($454+) Chattanooga, TN to Arlington, VA Movers
Moving from Chattanooga, TN, to Arlington, VA, runs anywhere from $454 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,764 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 593 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 $1,513, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $8,764 or more.
- Moving containers run $986 - $3,370, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $454 - $1,301.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Chattanooga, TN, to Arlington, VA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,354 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
Compare moving options from Chattanooga, TN to Arlington, VA
Moving options from Chattanooga to Arlington fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $2,354 - $5,530 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 60% less, with both DIY options requiring you to load yourself. Covering 593 miles, this route usually takes 1 to 6 days from pickup to delivery.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 593-mile route from Chattanooga to Arlington, broken down by home size:
- Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $1,513 - $4,400, container $986 - $1,777, rental truck $454 - $898, freight trailer $888 - $1,598.
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $2,354 - $5,530, container $1,317 - $2,533, rental truck $499 - $1,015, freight trailer $1,043 - $2,006.
- 4+ bedrooms: full-service $4,164 - $8,764, container $1,757 - $3,370, rental truck $617 - $1,301, freight trailer $1,434 - $2,643.
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 Chattanooga, TN to Arlington, VA
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 593-mile move from Chattanooga, Tennessee, to Arlington, Virginia, with prices running from $1,513 - $8,764. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $359 - $2,392 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between Chattanooga and Arlington are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, Chattanooga movers tend to run around $280 as a base rate plus $99/hour per mover, for comparison.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Chattanooga to Arlington:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,513 - $4,400
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,354 - $5,530
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,164 - $8,764
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 Chattanooga to Arlington.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Tennessee 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 Chattanooga, TN to Arlington, VA
Specialty needs vary by market — 100% of Chattanooga 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 | $598 - $5,980 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready100% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Good Guys Moving & Delivery | $239 - $1,435/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $359 - $2,870 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs50% of local movers | $1,196 - $3,588 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,990 - $11,960 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $896 - $1,702 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items17% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Elizabeth's Moving & Storage | $1,196 - $2,990 |
| Piano | Any piano type33% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $957 - $4,186 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling | $359 - $1,794 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect22% nationallyTop pick: | $777 - $2,392 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $359 - $17,940+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $359 - $4,186+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Chattanooga to Arlington?
If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in Virginia Movers & Warehousemen’s 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 full-service movers are the more cost-efficient choice. Local movers in Chattanooga, TN, 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 Chattanooga, TN to Arlington, VA
Moving containers from Chattanooga, Tennessee, to Arlington, Virginia, cost between $986 and $3,370. 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. Need more time first? Storage in Chattanooga typically costs about $60/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Chattanooga to Arlington:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $986 - $1,777
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,317 - $2,533
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,757 - $3,370
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Because loading is on you with a container move, hourly labor help is a popular add-on. In Chattanooga, TN, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $837, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: After the first month, ongoing rental fees kick in. A small container (7 - 8 feet) averages about $90 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $179 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Chattanooga, TN, and Arlington, VA, but confirm a facility is within reasonable distance if you need to retrieve items while in storage.
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection provides broader coverage than the standard liability in your contract. It typically costs 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on $50,000 worth of belongings.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Tennessee 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 $986. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,317 - $2,533, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Chattanooga 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 Chattanooga 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 Chattanooga:
- Good Guys Moving & Delivery (4.8/5), 13 years in business
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.5/5), 26 years in business
- Bellhop Moving (4.6/5), 15 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Chattanooga, TN to Arlington, VA
A rental truck for this 593-mile move from Chattanooga, Tennessee, to Arlington, Virginia, costs between $454 and $1,301. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $226 - $258
- Daily insurance: $36/day
- Equipment rentals: $8 - $24
- Chattanooga daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.79 - $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 Chattanooga to Arlington based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $454 - $898
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $499 - $1,015
- 4+ bedrooms: $617 - $1,301
Pro tip: The base rate of $454 - $1,301 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Chattanooga to Arlington. Fuel ($226 - $258) , lodging at around $179/night, meals, and equipment rentals are all on top of that. Factor in an extra $600 - $1,200 to get a realistic picture of what the move will actually cost.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Gas: Fuel adds $226 - $258 for the 593-mile drive, depending on whether your rental truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: You'll handle the heavy lifting unless you bring in help. Two movers in Chattanooga, Tennessee, for about 5 hours typically costs around $837.
- Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
- Lodging: The 593-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $179 per night, adding $359 - $538 in hotel costs total.
- Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $60 and $359.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Chattanooga 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 Chattanooga, TN to Arlington, VA
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 Chattanooga, Tennessee, to Arlington, Virginia. 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. Most long-distance moves using this method run roughly between $1,043 and $2,006.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Chattanooga to Arlington:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $888 - $1,598
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,043 - $2,006
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,434 - $2,643
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 $90 and $179.
- 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 Chattanooga, Tennessee, for roughly five hours typically average $837.
What are the best freight companies from Chattanooga to Arlington?
- 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.
- Covenant Logistics (4.8/5 stars): Covenant Logistics 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 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: Chattanooga, TN 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 Chattanooga on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Chattanooga, TN | Arlington, VA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 90 | 164 |
| Average rent | $1,475/mo | $2,718/mo |
| Median home value | $259,125 | $866,334 |
| Average income | $61,028/yr | $140,160/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 5.6% | 4.0% |
| State income tax | None | Up to 5.75% |
| Walkability score | 29/100 | 71/100 |
| Safety index | 46.11/100 | 79.15/100 |
| 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 Arlington, VA to Chattanooga, TN guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Tennessee to Virginia 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 70 movers based in Tennessee, handy for sizing up options on this 593-mile route.
Our take
For a move from Chattanooga, TN, to Arlington, VA, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $1,513 for a studio to $8,764 for a 4 - 5 bedroom home on the 593-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $986 - $3,370. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $454 - $1,301, 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 $2,354 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 U.S. Department of Defense and Safran.
FAQs: Moving from Chattanooga, TN, to Arlington, VA
What is the cheapest way to move from Chattanooga, TN to Arlington, VA?
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 $499 - $1,015. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
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 long does a move from Chattanooga, TN to Arlington, VA take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 5 - 7 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are usually the fastest option outside of driving yourself, with deliveries in 3 - 5 days, 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 do local movers charge in Chattanooga?
Local movers based in Chattanooga typically start around $280 as a base rate, plus $99/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 are some tips for saving money on a move from Chattanooga, TN to Arlington, VA?
Cutting 500 pounds from your shipment, roughly one bedroom's worth of items, saves approximately $200 - $400 on a full-service move on this route. Beyond that, staying organized matters just as much. A solid moving checklist keeps you on schedule and helps you avoid costly last-minute mistakes.
What percentage of Chattanooga movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 33% of movers in Chattanooga handle piano moves, and 17% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.