($476+) Detroit, MI to St. Paul, MN Movers
Moving from Detroit, MI, to St. Paul, MN, runs anywhere from $476 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,357 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 689 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 1 to 6 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 $1,631, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $8,357 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,022 - $3,130, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $476 - $1,347.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Detroit, MI, to St. Paul, MN. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,160 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 Detroit, MI to St. Paul, MN
There are 3 main ways to move from Detroit to St. Paul: 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 $2,160 - $5,645. Moving containers run about 43% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 74% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 1 to 6 days for this 689-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 689-mile route from Detroit to St. Paul, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,631 - $4,153 | $1,022 - $1,851 | $476 - $964 | $929 - $1,601 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,160 - $5,645 | $1,233 - $2,514 | $556 - $1,145 | $1,029 - $1,950 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,011 - $8,357 | $1,668 - $3,130 | $681 - $1,347 | $1,431 - $2,610 |
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 Detroit, MI to St. Paul, MN
For the 689-mile move from Detroit, Michigan, to St. Paul, Minnesota, full-service movers cost between $1,631 and $8,357. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $288 - $1,920 (1 - 5+ bedrooms), crews will pack your boxes. The weight of your shipment and the mileage between the two cities are what drive your final cost. For scale, local movers in Detroit generally start around $248 plus $100 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Detroit to St. Paul:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,631 - $4,153
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,160 - $5,645
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,011 - $8,357
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 Detroit to St. Paul.
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.
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Specialty moving services from Detroit, MI to St. Paul, MN
Specialty needs vary by market: 59% of Detroit movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In St. Paul, 69% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing82% of local movers | $480 - $4,800 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready59% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Grosse Pointe Moving & Storage | $192 - $1,152/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $288 - $2,304 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage5% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs58% of local movers | $960 - $2,880 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,400 - $9,600 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $719 - $1,366 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items19% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Handle With Care Moving | $960 - $2,400 |
| Piano | Any piano type42% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Men on the Move | $768 - $3,360 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling9% of local movers | $288 - $1,440 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect15% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $624 - $1,920 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $288 - $14,400+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $288 - $3,360+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Detroit to St. Paul?
Look for Minnesota Transport Services Association membership as a baseline when comparing movers in Minnesota beyond this list.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in Detroit, MI. Van lines spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments, while local movers tend to charge 30% - 40% more for the same distance. A direct route with a local mover averages 2-day delivery, but that added speed typically carries a higher price tag.
Moving container costs from Detroit, MI to St. Paul, MN
Moving containers from Detroit, Michigan, to St. Paul, Minnesota, cost between $1,022 and $3,130. 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 Detroit typically runs around $85/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Detroit to St. Paul:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,022 - $1,851
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,233 - $2,514
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,668 - $3,130
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $72 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $144 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in St. Paul, MN, if you need to retrieve anything while items are still in storage.
- Moving labor: Since you're responsible for loading the container yourself, many customers bring in hourly help. Based on moveBuddha data, hiring 2 movers for approximately 5 hours costs about $672 in Detroit, MI. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection goes beyond the standard minimum and covers repair, replacement, or reimbursement at declared value. Pricing is typically 1% - 2% of your total shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 move.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Michigan to Minnesota 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 $1,022. 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 $1,233 - $2,514.
What are the best moving containers Detroit to St. Paul?
- 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 Detroit 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 Detroit:
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.9/5), 15 years in business
- O'Sullivan Moving & Storage CO. (4.3/5), 44 years in business
- Men on the Move (4.6/5), 34 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Detroit, MI to St. Paul, MN
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 689 miles from Detroit, Michigan, to St. Paul, Minnesota, running $476 - $1,347. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $210 - $241
- Daily insurance: $29/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $19
- Detroit 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 Detroit to St. Paul based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $476 - $964
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $556 - $1,145
- 4+ bedrooms: $681 - $1,347
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Detroit to St. Paul starts at $476 - $1,347, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($210 - $241), overnight lodging ($144/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for roughly $600 - $1,200 more on top of fuel and lodging to cover meals, equipment, and other extras.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Gas: Fuel adds $210 - $241 for the 689-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 Detroit, Michigan, for about 5 hours typically costs around $672.
- Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
- Lodging: The 689-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $144 per night, adding $288 - $432 in hotel costs total.
- Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $48 and $288.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Detroit to St. Paul?
- 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 Detroit, MI to St. Paul, MN
If you're moving a larger household from Detroit, Michigan, and want to stay in control of the loading process, freight trailers offer a practical middle ground between hiring movers and renting a truck yourself. A 28-foot trailer is delivered to your door, you load what you need, and the carrier handles the drive to St. Paul, Minnesota.
Freight trailers are priced by the linear feet your belongings take up, so you only pay for the space you use. A 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route typically falls between $1,029 and $1,950.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Detroit to St. Paul:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $929 - $1,601
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,029 - $1,950
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,431 - $2,610
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?
- 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 $72 - $144 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Detroit, Michigan, for about five hours typically runs $672.
What are the best freight companies from Detroit to St. Paul?
- 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: Freight trailers are one of the fastest ways to move your belongings interstate, often beating full-service movers on delivery time. If getting your stuff to St. Paul quickly is a priority, freight is worth a hard look. That said, freight carriers typically require you to be available to receive your shipment within a set window, so if you need short-term storage or your new place won't be ready right away, a container or full-service mover may give you more flexibility.
Cost of living: Detroit, MI vs St. Paul, MN
Detroit and St. Paul land in a similar range on everyday costs. The cost of living index sits at 92 in Detroit and 102 in St. Paul, and average rent is $1,250/mo vs. $1,350/mo. With an index gap that small, you likely won't need to rework your monthly budget much after this move. For reference, walkability is 51 vs 60 and safety scores are 27.08 vs 49.14.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our St. Paul, MN to Detroit, MI guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from Michigan to Minnesota, 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 173 movers licensed in Michigan, useful context for sizing up this 689-mile move.
Our take
A move from Detroit, MI, to St. Paul, MN, 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 $1,631 - $8,357 on the 689-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,022 - $3,130, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $476 - $1,347. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $2,160 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and round-the-clock live support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Siemens and ACS Group.
FAQs: Moving from Detroit, MI, to St. Paul, MN
How much does it cost to move from Detroit, MI to St. Paul, MN?
Costs on this route range from around $476 to $8,357, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,631 and $8,357, 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.
How walkable is St. Paul?
St. Paul has a walkability score of 60 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 64, compared to 51 and 52 in Detroit. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($210 - $241), daily insurance ($29/day), and equipment rentals ($7 - $19) on top. Overnight stops can add another $144/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Minnesota?
To operate legally within the state, Minnesota household goods movers must have a current permit from the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT). Before being granted operating authority, each moving company must file a public tariff, provide proof of insurance and submit a Certificate of Compliance to MnDOT.
What is the best time of year to move from Detroit, MI to St. Paul, MN?
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 Detroit movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 42% of movers in Detroit handle piano moves, and 19% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.