($962+) San Antonio, TX to Arlington, VA Movers
Moving from San Antonio, TX, to Arlington, VA, runs anywhere from $1,002 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $10,380 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,596 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 $2,449, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $10,380 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,435 - $5,196, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,002 - $2,741.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from San Antonio, TX, to Arlington, VA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,140 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 San Antonio, TX to Arlington, VA
Moving options from San Antonio to Arlington 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 $3,140 - $6,793 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 1,596 miles and typically takes 4 to 15 days.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,596-mile route from San Antonio to Arlington, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $2,449 - $5,303 | $1,435 - $2,890 | $1,002 - $1,866 | $1,397 - $2,426 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $3,140 - $6,793 | $1,852 - $4,040 | $1,052 - $2,152 | $1,558 - $3,232 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $5,509 - $10,380 | $2,550 - $5,196 | $1,326 - $2,741 | $1,998 - $4,240 |
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 San Antonio, TX to Arlington, VA
Hiring full-service movers from San Antonio, Texas, to Arlington, Virginia, costs between $2,449 and $10,380. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 1,596-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $361 - $2,404, 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 San Antonio and Arlington. For a rough baseline, movers based in San Antonio tend to start around $192 plus $96/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 San Antonio to Arlington:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,449 - $5,303
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,140 - $6,793
- 4+ bedrooms: $5,509 - $10,380
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 San Antonio to Arlington.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Texas to Virginia. 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.
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Specialty moving services from San Antonio, TX to Arlington, VA
Specialty needs vary by market — 90% of San Antonio movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Arlington, 94% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $601 - $6,010 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready90% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: 3 Men Movers | $240 - $1,442/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $361 - $2,885 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage26% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs48% of local movers | $1,202 - $3,606 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,005 - $12,020 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $900 - $1,710 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items42% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Swift Movers LLC | $1,202 - $3,005 |
| Piano | Any piano type65% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: 3 Men Movers | $962 - $4,207 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling45% of local movers | $361 - $1,803 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect26% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Swift Movers LLC | $781 - $2,404 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $361 - $18,030+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $361 - $4,207+ |
What are the best full-service movers from San Antonio to Arlington?
Movers licensed to operate in Virginia are typically members of the Virginia Movers & Warehousemen’s Association, worth checking for before you book any of the three below.
- 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 San Antonio, TX. 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 San Antonio, TX to Arlington, VA
Moving containers from San Antonio, Texas, to Arlington, Virginia, cost between $1,435 and $5,196. 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 San Antonio typically runs around $70/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from San Antonio to Arlington:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,435 - $2,890
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,852 - $4,040
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,550 - $5,196
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Access: Most major container brands operate in both San Antonio, TX and Arlington, VA. Still, double-check that a nearby facility is available if you need to access your belongings before delivery.
- Moving labor: Because containers are self-loaded, many customers hire hourly help. Two movers for about 5 hours typically cost around $841 in San Antonio, TX, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $90 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $180 for larger ones (12 - 16 feet).
- Added contents protection: For more coverage beyond the standard minimum, full-value protection is the typical upgrade, generally 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value. On a $50,000 household, that's roughly $500 - $1,000 as a one-time fee.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Texas to Virginia 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 $1,435. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,852 - $4,040, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers San Antonio to Arlington?
- 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 San Antonio 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 San Antonio:
- 3 Men Movers (4.8/5), 41 years in business
- Swift Movers LLC (4.8/5), 15 years in business
- AB Moving (4.6/5), 26 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from San Antonio, TX to Arlington, VA
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 1,596 miles from San Antonio, Texas, to Arlington, Virginia, running $1,002 - $2,741. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $610 - $698
- Daily insurance: $36/day
- Equipment rentals: $8 - $24
- San Antonio daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.79 - $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 San Antonio to Arlington based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,002 - $1,866
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,052 - $2,152
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,326 - $2,741
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $1,002 - $2,741 does not include fuel ($610 - $698) , lodging ($180/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from San Antonio to Arlington typically runs $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate alone.
