($619+) Arlington, VA to St. Louis, MO Movers
Moving from Arlington, VA, to St. Louis, MO, runs anywhere from $613 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,803 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 817 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 2 to 7 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 $1,675, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $7,803 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,106 - $3,618, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $613 - $1,538.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Arlington, VA, to St. Louis, MO. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,346 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
Compare moving options from Arlington, VA to St. Louis, MO
There are 3 main ways to move from Arlington to St. Louis: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service handles labor and transportation for you, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route costing $2,346 - $5,836. Moving containers run about 30% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 60% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 2 to 7 days for this 817-mile route, depending on which option you go with.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 817-mile route from Arlington to St. Louis, broken down by home size:
- Full-service movers: $1,675 for a studio up to $7,803 for a 4+ bedroom home.
- Moving containers: $1,106 - $3,618 depending on home size.
- Rental trucks: $613 - $1,538, the lowest-cost option across the board.
- Freight trailers: $1,056 - $2,953, billed by the space you actually use.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Arlington, VA to St. Louis, MO
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 817-mile move from Arlington, Virginia, to St. Louis, Missouri, with prices running from $1,675 - $7,803. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $396 - $2,640 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between Arlington and St. Louis are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, Arlington movers tend to run around $200 as a base rate plus $110/hour per mover, for comparison.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Arlington to St. Louis:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,675 - $4,323
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,346 - $5,836
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,797 - $7,803
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 St. Louis.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Virginia to Missouri. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: Avoiding peak moving season dates (May - September) is one of the easiest ways to reduce costs. Off-season moves typically come with lower pricing and more room to negotiate since movers have fewer bookings.
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Specialty moving services from Arlington, VA to St. Louis, MO
Specialty needs vary by market — 94% of Arlington movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In St. Louis, 86% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $660 - $6,600 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready94% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: BoxStar Movers | $264 - $1,584/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $396 - $3,168 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage30% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs58% of local movers | $1,320 - $3,960 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,300 - $13,200 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $989 - $1,878 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items56% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: BoxStar Movers | $1,320 - $3,300 |
| Piano | Any piano type71% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: BoxStar Movers | $1,056 - $4,620 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling39% of local movers | $396 - $1,980 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect28% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: BoxStar Movers | $858 - $2,640 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $396 - $19,800+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $396 - $4,620+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Arlington to St. Louis?
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 customer support, and 30 days of free storage are included with every move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list, with 30+ years in business since 1995. AVL is one of the few national carriers that uses full-time in-house crews instead of contracted labor.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, combining fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan that covers damage, loss, and breakage.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in Arlington, VA. Van lines spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments, while local movers tend to charge 30% - 40% more for the same distance. A direct route with a local mover averages 2-day delivery, but that added speed typically carries a higher price tag.
Moving container costs from Arlington, VA to St. Louis, MO
Moving containers from Arlington, Virginia, to St. Louis, Missouri, cost between $1,106 and $3,618. A container is delivered to your home and you load it on your own time. Loading windows vary by company: U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30. From there, the company takes over and transports it to St. Louis. If you go over that window, storage in Arlington adds around $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Arlington to St. Louis:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,106 - $2,018
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,524 - $2,829
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,006 - $3,618
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $99 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $198 per month for larger units (12 - 16 feet).
- Moving labor: Containers don't come with loading help, so many customers hire hourly movers for the job. Two movers for about 5 hours will run you around $924 in Arlington, VA, per moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Standard coverage only reimburses by weight. Full-value protection gives you more complete coverage for higher-value items and typically costs 1% - 2% of your total declared value, around $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 shipment.
- Access: National providers generally operate in both cities, but verify that a facility near your St. Louis, MO, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Virginia to Missouri 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 $1,106. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,524 - $2,829, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Arlington to St. Louis?
- 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:
- BoxStar Movers (5.0/5), 5 years in business
- Zip Moving And Storage, Inc. (4.9/5), 10 years in business
- My Pro Movers (5.0/5), 9 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Arlington, VA to St. Louis, MO
A rental truck for this 817-mile move from Arlington, Virginia, to St. Louis, Missouri, costs between $613 and $1,538. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $343 - $392
- Daily insurance: $40/day
- Equipment rentals: $9 - $26
- 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 St. Louis based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $613 - $1,067
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $662 - $1,281
- 4+ bedrooms: $773 - $1,538
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Arlington to St. Louis starts at $613 - $1,538, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($343 - $392) , overnight lodging ($198/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for an additional $600 - $1,200 on top of your base rate to cover those costs.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $198 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 $86 and $429 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $343 - $392 in fuel for the 817-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $924 in Arlington, Virginia, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Arlington to St. Louis?
