($992+) Arlington, VA to San Antonio, TX Movers
Moving from Arlington, VA, to San Antonio, TX, runs anywhere from $992 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $9,386 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,599 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 $2,127, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $9,386 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,553 - $4,937, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $992 - $2,713.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Arlington, VA, to San Antonio, TX. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,895 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 San Antonio, TX
Moving options from Arlington to San Antonio fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move on this route costs $2,895 - $6,528 and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, while rental trucks land about 60% less, though both require you to load the truck or container yourself. This route spans 1,599 miles and typically takes 4 to 15 days.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,599-mile route from Arlington to San Antonio, broken down by home size:
- A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $2,127 - $5,143 with full-service movers, $1,553 - $2,807 with a container, $992 - $1,942 with a rental truck, or $1,397 - $2,376 by freight.
- A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $2,895 - $6,528 full-service, $1,833 - $3,923 by container, $1,106 - $2,378 by rental truck, or $1,589 - $3,107 by freight.
- A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $5,559 - $9,386 full-service, $2,472 - $4,937 by container, $1,407 - $2,713 by rental truck, or $2,040 - $4,365 by freight.
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 Arlington, VA to San Antonio, TX
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 1,599-mile move from Arlington, Virginia, to San Antonio, Texas, with costs ranging from $2,127 - $9,386. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $404 - $2,696. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Arlington and San Antonio. Local movers in Arlington typically start around $200 as a base rate plus $110/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Arlington to San Antonio:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,127 - $5,143
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,895 - $6,528
- 4+ bedrooms: $5,559 - $9,386
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 San Antonio.
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: Demand for full-service movers surges during peak moving season from May - September, pushing prices higher. Shifting your move to a cooler month could save you a meaningful amount on your total bill.
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Specialty moving services from Arlington, VA to San Antonio, TX
Specialty needs vary by market — 94% of Arlington movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In San Antonio, 90% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $674 - $6,740 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready94% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: BoxStar Movers | $270 - $1,618/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $404 - $3,235 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage30% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs58% of local movers | $1,348 - $4,044 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,370 - $13,480 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,010 - $1,918 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items56% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: BoxStar Movers | $1,348 - $3,370 |
| Piano | Any piano type71% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: BoxStar Movers | $1,078 - $4,718 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling39% of local movers | $404 - $2,022 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect28% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: BoxStar Movers | $876 - $2,696 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $404 - $20,220+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $404 - $4,718+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Arlington to San Antonio?
If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in Southwest Movers Association is a good first thing to confirm.
- 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 van lines are the smarter financial choice over local movers in Arlington, VA. Local companies can run 30% - 40% more at that range since they don't consolidate shipments the way interstate carriers do. If a direct, dedicated route with an average 2-day delivery appeals to you, a local mover could be worth it, but that convenience comes at a cost.
Moving container costs from Arlington, VA to San Antonio, TX
Moving containers from Arlington, Virginia, to San Antonio, Texas, cost between $1,553 and $4,937. You're in charge of loading, and the timeline is yours to set. U-Haul allows 3 days while PODS gives you a full 30. After that, the company picks it up and delivers it to your new address. Running behind schedule? Storage in Arlington costs roughly $100/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Arlington to San Antonio:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,553 - $2,807
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,833 - $3,923
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,472 - $4,937
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $101 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $202 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in San Antonio, 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 $944 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 $1,553. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,833 - $3,923, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Arlington to San Antonio?
- 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:
- 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 San Antonio, TX
A rental truck for this 1,599-mile move from Arlington, Virginia, to San Antonio, Texas, costs between $992 and $2,713. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $686 - $784
- Daily insurance: $40/day
- Equipment rentals: $9 - $27
- 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 San Antonio based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $992 - $1,942
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,106 - $2,378
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,407 - $2,713
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $992 - $2,713 when pricing out a rental truck from Arlington to San Antonio. Fuel alone runs ($686 - $784) , and overnight lodging ($202/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend an additional $600 - $1,200 beyond the base rate by the time the move is done.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $202 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 $88 and $438 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $686 - $784 in fuel for the 1,599-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $944 in Arlington, Virginia, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Arlington to San Antonio?
- 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 San Antonio, TX
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Arlington, Virginia, to San Antonio, Texas, 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 $1,589 and $3,107.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Arlington to San Antonio:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,397 - $2,376
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,589 - $3,107
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,040 - $4,365
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?
- More space: Freight pricing is based on exactly how much of the trailer you fill. If your items take up more than expected, the added footage can increase your cost by between $101 and $202.
- Peak season impact: Moving during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) often means higher trailer rates as demand increases across the board.
- Moving labor: Unless you plan to load everything yourself, factor in labor costs. Two movers in Arlington, Virginia, for roughly five hours typically average $944.
What are the best freight companies from Arlington to San Antonio?
- 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.
- Terminal Transportation Services (4.7/5 stars): Terminal Transportation Services is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned facilities and accessible live support staff make scheduling and route coordination easier on local-area routes than what most national freight providers can offer.
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 San Antonio 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 San Antonio, TX
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in San Antonio, side by side with Arlington on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Arlington, VA | San Antonio, TX |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 164 | 91 |
| Average rent | $2,718/mo | $1,496/mo |
| Median home value | $866,334 | $216,453 |
| Average income | $140,160/yr | $62,917/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 4.0% | 3.8% |
| State income tax | Up to 5.75% | None |
| Walkability score | 71/100 | 37/100 |
| Safety index | 79.15/100 | 51.94/100 |
| Air quality | Good | Moderate |
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 San Antonio, TX to Arlington, VA guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Virginia to Texas 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 104 movers based in Virginia, handy for sizing up options on this 1,599-mile route.
Our take
For a move from Arlington, VA, to San Antonio, TX, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $2,127 for a studio to $9,386 for a 4 - 5 bedroom home on the 1,599-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,553 - $4,937. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $992 - $2,713, 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 $2,895 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage included, and 24/7 live customer support.
Beyond the move itself, people who've relocated to San Antonio tend to point to diversity and sight-seeing, though abundant stray pets and brutal summers come up as common complaints. Major employers in the area include Joint Base San Antonio (Three Military Bases) and H-E-B.
FAQs: Moving from Arlington, VA, to San Antonio, TX
What are the best neighborhoods in San Antonio?
For families, Alamo Heights, Great Northwest, and Northwest Crossing are worth a look in San Antonio. If you're moving solo or without kids, Alamo Heights, Downtown, and Tobin Hill tend to be popular picks instead.
What is the cheapest way to move from Arlington, VA to San Antonio, TX?
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 $1,106 - $2,378. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
Is San Antonio a safe place to live?
San Antonio has a safety index of 51.94 out of 100 and a crime index of 48.06, compared to 79.15 and 15.67 in Arlington. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
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 3 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 San Antonio, TX?
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. Texas also has a hurricane season running June through November, worth factoring into your timing if you have flexibility. A midweek, mid-month date outside peak season is your best bet for saving money.
What percentage of Arlington movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 71% of movers in Arlington handle piano moves, and 56% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