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 $90 and $421.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $180.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $610 and $698 for the 1,596-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 $841 for 2 movers in San Antonio, Texas, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from San Antonio to Arlington?
- 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 San Antonio, TX to Arlington, VA
If you're moving a larger household from San Antonio, Texas, and want to stay in control of the loading process, freight trailers offer a practical middle ground between hiring movers and renting a truck yourself. A 28-foot trailer is delivered to your door, you load what you need, and the carrier handles the drive to Arlington, Virginia.
Freight trailers are priced by the linear feet your belongings take up, so you only pay for the space you use. Most moves on this route fall between $1,558 and $3,232.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from San Antonio to Arlington:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,397 - $2,426
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,558 - $3,232
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,998 - $4,240
Pro tip: Freight trailers offer generous space but reward good packing strategy. The 4-foot ramp can be challenging for large or heavy pieces, and using the full 8-foot height takes careful stacking. Because you're billed by the linear foot, maximizing vertical space keeps your costs lower.
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 San Antonio, Texas, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $841.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $90 and $180 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from San Antonio to Arlington?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the best for large moves pick. While it's a top moving container option for the DIY hybrid setup (you handle the loading, they handle the driving), the same approach makes it a strong freight choice for 3 to 5+ bedroom homes that need 53 feet of trailer capacity with pay-as-you-go pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer here. In addition to their popular container service, U-Pack delivers a top-tier freight trailer option that uses the same pay-by-the-foot pricing model and skips deposits and upfront fees entirely.
- Parkway Transport, Inc. (4.76/5 stars): Parkway Transport, Inc. is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Local ownership translates to accessible support staff and facilities based in the communities they serve, giving customers more direct communication than they'd typically get from a national-only freight network.
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 Arlington 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: San Antonio, TX vs Arlington, VA
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Arlington, side by side with San Antonio on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | San Antonio, TX | Arlington, VA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 91 | 164 |
| Average rent | $1,496/mo | $2,718/mo |
| Median home value | $216,453 | $866,334 |
| Average income | $62,917/yr | $140,160/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 3.8% | 4.0% |
| State income tax | None | Up to 5.75% |
| Walkability score | 37/100 | 71/100 |
| Safety index | 51.94/100 | 79.15/100 |
| 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 Arlington, VA to San Antonio, TX guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from Texas to Virginia, 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. We track 289 movers licensed in Texas, useful context for sizing up this 1,596-mile move.
Our take
The 1,596-mile move from San Antonio, TX, to Arlington, VA, costs between $2,449 and $10,380 with full-service movers, $1,435 - $5,196 with a moving container, and $1,002 - $2,741 for a rental truck. Your budget and how much heavy lifting you want to do are the two biggest factors in choosing the right option. If you go with full-service movers, Safeway Moving is our top recommendation, with transparent flat-rate pricing starting around $3,140 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage, and 24/7 customer support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include U.S. Department of Defense and Safran.
FAQs: Moving from San Antonio, TX, to Arlington, VA
What are the best neighborhoods in Arlington?
For families, Arlington Ridge, Barcroft, and Chain Bridge Forest are worth a look in Arlington. If you're moving solo or without kids, Aurora Highlands, Ballston-Virginia Square, and Bluemont tend to be popular picks instead.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Virginia?
In addition to filing tariffs and complying with insurance, bond, and highway safety requirements, all intrastate moving companies in Virginia must have a certificate from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (VaDMV).
What do local movers charge in San Antonio?
Local movers based in San Antonio typically start around $192 as a base rate, plus $96/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 Arlington run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
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.
How much does it cost to move from San Antonio, TX to Arlington, VA?
Costs on this route range from around $2,449 to $10,380, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,449 and $10,380, 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 percentage of San Antonio movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 65% of movers in San Antonio handle piano moves, and 42% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
