($1,040+) Dayton, OH to Missoula, MT Movers
Moving from Dayton, OH, to Missoula, MT, runs anywhere from $1,040 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $11,365 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,889 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 $2,381, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $11,365 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,508 - $5,708, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,040 - $2,946.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Dayton, OH, to Missoula, MT. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,481 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
Fact Checked by:
Compare moving options from Dayton, OH to Missoula, MT
There are 3 main ways to move from Dayton to Missoula: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service handles labor and transportation for you, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route costing $3,481 - $7,718. Moving containers run about 42% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 66% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 5 to 16 days for this 1,889-mile route, depending on which option you go with.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,889-mile route from Dayton to Missoula, broken down by home size:
- Full-service movers: $2,381 for a studio up to $11,365 for a 4+ bedroom home.
- Moving containers: $1,508 - $5,708 depending on home size.
- Rental trucks: $1,040 - $2,946, the lowest-cost option across the board.
- Freight trailers: $1,371 - $4,307, 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 Dayton, OH to Missoula, MT
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 1,889-mile move from Dayton, Ohio, to Missoula, Montana, with prices running from $2,381 - $11,365. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $280 - $1,864 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between Dayton and Missoula are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, Dayton movers tend to run around $330 as a base rate plus $140/hour per mover, for comparison.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Dayton to Missoula:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,381 - $5,290
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,481 - $7,718
- 4+ bedrooms: $5,886 - $11,365
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 Dayton to Missoula.
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.
Don't see your company listed?
Reach customers actively searching for trusted movers in your area. Tell us about your company and services to get your business listed on moveBuddha.
Specialty moving services from Dayton, OH to Missoula, MT
Specialty needs vary by market: 63% of Dayton movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Missoula, 50% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing71% of local movers | $466 - $4,660 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready63% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Lewis & Michael Moving & Storage, Inc. | $186 - $1,118/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $280 - $2,237 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage13% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs46% of local movers | $932 - $2,796 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,330 - $9,320 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $698 - $1,326 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items15% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: You Move Me | $932 - $2,330 |
| Piano | Any piano type39% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Lincoln Storage & Moving Inc | $746 - $3,262 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling3% of local movers | $280 - $1,398 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect18% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $606 - $1,864 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $280 - $13,980+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $280 - $3,262+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Dayton to Missoula?
- 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 carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Dayton, OH. 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 Dayton, OH to Missoula, MT
Moving containers from Dayton, Ohio, to Missoula, Montana, cost between $1,508 and $5,708. You're in charge of loading, and the timeline is yours to set. U-Haul allows 3 days while PODS gives you a full 30. After that, the company picks it up and delivers it to your new address. Running behind schedule? Storage in Dayton costs roughly $60/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Dayton to Missoula:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,508 - $2,941
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,028 - $4,241
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,774 - $5,708
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Because loading is on you with a container move, hourly labor help is a popular add-on. In Dayton, OH, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $652, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: After the first month, ongoing rental fees kick in. A small container (7 - 8 feet) averages about $70 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $140 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Dayton, OH, and Missoula, MT, but confirm a facility is within reasonable distance if you need to retrieve items while in storage.
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection provides broader coverage than the standard liability in your contract. It typically costs 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on $50,000 worth of belongings.
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 $1,508. 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 $2,028 - $4,241.
What are the best moving containers Dayton 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 Dayton 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 Dayton:
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.6/5), 25 years in business
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.9/5), 6 years in business
- You Move Me (4.9/5), 13 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Dayton, OH to Missoula, MT
Truck rentals from Dayton, Ohio, to Missoula, Montana, range from $1,040 - $2,946 for the 1,889-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $560 - $640
- Daily insurance: $28/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $19
- Dayton daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.99
| 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 Dayton to Missoula based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,040 - $1,981
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,195 - $2,481
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,477 - $2,946
Pro tip: A rental truck from Dayton to Missoula looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $1,040 - $2,946. But once you factor in fuel ($560 - $640), overnight lodging ($140/night), meals, and equipment rentals, most people end up spending roughly $600 - $1,200 more on meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging. Building that into your budget upfront saves you from sticker shock at the end of the move.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $140 per night. Most long-distance moves with rental trucks require 1 - 3 overnight stops.
- Equipment: Tow dollies, auto trailers, and specialty moving equipment can add between $61 and $303 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $560 - $640 in fuel for the 1,889-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $652 in Dayton, Ohio, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Dayton 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 Dayton, OH to Missoula, MT
For larger DIY moves from Dayton, Ohio, 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 Missoula, Montana.
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 $1,653 and $3,199.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Dayton to Missoula:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,371 - $2,518
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,653 - $3,199
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,241 - $4,307
Pro tip: Freight pricing rewards efficient packing. Trailers are 8 feet tall and accessed via a 4-foot ramp, so technique matters, especially for heavy pieces. Since each additional linear foot adds to your quote, packing strategically is one of the easiest ways to control costs.
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 $70 - $140 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Dayton, Ohio, for about five hours typically runs $652.
What are the best freight companies from Dayton to Missoula?
- 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.
- 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.
Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from Dayton to Missoula, freight trailers are one of the fastest interstate options available, second only to renting a truck and driving it yourself. The tradeoff is that freight works best when you're ready to receive your belongings on the other end. If your timeline is tight on the receiving side or you need a short storage buffer, a moving container might be a better fit.
Cost of living: Dayton, OH 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 Dayton on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Dayton, OH | Missoula, MT |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 80 | 113 |
| Average rent | $925/mo | $1,322/mo |
| Median home value | $94,536 | $426,764 |
| Average income | $43,454/yr | $65,329/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 6.8% | 4.4% |
| State income tax | Up to 3.5% | Up to 6.75% |
| Walkability score | 45/100 | 45/100 |
| Safety index | 40.68/100 | 66.73/100 |
| 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 Missoula, MT to Dayton, OH guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 1 real quote from Ohio 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. Ohio alone has 282 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 1,889-mile move like this one.
Our take
For a move from Dayton, OH, to Missoula, MT, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $2,381 for a studio to $11,365 for a 4+ bedroom home on the 1,889-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,508 - $5,708. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $1,040 - $2,946, 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 $3,481 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 Walmart AT&T and Target.
FAQs: Moving from Dayton, OH, to Missoula, MT
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 long does a move from Dayton, OH to Missoula, MT take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 5 to 16 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are often one of the faster options outside of driving yourself, 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 do local movers charge in Dayton?
Local movers based in Dayton typically start around $330 as a base rate, plus $140/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 are some tips for saving money on a move from Dayton, OH to Missoula, MT?
Cutting 500 pounds from your shipment, roughly one bedroom's worth of items, saves approximately $200 - $400 on a full-service move on this route. Beyond that, staying organized matters just as much. A solid moving checklist keeps you on schedule and helps you avoid costly last-minute mistakes.
How much does it cost to move from Dayton, OH to Missoula, MT?
Costs on this route range from around $1,040 to $11,365, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,381 and $11,365, 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 percentage of Dayton movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 39% of movers in Dayton handle piano moves, and 15% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.