($995+) St. Louis, MO to Missoula, MT Movers
Moving from St. Louis, MO, to Missoula, MT, runs anywhere from $975 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $10,357 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,608 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 4 to 15 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 $2,411, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $10,357 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,535 - $5,295, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $975 - $2,666.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from St. Louis, MO, to Missoula, MT. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,101 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 St. Louis, MO to Missoula, MT
Moving options from St. Louis to Missoula fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $3,101 - $6,692 on this route, with movers handling all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 60% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This 1,608-mile route typically takes 4 to 15 days door to door.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,608-mile route from St. Louis to Missoula, broken down by home size:
Home size makes the biggest difference in what you'll pay on this route. A studio or 1-bedroom runs $2,411 - $5,475 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($1,535 - $2,858), rental truck ($975 - $2,007), or freight trailer ($1,328 - $2,396). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $3,101 - $6,692 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $10,357.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from St. Louis, MO to Missoula, MT
Hiring full-service movers from St. Louis, Missouri, to Missoula, Montana, costs between $2,411 and $10,357. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 1,608-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $287 - $1,912, 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 St. Louis and Missoula. For a rough baseline, movers based in St. Louis tend to start around $247 plus $145/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 St. Louis to Missoula:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,411 - $5,475
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,101 - $6,692
- 4+ bedrooms: $5,793 - $10,357
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 St. Louis to Missoula.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Missouri to Montana. 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 St. Louis, MO to Missoula, MT
Specialty needs vary by market — 86% of St. Louis movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Missoula, 100% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing93% of local movers | $478 - $4,780 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready86% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: ABC Quality Moving & Storage | $191 - $1,147/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $287 - $2,294 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage36% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs86% of local movers | $956 - $2,868 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,390 - $9,560 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $716 - $1,360 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items36% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: ABC Quality Moving & Storage | $956 - $2,390 |
| Piano | Any piano type64% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Arch Moving | $765 - $3,346 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling21% of local movers | $287 - $1,434 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect14% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: ABC Quality Moving & Storage | $621 - $1,912 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $287 - $14,340+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $287 - $3,346+ |
What are the best full-service movers from St. Louis to Missoula?
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving offers the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing locks in your cost upfront, and 24/7 customer support is available throughout the move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. Operating since 1995, AVL staffs every move with full-time in-house crews trained on antiques, art, and other high-value items.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. As one of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, real-time shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in St. Louis, MO. 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 St. Louis, MO to Missoula, MT
Moving containers from St. Louis, Missouri, to Missoula, Montana, cost between $1,535 and $5,295. 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 St. Louis runs about $90/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from St. Louis to Missoula:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,535 - $2,858
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,925 - $3,957
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,729 - $5,295
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Because loading is on you with a container move, hourly labor help is a popular add-on. In St. Louis, MO, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $669, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: After the first month, ongoing rental fees kick in. A small container (7 - 8 feet) averages about $72 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $143 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both St. Louis, MO, and Missoula, MT, but confirm a facility is within reasonable distance if you need to retrieve items while in storage.
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection provides broader coverage than the standard liability in your contract. It typically costs 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on $50,000 worth of belongings.
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 $1,535. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,925 - $3,957, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers St. Louis to Missoula?
- 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 St. Louis 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 St. Louis:
- Arch Moving (4.7/5), 23 years in business
- ABC Quality Moving & Storage (4.6/5), 37 years in business
- Simple Moves (4.7/5), 25 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from St. Louis, MO to Missoula, MT
Plan on $975 - $2,666 for a rental moving truck on the 1,608-mile route from St. Louis, Missouri, to Missoula, Montana. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $489 - $559
- Daily insurance: $29/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $19
- St. Louis daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $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 St. Louis to Missoula based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $975 - $2,007
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,119 - $2,249
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,425 - $2,666
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from St. Louis to Missoula starts at $975 - $2,666, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($489 - $559) , overnight lodging ($143/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for an additional $600 - $1,200 on top of your base rate to cover those costs.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in St. Louis, Missouri, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $669.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $489 - $559 for the 1,608-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 $57 and $311, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $143 per night for hotel stops on the 1,608-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $287 - $430.
What are the best moving truck rentals from St. Louis to Missoula?
- 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 St. Louis, MO to Missoula, MT
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from St. Louis, Missouri, to Missoula, Montana, 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. Overall pricing for a move of this size and distance typically lands around $1,463 and $3,135.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from St. Louis to Missoula:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,328 - $2,396
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,463 - $3,135
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,099 - $3,985
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?
- More space: Freight trailers are billed by the section you fill. If you misjudge your shipment size, each extra foot of trailer space adds around $72 - $143 to your final bill.
- Peak season pricing: Expect higher rates during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) when trailer availability tightens across the country.
- Moving labor: Loading is on you unless you hire outside help. A half-day crew of two movers in St. Louis, Missouri, typically costs $669.
What are the best freight companies from St. Louis to Missoula?
- 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.
- Flanagan-White Delivery, Inc. (4.42/5 stars): Flanagan-White Delivery, Inc. is our pick for best locally owned freight company. Their locally owned and operated facilities mean you work with support staff who know the route and the area, giving you more responsive scheduling than national-only carriers typically offer.
Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from St. Louis to Missoula, 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: St. Louis, MO vs Missoula, MT
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Missoula, side by side with St. Louis on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | St. Louis, MO | Missoula, MT |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 84 | 113 |
| Average rent | $1,250/mo | $1,322/mo |
| Median home value | $180,206 | $426,764 |
| Average income | $55,279/yr | $65,329/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 6.3% | 4.4% |
| State income tax | Up to 4.8% | Up to 6.75% |
| Walkability score | 66/100 | 45/100 |
| Safety index | 30.35/100 | 66.73/100 |
| Air quality | Moderate | 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 Missoula, MT to St. Louis, MO guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 1 quotes from Missouri to Montana, so our pricing data reflects what movers are actually charging right now. Check our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers, the best way to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and bad actors. We track 54 movers in Missouri, so you have real options to compare for this 1,608-mile move.
Our take
For a move from St. Louis, MO, to Missoula, MT, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $2,411 for a studio to $10,357 for a 4 - 5 bedroom home on the 1,608-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,535 - $5,295. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $975 - $2,666, though you'll be handling the driving and loading yourself. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with quotes starting around $3,101 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage included, and 24/7 live customer support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Walmart AT&T and Target.
FAQs: Moving from St. Louis, MO, to Missoula, MT
What do local movers charge in St. Louis?
Local movers based in St. Louis typically start around $247 as a base rate, plus $145/hour per mover. That's a useful baseline if you're hiring help just to load a rental truck or container rather than booking a full long-distance move. Rates in Missoula run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
How long does a move from St. Louis, MO to Missoula, MT 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 are the best neighborhoods in Missoula?
For families, Lewis And Clark, Rose Park, and Miller Creek are worth a look in Missoula. If you're moving solo or without kids, Heart Of Missoula, Lewis And Clark, and Farviews And Pattee tend to be popular picks instead.
What is the cheapest way to move from St. Louis, MO to Missoula, MT?
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 $1,119 - $2,249. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
Is Missoula a safe place to live?
Missoula has a safety index of 66.73 out of 100 and a crime index of 33.27, compared to 30.35 and 69.65 in St. Louis. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What percentage of St. Louis movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 64% of movers in St. Louis handle piano moves, and 36% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
