($1,089+) St. Louis, MO to Long Beach, CA Movers
Moving from St. Louis, MO, to Long Beach, CA, runs anywhere from $1,089 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $10,260 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,839 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 5 to 16 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 $2,250, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $10,260 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,471 - $5,294, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,089 - $3,055.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from St. Louis, MO, to Long Beach, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,082 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 St. Louis, MO to Long Beach, CA
There are 3 main ways to move from St. Louis to Long Beach: 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 $3,082 - $6,797. Moving containers run about 40% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 63% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 5 to 16 days for this 1,839-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 1,839-mile route from St. Louis to Long Beach, broken down by home size:
Home size makes the biggest difference in what you'll pay on this route. A studio or 1-bedroom runs $2,250 - $4,914 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($1,471 - $2,754), rental truck ($1,089 - $2,016), or freight trailer ($1,365 - $2,556). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $3,082 - $6,797 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $10,260.
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 St. Louis, MO to Long Beach, CA
For the 1,839-mile move from St. Louis, Missouri, to Long Beach, California, full-service movers cost between $2,250 and $10,260. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $346 - $2,304 (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 St. Louis generally start around $247 plus $145 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from St. Louis to Long Beach:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,250 - $4,914
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,082 - $6,797
- 4+ bedrooms: $5,908 - $10,260
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 St. Louis to Long Beach.
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 St. Louis, MO to Long Beach, CA
Specialty needs vary by market: 68% of St. Louis movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Long Beach, 55% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing71% of local movers | $576 - $5,760 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready68% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $230 - $1,382/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $346 - $2,765 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage13% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs67% of local movers | $1,152 - $3,456 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,880 - $11,520 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $863 - $1,639 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items31% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: McGuire Moving and Storage | $1,152 - $2,880 |
| Piano | Any piano type52% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $922 - $4,032 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling16% of local movers | $346 - $1,728 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect22% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: ABC Quality Moving & Storage | $749 - $2,304 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $346 - $17,280+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $346 - $4,032+ |
What are the best full-service movers from St. Louis to Long Beach?
Movers licensed to operate in California are typically members of the California Moving & Storage Association, worth checking for before you book any of the three below.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 customer support, and 30 days of free storage are included with every move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list, 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, combining 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 van lines are the smarter financial choice over local movers in St. Louis, MO. 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 St. Louis, MO to Long Beach, CA
Moving containers from St. Louis, Missouri, to Long Beach, California, cost between $1,471 and $5,294. With a moving container, you load on your own schedule. U-Haul gives you 3 days to fill yours, while PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're ready, the company transports it straight to your new place. Need more time first? Storage in St. Louis typically costs about $90/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from St. Louis to Long Beach:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,471 - $2,754
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,864 - $4,175
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,627 - $5,294
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Because loading is on you with a container move, hourly labor help is a popular add-on. In St. Louis, MO, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $806, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: After the first month, ongoing rental fees kick in. A small container (7 - 8 feet) averages about $86 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $173 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both St. Louis, MO, and Long Beach, CA, but confirm a facility is within reasonable distance if you need to retrieve items while in storage.
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection provides broader coverage than the standard liability in your contract. It typically costs 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on $50,000 worth of belongings.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Missouri to California 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 $1,471. 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 $1,864 - $4,175.
What are the best moving containers St. Louis to Long Beach?
- 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 St. Louis 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 St. Louis:
- Simple Moves (4.7/5), 25 years in business
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.8/5), 32 years in business
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.9/5), 14 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from St. Louis, MO to Long Beach, CA
A rental truck for this 1,839-mile move from St. Louis, Missouri, to Long Beach, California, costs between $1,089 and $3,055. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $674 - $770
- Daily insurance: $35/day
- Equipment rentals: $8 - $23
- St. Louis daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.99
| 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 St. Louis to Long Beach based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,089 - $2,016
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,145 - $2,424
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,429 - $3,055
Pro tip: A rental truck from St. Louis to Long Beach looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $1,089 - $3,055. But once you factor in fuel ($674 - $770), overnight lodging ($173/night), meals, and equipment rentals, most people end up spending roughly $600 - $1,200 more on meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging. Building that into your budget upfront saves you from sticker shock at the end of the move.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Equipment: Tow dollies, appliance dollies, and moving pads are not included in the base rate. These extras often total between $86 and $403.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $173.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $674 and $770 for the 1,839-mile drive, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: If you'd rather not do all the heavy lifting, budget around $806 for 2 movers in St. Louis, Missouri, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from St. Louis to Long Beach?
- 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 St. Louis, MO to Long Beach, CA
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 St. Louis, Missouri, to Long Beach, California. 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 $1,568 and $3,213.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from St. Louis to Long Beach:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,365 - $2,556
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,568 - $3,213
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,122 - $4,107
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?
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In St. Louis, Missouri, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $806.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $86 - $173 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 St. Louis to Long Beach?
- 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.
Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from St. Louis to Long Beach, 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: St. Louis, MO vs Long Beach, CA
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Long Beach, side by side with St. Louis on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | St. Louis, MO | Long Beach, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 84 | 162 |
| Average rent | $1,250/mo | $2,075/mo |
| Median home value | $180,206 | $762,188 |
| Average income | $55,279/yr | $83,969/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 6.3% | 5.2% |
| State income tax | Up to 4.8% | Up to 13.3% |
| Walkability score | 66/100 | 73/100 |
| Safety index | 30.35/100 | 41.42/100 |
| 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 Long Beach, CA to St. Louis, MO guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Missouri to California, 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. Missouri alone has 138 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 1,839-mile move like this one.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from St. Louis, MO, to Long Beach, CA, 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 $2,250 - $10,260 on the 1,839-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,471 - $5,294 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $1,089 - $3,055 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $3,082 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 UTi Worldwide and Molina Healthcare.
FAQs: Moving from St. Louis, MO, to Long Beach, CA
What is the best time of year to move from St. Louis, MO to Long Beach, CA?
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 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.
Is Long Beach a safe place to live?
Long Beach has a safety index of 41.42 out of 100 and a crime index of 58.58, compared to 30.35 and 69.65 in St. Louis. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What is the cheapest way to move from St. Louis, MO to Long Beach, CA?
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 $1,145 - $2,424. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What are the best neighborhoods in Long Beach?
For families, Bixby Village, Los Altos, and Wrigley Heights are worth a look in Long Beach. If you're moving solo or without kids, Belmont Shore, Recreation Park, and Carroll Park tend to be popular picks instead.
What percentage of St. Louis movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 52% of movers in St. Louis handle piano moves, and 31% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.