($1,153+) Lansing, MI to Missoula, MT Movers
Moving from Lansing, MI, to Missoula, MT, runs anywhere from $1,087 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $11,106 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,813 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 5 to 16 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 $2,619, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $11,106 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,660 - $5,510, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,087 - $3,014.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Lansing, MI, to Missoula, MT. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,616 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
Compare moving options from Lansing, MI to Missoula, MT
Moving options from Lansing to Missoula fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $3,616 - $7,991 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 1,813-mile route typically takes 5 to 16 days door to door.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,813-mile route from Lansing to Missoula, broken down by home size:
- A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $2,619 - $5,510 with full-service movers, $1,660 - $3,137 with a container, $1,087 - $2,241 with a rental truck, or $1,437 - $2,662 by freight.
- A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $3,616 - $7,991 full-service, $2,002 - $4,350 by container, $1,223 - $2,488 by rental truck, or $1,569 - $3,246 by freight.
- A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $6,771 - $11,106 full-service, $2,708 - $5,510 by container, $1,467 - $3,014 by rental truck, or $2,145 - $4,678 by freight.
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 Lansing, MI to Missoula, MT
Full-service movers for the 1,813-mile relocation from Lansing, Michigan, to Missoula, Montana, cost between $2,619 and $11,106. 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 $287 - $1,912, 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 Lansing typically charge a base rate around $570 plus $240 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Lansing to Missoula:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,619 - $5,510
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,616 - $7,991
- 4+ bedrooms: $6,771 - $11,106
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 Lansing to Missoula.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Michigan to Montana. 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.
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Specialty moving services from Lansing, MI to Missoula, MT
Specialty needs vary by market — 82% of Lansing movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Missoula, 100% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $478 - $4,780 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready82% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $191 - $1,147/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $287 - $2,294 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs36% of local movers | $956 - $2,868 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,390 - $9,560 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $716 - $1,360 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items18% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: M & M Moving and Storage | $956 - $2,390 |
| Piano | Any piano type64% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $765 - $3,346 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling36% of local movers | $287 - $1,434 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect9% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: M & M Moving and Storage | $621 - $1,912 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $287 - $14,340+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $287 - $3,346+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Lansing to Missoula?
- 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 Lansing, MI. 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 Lansing, MI to Missoula, MT
Moving containers from Lansing, Michigan, to Missoula, Montana, cost between $1,660 and $5,510. 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 Missoula. If you go over that window, storage in Lansing adds around $60/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Lansing to Missoula:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,660 - $3,137
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,002 - $4,350
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,708 - $5,510
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Containers are self-loaded, so many people hire hourly help for the heavy lifting. moveBuddha data shows two movers for about five hours runs around $669 in Lansing, MI. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: If you want stronger coverage than the default liability, full-value protection is the upgrade to consider. Most providers charge 1% - 2% of your shipment value, roughly $500 - $1,000 for $50,000 in contents.
- Storage: After the first month, rental fees average $72 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $143 per month for a larger 12- to 16-foot unit.
- Access: If you anticipate needing to access items while in storage, confirm there's a facility conveniently located near your Missoula, MT, destination before booking.
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 $1,660. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $2,002 - $4,350, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Lansing to Missoula?
- 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 Lansing 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 Lansing:
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.9/5), 8 years in business
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.5/5), 32 years in business
- Helper Moving LLC (5.0/5), 12 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Lansing, MI to Missoula, MT
Truck rentals from Lansing, Michigan, to Missoula, Montana, range from $1,087 - $3,014 for the 1,813-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $551 - $630
- Daily insurance: $29/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $19
- Lansing daily rental rate: $19 - $29
- 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 Lansing to Missoula based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,087 - $2,241
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,223 - $2,488
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,467 - $3,014
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Lansing to Missoula starts at $1,087 - $3,014, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($551 - $630) , overnight lodging ($143/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?
- Gas: Fuel adds $551 - $630 for the 1,813-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 Lansing, Michigan, for about 5 hours typically costs around $669.
- Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
- Lodging: The 1,813-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $143 per night, adding $287 - $430 in hotel costs total.
- Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $48 and $287.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Lansing to Missoula?
- 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 Lansing, MI to Missoula, MT
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Lansing, Michigan, to Missoula, Montana, 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. Overall pricing for a move of this size and distance typically lands around $1,569 and $3,246.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Lansing to Missoula:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,437 - $2,662
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,569 - $3,246
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,145 - $4,678
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 $72 - $143 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Lansing, Michigan, for about five hours typically runs $669.
What are the best freight companies from Lansing to Missoula?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Best known as a top moving container option thanks to its DIY hybrid model (you load, they drive), MovingYourself also doubles as a strong freight choice with their 53-foot trucks and pay-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. In addition to their well-known container service, U-Pack offers freight trailers that follow the same pay-by-the-foot model with no deposits or upfront fees, making them one of the most flexible freight options for budget-conscious moves.
- Dtx, Inc. (4.62/5 stars): Dtx, Inc. is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned and operated facilities give you direct access to support staff who know the area and can coordinate pickups and deliveries with greater flexibility than national carriers.
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: Lansing, MI vs Missoula, MT
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Missoula, side by side with Lansing on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Lansing, MI | Missoula, MT |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 84 | 113 |
| Average rent | $1,129/mo | $1,322/mo |
| Median home value | $119,327 | $426,764 |
| Average income | $52,170/yr | $65,329/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 7.4% | 4.4% |
| State income tax | Up to 4.25% | Up to 6.75% |
| Walkability score | 46/100 | 45/100 |
| Safety index | 51.34/100 | 66.73/100 |
| 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 Missoula, MT to Lansing, MI guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 1 real quotes from Michigan to Montana, 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. Michigan alone has 84 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 1,813-mile move like this one.
Our take
A move from Lansing, MI, to Missoula, MT, gives you several options depending on your budget and how much you want to do yourself. Full-service movers handle everything but cost the most, ranging from $2,619 - $11,106 on the 1,813-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,660 - $5,510, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $1,087 - $3,014. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $3,616 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and round-the-clock live support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Walmart AT&T and Target.
FAQs: Moving from Lansing, MI, to Missoula, MT
How walkable is Missoula?
Missoula has a walkability score of 45 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 60, compared to 46 and 55 in Lansing. 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 Missoula?
For families, Lewis And Clark, Rose Park, and Miller Creek are worth a look in Missoula. If you're moving solo or without kids, Heart Of Missoula, Lewis And Clark, and Farviews And Pattee tend to be popular picks instead.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Montana?
In Montana, local and intrastate movers need to have a valid Public Service Commission (PSC) number issued by the Montana Department of Transportation (MDOT).
What do local movers charge in Lansing?
Local movers based in Lansing typically start around $570 as a base rate, plus $240/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 Missoula 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 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 Lansing movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 64% of movers in Lansing handle piano moves, and 18% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.