($380+) St. Louis, MO to Chattanooga, TN Movers
Moving from St. Louis, MO, to Chattanooga, TN, runs anywhere from $380 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $6,688 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 438 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 $1,123, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $6,688 or more.
- Moving containers run $869 - $2,791, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $380 - $969.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from St. Louis, MO, to Chattanooga, TN. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $1,759 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 St. Louis, MO to Chattanooga, TN
Moving options from St. Louis to Chattanooga 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 $1,759 - $4,723 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 438 miles and typically takes 1 to 4 days.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 438-mile route from St. Louis to Chattanooga, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,123 - $3,594 | $869 - $1,534 | $380 - $707 | $774 - $1,380 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $1,759 - $4,723 | $1,136 - $2,248 | $402 - $798 | $926 - $1,710 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $3,062 - $6,688 | $1,538 - $2,791 | $515 - $969 | $1,169 - $2,369 |
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 St. Louis, MO to Chattanooga, TN
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 438-mile move from St. Louis, Missouri, to Chattanooga, Tennessee, with costs ranging from $1,123 - $6,688. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $259 - $1,728. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between St. Louis and Chattanooga. Local movers in St. Louis typically start around $247 as a base rate plus $145/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from St. Louis to Chattanooga:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,123 - $3,594
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,759 - $4,723
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,062 - $6,688
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 St. Louis to Chattanooga.
Pro tip: Peak moving season (May - September) limits truck availability and pushes up full-service moving costs. Booking during slower months can give you more scheduling room and a lower final price.
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Specialty moving services from St. Louis, MO to Chattanooga, TN
Specialty needs vary by market: 68% of St. Louis movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Chattanooga, 45% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing71% of local movers | $432 - $4,320 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready68% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $173 - $1,037/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $259 - $2,074 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage13% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs67% of local movers | $864 - $2,592 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,160 - $8,640 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $647 - $1,229 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items31% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: McGuire Moving and Storage | $864 - $2,160 |
| Piano | Any piano type52% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $691 - $3,024 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling16% of local movers | $259 - $1,296 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect22% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: ABC Quality Moving & Storage | $562 - $1,728 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $259 - $12,960+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $259 - $3,024+ |
What are the best full-service movers from St. Louis to Chattanooga?
- 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 St. Louis, MO?
Based on recent quotes for this route, a 2-bedroom move from St. Louis to Chattanooga with a local mover averages $1,776 - $4,770. For moves under 500 miles, local movers in St. Louis, MO can be a smart choice. Many use hourly pricing models that may reduce your total compared to what a national carrier would charge, and tighter coverage areas often mean faster turnaround and more hands-on communication.
That said, licensing requirements still apply. Make sure any company you're considering is properly licensed for interstate moves for the route you need.
ABC Quality Moving & Storage (4.72/5 stars) is a local mover in St. Louis, based on our analysis of feedback from 273 customers, 83.5% of which is positive.
Address: 3050 Armona Dr, St. Louis, MO, 63129 | Founded: 1989
Moving container costs from St. Louis, MO to Chattanooga, TN
Moving containers from St. Louis, Missouri, to Chattanooga, Tennessee, cost between $869 and $2,791. 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 St. Louis typically runs around $90/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from St. Louis to Chattanooga:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $869 - $1,534
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,136 - $2,248
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,538 - $2,791
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Because loading is on you with a container move, hourly labor help is a popular add-on. In St. Louis, MO, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $605, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: After the first month, ongoing rental fees kick in. A small container (7 - 8 feet) averages about $65 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $130 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both St. Louis, MO, and Chattanooga, TN, but confirm a facility is within reasonable distance if you need to retrieve items while in storage.
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection provides broader coverage than the standard liability in your contract. It typically costs 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on $50,000 worth of belongings.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Missouri to Tennessee 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 $869. 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 $1,136 - $2,248.
What are the best moving containers St. Louis to Chattanooga?
