($471+) Ann Arbor, MI to St. Paul, MN Movers
Moving from Ann Arbor, MI, to St. Paul, MN, runs anywhere from $471 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,351 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 648 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 $1,521, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $8,351 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,010 - $3,366, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $471 - $1,225.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Ann Arbor, MI, to St. Paul, MN. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,113 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
Fact Checked by:
Compare moving options from Ann Arbor, MI to St. Paul, MN
There are 3 main ways to move from Ann Arbor to St. Paul: 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 $2,113 - $5,623. Containers cost roughly 38% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 75% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 648 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 648-mile route from Ann Arbor to St. Paul, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,521 - $4,174 | $1,010 - $1,825 | $471 - $845 | $935 - $1,562 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,113 - $5,623 | $1,309 - $2,551 | $532 - $1,002 | $1,057 - $1,981 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $3,851 - $8,351 | $1,731 - $3,366 | $627 - $1,225 | $1,290 - $2,590 |
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 Ann Arbor, MI to St. Paul, MN
For the 648-mile move from Ann Arbor, Michigan, to St. Paul, Minnesota, full-service movers cost between $1,521 and $8,351. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $313 - $2,088 (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 Ann Arbor generally start around $304 plus $100 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Ann Arbor to St. Paul:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,521 - $4,174
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,113 - $5,623
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,851 - $8,351
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 Ann Arbor to St. Paul.
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.
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 Ann Arbor, MI to St. Paul, MN
Specialty needs vary by market: 57% of Ann Arbor movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In St. Paul, 69% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing78% of local movers | $522 - $5,220 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready57% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Handle With Care Moving | $209 - $1,253/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $313 - $2,506 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage3% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs58% of local movers | $1,044 - $3,132 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,610 - $10,440 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $782 - $1,486 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items19% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Handle With Care Moving | $1,044 - $2,610 |
| Piano | Any piano type38% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Handle With Care Moving | $835 - $3,654 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling10% of local movers | $313 - $1,566 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect13% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Extra Mile Moving | $679 - $2,088 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $313 - $15,660+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $313 - $3,654+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Ann Arbor to St. Paul?
Look for Minnesota Transport Services Association membership as a baseline when comparing movers in Minnesota beyond this list.
- 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 carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Ann Arbor, 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 Ann Arbor, MI to St. Paul, MN
Moving containers from Ann Arbor, Michigan, to St. Paul, Minnesota, cost between $1,010 and $3,366. 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 Ann Arbor typically runs around $75/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Ann Arbor to St. Paul:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,010 - $1,825
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,309 - $2,551
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,731 - $3,366
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $78 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $157 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in St. Paul, MN, 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 $731 in Ann Arbor, 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 Minnesota 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 $1,010. 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 $1,309 - $2,551.
What are the best moving containers Ann Arbor to St. Paul?
- 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 Ann Arbor 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 Ann Arbor:
- Campus Concepts: Moving & Storage (4.8/5), 12 years in business
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.7/5), 22 years in business
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.2/5), 0 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Ann Arbor, MI to St. Paul, MN
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 648 miles from Ann Arbor, Michigan, to St. Paul, Minnesota, running $471 - $1,225. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $215 - $246
- Daily insurance: $31/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $21
- Ann Arbor daily rental rate: $19 - $29
- 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 Ann Arbor to St. Paul based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $471 - $845
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $532 - $1,002
- 4+ bedrooms: $627 - $1,225
Pro tip: A rental truck from Ann Arbor to St. Paul looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $471 - $1,225. But once you factor in fuel ($215 - $246), overnight lodging ($157/night), meals, and equipment rentals, most people end up spending roughly $600 - $1,200 more on meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging. Building that into your budget upfront saves you from sticker shock at the end of the move.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $157 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 Ann Arbor, Michigan, usually costs about $731 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 648-mile drive falls between $215 and $246, 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 $52 and $313 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Ann Arbor to St. Paul?
- 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 Ann Arbor, MI to St. Paul, MN
Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from Ann Arbor, Michigan, to St. Paul, Minnesota. 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 $940 and $1,981.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Ann Arbor to St. Paul:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $935 - $1,562
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,057 - $1,981
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,290 - $2,590
Pro tip: A 4-foot ramp sounds simple, but heavy or awkward furniture can make the climb tricky. With 8 feet of height to work with, smart vertical stacking is key. Since freight companies charge by the linear foot, every extra foot you use adds to the bill.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In Ann Arbor, Michigan, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $731.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $78 - $157 per additional foot to your total.
- Time of year: Rates tend to climb during peak moving season (mid-May through mid-September) when trailer demand is at its highest.
What are the best freight companies from Ann Arbor to St. Paul?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Primarily known as a top moving container option for its DIY hybrid model where customers load and the company drives, MovingYourself also functions as a strong freight option thanks to its 53-foot trucks and pay-only-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. Best known for its container service, U-Pack also runs a top-notch freight trailer operation with the same no-deposit, pay-by-the-foot approach that keeps overall costs lower than most freight competitors.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in St. Paul 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: Ann Arbor, MI vs St. Paul, MN
Day-to-day costs in St. Paul are close to what you're used to in Ann Arbor: cost of living index of 102 versus 106, with average rent of $1,350/mo compared to $2,260/mo. With an index gap that small, budgeting for this move mostly comes down to the moving costs above rather than a shift in your monthly expenses. For reference, walkability and safety scores are 52/100 and 79.18/100 in Ann Arbor versus 60/100 and 49.14/100 in St. Paul.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our St. Paul, MN to Ann Arbor, MI guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from Michigan to Minnesota over the past 3 months, giving us some of the most up-to-date pricing data around. Running your move through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. There are 173 movers in our Michigan network to compare for this 648-mile move.
Our take
A move from Ann Arbor, MI, to St. Paul, MN, 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 $1,521 - $8,351 on the 648-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,010 - $3,366, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $471 - $1,225. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $2,113 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and round-the-clock live support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Siemens and ACS Group.
FAQs: Moving from Ann Arbor, MI, to St. Paul, MN
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.
How much does it cost to move from Ann Arbor, MI to St. Paul, MN?
Costs on this route range from around $471 to $8,351, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,521 and $8,351, while DIY options like rental trucks and containers come in lower. Moving during peak season (May - September) tends to push prices higher across the board.
What is the cheapest way to move from Ann Arbor, MI to St. Paul, MN?
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 $532 - $1,002. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($215 - $246), daily insurance ($31/day), and equipment rentals ($7 - $21) on top. Overnight stops can add another $157/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How long does a move from Ann Arbor, MI to St. Paul, MN 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 percentage of Ann Arbor movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 38% of movers in Ann Arbor handle piano moves, and 19% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.