($1,234+) Sacramento, CA to St. Louis, MO Movers

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The cost to move from Sacramento, CA to St. Louis, MO ranges from $1,387 to $11,846, with an average cost of $4,100. Moves can be as low as $1,234 if you're wanting to DIY it.

This move covers about 1,970 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.

Compare moving options from Sacramento, CA to St. Louis, MO

Moving options from Sacramento to St. Louis fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,387 - $11,846 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 1,970 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 1,970-mile route from Sacramento to St. Louis, broken down by home size:

Home size Full-service movers Moving container Rental truck Freight trailer
Studio / 1 bedroom $1,387 - $5,594 $1,665 - $3,095 $1,174 - $2,401 $1,409 - $2,786
2 - 3 bedrooms $3,552 - $7,292 $2,132 - $4,206 $1,221 - $2,640 $1,722 - $3,505
4+ bedrooms $6,294 - $11,846 $2,861 - $6,202 $1,636 - $3,233 $2,429 - $4,914

Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.

Professional
Safeway Moving
star star star star star 4.9 / 5
Read our full Safeway review
Best overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran-owned
Container
Unlimited storage
3 container sizes
10% discount
Rental Truck
Budget Truck Rental
star star star star star 4.3 / 5
Read our full Budget review
Affordable pricing
Online estimates
Several discounts
Freight
MovingYourself
star star star star star 4.5 / 5
Read our full MovingYourself review
Fast delivery
Nationwide
100+ miles moves

Full-service moving costs from Sacramento, CA to St. Louis, MO

Full-service movers for the 1,970-mile relocation from Sacramento, California, to St. Louis, Missouri, cost between $1,387 and $11,846. 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 $329 - $2,196, 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 Sacramento typically charge a base rate around $287 plus $130 per hour, per mover.

Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Sacramento to St. Louis:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,387 - $5,594
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,552 - $7,292
  • 4+ bedrooms: $6,294 - $11,846

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 Sacramento 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: The summer months (May - September) are the busiest time of year for movers during peak moving season, which drives up prices and limits scheduling options. If you can move in the fall or winter, you'll likely find better rates and more flexibility.

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Specialty moving services from Sacramento, CA to St. Louis, MO

Specialty needs vary by market — 88% of Sacramento 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 packingFull crew packing100% of local movers$549 - $5,490
Storage in transitNew place not ready88% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Two Men and a Truck Moving$220 - $1,318/mo
Shuttle feeTruck can't reach door$329 - $2,635
Full-value protectionMore than $0.60/lb coverage56% of local movers$300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value)
Small movesUnder ~2,000 lbs40% of local movers$1,098 - $3,294
Office / commercialWorkplace relocation$2,745 - $10,980
Car shippingSecond vehicle$822 - $1,562
Antiques & fine artFragile, high-value items64% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Mother Lode Van & Storage Inc.$1,098 - $2,745
PianoAny piano type88% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Two Men and a Truck Moving$878 - $3,843
Pool tableDisassembly & re-leveling48% of local movers$329 - $1,647
Hot tubHeavy, needs disconnect40% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: A Better Moving$714 - $2,196
Wine collectionClimate-controlled transport$329 - $16,470+
Pet relocationGround, air, or concierge$329 - $3,843+

What are the best full-service movers from Sacramento to St. Louis?

  1. Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is our pick for best overall value. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 support, and 30 days of free storage make Safeway the clearest value on this list.
  2. American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. AVL has been moving customers since 1995 and uses full-time in-house crews trained on high-value items like art and antiques.
  3. Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. One of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, 24/7 monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan against damage, loss, and breakage.

Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national full-service movers are the more cost-efficient choice. Local movers in Sacramento, 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 Sacramento, CA to St. Louis, MO

Moving containers from Sacramento, California, to St. Louis, Missouri, cost between $1,665 and $6,202. 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 Sacramento costs roughly $120/month if you need it.

Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Sacramento to St. Louis:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,665 - $3,095
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,132 - $4,206
  • 4+ bedrooms: $2,861 - $6,202

What other costs come with moving containers?