- 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 St. Louis, MO
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 St. Louis, Missouri.
Because freight companies bill by linear footage, your total is based on how much of the trailer you occupy, not the full length. For most medium-to-large moves on this route, pricing typically falls between $1,207 and $2,400.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Arlington to St. Louis:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,056 - $1,909
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,207 - $2,400
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,574 - $2,953
Pro tip: Freight pricing rewards efficient packing. Trailers are 8 feet tall and accessed via a 4-foot ramp, so technique matters, especially for heavy pieces. Since each additional linear foot adds to your quote, packing strategically is one of the easiest ways to control costs.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- More space: Freight pricing is based on exactly how much of the trailer you fill. If your items take up more than expected, the added footage can increase your cost by between $99 and $198.
- Peak season impact: Moving during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) often means higher trailer rates as demand increases across the board.
- Moving labor: Unless you plan to load everything yourself, factor in labor costs. Two movers in Arlington, Virginia, for roughly five hours typically average $924.
What are the best freight companies from Arlington to St. Louis?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is our pick for best for large moves. The company is best known as a top moving container option for its hybrid model where you load and they drive, and that same model translates well to freight thanks to their 53-foot trucks and pay-by-the-foot pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Beyond their flagship container service, U-Pack also runs freight trailers with the same no-deposit, no-upfront-fee model, charging only for the linear footage you actually fill.
- Terminal Transportation Services (4.7/5 stars): Terminal Transportation Services is our pick for best locally owned freight company. Their locally owned and operated facilities mean you work with support staff who know the route and the area, giving you more responsive scheduling than national-only carriers typically offer.
Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Arlington to St. Louis. If you have a hard move-in date and want your stuff there as soon as possible, freight is hard to beat. It's worth noting that freight works best when you're ready to receive your delivery, so if your move-in date is still up in the air or you'll need short-term storage, a moving container is likely the more practical choice.
Cost of living: Arlington, VA vs St. Louis, MO
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in St. Louis, side by side with Arlington on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Arlington, VA | St. Louis, MO |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 164 | 84 |
| Average rent | $2,718/mo | $1,250/mo |
| Median home value | $866,334 | $180,206 |
| Average income | $140,160/yr | $55,279/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 4.0% | 6.3% |
| State income tax | Up to 5.75% | Up to 4.8% |
| Walkability score | 71/100 | 66/100 |
| Safety index | 79.15/100 | 30.35/100 |
| Air quality | Good | Moderate |
Cost of living index is relative to the U.S. average of 100. Figures reflect the latest available city and state data.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our St. Louis, MO 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 Missouri, 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 104 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 817-mile move like this one.
Our take
The 817-mile move from Arlington, VA, to St. Louis, MO, costs between $1,675 and $7,803 with full-service movers, $1,106 - $3,618 with a moving container, and $613 - $1,538 for a rental truck. Your budget and how much heavy lifting you want to do are the two biggest factors in choosing the right option. If you go with full-service movers, Safeway Moving is our top recommendation, with transparent flat-rate pricing starting around $2,346 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage, and 24/7 customer support.
Beyond the move itself, people who've relocated to St. Louis tend to point to rich culture and bountiful arts and recreational activities, though poor education and high crime rate come up as common complaints. Major employers in the area include BJC HealthCare and Walmart.
FAQs: Moving from Arlington, VA, to St. Louis, MO
What are the best neighborhoods in St. Louis?
For families, Hi-Pointe, The Hill, and Lindenwood Park are worth a look in St. Louis. If you're moving solo or without kids, Central West End, Downtown, and Lafayette Square tend to be popular picks instead.
What is the cheapest way to move from Arlington, VA to St. Louis, MO?
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 $662 - $1,281. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
Is St. Louis a safe place to live?
St. Louis has a safety index of 30.35 out of 100 and a crime index of 69.65, compared to 79.15 and 15.67 in Arlington. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
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 3 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
What is the best time of year to move from Arlington, VA to St. Louis, MO?
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.
What percentage of Arlington movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 71% of movers in Arlington handle piano moves, and 56% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.