($465+) Detroit, MI to St. Louis, MO Movers

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Background image of a moving truck moving from Detroit, MI to St. Louis, MO

Moving from Detroit, MI, to St. Louis, MO, runs anywhere from $443 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,412 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 529 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 $1,425, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $8,412 or more.
  • Moving containers run $975 - $3,274, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $443 - $1,199.
  • Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Detroit, MI, to St. Louis, MO. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,142 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.

Compare moving options from Detroit, MI to St. Louis, MO

There are 3 main ways to move from Detroit 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 $2,142 - $5,561. 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 1 to 6 days for this 529-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 529-mile route from Detroit to St. Louis, broken down by home size:

  • Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $1,425 - $4,409, container $975 - $1,822, rental truck $443 - $839, freight trailer $914 - $1,641.
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $2,142 - $5,561, container $1,223 - $2,592, rental truck $458 - $935, freight trailer $1,020 - $2,014.
  • 4+ bedrooms: full-service $4,036 - $8,412, container $1,698 - $3,274, rental truck $571 - $1,199, freight trailer $1,358 - $2,695.

Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.

Professional
Safeway Moving
star star star star star 4.9 / 5
Read our full Safeway review
Best overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran-owned
Container
Unlimited storage
3 container sizes
10% discount
Rental Truck
Budget Truck Rental
star star star star star 4.3 / 5
Read our full Budget review
Affordable pricing
Online estimates
Several discounts
Freight
MovingYourself
star star star star star 4.5 / 5
Read our full MovingYourself review
Fast delivery
Nationwide
100+ miles moves

Full-service moving costs from Detroit, MI to St. Louis, MO

Full-service movers for the 529-mile relocation from Detroit, Michigan, to St. Louis, Missouri, cost between $1,425 and $8,412. With a long-distance moving company, loading, transportation, and unloading are all taken care of. If you want to skip packing boxes, too, that can be added for $266 - $1,776, depending on your home size. What you pay in the end is mainly a function of how much your shipment weighs and how far it's traveling. As a point of reference, local movers in Detroit typically charge a base rate around $248 plus $100 per hour, per mover.

Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Detroit to St. Louis:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,425 - $4,409
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,142 - $5,561
  • 4+ bedrooms: $4,036 - $8,412

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 Detroit to St. Louis.

The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Michigan 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 Detroit, MI to St. Louis, MO

Specialty needs vary by market — 89% of Detroit 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 packingFull crew packing100% of local movers$444 - $4,440
Storage in transitNew place not ready89% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving$178 - $1,066/mo
Shuttle feeTruck can't reach door$266 - $2,131
Full-value protectionMore than $0.60/lb coverage8% of local movers$300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value)
Small movesUnder ~2,000 lbs59% of local movers$888 - $2,664
Office / commercialWorkplace relocation$2,220 - $8,880
Car shippingSecond vehicle$665 - $1,264
Antiques & fine artFragile, high-value items22% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Royal Movers Enterprises, LLC$888 - $2,220
PianoAny piano type59% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: O'Sullivan Moving & Storage CO.$710 - $3,108
Pool tableDisassembly & re-leveling16% of local movers$266 - $1,332
Hot tubHeavy, needs disconnect14% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: White Star Movers, Inc.$577 - $1,776
Wine collectionClimate-controlled transport$266 - $13,320+
Pet relocationGround, air, or concierge$266 - $3,108+

What are the best full-service movers from Detroit to St. Louis?

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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 carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Detroit, MI. 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 Detroit, MI to St. Louis, MO

Moving containers from Detroit, Michigan, to St. Louis, Missouri, cost between $975 and $3,274. 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 Detroit typically runs around $85/month.

Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Detroit to St. Louis:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $975 - $1,822
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,223 - $2,592
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,698 - $3,274

What other costs come with moving containers?

  • Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $67 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $133 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 $622 in Detroit, MI. 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 Michigan 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 $975. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,223 - $2,592, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.