- 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 St. Louis 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 St. Louis:
- Simple Moves (4.7/5), 25 years in business
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.8/5), 32 years in business
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.9/5), 14 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from St. Louis, MO to Chattanooga, TN
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 438 miles from St. Louis, Missouri, to Chattanooga, Tennessee, running $380 - $969. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $120 - $138
- Daily insurance: $26/day
- Equipment rentals: $6 - $17
- St. Louis daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.99
| 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 St. Louis to Chattanooga based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $380 - $707
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $402 - $798
- 4+ bedrooms: $515 - $969
Pro tip: A rental truck from St. Louis to Chattanooga looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $380 - $969. But once you factor in fuel ($120 - $138), overnight lodging ($130/night), meals, and equipment rentals, the total adds up to more than the base rate suggests. Building that into your budget upfront saves you from sticker shock at the end of the move.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $130 per night. Most long-distance moves with rental trucks require 1 - 3 overnight stops.
- Equipment: Tow dollies, auto trailers, and specialty moving equipment can add between $56 and $281 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $120 - $138 in fuel for the 438-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $605 in St. Louis, Missouri, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from St. Louis to Chattanooga?
- 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 St. Louis, MO to Chattanooga, TN
If you're moving a larger household from St. Louis, Missouri, and want to stay in control of the loading process, freight trailers offer a practical middle ground between hiring movers and renting a truck yourself. A 28-foot trailer is delivered to your door, you load what you need, and the carrier handles the drive to Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Freight trailers are priced by the linear feet your belongings take up, so you only pay for the space you use. A 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route typically falls between $926 and $1,710.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from St. Louis to Chattanooga:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $774 - $1,380
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $926 - $1,710
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,169 - $2,369
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 $65 - $130 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 St. Louis, Missouri, typically costs $605.
What are the best freight companies from St. Louis to Chattanooga?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the pick for best for large moves. The company is well-regarded as a top moving container option for its load-it-yourself, we-drive-it model, and that same model makes it a strong freight option for larger homes that benefit from the company's 53-foot trucks and footage-based pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Alongside their flagship container service, U-Pack provides a top-notch freight trailer option that follows the same model: no deposits, no upfront fees, and pricing based on the linear footage you actually use.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in Chattanooga fast. For interstate moves, freight is one of the quickest delivery methods out there. Just keep in mind that freight carriers expect you to be available to receive your shipment, so it works best when your move-in is locked in and you don't need temporary storage on either end.
Cost of living: St. Louis, MO vs Chattanooga, TN
St. Louis and Chattanooga land in a similar range on everyday costs. The cost of living index sits at 84 in St. Louis and 90 in Chattanooga, and average rent is $1,250/mo vs. $1,475/mo. With an index gap that small, you likely won't need to rework your monthly budget much after this move. For reference, walkability is 66 vs 29 and safety scores are 30.35 vs 46.11.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Chattanooga, TN to St. Louis, MO guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from Missouri to Tennessee, so our pricing data stays current. Use our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and spot bad actors early. We track 138 movers licensed in Missouri, useful context for sizing up this 438-mile move.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from St. Louis, MO, to Chattanooga, TN, comes down to your budget and how much time and work you're able to put into it. Hands-off relocations handled by full-service movers range from $1,123 - $6,688 on the 438-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $869 - $2,791 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $380 - $969 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $1,759 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and 24/7 live support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Hamilton County and Schools Erlanger.
FAQs: Moving from St. Louis, MO, to Chattanooga, TN
What is the best time of year to move from St. Louis, MO to Chattanooga, TN?
Aim for a move between October and March, when demand drops and rates tend to be lower across all service types. Peak season runs mid-May through mid-September, and weekends and month-end dates are pricier regardless of season. A midweek, mid-month date outside peak season is your best bet for saving money.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Tennessee?
Although a local license is not required in Tennessee, make sure the moving company you’ll be hiring is registered with U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). To verify if you’re dealing with a legal and licensed mover, you may ask them their USDOT registration number.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($120 - $138), daily insurance ($26/day), and equipment rentals ($6 - $17) on top. Overnight stops can add another $130/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How walkable is Chattanooga?
Chattanooga has a walkability score of 29 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 35, compared to 66 and 58 in St. Louis. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
How much does it cost to move from St. Louis, MO to Chattanooga, TN?
Costs on this route range from around $380 to $6,688, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,123 and $6,688, 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 percentage of St. Louis movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 52% of movers in St. Louis handle piano moves, and 31% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.