($623+) Denver, CO to Missoula, MT Movers
Moving from Denver, CO, to Missoula, MT, runs anywhere from $610 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,124 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 896 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 2 to 7 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 $1,974, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $8,124 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,197 - $3,987, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $610 - $1,698.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Denver, CO, to Missoula, MT. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,594 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
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Compare moving options from Denver, CO to Missoula, MT
There are 3 main ways to move from Denver to Missoula: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service is the most expensive but covers everything from labor to transportation, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route averaging $2,594 - $6,263. Containers cost roughly 30% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 60% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 896 miles, expect 2 to 7 days in transit no matter which service you choose.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 896-mile route from Denver to Missoula, broken down by home size:
- A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $1,974 - $4,702 with full-service movers, $1,197 - $2,044 with a container, $610 - $1,200 with a rental truck, or $1,016 - $1,877 by freight.
- A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $2,594 - $6,263 full-service, $1,420 - $2,839 by container, $712 - $1,482 by rental truck, or $1,172 - $2,413 by freight.
- A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $4,178 - $8,124 full-service, $1,971 - $3,987 by container, $842 - $1,698 by rental truck, or $1,625 - $3,036 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 Denver, CO to Missoula, MT
Full-service movers for the 896-mile relocation from Denver, Colorado, to Missoula, Montana, cost between $1,974 and $8,124. 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 $366 - $2,440, 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 Denver typically charge a base rate around $262 plus $115 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Denver to Missoula:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,974 - $4,702
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,594 - $6,263
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,178 - $8,124
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 Denver to Missoula.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Colorado to Montana. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: Avoiding peak moving season dates (May - September) is one of the easiest ways to reduce costs. Off-season moves typically come with lower pricing and more room to negotiate since movers have fewer bookings.
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Specialty moving services from Denver, CO to Missoula, MT
Specialty needs vary by market — 87% of Denver 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 | $610 - $6,100 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready87% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Skyline Moving Company | $244 - $1,464/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $366 - $2,928 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage37% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs54% of local movers | $1,220 - $3,660 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,050 - $12,200 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $914 - $1,736 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items52% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Homegrown Moving Company, LLC | $1,220 - $3,050 |
| Piano | Any piano type67% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Homegrown Moving Company, LLC | $976 - $4,270 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling30% of local movers | $366 - $1,830 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect22% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Moving Proz | $793 - $2,440 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $366 - $18,300+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $366 - $4,270+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Denver to Missoula?
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list, with flat-rate pricing that holds firm on moving day and a customer support team available around the clock.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here. With 30+ years of interstate moves behind them, AVL uses full-time in-house crews instead of the contracted labor most national carriers rely on.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, with fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan available on every long-distance move.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national van lines are the smarter financial choice over local movers in Denver, CO. Local companies can run 30% - 40% more at that range since they don't consolidate shipments the way interstate carriers do. If a direct, dedicated route with an average 2-day delivery appeals to you, a local mover could be worth it, but that convenience comes at a cost.
Moving container costs from Denver, CO to Missoula, MT
Moving containers from Denver, Colorado, to Missoula, Montana, cost between $1,197 and $3,987. You load everything on your own schedule (U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30). When you're ready, the company takes care of getting the container from point A to point B. Need more time than that? Extra storage in Denver typically runs around $80/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Denver to Missoula:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,197 - $2,044
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,420 - $2,839
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,971 - $3,987
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $92 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $183 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 $854 in Denver, CO, 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 Missoula, MT, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
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 $1,197. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,420 - $2,839, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Denver 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 Denver 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 Denver:
- Skyline Moving Company (4.9/5), 10 years in business
- Local Moving LLC (4.9/5), 14 years in business
- Moving Proz (4.8/5), 13 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Denver, CO to Missoula, MT
Plan on $610 - $1,698 for a rental moving truck on the 896-mile route from Denver, Colorado, to Missoula, Montana. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $348 - $397
- Daily insurance: $37/day
- Equipment rentals: $9 - $24
- Denver daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- 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 Denver to Missoula based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $610 - $1,200
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $712 - $1,482
- 4+ bedrooms: $842 - $1,698
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $610 - $1,698 does not include fuel ($348 - $397) , lodging ($183/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Denver to Missoula typically runs $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate alone.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Denver, Colorado, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $854.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $348 - $397 for the 896-mile drive, depending on whether your truck takes gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, auto transport trailers, and furniture pads are separate rentals. Expect to spend between $73 and $397, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $183 per night for hotel stops on the 896-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $366 - $549.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Denver 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 Denver, CO to Missoula, MT
For larger DIY moves from Denver, Colorado, 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 most medium-to-large moves on this route, pricing typically falls between $1,172 and $2,413.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Denver to Missoula:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,016 - $1,877
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,172 - $2,413
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,625 - $3,036
Pro tip: A 4-foot ramp sounds simple, but heavy or awkward furniture can make the climb tricky. With 8 feet of height to work with, smart vertical stacking is key. Since freight companies charge by the linear foot, every extra foot you use adds to the bill.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In Denver, Colorado, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $854.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $92 - $183 per additional foot to your total.
- Time of year: Rates tend to climb during peak moving season (mid-May through mid-September) when trailer demand is at its highest.
What are the best freight companies from Denver 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.
- Apex Transportation, Inc. (4.8/5 stars): Apex 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: If speed matters on your move from Denver 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: Denver, CO 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 Denver on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Denver, CO | Missoula, MT |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 128 | 113 |
| Average rent | $1,900/mo | $1,322/mo |
| Median home value | $586,595 | $426,764 |
| Average income | $91,681/yr | $65,329/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 7.1% | 4.4% |
| State income tax | Up to 5.49% | Up to 6.75% |
| Walkability score | 95/100 | 45/100 |
| Safety index | 52.16/100 | 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 Denver, CO guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 1 real quotes from Colorado 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. Colorado alone has 81 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 896-mile move like this one.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from Denver, CO, to Missoula, MT, 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 $1,974 - $8,124 on the 896-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,197 - $3,987 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $610 - $1,698 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $2,594 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and 24/7 live support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Walmart AT&T and Target.
FAQs: Moving from Denver, CO, to Missoula, MT
How much does it cost to move from Denver, CO to Missoula, MT?
Costs on this route range from around $1,974 to $8,124, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,974 and $8,124, 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 Denver, CO to Missoula, MT?
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 $712 - $1,482. 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 ($348 - $397), daily insurance ($37/day), and equipment rentals ($9 - $24) on top. Overnight stops can add another $183/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How long does a move from Denver, CO to Missoula, MT 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 is the best time of year to move from Denver, CO to Missoula, MT?
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.
What percentage of Denver movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 67% of movers in Denver handle piano moves, and 52% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
