($629+) St. Paul, MN to Rochester, NY Movers
Moving from St. Paul, MN, to Rochester, NY, runs anywhere from $629 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,147 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 999 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 $2,162, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $8,147 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,197 - $3,869, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $629 - $1,812.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from St. Paul, MN, to Rochester, NY. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,643 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 St. Paul, MN to Rochester, NY
There are 3 main ways to move from St. Paul to Rochester: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service is the most expensive but covers everything from labor to transportation, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route averaging $2,643 - $6,180. Containers cost roughly 42% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 75% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 999 miles, expect 2 to 7 days in transit no matter which service you choose.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 999-mile route from St. Paul to Rochester, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $2,162 - $5,119 | $1,197 - $2,075 | $629 - $1,156 | $1,035 - $1,924 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,643 - $6,180 | $1,525 - $3,059 | $673 - $1,476 | $1,138 - $2,354 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,267 - $8,147 | $2,036 - $3,869 | $852 - $1,812 | $1,502 - $2,972 |
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 St. Paul, MN to Rochester, NY
For the 999-mile move from St. Paul, Minnesota, to Rochester, New York, full-service movers cost between $2,162 and $8,147. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $290 - $1,936 (1 - 5+ bedrooms), crews will pack your boxes. The weight of your shipment and the mileage between the two cities are what drive your final cost. For scale, local movers in St. Paul generally start around $243 plus $100 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from St. Paul to Rochester:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,162 - $5,119
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,643 - $6,180
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,267 - $8,147
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 St. Paul to Rochester.
Pro tip: The summer months (May - September) are the busiest time of year for movers during peak moving season, which drives up prices and limits scheduling options. If you can move in the fall or winter, you'll likely find better rates and more flexibility.
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Specialty moving services from St. Paul, MN to Rochester, NY
Specialty needs vary by market: 69% of St. Paul movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Rochester, 78% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing82% of local movers | $484 - $4,840 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready69% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Matt's Moving Company | $194 - $1,162/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $290 - $2,323 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage12% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs60% of local movers | $968 - $2,904 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,420 - $9,680 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $725 - $1,377 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items26% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Matt's Moving Company | $968 - $2,420 |
| Piano | Any piano type49% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Matt's Moving Company | $774 - $3,388 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling4% of local movers | $290 - $1,452 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect10% of local movers9% nationally | $629 - $1,936 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $290 - $14,520+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $290 - $3,388+ |
What are the best full-service movers from St. Paul to Rochester?
Look for New York State Movers & Warehousemen’s Association membership as a baseline when comparing movers in New York beyond this list.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is our pick for best overall value. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 support, and 30 days of free storage make Safeway the clearest value on this list.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. AVL has been moving customers since 1995 and uses full-time in-house crews trained on high-value items like art and antiques.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. One of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, 24/7 monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan against damage, loss, and breakage.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national full-service movers are almost always better priced than local movers in St. Paul, MN. Local companies typically run 30% - 40% more at longer distances because they aren't set up to consolidate shipments the way national carriers do. The one case where a local mover might be worth the premium is if you want a dedicated direct-route truck, which averages a 2-day delivery time, but expect to pay more for that convenience.
Moving container costs from St. Paul, MN to Rochester, NY
Moving containers from St. Paul, Minnesota, to Rochester, New York, cost between $1,197 and $3,869. 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 St. Paul typically runs around $70/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from St. Paul to Rochester:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,197 - $2,075
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,525 - $3,059
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,036 - $3,869
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $73 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $145 per month for larger units (12 - 16 feet).
- Moving labor: Containers don't come with loading help, so many customers hire hourly movers for the job. Two movers for about 5 hours will run you around $678 in St. Paul, MN, per moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Standard coverage only reimburses by weight. Full-value protection gives you more complete coverage for higher-value items and typically costs 1% - 2% of your total declared value, around $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 shipment.
