($417+) St. Louis, MO to Ann Arbor, MI Movers
Moving from St. Louis, MO, to Ann Arbor, MI, runs anywhere from $417 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,482 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 508 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 $1,129, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $7,482 or more.
- Moving containers run $928 - $3,072, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $417 - $1,052.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from St. Louis, MO, to Ann Arbor, MI. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $1,884 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 Ann Arbor, MI
Moving options from St. Louis to Ann Arbor fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $1,884 - $5,015 on this route, with movers handling all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 36% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 75% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This 508-mile route typically takes 1 to 6 days door to door.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 508-mile route from St. Louis to Ann Arbor, 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 $1,129 - $3,870 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($928 - $1,714), rental truck ($417 - $752), or freight trailer ($860 - $1,511). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $1,884 - $5,015 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $7,482.
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 Ann Arbor, MI
Hiring full-service movers from St. Louis, Missouri, to Ann Arbor, Michigan, costs between $1,129 and $7,482. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 508-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $278 - $1,856, depending on the size of your home. Your final cost comes down to two things: the total weight of your shipment and the distance between St. Louis and Ann Arbor. For a rough baseline, movers based in St. Louis tend to start around $247 plus $145/hour per mover on local jobs, before long-distance pricing takes over for a move this size.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from St. Louis to Ann Arbor:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,129 - $3,870
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,884 - $5,015
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,463 - $7,482
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 Ann Arbor.
Pro tip: Moving company rates climb during peak moving season (May –-September) when demand peaks. Scheduling your move outside of that window can lead to noticeably lower costs and better availability.
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Specialty moving services from St. Louis, MO to Ann Arbor, MI
Specialty needs vary by market: 68% of St. Louis movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Ann Arbor, 57% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing71% of local movers | $464 - $4,640 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready68% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $186 - $1,114/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $278 - $2,227 |
| 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 | $928 - $2,784 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,320 - $9,280 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $695 - $1,321 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items31% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: McGuire Moving and Storage | $928 - $2,320 |
| Piano | Any piano type52% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $742 - $3,248 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling16% of local movers | $278 - $1,392 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect22% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: ABC Quality Moving & Storage | $603 - $1,856 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $278 - $13,920+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $278 - $3,248+ |
What are the best full-service movers from St. Louis to Ann Arbor?
Michigan Movers Association membership is a quick way to confirm a mover is legitimate in Michigan, on top of the picks below.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing means no surprise charges on moving day, and their support team is consistently rated among the most responsive in the industry.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here, 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, with 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 movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in St. Louis, MO. 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 St. Louis, MO to Ann Arbor, MI
Moving containers from St. Louis, Missouri, to Ann Arbor, Michigan, cost between $928 and $3,072. The container gets dropped at your door and you load it at your own pace. U-Haul gives you 3 days to load and PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're done, the company handles all the transportation. If you need extra time, storage in St. Louis runs about $90/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from St. Louis to Ann Arbor:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $928 - $1,714
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,201 - $2,297
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,630 - $3,072
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Containers are self-loaded, so many people hire hourly help for the heavy lifting. moveBuddha data shows two movers for about five hours runs around $650 in St. Louis, MO. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: If you want stronger coverage than the default liability, full-value protection is the upgrade to consider. Most providers charge 1% - 2% of your shipment value, roughly $500 - $1,000 for $50,000 in contents.
- Storage: After the first month, rental fees average $70 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $139 per month for a larger 12- to 16-foot unit.
- Access: If you anticipate needing to access items while in storage, confirm there's a facility conveniently located near your Ann Arbor, MI, destination before booking.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Missouri to Michigan 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 $928. 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 $1,201 - $2,297.
What are the best moving containers St. Louis to Ann Arbor?
- 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 Ann Arbor, MI
Truck rentals from St. Louis, Missouri, to Ann Arbor, Michigan, range from $417 - $1,052 for the 508-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $150 - $171
- Daily insurance: $28/day
- Equipment rentals: $6 - $19
- 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 Ann Arbor based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $417 - $752
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $463 - $883
- 4+ bedrooms: $527 - $1,052
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $417 - $1,052 does not include fuel ($150 - $171), lodging ($139/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from St. Louis to Ann Arbor typically runs more than the base rate alone, with meals, equipment, and other extras adding roughly $600 - $1,200 on top of fuel and lodging.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in St. Louis, Missouri, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $650.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $150 - $171 for the 508-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 $56 and $302, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $139 per night for hotel stops on the 508-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $278 - $418.
What are the best moving truck rentals from St. Louis to Ann Arbor?
- 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 Ann Arbor, MI
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 Ann Arbor, Michigan. 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 $912 and $1,856.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from St. Louis to Ann Arbor:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $860 - $1,511
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $912 - $1,856
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,292 - $2,290
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?
- More space: Freight trailers are billed by the section you fill. If you misjudge your shipment size, each extra foot of trailer space adds around $70 - $139 to your final bill.
- Peak season pricing: Expect higher rates during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) when trailer availability tightens across the country.
- Moving labor: Loading is on you unless you hire outside help. A half-day crew of two movers in St. Louis, Missouri, typically costs $650.
What are the best freight companies from St. Louis to Ann Arbor?
- 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 Ann Arbor 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: St. Louis, MO vs Ann Arbor, MI
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Ann Arbor, side by side with St. Louis on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | St. Louis, MO | Ann Arbor, MI |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 84 | 106 |
| Average rent | $1,250/mo | $2,260/mo |
| Median home value | $180,206 | $435,434 |
| Average income | $55,279/yr | $81,089/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 6.3% | 3.5% |
| State income tax | Up to 4.8% | Up to 4.25% |
| Walkability score | 66/100 | 52/100 |
| Safety index | 30.35/100 | 79.18/100 |
| 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 Ann Arbor, MI 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 Michigan, 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 508-mile move like this one.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 508-mile route from St. Louis, MO, to Ann Arbor, MI, run $1,129 - $7,482 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $928 - $3,072, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $417 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $1,884, 30 days of free storage, and a 24/7 support team you can actually reach.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include University of Michigan and NSK Americas, Inc..
FAQs: Moving from St. Louis, MO, to Ann Arbor, MI
What is the best time of year to move from St. Louis, MO to Ann Arbor, MI?
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 long does a move from St. Louis, MO to Ann Arbor, MI take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 1 to 6 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are often one of the faster options outside of driving yourself, 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 extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($150 - $171), daily insurance ($28/day), and equipment rentals ($6 - $19) on top. Overnight stops can add another $139/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
What is the cheapest way to move from St. Louis, MO to Ann Arbor, MI?
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 $463 - $883. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
How much does it cost to move from St. Louis, MO to Ann Arbor, MI?
Costs on this route range from around $417 to $7,482, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,129 and $7,482, 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 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.