($1,547+) San Francisco, CA to Arlington, VA Movers
The cost to move from San Francisco, CA to Arlington, VA ranges from $1,454 to $12,858, with an average cost of $4,650. Moves can be as low as $1,547 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 2,816 miles and usually takes 7 to 21 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.
Compare moving options from San Francisco, CA to Arlington, VA
Moving options from San Francisco to Arlington fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,454 - $12,858 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $4,650, and movers handle 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 particular route covers 2,816 miles and typically takes 7 to 21 days depending on the service you pick.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 2,816-mile route from San Francisco to Arlington, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,454 - $6,294 | $2,033 - $3,916 | $1,547 - $3,314 | $1,866 - $3,383 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $3,967 - $8,299 | $2,609 - $5,288 | $1,746 - $3,646 | $2,046 - $4,583 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $7,856 - $12,858 | $3,564 - $7,816 | $2,340 - $4,844 | $2,967 - $5,892 |
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 Francisco, CA to Arlington, VA
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 2,816-mile move from San Francisco, California, to Arlington, Virginia, with prices running from $1,454 - $12,858. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $638 - $4,252 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between San Francisco and Arlington are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, San Francisco movers tend to run around $284 as a base rate plus $150/hour per mover, for comparison.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from San Francisco to Arlington:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,454 - $6,294
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,967 - $8,299
- 4+ bedrooms: $7,856 - $12,858
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 Francisco to Arlington.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from California 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 Francisco, CA to Arlington, VA
Specialty needs vary by market — 87% of San Francisco 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 | $1,063 - $10,630 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready87% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Eagle Moving & Storage, Inc. | $425 - $2,551/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $638 - $5,102 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage56% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs49% of local movers | $2,126 - $6,378 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $5,315 - $21,260 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,592 - $3,025 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items70% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Eagle Moving & Storage, Inc. | $2,126 - $5,315 |
| Piano | Any piano type79% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Eagle Moving & Storage, Inc. | $1,701 - $7,441 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling39% of local movers | $638 - $3,189 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect27% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Luigy's Moving & Storage | $1,382 - $4,252 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $638 - $31,890+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $638 - $7,441+ |
What are the best full-service movers from San Francisco 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 van lines are the smarter financial choice over local movers in San Francisco, CA. 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 San Francisco, CA to Arlington, VA
Moving containers from San Francisco, California, to Arlington, Virginia, cost between $2,033 and $7,816. A container is delivered to your home and you load it on your own time. Loading windows vary by company: U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30. From there, the company takes over and transports it to Arlington. If you go over that window, storage in San Francisco adds around $120/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from San Francisco to Arlington:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,033 - $3,916
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,609 - $5,288
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,564 - $7,816
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $159 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $319 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 $1,488 in San Francisco, CA. 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 California 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 $2,033. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $2,609 - $5,288, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers San Francisco 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 Francisco 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 Francisco:
- Good Green Moving (4.7/5), 13 years in business
- Dependable Movers, LLC (4.9/5), 8 years in business
- Johnson & Daly Moving and Storage (4.9/5), 47 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from San Francisco, CA to Arlington, VA
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 2,816 miles from San Francisco, California, to Arlington, Virginia, running $1,547 - $4,844. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $1,905 - $2,177
- Daily insurance: $64/day
- Equipment rentals: $15 - $43
- San Francisco daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.79 - $1.59
| 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 Francisco to Arlington based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,547 - $3,314
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,746 - $3,646
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,340 - $4,844
Pro tip: A rental truck from San Francisco to Arlington looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $1,547 - $4,844. But once you factor in fuel ($1,905 - $2,177) , overnight lodging ($319/night), meals, and equipment rentals, most people end up spending $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate suggests. Building that into your budget upfront saves you from sticker shock at the end of the move.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Gas: Fuel adds $1,905 - $2,177 for the 2,816-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 San Francisco, California, for about 5 hours typically costs around $1,488.
- Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
- Lodging: The 2,816-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $319 per night, adding $638 - $957 in hotel costs total.
- Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $106 and $638.
What are the best moving truck rentals from San Francisco 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 Francisco, CA to Arlington, VA
For larger DIY moves from San Francisco, California, freight trailers give you plenty of room without putting you behind the wheel. Standard trailers are 28 feet long. You load the section you need, and the carrier transports everything to Arlington, Virginia.
Because freight companies bill by linear footage, your total is based on how much of the trailer you occupy, not the full length. For most medium-to-large moves on this route, pricing typically falls between $2,046 and $4,583.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from San Francisco to Arlington:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,866 - $3,383
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,046 - $4,583
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,967 - $5,892
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?
- 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 $159 - $319 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in San Francisco, California, for about five hours typically runs $1,488.
What are the best freight companies from San Francisco 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.
- PRO Logistics (4.54/5 stars): PRO Logistics 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 Francisco, CA 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 Francisco on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | San Francisco, CA | Arlington, VA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 245 | 164 |
| Average rent | $3,250/mo | $2,718/mo |
| Median home value | $1,374,773 | $866,334 |
| Average income | $141,446/yr | $140,160/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 5.4% | 4.0% |
| State income tax | Up to 13.3% | Up to 5.75% |
| Walkability score | 99/100 | 71/100 |
| Safety index | 38.59/100 | 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 Francisco, CA guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from California 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 374 movers licensed in California, useful context for sizing up this 2,816-mile move.
Our take
For a move from San Francisco, CA, to Arlington, VA, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $1,454 for a studio to $12,858 for a 4 - 5 bedroom home on the 2,816-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $2,033 - $7,816. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $1,547 - $4,844, 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 $3,967 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 San Francisco, CA, to Arlington, VA
How long does a move from San Francisco, CA 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 extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($1,905 - $2,177), daily insurance ($64/day), and equipment rentals ($15 - $43) on top. Overnight stops can add another $319/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
What is the cheapest way to move from San Francisco, CA 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 $1,746 - $3,646. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
How much does it cost to move from San Francisco, CA to Arlington, VA?
Costs on this route range from around $1,454 to $12,858, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,454 and $12,858, 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 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 percentage of San Francisco movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 79% of movers in San Francisco handle piano moves, and 70% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.