($662+) Milwaukee, WI to Arlington, VA Movers

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Background image of a moving truck moving from Milwaukee, WI to Arlington, VA

Moving from Milwaukee, WI, to Arlington, VA, runs anywhere from $662 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $9,035 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 800 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 2 to 7 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 $1,959, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $9,035 or more.
  • Moving containers run $1,158 - $3,905, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $662 - $1,694.
  • Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Milwaukee, WI, to Arlington, VA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,555 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.

Compare moving options from Milwaukee, WI to Arlington, VA

Moving options from Milwaukee to Arlington fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $2,555 - $6,627 on this route, with movers handling all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 60% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This 800-mile route typically takes 2 to 7 days door to door.

Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 800-mile route from Milwaukee to Arlington, broken down by home size:

  • A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $1,959 - $4,903 with full-service movers, $1,158 - $2,223 with a container, $662 - $1,260 with a rental truck, or $1,118 - $1,901 by freight.
  • A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $2,555 - $6,627 full-service, $1,488 - $3,115 by container, $687 - $1,369 by rental truck, or $1,228 - $2,344 by freight.
  • A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $4,349 - $9,035 full-service, $2,081 - $3,905 by container, $843 - $1,694 by rental truck, or $1,699 - $3,092 by freight.

Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated August 31, 2026.

Professional
Safeway Moving
star star star star star 4.9 / 5
Read our full Safeway review
Best overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran-owned
Container
Unlimited storage
3 container sizes
10% discount
Rental Truck
Budget Truck Rental
star star star star star 4.3 / 5
Read our full Budget review
Affordable pricing
Online estimates
Several discounts
Freight
MovingYourself
star star star star star 4.5 / 5
Read our full MovingYourself review
Fast delivery
Nationwide
100+ miles moves

Full-service moving costs from Milwaukee, WI to Arlington, VA

Full-service movers for the 800-mile relocation from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Arlington, Virginia, cost between $1,959 and $9,035. With a long-distance moving company, loading, transportation, and unloading are all taken care of. If you want to skip packing boxes, too, that can be added for $355 - $2,368, depending on your home size. What you pay in the end is mainly a function of how much your shipment weighs and how far it's traveling. As a point of reference, local movers in Milwaukee typically charge a base rate around $349 plus $105 per hour, per mover.

Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Milwaukee to Arlington:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,959 - $4,903
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,555 - $6,627
  • 4+ bedrooms: $4,349 - $9,035

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 Milwaukee to Arlington.

The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Wisconsin to Virginia. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.

Pro tip: Peak moving season (May - September) limits truck availability and pushes up full-service moving costs. Booking during slower months can give you more scheduling room and a lower final price.

Add-ons and specialty services from Milwaukee, WI to Arlington, VA

Service When you need it Typical cost (Milwaukee to Arlington)
Full packingYou want the crew to box everything$592 - $5,920
Storage in transitYour new place is not ready on arrival$237 - $1,421/mo
Shuttle feeA full-size truck cannot reach the door$355 - $2,842
Full-value protectionCoverage beyond the default $0.60/lb$300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value)
Small movesShipments under about 2,000 lbs$1,184 - $3,552
Office / commercialWorkplace relocation$2,960 - $11,840
Car shippingMoving a second vehicle$887 - $1,685
Antiques & fine artClimate control and white-glove handling$1,184 - $2,960
PianoUpright, baby grand, or grand$947 - $4,144
Pool tableDisassembly and professional re-leveling$355 - $1,776
Hot tub500 - 900 lb units with electrical disconnect$770 - $2,368
Wine collectionClimate-controlled, vibration-safe transport$355 - $17,760+
Pet relocationGround, air, or VIP concierge$355 - $4,144+
Basic utilitiesOngoing monthly cost in Arlington$209/mo
InternetOngoing monthly cost in Arlington$71/mo
Cell phone planOngoing monthly cost in Arlington$60/mo

What are the best full-service movers from Milwaukee to Arlington?

All three below meet the standards set by the Virginia Movers & Warehousemen’s Association, the group most Virginia movers are affiliated with.

  1. Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list, with flat-rate pricing that holds firm on moving day and a customer support team available around the clock.
  2. American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here. With 30+ years of interstate moves behind them, AVL uses full-time in-house crews instead of the contracted labor most national carriers rely on.
  3. Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, with fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan available on every long-distance move.

Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in Milwaukee, WI. Van lines spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments, while local movers tend to charge 30% - 40% more for the same distance. A direct route with a local mover averages 2-day delivery, but that added speed typically carries a higher price tag.

Moving container costs from Milwaukee, WI to Arlington, VA

Moving containers from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Arlington, Virginia, cost between $1,158 and $3,905. 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 Milwaukee typically costs about $90/month.

Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Milwaukee to Arlington:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,158 - $2,223
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,488 - $3,115
  • 4+ bedrooms: $2,081 - $3,905

What other costs come with moving containers?

  • Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $89 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $178 per month.
  • Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Arlington, VA, 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 $829 in Milwaukee, WI. 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.

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 $1,158. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,488 - $3,115, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.

What are the best moving containers Milwaukee to Arlington?

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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 Milwaukee 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 Milwaukee:

  • College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.8/5), 10 years in business
  • Eagle Moving & Storage Co (4.1/5), 96 years in business
  • TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.5/5), 16 years in business

Moving truck rental costs from Milwaukee, WI to Arlington, VA

A rental truck for this 800-mile move from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Arlington, Virginia, costs between $662 and $1,694. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:

  • Fuel for the drive: $301 - $344
  • Daily insurance: $36/day
  • Equipment rentals: $8 - $24
  • Milwaukee daily rental rate: $19 - $39
  • Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.59 - $0.69
Home sizeTypical truck size
Studio / 1 bedroom10 - 12 ft
2 - 3 bedrooms15 - 17 ft
4+ bedrooms20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel)

These are typical moving truck rental costs from Milwaukee to Arlington based on home size:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $662 - $1,260
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $687 - $1,369
  • 4+ bedrooms: $843 - $1,694

Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Milwaukee to Arlington starts at $662 - $1,694, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($301 - $344) , overnight lodging ($178/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for an additional $600 - $1,200 on top of your base rate to cover those costs.

What other costs come with rental trucks?

  • Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $829.
  • Gas: Fuel costs total $301 - $344 for the 800-mile drive, depending on whether your truck takes gas or diesel.
  • Equipment: Appliance dollies, auto transport trailers, and furniture pads are separate rentals. Expect to spend between $71 and $385, depending on what you need.
  • Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
  • Lodging: Budget around $178 per night for hotel stops on the 800-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $355 - $533.

What are the best moving truck rentals from Milwaukee to Arlington?

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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 Milwaukee, WI to Arlington, VA

Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Arlington, Virginia. Standard trailers run 28 feet long, and you're only charged for the portion you actually fill. The carrier drops the trailer off, you load it at your own pace, and they handle the drive to your new city.

Pricing is based entirely on the linear footage your shipment occupies, not the full trailer length. Most long-distance freight moves land somewhere between $1,066 and $2,344.

Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Milwaukee to Arlington:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,118 - $1,901
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,228 - $2,344
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,699 - $3,092

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 $89 - $178 more per foot.
  • Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, for about five hours typically runs $829.

What are the best freight companies from Milwaukee to Arlington?

  1. MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the pick for best for large moves. The company is well-regarded as a top moving container option for its load-it-yourself, we-drive-it model, and that same model makes it a strong freight option for larger homes that benefit from the company's 53-foot trucks and footage-based pricing.
  2. U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Alongside their flagship container service, U-Pack provides a top-notch freight trailer option that follows the same model: no deposits, no upfront fees, and pricing based on the linear footage you actually use.
  3. Star Line Trucking Or Star Line (4.54/5 stars): Star Line Trucking Or Star Line is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned and based facilities mean accessible support staff and area-specific scheduling flexibility that national-only freight carriers typically don't match.

Pro tip: One of the biggest advantages of freight trailers is speed. For an interstate move, freight delivery is one of the fastest options you have short of driving a rental truck yourself. It's a smart choice when your timeline is firm and you'll be ready to receive your shipment. If there's any chance your new place won't be ready or you need a few weeks of storage, a moving container with built-in storage may serve you better.

Cost of living: Milwaukee, WI 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 Milwaukee on housing, income, and taxes.

Measure Milwaukee, WI Arlington, VA
Cost of living index88164
Average rent$1,250/mo$2,718/mo
Median home value$171,025$866,334
Average income$51,888/yr$140,160/yr
Unemployment rate7.4%4.0%
State income taxUp to 7.65%Up to 5.75%
Walkability score62/10071/100
Safety index33.24/10079.15/100
Air qualityGoodGood

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 Milwaukee, WI guide.

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Our take

Full-service movers on the 800-mile route from Milwaukee, WI, to Arlington, VA, run $1,959 - $9,035 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,158 - $3,905, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $662 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,555, 30 days of free storage, and a 24/7 support team you can actually reach.

Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include U.S. Department of Defense and Safran.

FAQs: Moving from Milwaukee, WI, to Arlington, VA

What is the best time of year to move from Milwaukee, WI to Arlington, VA?

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. Virginia 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 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.

Is Arlington a safe place to live?

Arlington has a safety index of 79.15 out of 100 and a crime index of 15.67, compared to 33.24 and 66.76 in Milwaukee. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.

What is the cheapest way to move from Milwaukee, WI 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 $687 - $1,369. 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.