What are the best moving containers Detroit to St. Louis?

  1. Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
  2. U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
  3. 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 Detroit 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 Detroit:

  • College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.9/5), 15 years in business
  • O'Sullivan Moving & Storage CO. (4.3/5), 44 years in business
  • Grosse Pointe Moving & Storage (4.8/5), 42 years in business

Moving truck rental costs from Detroit, MI to St. Louis, MO

A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 529 miles from Detroit, Michigan, to St. Louis, Missouri, running $443 - $1,199. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:

  • Fuel for the drive: $149 - $171
  • Daily insurance: $27/day
  • Equipment rentals: $6 - $18
  • Detroit daily rental rate: $19 - $39
  • Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.59 - $0.79
Home sizeTypical truck size
Studio / 1 bedroom10 - 12 ft
2 - 3 bedrooms15 - 17 ft
4+ bedrooms20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel)

These are typical moving truck rental costs from Detroit to St. Louis based on home size:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $443 - $839
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $458 - $935
  • 4+ bedrooms: $571 - $1,199

Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $443 - $1,199 when pricing out a rental truck from Detroit to St. Louis. Fuel alone runs ($149 - $171) , and overnight lodging ($133/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend an additional $600 - $1,200 beyond the base rate by the time the move is done.

What other costs come with rental trucks?

  • Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Detroit, Michigan, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $622.
  • Gas: Fuel costs total $149 - $171 for the 529-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 $53 and $289, depending on what you need.
  • Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
  • Lodging: Budget around $133 per night for hotel stops on the 529-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $266 - $400.

What are the best moving truck rentals from Detroit to St. Louis?

  1. Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
  2. Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
  3. 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 Detroit, MI to St. Louis, MO

Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from Detroit, Michigan, to St. Louis, Missouri. Standard trailers run 28 feet long, and you're only charged for the portion you actually fill. The carrier drops the trailer off, you load it at your own pace, and they handle the drive to your new city.

Pricing is based entirely on the linear footage your shipment occupies, not the full trailer length. Most long-distance freight moves land somewhere between $799 and $2,014.

Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Detroit to St. Louis:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $914 - $1,641
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,020 - $2,014
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,358 - $2,695

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?

  • 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 $67 - $133 more per foot.
  • Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Detroit, Michigan, for about five hours typically runs $622.

What are the best freight companies from Detroit to St. Louis?

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. XPO Logistics Freight, Inc. (4.66/5 stars): XPO Logistics Freight, Inc. is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned and based facilities mean accessible support staff and area-specific scheduling flexibility that national-only freight carriers typically don't match.

Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from Detroit 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: Detroit, MI vs St. Louis, MO

Day-to-day costs in St. Louis are close to what you're used to in Detroit: cost of living index of 84 versus 92, with average rent of $1,250/mo compared to $1,250/mo. Housing, income, and taxes are all in a similar range, so budgeting for this move mostly comes down to the moving costs above rather than a shift in your monthly expenses. Walkability and safety scores are close too, at 51/100 and 27.08/100 in Detroit versus 66/100 and 30.35/100 in St. Louis.

Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our St. Louis, MO to Detroit, MI guide.

Why book your mover through moveBuddha:

moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Michigan to Missouri 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 84 movers based in Michigan, handy for sizing up options on this 529-mile route.

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Our take

A move from Detroit, MI, 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 $1,425 - $8,412 on the 529-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $975 - $3,274, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $443 - $1,199. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $2,142 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 Detroit, MI, to St. Louis, MO

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.

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 27.08 and 72.92 in Detroit. 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 Detroit, MI 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 $458 - $935. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.

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.

How long does a move from Detroit, MI to St. Louis, MO take?

Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 5 - 7 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are usually the fastest option outside of driving yourself, with deliveries in 3 - 5 days, 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 Detroit movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?

About 59% of movers in Detroit handle piano moves, and 22% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.