($1,008+) Arlington, VA to Austin, TX Movers
Moving from Arlington, VA, to Austin, TX, runs anywhere from $977 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $10,597 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,520 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 $2,267, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $10,597 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,560 - $5,621, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $977 - $2,924.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Arlington, VA, to Austin, TX. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,278 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
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In the past 3 months, we've processed over 533 real quotes from Arlington, VA to Austin, TX, 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.
Compare moving options from Arlington, VA to Austin, TX
There are 3 main ways to move from Arlington to Austin: 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 $3,278 - $7,230. 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.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,520-mile route from Arlington to Austin, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $2,267 - $5,189 | $1,560 - $3,013 | $977 - $2,012 | $1,460 - $2,580 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $3,278 - $7,230 | $2,034 - $3,923 | $1,069 - $2,276 | $1,563 - $3,171 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $5,871 - $10,597 | $2,741 - $5,621 | $1,373 - $2,924 | $2,258 - $4,147 |
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated August 18, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Arlington, VA to Austin, TX
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 1,520-mile move from Arlington, Virginia, to Austin, Texas, with costs ranging from $2,267 - $10,597. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $450 - $3,000. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Arlington and Austin.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Arlington to Austin:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,267 - $5,189
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,278 - $7,230
- 4+ bedrooms: $5,871 - $10,597
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 Arlington to Austin.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Virginia to Texas. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: Moving company rates climb during peak moving season (May –-September) when demand peaks. Scheduling your move outside of that window can lead to noticeably lower costs and better availability.
Add-ons and specialty services from Arlington, VA to Austin, TX
Most moves come with a few extras on top of the base price, and some items need a specialist instead of a standard crew. The table below lists what each add-on and specialty service runs from Arlington to Austin. Prices are localized to Arlington costs.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost (Arlington to Austin) |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | You want the crew to box everything | $750 - $7,500 |
| Storage in transit | Your new place is not ready on arrival | $300 - $1,800/mo |
| Shuttle fee | A full-size truck cannot reach the door | $450 - $3,600 |
| Full-value protection | Coverage beyond the default $0.60/lb | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Shipments under about 2,000 lbs | $1,500 - $4,500 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,750 - $15,000 |
| Car shipping | Moving a second vehicle | $1,124 - $2,135 |
| Antiques & fine art | Climate control and white-glove handling | $1,500 - $3,750 |
| Piano | Upright, baby grand, or grand | $1,200 - $5,250 |
| Pool table | Disassembly and professional re-leveling | $450 - $2,250 |
| Hot tub | 500 - 900 lb units with electrical disconnect | $975 - $3,000 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled, vibration-safe transport | $450 - $22,500+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or VIP concierge | $450 - $5,250+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Arlington to Austin?
- 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 carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Arlington, VA. 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 Arlington, VA to Austin, TX
Moving containers from Arlington, Virginia, to Austin, Texas, cost between $1,560 and $5,621. 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.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Arlington to Austin:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,560 - $3,013
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,034 - $3,923
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,741 - $5,621
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $113 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $225 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Austin, TX, 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 $1,050 in Arlington, VA. 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 Virginia to Texas 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 $1,560. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $2,034 - $3,923, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Arlington to Austin?
- PODS (4.8/5 stars): PODS is best for nationwide coverage. It runs the widest service network of any container company, with secure month-to-month storage and steel-frame containers you load on your own schedule.
- Units Moving & Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars): Units is best for locally owned service. Their steel containers come in multiple sizes that fit tight driveways, and locally owned branches mean you reach a live support team that knows your area.
- 1-800-Pack-Rat: 1-800-Pack-Rat is best for weatherproof storage. Their all-steel containers hold up well in transit and long storage windows, with flexible month-to-month terms when your move-in date slips.
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 Arlington 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 Arlington:
- BoxStar Movers (5.0/5), 5 years in business
- Zip Moving And Storage, Inc. (4.9/5), 10 years in business
- My Pro Movers (5.0/5), 9 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Arlington, VA to Austin, TX
Moving truck rentals from Arlington, Virginia, to Austin, Texas, cost between $977 and $2,924. A rental truck is the most hands-on way to move. You load your belongings into the truck yourself, drive the full 1,520 miles to your new home, and unload everything when you arrive. The base rate covers the truck rental only. Fuel ($725 - $829), insurance ($45/day), and equipment rentals ($11 - $30) are billed separately.
Rental moving truck sizes generally run from 10 - 26 feet. The 15- to 17-foot truck is the go-to option for most 2-bedroom moves. Studio and 1-bedroom moves typically fit into a smaller 10- to 12-foot truck, while 3+ bedroom homes usually call for a 20- to 26-foot truck. Keep in mind that anything 20 feet or larger typically requires diesel fuel, which adds to your fuel budget for the trip.
These are typical moving truck rental costs from Arlington to Austin based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $977 - $2,012
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,069 - $2,276
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,373 - $2,924
Pro tip: A rental truck from Arlington to Austin looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $977 - $2,924. But once you factor in fuel ($725 - $829) , overnight lodging ($225/night), meals, and equipment rentals, most people end up spending $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate suggests. Building that into your budget upfront saves you from sticker shock at the end of the move.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $225 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 $98 and $488 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $725 - $829 in fuel for the 1,520-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $1,050 in Arlington, Virginia, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Arlington to Austin?
- Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars): Budget Truck Rental is our pick for best value rental. Their base rates are typically the lowest among national truck rental companies, and Budget regularly offers discounts for online bookings, AAA members, and military.