- Access: National providers generally operate in both cities, but verify that a facility near your Rochester, NY, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Minnesota to New York 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 $1,197. 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 $1,525 - $3,059.
What are the best moving containers St. Paul to Rochester?
- 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 St. Paul 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 St. Paul:
- Premium Moving Services (4.5/5), 9 years in business
- College Muscle Movers, LLC (4.5/5), 19 years in business
- Good Stuff Moving (4.8/5), 27 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from St. Paul, MN to Rochester, NY
Renting a moving truck for the 999-mile move from St. Paul, Minnesota, to Rochester, New York, costs between $629 and $1,812, before these typical add-ons:
- Fuel for the drive: $308 - $352
- Daily insurance: $29/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $19
- St. Paul daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.59 - $0.79
| 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 St. Paul to Rochester based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $629 - $1,156
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $673 - $1,476
- 4+ bedrooms: $852 - $1,812
Pro tip: The base rate of $629 - $1,812 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from St. Paul to Rochester. Fuel ($308 - $352), lodging at around $145/night, meals, and equipment rentals are all on top of that. Factor in roughly $600 - $1,200 more for meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging to get a realistic picture of what the move will actually cost.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in St. Paul, Minnesota, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $678.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $308 - $352 for the 999-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 $58 and $315, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $145 per night for hotel stops on the 999-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $290 - $436.
What are the best moving truck rentals from St. Paul to Rochester?
- 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 St. Paul, MN to Rochester, NY
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from St. Paul, Minnesota, to Rochester, New York, 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. Pricing for a 2 - 3 bedroom move of this distance typically lands between $1,138 and $2,354.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from St. Paul to Rochester:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,035 - $1,924
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,138 - $2,354
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,502 - $2,972
Pro tip: Freight trailers come with a 4-foot loading ramp, which can be a challenge with bulky furniture. With 8 feet of vertical space available, stacking efficiently often requires a ladder and a plan. Since you're billed per linear foot, packing tight can make a real difference in your final cost.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In St. Paul, Minnesota, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $678.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $73 - $145 per additional foot to your total.
- Time of year: Rates tend to climb during peak moving season (mid-May through mid-September) when trailer demand is at its highest.
What are the best freight companies from St. Paul to Rochester?
- 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 a great option when you need your belongings in Rochester fast. For interstate moves, freight is one of the quickest delivery methods out there. Just keep in mind that freight carriers expect you to be available to receive your shipment, so it works best when your move-in is locked in and you don't need temporary storage on either end.
Cost of living: St. Paul, MN vs Rochester, NY
Good news for your budget: Rochester isn't meaningfully more or less expensive to live in than St. Paul. Cost of living index runs 89 there against 102 here. Focus your planning on the move itself rather than a change in monthly expenses. For reference, walkability and safety scores are 60/100 and 49.14/100 here versus 61/100 and 36.66/100 there.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Rochester, NY to St. Paul, MN guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Minnesota to New York, so we know current pricing better than most. Checking our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates. Minnesota alone has 151 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 999-mile move like this one.
Our take
The 999-mile move from St. Paul, MN, to Rochester, NY, costs between $2,162 and $8,147 with full-service movers, $1,197 - $3,869 with a moving container, and $629 - $1,812 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 $2,643 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 Wegmans Food Markets and Paychex.
FAQs: Moving from St. Paul, MN, to Rochester, NY
What are the best neighborhoods in Rochester?
For families, Cobbs Hill, Upper Monroe, and Strong are worth a look in Rochester. If you're moving solo or without kids, East Avenue, Swillburg, and South Wedge tend to be popular picks instead.
What is the cheapest way to move from St. Paul, MN to Rochester, NY?
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 $673 - $1,476. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
Is Rochester a safe place to live?
Rochester has a safety index of 36.66 out of 100 and a crime index of 37.54, compared to 49.14 and 50.86 in St. Paul. 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 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 St. Paul, MN to Rochester, NY?
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. New York 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 St. Paul movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 49% of movers in St. Paul handle piano moves, and 26% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.