  • Access: Most major container brands operate in both Sacramento, 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 $769 in Sacramento, CA, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
  • Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $82 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $165 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 $1,665. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $2,132 - $4,206, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.

What are the best moving containers Sacramento to St. Louis?

  1. Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
  2. U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
  3. 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 Sacramento 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 Sacramento:

  • Two Men and a Truck Moving (4.6/5), 21 years in business
  • Double Move (4.9/5), 3 years in business
  • Premium Movers Inc. (4.6/5), 19 years in business

Moving truck rental costs from Sacramento, CA to St. Louis, MO

Truck rentals from Sacramento, California, to St. Louis, Missouri, range from $1,174 - $3,233 for the 1,970-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:

  • Fuel for the drive: $688 - $787
  • Daily insurance: $33/day
  • Equipment rentals: $8 - $22
  • Sacramento daily rental rate: $19 - $39
  • Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $1.09 - $0.89
Home sizeTypical truck size
Studio / 1 bedroom10 - 12 ft
2 - 3 bedrooms15 - 17 ft
4+ bedrooms20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel)

These are typical moving truck rental costs from Sacramento to St. Louis based on home size:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,174 - $2,401
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,221 - $2,640
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,636 - $3,233

Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Sacramento to St. Louis starts at $1,174 - $3,233, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($688 - $787) , overnight lodging ($165/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?

  • Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $165 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 $71 and $357 to your total.
  • Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
  • Gas: Plan on spending $688 - $787 in fuel for the 1,970-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
  • Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $769 in Sacramento, California, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.

What are the best moving truck rentals from Sacramento to St. Louis?

  1. Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
  2. Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
  3. 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 Sacramento, CA to St. Louis, MO

Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from Sacramento, California, to St. Louis, Missouri. Standard trailers run 28 feet long, and you're only charged for the portion you actually fill. The carrier drops the trailer off, you load it at your own pace, and they handle the drive to your new city.

Pricing is based entirely on the linear footage your shipment occupies, not the full trailer length. Most long-distance freight moves land somewhere between $988 and $3,505.

Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Sacramento to St. Louis:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,409 - $2,786
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,722 - $3,505
  • 4+ bedrooms: $2,429 - $4,914

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?

  • 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 Sacramento, California, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $769.
  • More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $82 and $165 per foot.

What are the best freight companies from Sacramento to St. Louis?

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Button Transportation, Inc. (4.66/5 stars): Button Transportation, Inc. is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned and based facilities mean accessible support staff and area-specific scheduling flexibility that national-only freight carriers typically don't match.

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: Sacramento, 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 Sacramento on housing, income, and taxes.

Measure Sacramento, CA St. Louis, MO
Cost of living index12784
Average rent$1,899/mo$1,250/mo
Median home value$483,739$180,206
Average income$83,753/yr$55,279/yr
Unemployment rate7.7%6.3%
State income taxUp to 13.3%Up to 4.8%
Walkability score49/10066/100
Safety index50.79/10030.35/100
Air qualityModerateModerate

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 Sacramento, 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 374 movers in our California network to compare for this 1,970-mile move.

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Our take

A move from Sacramento, CA, to St. Louis, MO, 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 $1,387 - $11,846 on the 1,970-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,665 - $6,202, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $1,174 - $3,233. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $3,552 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and round-the-clock 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 Sacramento, CA, to St. Louis, MO

What is the cheapest way to move from Sacramento, 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 $1,221 - $2,640. 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 50.79 and 49.21 in Sacramento. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.

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 is the best time of year to move from Sacramento, CA to St. Louis, MO?

Aim for a move between October and March, when demand drops and rates tend to be lower across all service types. Peak season runs mid-May through mid-September, and weekends and month-end dates are pricier regardless of season. A midweek, mid-month date outside peak season is your best bet for saving money.

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 percentage of Sacramento movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?

About 88% of movers in Sacramento handle piano moves, and 64% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.