($426+) Arlington, VA to Lexington, KY Movers
Moving from Arlington, VA, to Lexington, KY, runs anywhere from $426 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,623 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 509 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 1 to 6 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 $1,084, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $7,623 or more.
- Moving containers run $928 - $2,923, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $426 - $1,052.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Arlington, VA, to Lexington, KY. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $1,999 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 Lexington, KY
There are 3 main ways to move from Arlington to Lexington: 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 $1,999 - $4,716. Moving containers run about 42% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 77% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 1 to 6 days for this 509-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 509-mile route from Arlington to Lexington, broken down by home size:
- Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $1,084 - $3,645, container $928 - $1,747, rental truck $426 - $775, freight trailer $818 - $1,542.
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $1,999 - $4,716, container $1,153 - $2,320, rental truck $450 - $919, freight trailer $941 - $1,893.
- 4+ bedrooms: full-service $3,601 - $7,623, container $1,646 - $2,923, rental truck $549 - $1,052, freight trailer $1,343 - $2,457.
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 Lexington, KY
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 509-mile move from Arlington, Virginia, to Lexington, Kentucky, with prices running from $1,084 - $7,623. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $404 - $2,696 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between Arlington and Lexington 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 Lexington:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,084 - $3,645
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,999 - $4,716
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,601 - $7,623
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 Lexington.
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 Lexington, KY
Specialty needs vary by market: 70% of Arlington movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Lexington, 67% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing80% of local movers | $674 - $6,740 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready70% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: 495 Movers, Inc | $270 - $1,618/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $404 - $3,235 |
| 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 | $1,348 - $4,044 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,370 - $13,480 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,010 - $1,918 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items34% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: 495 Movers, Inc | $1,348 - $3,370 |
| Piano | Any piano type42% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: 495 Movers, Inc | $1,078 - $4,718 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling9% of local movers | $404 - $2,022 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect8% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Olympia Moving & Storage | $876 - $2,696 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $404 - $20,220+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $404 - $4,718+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Arlington to Lexington?
- 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.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Arlington, VA. At that distance, local movers often charge 30% - 40% more because they don't spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments the way national carriers do. If a direct route and faster delivery (averaging 2 days) are priorities, a local mover may be worth considering, but that service comes at a higher price.
Moving container costs from Arlington, VA to Lexington, KY
Moving containers from Arlington, Virginia, to Lexington, Kentucky, cost between $928 and $2,923. 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 Lexington:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $928 - $1,747
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,153 - $2,320
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,646 - $2,923
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Access: Most major container brands operate in both Arlington, VA and Lexington, KY. Still, double-check that a nearby facility is available if you need to access your belongings before delivery.
- Moving labor: Because containers are self-loaded, many customers hire hourly help. Two movers for about 5 hours typically cost around $944 in Arlington, VA, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $101 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $202 for larger ones (12 - 16 feet).
- Added contents protection: For more coverage beyond the standard minimum, full-value protection is the typical upgrade, generally 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value. On a $50,000 household, that's roughly $500 - $1,000 as a one-time fee.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Virginia to Kentucky 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 $928. 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 $1,153 - $2,320.
What are the best moving containers Arlington to Lexington?
- 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 Lexington, KY
A rental truck for this 509-mile move from Arlington, Virginia, to Lexington, Kentucky, costs between $426 and $1,052. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $218 - $250
- Daily insurance: $40/day
- Equipment rentals: $9 - $27
- 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 Lexington based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $426 - $775
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $450 - $919
- 4+ bedrooms: $549 - $1,052
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Arlington to Lexington starts at $426 - $1,052, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($218 - $250), overnight lodging ($202/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for roughly $600 - $1,200 more on top of fuel and lodging to cover meals, equipment, and other extras.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Arlington, Virginia, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $944.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $218 - $250 for the 509-mile drive, depending on whether your truck takes gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, auto transport trailers, and furniture pads are separate rentals. Expect to spend between $81 and $438, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $202 per night for hotel stops on the 509-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $404 - $607.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Arlington to Lexington?
- 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 Lexington, KY
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 Lexington, Kentucky.
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 $941 and $1,893.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Arlington to Lexington:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $818 - $1,542
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $941 - $1,893
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,343 - $2,457
Pro tip: Freight trailers come with a 4-foot loading ramp, which can be a challenge with bulky furniture. With 8 feet of vertical space available, stacking efficiently often requires a ladder and a plan. Since you're billed per linear foot, packing tight can make a real difference in your final cost.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Demand cycles: Trailer costs climb during peak moving season, especially from mid-May through mid-September when demand is at its highest.
- More space: You're billed only for the linear feet you use, but underestimating your inventory means paying for extra space, typically around $101 - $202 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Arlington, Virginia, for about five hours typically runs $944.
What are the best freight companies from Arlington to Lexington?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Best known as a top moving container option thanks to its DIY hybrid model (you load, they drive), MovingYourself also doubles as a strong freight choice with their 53-foot trucks and pay-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. In addition to their well-known container service, U-Pack offers freight trailers that follow the same pay-by-the-foot model with no deposits or upfront fees, making them one of the most flexible freight options for budget-conscious moves.
Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Arlington to Lexington. 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 Lexington, KY
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Lexington, side by side with Arlington on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Arlington, VA | Lexington, KY |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 164 | 91 |
| Average rent | $2,718/mo | $1,345/mo |
| Median home value | $866,334 | $272,002 |
| Average income | $140,160/yr | $67,631/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 4.0% | 4.3% |
| State income tax | Up to 5.75% | Up to 4.0% |
| Walkability score | 71/100 | 90/100 |
| Safety index | 79.15/100 | 49.12/100 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
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 Lexington, KY to Arlington, VA guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from Virginia to Kentucky, 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 304 movers licensed in Virginia, useful context for sizing up this 509-mile move.
Our take
A move from Arlington, VA, to Lexington, KY, gives you several options depending on your budget and how much you want to do yourself. Full-service movers handle everything but cost the most, ranging from $1,084 - $7,623 on the 509-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $928 - $2,923, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $426 - $1,052. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $1,999 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and round-the-clock live support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include A&W Restaurants and University of Kentucky.
FAQs: Moving from Arlington, VA, to Lexington, KY
How do I know a mover is licensed in Kentucky?
Movers in Kentucky are licensed and regulated by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) – Division of Motor Carriers. Moving companies that operate within the state must carry adequate cargo insurance and file public tariffs detailing the services they offer and the cost for each. The KYTC can assist consumers with resolving disputes with movers, but only after a customer makes a formal written complaint.
What is the best time of year to move from Arlington, VA to Lexington, KY?
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 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.
Is Lexington a safe place to live?
Lexington has a safety index of 49.12 out of 100 and a crime index of 50.88, 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 is the cheapest way to move from Arlington, VA to Lexington, KY?
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 $450 - $919. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
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.