($443+) Detroit, MI to St. Louis, MO Movers
Moving from Detroit, MI, to St. Louis, MO, runs anywhere from $443 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,691 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ 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 $1,344, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $7,691 or more.
- Moving containers run $976 - $3,148, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $443 - $1,131.
- 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 $2,169 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 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 is the most expensive but covers everything from labor to transportation, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route averaging $2,169 - $5,409. Containers cost roughly 45% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 80% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 529 miles, expect 1 to 6 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 529-mile route from Detroit to St. Louis, broken down by home size:
- Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $1,344 - $4,159, container $976 - $1,736, rental truck $443 - $823, freight trailer $896 - $1,502.
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $2,169 - $5,409, container $1,190 - $2,374, rental truck $437 - $957, freight trailer $982 - $1,824.
- 4+ bedrooms: full-service $3,652 - $7,691, container $1,634 - $3,148, rental truck $544 - $1,131, freight trailer $1,255 - $2,470.
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 Detroit, MI to St. Louis, MO
Hiring full-service movers from Detroit, Michigan, to St. Louis, Missouri, costs between $1,344 and $7,691. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 529-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $266 - $1,776, depending on the size of your home. Your final cost comes down to two things: the total weight of your shipment and the distance between Detroit and St. Louis. For a rough baseline, movers based in Detroit tend to start around $248 plus $100/hour per mover on local jobs, before long-distance pricing takes over for a move this size.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Detroit to St. Louis:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,344 - $4,159
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,169 - $5,409
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,652 - $7,691
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.
Pro tip: Peak moving season (May - September) limits truck availability and pushes up full-service moving costs. Booking during slower months can give you more scheduling room and a lower final price.
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Specialty moving services from Detroit, MI to St. Louis, MO
Specialty needs vary by market: 59% of Detroit 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 packing82% of local movers | $444 - $4,440 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready59% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Grosse Pointe Moving & Storage | $178 - $1,066/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $266 - $2,131 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage5% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs58% of local movers | $888 - $2,664 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,220 - $8,880 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $665 - $1,264 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items19% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Handle With Care Moving | $888 - $2,220 |
| Piano | Any piano type42% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Men on the Move | $710 - $3,108 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling9% of local movers | $266 - $1,332 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect15% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $577 - $1,776 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $266 - $13,320+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $266 - $3,108+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Detroit to St. Louis?
- 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 movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in Detroit, MI. 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 Detroit, MI to St. Louis, MO
Moving containers from Detroit, Michigan, to St. Louis, Missouri, cost between $976 and $3,148. With a moving container, you load on your own schedule. U-Haul gives you 3 days to fill yours, while PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're ready, the company transports it straight to your new place. Need more time first? Storage in Detroit typically costs about $85/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Detroit to St. Louis:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $976 - $1,736
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,190 - $2,374
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,634 - $3,148
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Access: Most major container brands operate in both Detroit, MI and St. Louis, MO. 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 $622 in Detroit, MI, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $67 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $133 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 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 $976. 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 $1,190 - $2,374.
What are the best moving containers Detroit 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 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
- Men on the Move (4.6/5), 34 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Detroit, MI to St. Louis, MO
Renting a moving truck for the 529-mile move from Detroit, Michigan, to St. Louis, Missouri, costs between $443 and $1,131, before these typical add-ons:
- 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 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 Detroit to St. Louis based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $443 - $823
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $437 - $957
- 4+ bedrooms: $544 - $1,131
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $443 - $1,131 does not include fuel ($149 - $171), lodging ($133/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Detroit 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?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $133 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 $58 and $289 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $149 - $171 in fuel for the 529-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $622 in Detroit, Michigan, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Detroit 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 Detroit, MI to St. Louis, MO
If you're moving a larger household from Detroit, Michigan, and want to stay in control of the loading process, freight trailers offer a practical middle ground between hiring movers and renting a truck yourself. A 28-foot trailer is delivered to your door, you load what you need, and the carrier handles the drive to St. Louis, Missouri.
Freight trailers are priced by the linear feet your belongings take up, so you only pay for the space you use. A 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route typically falls between $982 and $1,824.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Detroit to St. Louis:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $896 - $1,502
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $982 - $1,824
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,255 - $2,470
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?
- Seasonal demand: Pricing tends to rise during peak moving season, particularly between mid-May and mid-September.
- Moving labor: Most customers hire loading help since freight is self-loaded. Two movers in Detroit, Michigan, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $622.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $67 and $133 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Detroit 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: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in St. Louis fast. For interstate moves, freight is one of the quickest delivery methods out there. Just keep in mind that freight carriers expect you to be available to receive your shipment, so it works best when your move-in is locked in and you don't need temporary storage on either end.
Cost of living: Detroit, MI vs St. Louis, MO
Detroit and St. Louis land in a similar range on everyday costs. The cost of living index sits at 92 in Detroit and 84 in St. Louis, and average rent is $1,250/mo vs. $1,250/mo. With an index gap that small, you likely won't need to rework your monthly budget much after this move. For reference, walkability is 51 vs 66 and safety scores are 27.08 vs 30.35.
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 173 movers based in Michigan, handy for sizing up options on this 529-mile route.
Our take
The 529-mile move from Detroit, MI, to St. Louis, MO, costs between $1,344 and $7,691 with full-service movers, $976 - $3,148 with a moving container, and $443 - $1,131 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 $2,169 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 Detroit, MI, to St. Louis, MO
How do I know a mover is licensed in Missouri?
Movers that provide local and intrastate relocation services in Missouri fall under the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT). Every household goods mover operating in the state is required to have a MoDOT Number.
What is the best time of year to move from Detroit, MI 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 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 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 $437 - $957. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What percentage of Detroit movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 42% of movers in Detroit handle piano moves, and 19% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.