- Penske Truck Rental (4/5 stars): Penske Truck Rental is the most reliable on this list. Penske maintains a newer fleet (averaging under 2 years old) and includes unlimited mileage and 24/7 roadside assistance on every one-way move.
- U-Haul Truck Rental (4.2/5 stars): U-Haul Truck Rental is the best availability option. With more than 23,000 locations and 7 truck sizes ranging from 8 to 26 feet, U-Haul covers nearly every U.S. zip code and accommodates same-day pickups in most markets.
Freight trailer costs from Arlington, VA to Austin, TX
For larger DIY moves from Arlington, Virginia, freight trailers give you plenty of room without putting you behind the wheel. Standard trailers are 28 feet long. You load the section you need, and the carrier transports everything to Austin, Texas.
Because freight companies bill by linear footage, your total is based on how much of the trailer you occupy, not the full length. For most medium-to-large moves on this route, pricing typically falls between $1,563 and $3,171.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Arlington to Austin:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,460 - $2,580
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,563 - $3,171
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,258 - $4,147
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 $113 - $225 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Arlington, Virginia, for about five hours typically runs $1,050.
What are the best freight companies from Arlington to Austin?
- 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.
- Terminal Transportation Services (4.62/5 stars): Terminal Transportation Services 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: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Arlington to Austin. If you have a hard move-in date and want your stuff there as soon as possible, freight is hard to beat. It's worth noting that freight works best when you're ready to receive your delivery, so if your move-in date is still up in the air or you'll need short-term storage, a moving container is likely the more practical choice.
Cost of living: Arlington, VA vs Austin, TX
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Austin, side by side with Arlington on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Arlington, VA | Austin, TX |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 164 | 129 |
| Average rent | $2,718/mo | $1,765/mo |
| Median home value | $866,334 | $512,969 |
| Average income | $140,160/yr | $91,461/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 4.0% | 3.5% |
| State income tax | Up to 5.75% | None |
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 Austin, TX to Arlington, VA guide.
Our take
For a move from Arlington, VA, to Austin, TX, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $2,267 for a studio to $10,597 for a 4 - 5 bedroom home on the 1,520-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,560 - $5,621. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $977 - $2,924, 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 $3,278 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage included, and 24/7 live customer support.
How to plan your move from Arlington, VA to Austin, TX
- Compare your moving service options: Compare the four service types for the 1,520-mile Arlington, VA to Austin, TX route using the cost table above: full-service movers ($2,267 - $10,597), moving containers ($1,560 - $5,621), rental trucks ($977 - $2,924), and freight trailers.
- Estimate your cost with the moving calculator: Enter your home size and moving date into moveBuddha's moving cost calculator to get an instant, personalized estimate for the Arlington, VA to Austin, TX route.
- Review the top-rated movers for this route: Review the top-rated movers we recommend for this route, including Safeway Moving (4.9/5), PODS (4.8/5), Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5), and MovingYourself, each rated by moveBuddha across pricing, service, and reliability.
- Request free quotes: Request free, no-obligation quotes from the movers you shortlist so you can compare real prices for your Arlington to Austin move side by side.
- Verify licensing with the FMCSA: Before booking, confirm any interstate mover's USDOT number and license through the FMCSA to make sure they're authorized for your Arlington, VA to Austin, TX move.
- Book early and time your move: Book early and, if you can, avoid peak season (mid-May through mid-September) to lock in lower rates and better availability on the Arlington, VA to Austin, TX route.
FAQ
What are some tips for a move from Arlington, VA to Austin, TX?
Decluttering one bedroom's worth of items before your move reduces your shipment by around 500 pounds and saves approximately $200 - $400 on a full-service move on this route.
From there, having a clear plan makes everything easier. Use a moving checklist to stay on top of key tasks and deadlines so nothing slips through the cracks as moving day gets closer.
When is the best time of year to move from Arlington, VA to Austin, TX?
The fall and winter months, roughly October through March, are generally the most affordable time to move from Arlington, Virginia, to Austin, Texas. Demand is lower, movers have more availability, and you'll often find more competitive pricing across all service types.
If you have to move during peak season (mid-May through mid-September), try to book as early as possible and avoid weekends and month-end dates, when demand is highest and prices reflect it.
How long will it take to move from Arlington, VA to Austin, TX?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete moves from Arlington to Austin in 5 - 7 days. That timeline is driven by how carriers consolidate multiple shipments on a single truck heading the same direction.
Freight trailers are usually the fastest option (other than driving a rental truck yourself), with deliveries typically in 3 - 5 days. That said, freight is best-suited for moves where you know exactly when and where you'll be receiving your items. Renting a truck and driving from Arlington, Virginia, to Austin, Texas, means the schedule is completely yours to set.
What does it cost to move from Arlington, VA to Austin, TX?
Costs on this route range from around $2,267 on the low end to $10,597 on the high end. Where you land depends on your home size, the service you choose, and when you move.
Full-service movers typically fall between $2,267 and $10,597, while DIY options like rental trucks and containers come in lower. Moving during off-season months (October - March) can also make a meaningful difference in your final total for a move from Arlington, Virginia, to Austin, Texas.
What is the most affordable way to move from Arlington, VA to Austin, TX?
A rental truck is typically the cheapest way to move from Arlington to Austin, since the base rate covers only the vehicle and you handle everything else. A 2-bedroom truck rental on this route averages $1,069 - $2,276. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
Those extra costs are broken out in the truck rental section above. It's worth totaling them before you book, since a moving container can sometimes land close to the same final price once a truck rental's add-ons are factored in, with less of the loading and driving on you.
