaper than $300.
However, if you really look for a shipper that will charge you considerably less than $300 and the mattress price is significantly more than that, it might be worth it.
It would not hurt you if you asked yourself the following questions:
1. Would It Be Better to Have a New Mattress?
Consider the current state of your mattress vis-a-vis its capacity to give you adequate comfort and rest. If it is no better than the bed-in-the-box mattresses that are available online, which are also affordable and are shipped for free, perhaps it’s time to let go of your old bed.
2. What Is Its Original Price?
If it is a luxury mattress, it should be made of high-quality materials and excellent craftsmanship. How much would it cost to replace a mattress? If the shipping cost is significantly lower, it makes sense to ship it to someone who wants it.
3. How Old Is Your Mattress?
The usual life span of a typical mattress is about 5 to 8 years. If your mattress is older than that, it has already served its meaningful life. It only makes sense to ship it to someone who really can’t afford to buy even an old bed.
4. Why Do You Want to Ship It?
If it is essential and urgent to ship the mattress, and if the shipment cost is not more than the mattress’s value, then it’s worth it.
Conclusion: How Much Does It Cost to Ship a Mattress?
It is not that simple to say exactly how much shipping a mattress will cost. On average, the very minimum you will pay is around $300. A lot will depend on the size and weight of the mattress and the distance it will travel.
If the mattress is extra heavy and the distance it has to travel is too far from its point of origin, the shipping cost could double or triple.
Again, here are your options to ship your mattress:
- White-Glove Shipping
- DIY Mattress Shipping
- Alternatives to Shipping a Mattress (Shipping Pod or Rent a Van Then Ship Your Mattress)
Related reading:
How Much Does It Cost to Move a Mobile Home?
How Much Is a Home Depot Paint Sprayer Rental?
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