($441+) Arlington, VA to Chattanooga, TN Movers
Moving from Arlington, VA, to Chattanooga, TN, runs anywhere from $441 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,118 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 594 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 $1,204, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $7,118 or more.
- Moving containers run $949 - $3,147, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $441 - $1,251.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Arlington, VA, to Chattanooga, TN. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $1,931 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 Chattanooga, TN
Moving options from Arlington 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 $1,931 - $4,869 and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 39% less for the same home size, while rental trucks land about 76% less, though both require you to load the truck or container yourself. This route spans 594 miles and typically takes 1 to 6 days.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 594-mile route from Arlington to Chattanooga, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,204 - $3,757 | $949 - $1,780 | $441 - $823 | $898 - $1,570 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $1,931 - $4,869 | $1,180 - $2,485 | $457 - $1,016 | $964 - $1,834 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $3,591 - $7,118 | $1,591 - $3,147 | $600 - $1,251 | $1,366 - $2,542 |
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 Chattanooga, TN
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 594-mile move from Arlington, Virginia, to Chattanooga, Tennessee, with prices running from $1,204 - $7,118. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $403 - $2,688 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between Arlington and Chattanooga 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 Chattanooga:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,204 - $3,757
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,931 - $4,869
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,591 - $7,118
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 Chattanooga.
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 Chattanooga, TN
Specialty needs vary by market: 70% of Arlington 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 packing80% of local movers | $672 - $6,720 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready70% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: 495 Movers, Inc | $269 - $1,613/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $403 - $3,226 |
| 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 | $1,344 - $4,032 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,360 - $13,440 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,007 - $1,913 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items34% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: 495 Movers, Inc | $1,344 - $3,360 |
| Piano | Any piano type42% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: 495 Movers, Inc | $1,075 - $4,704 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling9% of local movers | $403 - $2,016 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect8% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Olympia Moving & Storage | $874 - $2,688 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $403 - $20,160+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $403 - $4,704+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Arlington to Chattanooga?
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing means no surprise charges on moving day, and their support team is consistently rated among the most responsive in the industry.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here, 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, with 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 full-service movers are almost always better priced than local movers in Arlington, VA. Local companies typically run 30% - 40% more at longer distances because they aren't set up to consolidate shipments the way national carriers do. The one case where a local mover might be worth the premium is if you want a dedicated direct-route truck, which averages a 2-day delivery time, but expect to pay more for that convenience.
Moving container costs from Arlington, VA to Chattanooga, TN
Moving containers from Arlington, Virginia, to Chattanooga, Tennessee, cost between $949 and $3,147. The container gets dropped at your door and you load it at your own pace. U-Haul gives you 3 days to load and PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're done, the company handles all the transportation. If you need extra time, storage in Arlington runs about $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Arlington to Chattanooga:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $949 - $1,780
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,180 - $2,485
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,591 - $3,147
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Access: Most major container brands operate in both Arlington, VA and Chattanooga, TN. 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 $941 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 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 $949. 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 $1,180 - $2,485.
What are the best moving containers Arlington 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 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 Chattanooga, TN
A rental truck for this 594-mile move from Arlington, Virginia, to Chattanooga, Tennessee, costs between $441 and $1,251. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $254 - $290
- 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 Chattanooga based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $441 - $823
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $457 - $1,016
- 4+ bedrooms: $600 - $1,251
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $441 - $1,251 when pricing out a rental truck from Arlington to Chattanooga. Fuel alone runs $254 - $290, and overnight lodging ($202/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend roughly $600 - $1,200 more on meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging by the time the move is done.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $202 per night if your drive requires an overnight stop. Typically, you'll make 1 - 3 overnight stops, depending on move distance.
- Moving labor: Bringing in professional loading help in Arlington, Virginia, usually costs about $941 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 594-mile drive falls between $254 and $290, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, moving pads, and vehicle trailers are easy to overlook but can add between $67 and $403 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Arlington 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 Arlington, VA to Chattanooga, TN
Freight trailers are a good fit for medium-to-large moves where you need more space than a container but don't want to drive a rental truck from Arlington, Virginia, to Chattanooga, Tennessee. The trailer is delivered to your address, you load it, and the carrier takes it the rest of the way.
Unlike truck rentals with flat rates, freight trailers scale with your shipment. Every additional section of trailer space you fill increases your total. A 2 - 3 bedroom long-distance move using this method runs roughly between $964 and $1,834.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Arlington to Chattanooga:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $898 - $1,570
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $964 - $1,834
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,366 - $2,542
Pro tip: Freight trailers offer generous space but reward good packing strategy. The 4-foot ramp can be challenging for large or heavy pieces, and using the full 8-foot height takes careful stacking. Because you're billed by the linear foot, maximizing vertical space keeps your costs lower.
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 $101 and $202.
- 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 $941.
What are the best freight companies from Arlington to Chattanooga?
- 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 Chattanooga. 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 Chattanooga, TN
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Chattanooga, side by side with Arlington on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Arlington, VA | Chattanooga, TN |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 164 | 90 |
| Average rent | $2,718/mo | $1,475/mo |
| Median home value | $866,334 | $259,125 |
| Average income | $140,160/yr | $61,028/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 4.0% | 5.6% |
| State income tax | Up to 5.75% | None |
| Walkability score | 71/100 | 29/100 |
| Safety index | 79.15/100 | 46.11/100 |
| 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 Chattanooga, TN to Arlington, VA guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Virginia to Tennessee in the past 3 months alone, keeping our pricing data current. Run your numbers through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. For context, we track 304 movers based in Virginia, handy for sizing up options on this 594-mile route.
Our take
The 594-mile move from Arlington, VA, to Chattanooga, TN, costs between $1,204 and $7,118 with full-service movers, $949 - $3,147 with a moving container, and $441 - $1,251 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 $1,931 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage, and 24/7 customer support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Hamilton County and Schools Erlanger.
FAQs: Moving from Arlington, VA, to Chattanooga, TN
Is Chattanooga a safe place to live?
Chattanooga has a safety index of 46.11 out of 100 and a crime index of 53.89, 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 are some tips for saving money on a move from Arlington, VA to Chattanooga, TN?
Cutting 500 pounds from your shipment, roughly one bedroom's worth of items, saves approximately $200 - $400 on a full-service move on this route. Beyond that, staying organized matters just as much. A solid moving checklist keeps you on schedule and helps you avoid costly last-minute mistakes.
What is the best time of year to move from Arlington, VA 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 long does a move from Arlington, VA to Chattanooga, TN take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 1 to 6 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are often one of the faster options outside of driving yourself, though you'll need to be ready to receive your shipment on arrival. Driving a rental truck yourself puts the schedule entirely in your hands.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($254 - $290), daily insurance ($40/day), and equipment rentals ($9 - $27) on top. Overnight stops can add another $202/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
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.