($384+) Arlington, VA to Boston, MA Movers
Moving from Arlington, VA, to Boston, MA, runs anywhere from $384 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $6,691 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 442 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 1 to 4 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.
- Full-service moves for smaller spaces (studio apartments and 1-bedrooms) start around $1,025, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $6,691 or more.
- Moving containers run $896 - $2,762, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $384 - $949.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Arlington, VA, to Boston, MA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $1,776 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
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Compare moving options from Arlington, VA to Boston, MA
Moving options from Arlington to Boston fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move on this route costs $1,776 - $4,861 and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 35% less for the same home size, while rental trucks land about 77% less, though both require you to load the truck or container yourself. This route spans 442 miles and typically takes 1 to 4 days.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 442-mile route from Arlington to Boston, broken down by home size:
- A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $1,025 - $3,346 with full-service movers, $896 - $1,630 with a container, $384 - $693 with a rental truck, or $848 - $1,438 by freight.
- A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $1,776 - $4,861 full-service, $1,147 - $2,226 by container, $410 - $782 by rental truck, or $889 - $1,692 by freight.
- A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $2,879 - $6,691 full-service, $1,461 - $2,762 by container, $490 - $949 by rental truck, or $1,218 - $2,324 by freight.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated November 2, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Arlington, VA to Boston, MA
Full-service movers for the 442-mile relocation from Arlington, Virginia, to Boston, Massachusetts, cost between $1,025 and $6,691. With a long-distance moving company, loading, transportation, and unloading are all taken care of. If you want to skip packing boxes, too, that can be added for $476 - $3,176, depending on your home size. What you pay in the end is mainly a function of how much your shipment weighs and how far it's traveling. As a point of reference, local movers in Arlington typically charge a base rate around $200 plus $110 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Arlington to Boston:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,025 - $3,346
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,776 - $4,861
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,879 - $6,691
Packing, storage, shuttle fees, and added coverage can stack on top of the base price. See the full add-ons and specialty services table below for what each runs from Arlington to Boston.
Pro tip: Demand for full-service movers surges during peak moving season from May - September, pushing prices higher. Shifting your move to a cooler month could save you a meaningful amount on your total bill.
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Specialty moving services from Arlington, VA to Boston, MA
Specialty needs vary by market: 70% of Arlington movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Boston, 76% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing80% of local movers | $794 - $7,940 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready70% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: 495 Movers, Inc | $318 - $1,906/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $476 - $3,811 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage13% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs54% of local movers | $1,588 - $4,764 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,970 - $15,880 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,189 - $2,260 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items34% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: 495 Movers, Inc | $1,588 - $3,970 |
| Piano | Any piano type42% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: 495 Movers, Inc | $1,270 - $5,558 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling9% of local movers | $476 - $2,382 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect8% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Olympia Moving & Storage | $1,032 - $3,176 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $476 - $23,820+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $476 - $5,558+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Arlington to Boston?
Look for Massachusetts Movers Association membership as a baseline when comparing movers in Massachusetts beyond this list.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is our pick for best overall value. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 support, and 30 days of free storage make Safeway the clearest value on this list.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. AVL has been moving customers since 1995 and uses full-time in-house crews trained on high-value items like art and antiques.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. One of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, 24/7 monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan against damage, loss, and breakage.
How much do local movers cost in Arlington, VA?
Based on recent quotes for this route, a 2-bedroom move from Arlington to Boston with a local mover averages $1,688 - $4,618. A local mover in Arlington, VA is worth considering for moves under 500 miles. Short-distance moves don't always need the scale of a national carrier, and local companies can offer streamlined service, more flexible pickup windows, and a more personal approach to coordination.
Be sure to confirm interstate licensing, insurance coverage, and delivery expectations before booking.
495 Movers, Inc (4.84/5 stars) is the top overall local mover in Arlington, ranked # in Virginia, based on our analysis of feedback from 1,128 customers, 89.5% of which is positive.
Address: 640 Lofstrand Ln, Rockville, MD, 20850 | Founded: 2009
Moving container costs from Arlington, VA to Boston, MA
Moving containers from Arlington, Virginia, to Boston, Massachusetts, cost between $896 and $2,762. You load everything on your own schedule (U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30). When you're ready, the company takes care of getting the container from point A to point B. Need more time than that? Extra storage in Arlington typically runs around $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Arlington to Boston:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $896 - $1,630
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,147 - $2,226
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,461 - $2,762
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $119 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $238 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Boston, MA, if you need to retrieve anything while items are still in storage.
- Moving labor: Since you're responsible for loading the container yourself, many customers bring in hourly help. Based on moveBuddha data, hiring 2 movers for approximately 5 hours costs about $1,112 in Arlington, VA. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection goes beyond the standard minimum and covers repair, replacement, or reimbursement at declared value. Pricing is typically 1% - 2% of your total shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 move.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Virginia to Massachusetts move in the past 90 days. Our pricing data is drawn from 1,500+ monthly data points across our vetted mover network and refreshed every month.
Pro tip: Before ordering moving containers, take a careful inventory of everything you're moving. A typical 1-bedroom home weighs around 3,000 pounds and fits in a single container starting at $896. Underestimating how much you have and needing an extra container means paying for another one, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise. For reference, a 2 - 3 bedroom home typically runs $1,147 - $2,226.
What are the best moving containers Arlington to Boston?
- Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
- U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
- MovingYourself (5.0/5 stars)
Want a hand without paying for full service? A container or truck move does not mean doing all the heavy lifting yourself. You can hire a labor-only crew in Arlington to load and unload while you handle the drive, then book full help later if you change your mind. Three top-rated local crews for labor-only help in Arlington:
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.9/5), 0 years in business
- BoxStar Movers (5.0/5), 5 years in business
- Zip Moving And Storage, Inc. (4.9/5), 11 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Arlington, VA to Boston, MA
Renting a moving truck for the 442-mile move from Arlington, Virginia, to Boston, Massachusetts, costs between $384 and $949, before these typical add-ons:
- Fuel for the drive: $223 - $255
- Daily insurance: $48/day
- Equipment rentals: $11 - $32
- Arlington daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.99 - $1.19
| Home size | Typical truck size |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | 10 - 12 ft |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | 15 - 17 ft |
| 4+ bedrooms | 20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel) |
These are typical moving truck rental costs from Arlington to Boston based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $384 - $693
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $410 - $782
- 4+ bedrooms: $490 - $949
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Arlington to Boston starts at $384 - $949, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($223 - $255), overnight lodging ($238/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Equipment: Tow dollies, appliance dollies, and moving pads are not included in the base rate. These extras often total between $119 and $556.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $238.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $223 and $255 for the 442-mile drive, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: If you'd rather not do all the heavy lifting, budget around $1,112 for 2 movers in Arlington, Virginia, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Arlington to Boston?
- Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
- Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
- U-Haul Truck Rental (4.2/5 stars)
The best truck rental companies for this route, based on moveBuddha's ratings.
Freight trailer costs from Arlington, VA to Boston, MA
For larger DIY moves from Arlington, Virginia, freight trailers give you plenty of room without putting you behind the wheel. Standard trailers are 28 feet long. You load the section you need, and the carrier transports everything to Boston, Massachusetts.
Because freight companies bill by linear footage, your total is based on how much of the trailer you occupy, not the full length. For a 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route, pricing typically falls between $889 and $1,692.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Arlington to Boston:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $848 - $1,438
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $889 - $1,692
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,218 - $2,324
Pro tip: Loading a freight trailer is a bit different from filling a container. The 4-foot ramp can be steep with large items, and getting the most out of 8 feet of vertical clearance takes planning. Since pricing is based on linear feet used, every inch of wasted space has a cost.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- More space: Freight trailers are billed by the section you fill. If you misjudge your shipment size, each extra foot of trailer space adds around $119 - $238 to your final bill.
- Peak season pricing: Expect higher rates during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) when trailer availability tightens across the country.
- Moving labor: Loading is on you unless you hire outside help. A half-day crew of two movers in Arlington, Virginia, typically costs $1,112.
What are the best freight companies from Arlington to Boston?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the best for large moves pick. While it's a top moving container option for the DIY hybrid setup (you handle the loading, they handle the driving), the same approach makes it a strong freight choice for 3 to 5+ bedroom homes that need 53 feet of trailer capacity with pay-as-you-go pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer here. In addition to their popular container service, U-Pack delivers a top-tier freight trailer option that uses the same pay-by-the-foot pricing model and skips deposits and upfront fees entirely.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are one of the fastest ways to move your belongings interstate, often beating full-service movers on delivery time. If getting your stuff to Boston quickly is a priority, freight is worth a hard look. That said, freight carriers typically require you to be available to receive your shipment within a set window, so if you need short-term storage or your new place won't be ready right away, a container or full-service mover may give you more flexibility.
Cost of living: Arlington, VA vs Boston, MA
There's not a big cost-of-living gap between Arlington and Boston to plan around. Cost of living index: 164 vs. 151. Average rent: $2,718/mo vs. $3,400/mo. The bigger factor in your budget is the one-time cost of the move itself, covered above. Walkability: 71 vs. 98. Safety index: 79.15 vs. 60.12.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Boston, MA to Arlington, VA guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Virginia to Massachusetts, so we know current pricing better than most. Checking our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates. Virginia alone has 304 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 442-mile move like this one.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 442-mile route from Arlington, VA, to Boston, MA, run $1,025 - $6,691 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $896 - $2,762, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $384 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $1,776, 30 days of free storage, and a 24/7 support team you can actually reach.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include General Electric and Fidelity Investments.
FAQs: Moving from Arlington, VA, to Boston, MA
What is the cheapest way to move from Arlington, VA to Boston, MA?
Renting a moving truck is almost always the most affordable option, since you handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself. A 2-bedroom rental truck move on this route averages $410 - $782. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
How much does it cost to move from Arlington, VA to Boston, MA?
Costs on this route range from around $384 to $6,691, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,025 and $6,691, while DIY options like rental trucks and containers come in lower. Moving during peak season (May - September) tends to push prices higher across the board.
What size moving truck do I need for this route?
Rental trucks generally range from 10 to 26 feet. A 15- to 17-foot truck covers most 2-bedroom moves, while a smaller 10- to 12-foot truck works for a studio or 1-bedroom. Homes with 4 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
What do local movers charge in Arlington?
Local movers based in Arlington typically start around $200 as a base rate, plus $110/hour per mover. That's a useful baseline if you're hiring help just to load a rental truck or container rather than booking a full long-distance move. Rates in Boston run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Massachusetts?
Moving companies in Massachusetts are required to obtain a license from the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities – Transportation Oversight Division to provide local and intrastate moving services in Massachusetts movers must carry adequate cargo insurance and publicly file their tariffs required to list the services they provide and the cost for each.
What percentage of Arlington movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 42% of movers in Arlington handle piano moves, and 34% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.