($582+) Philadelphia, PA to St. Louis, MO Movers
Moving from Philadelphia, PA, to St. Louis, MO, runs anywhere from $582 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,522 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 885 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 $1,701, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $7,522 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,053 - $3,797, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $582 - $1,553.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Philadelphia, PA, to St. Louis, MO. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,305 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
Compare moving options from Philadelphia, PA to St. Louis, MO
There are 3 main ways to move from Philadelphia to St. Louis: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service is the most expensive but covers everything from labor to transportation, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route averaging $2,305 - $5,733. Containers cost roughly 38% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 73% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 885 miles, expect 2 to 7 days in transit no matter which service you choose.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 885-mile route from Philadelphia to St. Louis, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,701 - $4,310 | $1,053 - $2,089 | $582 - $1,177 | $978 - $1,861 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,305 - $5,733 | $1,438 - $2,872 | $627 - $1,305 | $1,151 - $2,276 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $3,904 - $7,522 | $1,991 - $3,797 | $787 - $1,553 | $1,548 - $2,863 |
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 Philadelphia, PA to St. Louis, MO
For the 885-mile move from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to St. Louis, Missouri, full-service movers cost between $1,701 and $7,522. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $288 - $1,920 (1 - 5+ bedrooms), crews will pack your boxes. The weight of your shipment and the mileage between the two cities are what drive your final cost. For scale, local movers in Philadelphia generally start around $282 plus $130 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Philadelphia to St. Louis:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,701 - $4,310
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,305 - $5,733
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,904 - $7,522
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 Philadelphia to St. Louis.
Pro tip: The summer months (May - September) are the busiest time of year for movers during peak moving season, which drives up prices and limits scheduling options. If you can move in the fall or winter, you'll likely find better rates and more flexibility.
Don't see your company listed?
Reach customers actively searching for trusted movers in your area. Tell us about your company and services to get your business listed on moveBuddha.
Specialty moving services from Philadelphia, PA to St. Louis, MO
Specialty needs vary by market: 55% of Philadelphia movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In St. Louis, 68% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing72% of local movers | $480 - $4,800 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready55% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Superior Moving & Storage | $192 - $1,152/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $288 - $2,304 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage10% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs48% of local movers | $960 - $2,880 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,400 - $9,600 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $719 - $1,366 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items27% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Superior Moving & Storage | $960 - $2,400 |
| Piano | Any piano type35% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Superior Moving & Storage | $768 - $3,360 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling8% of local movers | $288 - $1,440 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect9% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Payless Moving Inc. | $624 - $1,920 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $288 - $14,400+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $288 - $3,360+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia, PA. 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 Philadelphia, PA to St. Louis, MO
Moving containers from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to St. Louis, Missouri, cost between $1,053 and $3,797. 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 Philadelphia runs about $80/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Philadelphia to St. Louis:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,053 - $2,089
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,438 - $2,872
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,991 - $3,797
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $72 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $144 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in St. Louis, MO, 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 $672 in Philadelphia, PA. 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 Pennsylvania 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 $1,053. 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 $1,438 - $2,872.
What are the best moving containers Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia:
- Superior Moving & Storage (4.3/5), 45 years in business
- Flex Moving & Storage (4.8/5), 4 years in business
- Payless Moving Inc. (4.5/5), 17 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Philadelphia, PA to St. Louis, MO
Plan on $582 - $1,553 for a rental moving truck on the 885-mile route from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to St. Louis, Missouri. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $270 - $309
- Daily insurance: $29/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $19
- Philadelphia daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.89 - $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 Philadelphia to St. Louis based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $582 - $1,177
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $627 - $1,305
- 4+ bedrooms: $787 - $1,553
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $582 - $1,553 does not include fuel ($270 - $309), lodging ($144/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Philadelphia to St. Louis typically runs more than the base rate alone, with meals, equipment, and other extras adding roughly $600 - $1,200 on top of fuel and lodging.
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 $72 and $336.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $144.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $270 and $309 for the 885-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 $672 for 2 movers in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia, PA to St. Louis, MO
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to St. Louis, Missouri, when you want to do the loading yourself without having to drive a massive vehicle. The trailer is delivered, you pack it up, and the carrier handles the long haul.
What sets freight trailers apart is the pay-for-what-you-use pricing model. Each additional foot of trailer space you occupy adds to the cost. Pricing for a 2 - 3 bedroom move of this distance typically lands between $1,151 and $2,276.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Philadelphia to St. Louis:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $978 - $1,861
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,151 - $2,276
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,548 - $2,863
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?
- 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 $72 - $144 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for about five hours typically runs $672.
What are the best freight companies from Philadelphia 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.
Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from Philadelphia to St. Louis, freight trailers are one of the fastest interstate options available, second only to renting a truck and driving it yourself. The tradeoff is that freight works best when you're ready to receive your belongings on the other end. If your timeline is tight on the receiving side or you need a short storage buffer, a moving container might be a better fit.
Cost of living: Philadelphia, PA 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 Philadelphia on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Philadelphia, PA | St. Louis, MO |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 104 | 84 |
| Average rent | $1,695/mo | $1,250/mo |
| Median home value | $231,098 | $180,206 |
| Average income | $60,698/yr | $55,279/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 10.6% | 6.3% |
| State income tax | Up to 3.07% | Up to 4.8% |
| Walkability score | 75/100 | 66/100 |
| Safety index | 33.91/100 | 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 Philadelphia, PA guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from Pennsylvania to Missouri, 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 267 movers licensed in Pennsylvania, useful context for sizing up this 885-mile move.
Our take
A move from Philadelphia, PA, to St. Louis, MO, 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 $1,701 - $7,522 on the 885-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,053 - $3,797, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $582 - $1,553. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $2,305 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and round-the-clock live 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 Philadelphia, PA, to St. Louis, MO
How walkable is St. Louis?
St. Louis has a walkability score of 66 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 58, compared to 75 and 67 in Philadelphia. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
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 33.91 and 66.09 in Philadelphia. 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 Philadelphia, PA to St. Louis, MO?
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 Philadelphia, PA 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.
How long does a move from Philadelphia, PA to St. Louis, MO take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 2 to 7 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 percentage of Philadelphia movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 35% of movers in Philadelphia handle piano moves, and 27% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.