($1,047+) Los Angeles, CA to St. Louis, MO Movers
The cost to move from Los Angeles, CA to St. Louis, MO ranges from $1,260 to $9,843, with an average cost of $3,750. Moves can be as low as $1,047 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 1,825 miles and usually takes 5 to 16 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.
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Compare moving options from Los Angeles, CA to St. Louis, MO
Moving options from Los Angeles to St. Louis fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,260 - $9,843 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $3,750, and movers handle all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 41% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 64% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This particular route covers 1,825 miles and typically takes 5 to 16 days depending on the service you pick.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,825-mile route from Los Angeles to St. Louis, broken down by home size:
- Full-service movers: $1,260 for a studio up to $9,843 for a 4+ bedroom home.
- Moving containers: $1,547 - $5,080 depending on home size.
- Rental trucks: $1,057 - $3,025, the lowest-cost option across the board.
- Freight trailers: $1,351 - $4,235, billed by the space you actually use.
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 Los Angeles, CA to St. Louis, MO
For the 1,825-mile move from Los Angeles, California, to St. Louis, Missouri, full-service movers cost between $1,260 and $9,843. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $392 - $2,616 (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 Los Angeles generally start around $200 plus $100 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Los Angeles to St. Louis:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,260 - $4,909
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,336 - $7,145
- 4+ bedrooms: $6,085 - $9,843
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 Los Angeles to St. Louis.
Pro tip: Avoiding peak moving season dates (May - September) is one of the easiest ways to reduce costs. Off-season moves typically come with lower pricing and more room to negotiate since movers have fewer bookings.
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Specialty moving services from Los Angeles, CA to St. Louis, MO
Specialty needs vary by market: 56% of Los Angeles movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In St. Louis, 68% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing78% of local movers | $654 - $6,540 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready56% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: SOS Moving, LLC | $262 - $1,570/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $392 - $3,139 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage14% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs53% of local movers | $1,308 - $3,924 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,270 - $13,080 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $980 - $1,861 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items29% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: SOS Moving, LLC | $1,308 - $3,270 |
| Piano | Any piano type40% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: SOS Moving, LLC | $1,046 - $4,578 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling10% of local movers | $392 - $1,962 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect4% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Silicon Valley Moving and Storage (CA) | $850 - $2,616 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $392 - $19,620+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $392 - $4,578+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Los Angeles to St. Louis?
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing means no surprise charges on moving day, and their support team is consistently rated among the most responsive in the industry.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here, 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, with 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 Los Angeles, CA. 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 Los Angeles, CA to St. Louis, MO
Moving containers from Los Angeles, California, to St. Louis, Missouri, cost between $1,547 and $5,080. 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 Los Angeles typically runs around $110/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Los Angeles to St. Louis:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,547 - $2,925
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,980 - $3,817
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,521 - $5,080
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $98 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $196 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 $916 in Los Angeles, CA, 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 St. Louis, MO, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a California to Missouri 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 $1,547. 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 $1,980 - $3,817.
What are the best moving containers Los Angeles to St. Louis?
- 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 Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles:
- Box-N-Go, LLC (4.8/5), 19 years in business
- Rigo's Moving Company Inc (4.3/5), 12 years in business
- Best California Movers (5.0/5), 8 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Los Angeles, CA to St. Louis, MO
Renting a moving truck for the 1,825-mile move from Los Angeles, California, to St. Louis, Missouri, costs between $1,057 and $3,025, before these typical add-ons:
- Fuel for the drive: $760 - $868
- Daily insurance: $39/day
- Equipment rentals: $9 - $26
- Los Angeles daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.79 - $1.09
| 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 Los Angeles to St. Louis based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,057 - $2,057
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,191 - $2,424
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,487 - $3,025
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Los Angeles to St. Louis starts at $1,057 - $3,025, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($760 - $868), overnight lodging ($196/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for roughly $600 - $1,200 more on top of fuel and lodging to cover meals, equipment, and other extras.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $196 per night if your drive requires an overnight stop. Typically, you'll make 1 - 3 overnight stops, depending on move distance.
- Moving labor: Bringing in professional loading help in Los Angeles, California, usually costs about $916 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 1,825-mile drive falls between $760 and $868, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, moving pads, and vehicle trailers are easy to overlook but can add between $65 and $392 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Los Angeles to St. Louis?
- 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 Los Angeles, CA to St. Louis, MO
For larger DIY moves from Los Angeles, 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 St. Louis, Missouri.
Because freight companies bill by linear footage, your total is based on how much of the trailer you occupy, not the full length. For a 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route, pricing typically falls between $1,631 and $3,150.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Los Angeles to St. Louis:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,351 - $2,530
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,631 - $3,150
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,101 - $4,235
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?
- 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 $98 - $196 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Los Angeles, California, for about five hours typically runs $916.
What are the best freight companies from Los Angeles to St. Louis?
- 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 tip: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in St. Louis 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: Los Angeles, CA vs St. Louis, MO
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in St. Louis, side by side with Los Angeles on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Los Angeles, CA | St. Louis, MO |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 162 | 84 |
| Average rent | $2,960/mo | $1,250/mo |
| Median home value | $878,142 | $180,206 |
| Average income | $80,366/yr | $55,279/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 10.6% | 6.3% |
| State income tax | Up to 13.3% | Up to 4.8% |
| Walkability score | 69/100 | 66/100 |
| Safety index | 46.19/100 | 30.35/100 |
| Air quality | Moderate | Moderate |
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 St. Louis, MO to Los Angeles, CA guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from California to Missouri over the past 3 months, giving us some of the most up-to-date pricing data around. Running your move through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. There are 1,154 movers in our California network to compare for this 1,825-mile move.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 1,825-mile route from Los Angeles, CA, to St. Louis, MO, run $1,260 - $9,843 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,547 - $5,080, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $1,057 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,336, 30 days of free storage, and a 24/7 support team you can actually reach.
Beyond the move itself, people who've relocated to St. Louis tend to point to rich culture and bountiful arts and recreational activities, though poor education and high crime rate come up as common complaints. Major employers in the area include BJC HealthCare and Walmart.
FAQs: Moving from Los Angeles, CA, to St. Louis, MO
How walkable is St. Louis?
St. Louis has a walkability score of 66 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 58, compared to 69 and 59 in Los Angeles. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
What are the best neighborhoods in St. Louis?
For families, Hi-Pointe, The Hill, and Lindenwood Park are worth a look in St. Louis. If you're moving solo or without kids, Central West End, Downtown, and Lafayette Square tend to be popular picks instead.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Missouri?
Movers that provide local and intrastate relocation services in Missouri fall under the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT). Every household goods mover operating in the state is required to have a MoDOT Number.
What do local movers charge in Los Angeles?
Local movers based in Los Angeles typically start around $200 as a base rate, plus $100/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 St. Louis 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 4 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 Los Angeles movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 40% of movers in Los Angeles handle piano moves, and 29% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.