($1,155+) Los Angeles, CA to St. Louis, MO Movers
The cost to move from Los Angeles, CA to St. Louis, MO ranges from $1,309 to $11,205, with an average cost of $4,100. Moves can be as low as $1,155 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.
Fact Checked by:
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 $1,309 - $11,205 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $4,100, 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 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: $1,309 for a studio up to $11,205 for a 4+ bedroom home.
- Moving containers: $1,624 - $5,443 depending on home size.
- Rental trucks: $1,087 - $3,207, the lowest-cost option across the board.
- Freight trailers: $1,461 - $4,490, 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 September 16, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Los Angeles, CA to St. Louis, MO
Full-service movers for the 1,825-mile relocation from Los Angeles, California, to St. Louis, Missouri, cost between $1,309 and $11,205. 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 $392 - $2,616, 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 Los Angeles typically charge a base rate 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: $1,309 - $5,424
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,537 - $7,200
- 4+ bedrooms: $6,201 - $11,205
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.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from California to Missouri. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: Demand for full-service movers surges during peak moving season from May - September, pushing prices higher. Shifting your move to a cooler month could save you a meaningful amount on your total bill.
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 Los Angeles, CA to St. Louis, MO
Specialty needs vary by market — 88% of Los Angeles movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In St. Louis, 86% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $654 - $6,540 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready88% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Sterling Van Lines | $262 - $1,570/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $392 - $3,139 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage41% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs55% 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 items68% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Sterling Van Lines | $1,308 - $3,270 |
| Piano | Any piano type79% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Sterling Van Lines | $1,046 - $4,578 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling43% of local movers | $392 - $1,962 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect30% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Sterling Van Lines | $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 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 full-service movers are the more cost-efficient choice. Local movers in Los Angeles, CA, often charge 30% - 40% more at that distance because their operations aren't built for long-haul logistics. The exception is if you want a dedicated point-to-point truck with an average 2-day delivery, though that level of service generally increases your total cost.
Moving container costs from Los Angeles, CA to St. Louis, MO
Moving containers from Los Angeles, California, to St. Louis, Missouri, cost between $1,624 and $5,443. 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 Los Angeles costs roughly $110/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Los Angeles to St. Louis:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,624 - $3,010
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,038 - $4,047
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,898 - $5,443
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Access: Most major container brands operate in both Los Angeles, CA and St. Louis, MO. Still, double-check that a nearby facility is available if you need to access your belongings before delivery.
- Moving labor: Because containers are self-loaded, many customers hire hourly help. Two movers for about 5 hours typically cost around $916 in Los Angeles, CA, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $98 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $196 for larger ones (12 - 16 feet).
- Added contents protection: For more coverage beyond the standard minimum, full-value protection is the typical upgrade, generally 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value. On a $50,000 household, that's roughly $500 - $1,000 as a one-time fee.
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 $1,624. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $2,038 - $4,047, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
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:
- Sterling Van Lines (4.6/5), 35 years in business
- Rigo's Moving Company Inc (4.3/5), 12 years in business
- Box-N-Go, LLC (4.8/5), 19 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Los Angeles, CA to St. Louis, MO
Plan on $1,087 - $3,207 for a rental moving truck on the 1,825-mile route from Los Angeles, California, to St. Louis, Missouri. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- 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: $1,087 - $2,246
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,214 - $2,544
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,592 - $3,207
Pro tip: The base rate of $1,087 - $3,207 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Los Angeles to St. Louis. Fuel ($760 - $868) , lodging at around $196/night, meals, and equipment rentals are all on top of that. Factor in an extra $600 - $1,200 to get a realistic picture of what the move will actually cost.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Gas: Fuel adds $760 - $868 for the 1,825-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 Los Angeles, California, for about 5 hours typically costs around $916.
- Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
- Lodging: The 1,825-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $196 per night, adding $392 - $589 in hotel costs total.
- Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $65 and $392.
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 most medium-to-large moves on this route, pricing typically falls between $1,729 and $3,373.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Los Angeles to St. Louis:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,461 - $2,845
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,729 - $3,373
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,318 - $4,490
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?
- Seasonal demand: Pricing tends to rise during peak moving season, particularly between mid-May and mid-September.
- Moving labor: Most customers hire loading help since freight is self-loaded. Two movers in Los Angeles, California, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $916.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $98 and $196 per foot.
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.
- Sea-Logix, LLC (4.76/5 stars): Sea-Logix, LLC 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 move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Los Angeles to St. Louis. If you have a hard move-in date and want your stuff there as soon as possible, freight is hard to beat. It's worth noting that freight works best when you're ready to receive your delivery, so if your move-in date is still up in the air or you'll need short-term storage, a moving container is likely the more practical choice.
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 you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from California to Missouri, 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 1,825-mile move.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from Los Angeles, CA, to St. Louis, MO, comes down to your budget and how much time and work you're able to put into it. Hands-off relocations handled by full-service movers range from $1,309 - $11,205 on the 1,825-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,624 - $5,443 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $1,087 - $3,207 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $3,537 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and 24/7 live support.
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
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.
How long does a move from Los Angeles, CA to St. Louis, MO 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 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.
What is the cheapest way to move from Los Angeles, CA to St. Louis, MO?
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 $1,214 - $2,544. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
Is St. Louis a safe place to live?
St. Louis has a safety index of 30.35 out of 100 and a crime index of 69.65, compared to 46.19 and 53.81 in Los Angeles. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What percentage of Los Angeles movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 79% of movers in Los Angeles handle piano moves, and 68% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
