Use DITY Move Calculator Effectively for Clear Results
Figuring out reimbursement for a personally moved military household can be confusing and uncertain.
What This Tool Does
This calculator helps service members and military families estimate the payment and out of pocket impact of a Personally Procured Move. Enter shipment weight, travel distance, and common moving expenses to see an approximate incentive amount and overall move value. The tool presents clear figures in one place so you understand expected reimbursement without sharing personal details.
DITY Move Calculator
🚛 Know your budget before you load the truck. This estimator uses distance, weight, and typical costs to give you a realistic planning figure.
📦 Practical moving tips
- Weigh your vehicle at a CAT scale with and without load – the weight difference is your cargo.
- Truck rental rates often include mileage, but fuel is separate: budget ~$1.50 per mile for a 16' truck.
- Book at least 3 weeks ahead for lower rates, especially during summer.
- Packing supplies can cost $200–$600; using free boxes from stores cuts expenses.
- Add 10% buffer for tolls, permits, or last‑minute storage.
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About this calculation
This DITY (Do‑It‑Yourself) move estimator combines three typical cost layers: distance ($2.50 per mile, reflecting truck rental fuel and depreciation), weight ($0.50 per lb for handling, boxes, and dolly), and a base fee ($500) for administrative and miscellaneous costs. Optional packing supplies add a flat $200; insurance adds 10% of the subtotal.
The logic is derived from average 2025 moving industry data and is calibrated for a 16'–20' truck. It provides a rough order‑of‑magnitude for budgeting, not a binding quote.
DITY Move Calculator
The DITY Move Calculator helps military members estimate payment and costs for a Personally Procured Move. It is often used when planning a relocation between duty stations. Many families are unsure how reimbursement compares with their real expenses. This tool clarifies expected payment, approximate move value, and possible out of pocket impact before the move takes place.
What This Tool Helps You Do
This tool gives a clear estimate of compensation for a self managed military relocation. Service members planning an army dity move calculator estimate, a military dity move calculator review, a partial dity move calculator scenario, or an air force dity move calculator check can quickly compare shipment weight and distance. The result helps you understand the financial side of a personally arranged move in one place.
How the Calculation Works
The calculator combines shipment weight, travel distance, and typical moving expenses. It compares those inputs with a government cost estimate to approximate incentive payment.
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Enter estimated or ticketed shipment weight |
| 2 | Provide distance between duty stations |
| 3 | Add common moving expenses such as fuel or equipment rental |
| 4 | Tool estimates incentive payment and total move value |
Methodology and Accuracy
The calculation uses general reimbursement principles based on government constructed move cost comparisons. Values are rounded to provide readable estimates. Results may vary due to actual weight tickets, approved allowances, and regional transport rates. No personal data is stored and all values are processed locally for clarity.
Methodology last reviewed on: February 21, 2026
Reviewed and Verified
Reviewed by the SooperTools review team
Verification date: February 21, 2026
This content was checked for clarity, calculation logic, and real world usability based on common relocation planning questions asked by service members.
The information is presented as an estimation aid to improve understanding of reimbursement expectations.
How to Use This Tool
Enter your estimated shipment weight, moving distance, and basic moving costs. The calculator immediately shows an estimated incentive payment and approximate financial outcome. You can adjust values multiple times to compare different moving scenarios before making relocation decisions.
Practical Examples
Situation: A family relocates between two states using a rental truck.
Inputs: 8,000 lb shipment, 900 miles, fuel and truck rental added.
Interpretation: The result shows estimated reimbursement and helps the member compare it against expected expenses.
Situation: Partial move where some goods are transported personally.
Inputs: 2,500 lb personally moved items and shorter travel distance.
Interpretation: The tool estimates a smaller incentive payment that reflects limited transported weight.
Common Use Cases
- Planning a relocation before receiving official paperwork
- Comparing personally moved vs government arranged move
- Checking partial shipment decisions
- Understanding possible reimbursement before renting equipment
Limitations You Should Know
This tool provides an estimate only. Official payment depends on approved weight tickets, orders, and transportation office verification. Government rates and policies may change and actual reimbursement can differ from calculated values.
Tips for More Accurate Results
- Use certified weight estimates when available
- Measure realistic travel distance between duty stations
- Include only direct moving expenses
- Recalculate if shipment size changes
Compatibility and Accessibility
The calculator works on desktop computers, tablets, and mobile phones. It supports modern browsers including Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Safari. The interface uses readable contrast and keyboard navigation so users can enter values without needing a mouse.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Personally Procured Move is the current official term, while DITY move is still commonly used. Both describe a relocation arranged by the service member instead of government transportation.
No. The tool can be used before official paperwork. Many members use it during early planning to understand possible reimbursement and budget impact before committing to a moving method.
The result is an approximation. Final reimbursement depends on verified weight tickets, authorized allowances, and transportation office review. The calculator helps expectation planning rather than confirming an exact payment.
Yes. You can enter only the weight you plan to transport yourself. This allows planning for situations where part of your belongings are shipped by the government and part moved personally.
The general reimbursement principles are similar across branches. The calculator focuses on weight and distance rather than branch specific policy details, which are confirmed by your transportation office.
About This Tool and Data Reliability
SooperTools maintains calculation tools through periodic content checks and usability reviews. Inputs and formulas are evaluated to ensure understandable results. Updates are performed when relocation policies or typical move scenarios change.
Last Updated and Authorship
Written by SooperTools editorial team
Reviewed by Peterson
Last updated: February 21, 2026
References
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