($1,266+) Missoula, MT to Arlington, VA Movers
Moving from Missoula, MT, to Arlington, VA, runs anywhere from $1,266 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $12,989 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 2,275 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 7 to 18 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 $2,942, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $12,989 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,727 - $6,090, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,266 - $3,714.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Missoula, MT, to Arlington, VA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $4,006 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
Compare moving options from Missoula, MT to Arlington, VA
Moving options from Missoula to Arlington fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $4,006 - $8,664 for a 2-3 bedroom home and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers cost about 43% less than full-service for the same size, and rental trucks land around 64% less, with both DIY options requiring you to load yourself. Covering 2,275 miles, this route usually takes 7 to 18 days from pickup to delivery.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 2,275-mile route from Missoula to Arlington, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $2,942 - $6,775 | $1,727 - $3,331 | $1,266 - $2,446 | $1,570 - $2,968 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $4,006 - $8,664 | $2,302 - $4,448 | $1,453 - $2,794 | $1,824 - $3,631 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $7,368 - $12,989 | $2,892 - $6,090 | $1,730 - $3,714 | $2,362 - $5,166 |
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 Missoula, MT to Arlington, VA
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 2,275-mile move from Missoula, Montana, to Arlington, Virginia, with prices running from $2,942 - $12,989. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $400 - $2,668 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between Missoula and Arlington are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, Missoula movers tend to run around $342 as a base rate plus $150/hour per mover, for comparison.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Missoula to Arlington:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,942 - $6,775
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $4,006 - $8,664
- 4+ bedrooms: $7,368 - $12,989
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 Missoula to Arlington.
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 Missoula, MT to Arlington, VA
Specialty needs vary by market: 50% of Missoula movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Arlington, 70% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing75% of local movers | $667 - $6,670 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready50% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $267 - $1,601/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $400 - $3,202 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs50% of local movers | $1,334 - $4,002 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,335 - $13,340 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $999 - $1,898 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items25% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Moving On Up LLC | $1,334 - $3,335 |
| Piano | Any piano type25% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Moving On Up LLC | $1,067 - $4,669 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling25% of local movers | $400 - $2,001 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect25% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Moving On Up LLC | $867 - $2,668 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $400 - $20,010+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $400 - $4,669+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Missoula to Arlington?
Virginia Movers & Warehousemen’s Association membership is a quick way to confirm a mover is legitimate in Virginia, on top of the picks below.
- 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 full-service movers are almost always better priced than local movers in Missoula, MT. 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 Missoula, MT to Arlington, VA
Moving containers from Missoula, Montana, to Arlington, Virginia, cost between $1,727 and $6,090. The container gets dropped at your door and you load it at your own pace. U-Haul gives you 3 days to load and PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're done, the company handles all the transportation. If you need extra time, storage in Missoula runs about $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Missoula to Arlington:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,727 - $3,331
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,302 - $4,448
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,892 - $6,090
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $100 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $200 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 $934 in Missoula, MT, 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 Arlington, VA, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Montana 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 $1,727. 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 $2,302 - $4,448.
What are the best moving containers Missoula 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 Missoula 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 Missoula:
Moving truck rental costs from Missoula, MT to Arlington, VA
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 2,275 miles from Missoula, Montana, to Arlington, Virginia, running $1,266 - $3,714. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $966 - $1,104
- Daily insurance: $40/day
- Equipment rentals: $9 - $27
- Missoula daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.99 - $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 Missoula to Arlington based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,266 - $2,446
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,453 - $2,794
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,730 - $3,714
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $1,266 - $3,714 when pricing out a rental truck from Missoula to Arlington. Fuel alone runs $966 - $1,104, and overnight lodging ($200/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend roughly $600 - $1,200 more on meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging by the time the move is done.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Gas: Fuel adds $966 - $1,104 for the 2,275-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 Missoula, Montana, for about 5 hours typically costs around $934.
- Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
- Lodging: The 2,275-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $200 per night, adding $400 - $600 in hotel costs total.
- Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $67 and $400.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Missoula 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 Missoula, MT to Arlington, VA
Freight trailers are a good fit for medium-to-large moves where you need more space than a container but don't want to drive a rental truck from Missoula, Montana, to Arlington, Virginia. The trailer is delivered to your address, you load it, and the carrier takes it the rest of the way.
Unlike truck rentals with flat rates, freight trailers scale with your shipment. Every additional section of trailer space you fill increases your total. A 2 - 3 bedroom long-distance move using this method runs roughly between $1,824 and $3,631.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Missoula to Arlington:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,570 - $2,968
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,824 - $3,631
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,362 - $5,166
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?
- More space: Freight pricing is based on exactly how much of the trailer you fill. If your items take up more than expected, the added footage can increase your cost by between $100 and $200.
- Peak season impact: Moving during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) often means higher trailer rates as demand increases across the board.
- Moving labor: Unless you plan to load everything yourself, factor in labor costs. Two movers in Missoula, Montana, for roughly five hours typically average $934.
What are the best freight companies from Missoula to Arlington?
- 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.
Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from Missoula to Arlington, 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: Missoula, MT 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 Missoula on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Missoula, MT | Arlington, VA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 113 | 164 |
| Average rent | $1,322/mo | $2,718/mo |
| Median home value | $426,764 | $866,334 |
| Average income | $65,329/yr | $140,160/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 4.4% | 4.0% |
| State income tax | Up to 6.75% | Up to 5.75% |
| Walkability score | 45/100 | 71/100 |
| Safety index | 66.73/100 | 79.15/100 |
| 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 Arlington, VA to Missoula, MT guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 1 real quote from Montana 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 25 movers licensed in Montana, useful context for sizing up this 2,275-mile move.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 2,275-mile route from Missoula, MT, to Arlington, VA, run $2,942 - $12,989 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,727 - $6,090, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $1,266 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $4,006, 30 days of free storage, and a 24/7 support team you can actually reach.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include U.S. Department of Defense and Safran.
FAQs: Moving from Missoula, MT, to Arlington, VA
What do local movers charge in Missoula?
Local movers based in Missoula typically start around $342 as a base rate, plus $150/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 Arlington 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.
How much does it cost to move from Missoula, MT to Arlington, VA?
Costs on this route range from around $1,266 to $12,989, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,942 and $12,989, 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 is the cheapest way to move from Missoula, MT 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 $1,453 - $2,794. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($966 - $1,104), daily insurance ($40/day), and equipment rentals ($9 - $27) on top. Overnight stops can add another $200/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
What percentage of Missoula movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 25% of movers in Missoula handle piano moves, and 25% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.