($1,241+) Arlington, VA to Missoula, MT Movers
Moving from Arlington, VA, to Missoula, MT, runs anywhere from $1,241 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $10,608 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 2,285 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 7 to 18 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 $2,354, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $10,608 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,625 - $6,213, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,241 - $3,461.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Arlington, VA, to Missoula, MT. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,171 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 Arlington, VA to Missoula, MT
Moving options from Arlington to Missoula fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $3,171 - $6,651 for a 2-3 bedroom home and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers cost about 30% less than full-service for the same size, and rental trucks land around 58% less, with both DIY options requiring you to load yourself. Covering 2,285 miles, this route usually takes 7 to 18 days from pickup to delivery.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 2,285-mile route from Arlington 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 $2,354 - $5,209 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($1,625 - $3,298), rental truck ($1,241 - $2,545), or freight trailer ($1,570 - $2,852). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $3,171 - $6,651 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $10,608.
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 Arlington, VA to Missoula, MT
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 2,285-mile move from Arlington, Virginia, to Missoula, Montana, with prices running from $2,354 - $10,608. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $431 - $2,872 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between Arlington and Missoula are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, Arlington movers tend to run around $200 as a base rate plus $110/hour per mover, for comparison.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Arlington to Missoula:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,354 - $5,209
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,171 - $6,651
- 4+ bedrooms: $6,453 - $10,608
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 Missoula.
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.
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Specialty moving services from Arlington, VA to Missoula, MT
Specialty needs vary by market: 70% of Arlington movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Missoula, 50% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing80% of local movers | $718 - $7,180 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready70% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: 495 Movers, Inc | $287 - $1,723/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $431 - $3,446 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage13% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs54% of local movers | $1,436 - $4,308 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,590 - $14,360 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,076 - $2,043 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items34% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: 495 Movers, Inc | $1,436 - $3,590 |
| Piano | Any piano type42% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: 495 Movers, Inc | $1,149 - $5,026 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling9% of local movers | $431 - $2,154 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect8% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Olympia Moving & Storage | $933 - $2,872 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $431 - $21,540+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $431 - $5,026+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Arlington 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 full-service movers are the more cost-efficient choice. Local movers in Arlington, VA, often charge 30% - 40% more at that distance because their operations aren't built for long-haul logistics. The exception is if you want a dedicated point-to-point truck with an average 2-day delivery, though that level of service generally increases your total cost.
Moving container costs from Arlington, VA to Missoula, MT
Moving containers from Arlington, Virginia, to Missoula, Montana, cost between $1,625 and $6,213. 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 Arlington typically runs around $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Arlington to Missoula:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,625 - $3,298
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,214 - $4,539
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,861 - $6,213
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Containers are self-loaded, so many people hire hourly help for the heavy lifting. moveBuddha data shows two movers for about five hours runs around $1,005 in Arlington, VA. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: If you want stronger coverage than the default liability, full-value protection is the upgrade to consider. Most providers charge 1% - 2% of your shipment value, roughly $500 - $1,000 for $50,000 in contents.
- Storage: After the first month, rental fees average $108 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $215 per month for a larger 12- to 16-foot unit.
- Access: If you anticipate needing to access items while in storage, confirm there's a facility conveniently located near your Missoula, MT, destination before booking.
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 $1,625. 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 $2,214 - $4,539.
What are the best moving containers Arlington 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 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:
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.9/5), 0 years in business
- BoxStar Movers (5.0/5), 5 years in business
- Zip Moving And Storage, Inc. (4.9/5), 11 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Arlington, VA to Missoula, MT
A rental truck for this 2,285-mile move from Arlington, Virginia, to Missoula, Montana, costs between $1,241 and $3,461. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $1,044 - $1,193
- Daily insurance: $43/day
- Equipment rentals: $10 - $29
- Arlington daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.99 - $1.19
| 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 Arlington to Missoula based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,241 - $2,545
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,342 - $2,911
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,817 - $3,461
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $1,241 - $3,461 when pricing out a rental truck from Arlington to Missoula. Fuel alone runs $1,044 - $1,193, and overnight lodging ($215/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend roughly $600 - $1,200 more on meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging by the time the move is done.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Equipment: Tow dollies, appliance dollies, and moving pads are not included in the base rate. These extras often total between $108 and $503.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $215.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $1,044 and $1,193 for the 2,285-mile drive, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: If you'd rather not do all the heavy lifting, budget around $1,005 for 2 movers in Arlington, Virginia, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Arlington 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 Arlington, VA to Missoula, MT
Freight trailers are a good fit for medium-to-large moves where you need more space than a container but don't want to drive a rental truck from Arlington, Virginia, to Missoula, Montana. The trailer is delivered to your address, you load it, and the carrier takes it the rest of the way.
Unlike truck rentals with flat rates, freight trailers scale with your shipment. Every additional section of trailer space you fill increases your total. A 2 - 3 bedroom long-distance move using this method runs roughly between $1,824 and $3,595.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Arlington to Missoula:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,570 - $2,852
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,824 - $3,595
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,410 - $4,969
Pro tip: Freight pricing rewards efficient packing. Trailers are 8 feet tall and accessed via a 4-foot ramp, so technique matters, especially for heavy pieces. Since each additional linear foot adds to your quote, packing strategically is one of the easiest ways to control costs.
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 Arlington, Virginia, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $1,005.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $108 and $215 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Arlington 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.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are one of the fastest ways to move your belongings interstate, often beating full-service movers on delivery time. If getting your stuff to Missoula quickly is a priority, freight is worth a hard look. That said, freight carriers typically require you to be available to receive your shipment within a set window, so if you need short-term storage or your new place won't be ready right away, a container or full-service mover may give you more flexibility.
Cost of living: Arlington, VA 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 Arlington on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Arlington, VA | Missoula, MT |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 164 | 113 |
| Average rent | $2,718/mo | $1,322/mo |
| Median home value | $866,334 | $426,764 |
| Average income | $140,160/yr | $65,329/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 4.0% | 4.4% |
| State income tax | Up to 5.75% | Up to 6.75% |
| Walkability score | 71/100 | 45/100 |
| Safety index | 79.15/100 | 66.73/100 |
| Air quality | Good | 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 Arlington, VA guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 1 quote from Virginia 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 304 movers in Virginia, so you have real options to compare for this 2,285-mile move.
Our take
For a move from Arlington, VA, to Missoula, MT, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $2,354 for a studio to $10,608 for a 4+ bedroom home on the 2,285-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,625 - $6,213. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $1,241 - $3,461, 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 $3,171 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 Arlington, VA, to Missoula, MT
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.
What is the best time of year to move from Arlington, VA to Missoula, MT?
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.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Montana?
In Montana, local and intrastate movers need to have a valid Public Service Commission (PSC) number issued by the Montana Department of Transportation (MDOT).
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($1,044 - $1,193), daily insurance ($43/day), and equipment rentals ($10 - $29) on top. Overnight stops can add another $215/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How walkable is Missoula?
Missoula has a walkability score of 45 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 60, compared to 71 and 72 in Arlington. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
What percentage of Arlington movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 42% of movers in Arlington handle piano moves, and 34% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.