($938+) St. Louis, MO to Missoula, MT Movers
Moving from St. Louis, MO, to Missoula, MT, runs anywhere from $938 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $9,959 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,608 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 4 to 15 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 $2,142, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $9,959 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,406 - $4,846, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $938 - $2,726.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from St. Louis, MO, to Missoula, MT. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,806 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 Missoula, MT
Moving options from St. Louis to Missoula fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $2,806 - $6,843 for a 2-3 bedroom home and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers cost about 32% less than full-service for the same size, and rental trucks land around 63% less, with both DIY options requiring you to load yourself. Covering 1,608 miles, this route usually takes 4 to 15 days from pickup to delivery.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,608-mile route from St. Louis to Missoula, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $2,142 - $5,064 | $1,406 - $2,616 | $938 - $1,729 | $1,328 - $2,403 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,806 - $6,843 | $1,906 - $3,695 | $1,046 - $2,208 | $1,525 - $2,986 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $5,464 - $9,959 | $2,450 - $4,846 | $1,241 - $2,726 | $1,980 - $4,115 |
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 Missoula, MT
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 1,608-mile move from St. Louis, Missouri, to Missoula, Montana, with prices running from $2,142 - $9,959. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $287 - $1,912 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between St. Louis and Missoula are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, St. Louis movers tend to run around $247 as a base rate plus $145/hour per mover, for comparison.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from St. Louis to Missoula:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,142 - $5,064
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,806 - $6,843
- 4+ bedrooms: $5,464 - $9,959
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 Missoula.
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 Missoula, MT
Specialty needs vary by market: 68% of St. Louis movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Missoula, 50% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing71% of local movers | $478 - $4,780 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready68% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $191 - $1,147/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $287 - $2,294 |
| 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 | $956 - $2,868 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,390 - $9,560 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $716 - $1,360 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items31% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: McGuire Moving and Storage | $956 - $2,390 |
| Piano | Any piano type52% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $765 - $3,346 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling16% of local movers | $287 - $1,434 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect22% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: ABC Quality Moving & Storage | $621 - $1,912 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $287 - $14,340+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $287 - $3,346+ |
What are the best full-service movers from St. Louis to Missoula?
- 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 Missoula, MT
Moving containers from St. Louis, Missouri, to Missoula, Montana, cost between $1,406 and $4,846. 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 Missoula:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,406 - $2,616
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,906 - $3,695
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,450 - $4,846
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 $669, 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 $72 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $143 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both St. Louis, MO, and Missoula, MT, 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.
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 $1,406. 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 $1,906 - $3,695.
What are the best moving containers St. Louis 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 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 Missoula, MT
A rental truck for this 1,608-mile move from St. Louis, Missouri, to Missoula, Montana, costs between $938 and $2,726. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $489 - $559
- Daily insurance: $29/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $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 Missoula based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $938 - $1,729
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,046 - $2,208
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,241 - $2,726
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $938 - $2,726 does not include fuel ($489 - $559), lodging ($143/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from St. Louis to Missoula 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?
- Gas: Fuel adds $489 - $559 for the 1,608-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 St. Louis, Missouri, for about 5 hours typically costs around $669.
- Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
- Lodging: The 1,608-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $143 per night, adding $287 - $430 in hotel costs total.
- Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $48 and $287.
What are the best moving truck rentals from St. Louis 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 St. Louis, MO to Missoula, MT
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 Missoula, Montana. 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 $1,525 and $2,986.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from St. Louis to Missoula:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,328 - $2,403
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,525 - $2,986
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,980 - $4,115
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?
- 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 $72 - $143 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 $669.
What are the best freight companies from St. Louis to Missoula?
- 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 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: St. Louis, MO 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 St. Louis on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | St. Louis, MO | Missoula, MT |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 84 | 113 |
| Average rent | $1,250/mo | $1,322/mo |
| Median home value | $180,206 | $426,764 |
| Average income | $55,279/yr | $65,329/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 6.3% | 4.4% |
| State income tax | Up to 4.8% | Up to 6.75% |
| Walkability score | 66/100 | 45/100 |
| Safety index | 30.35/100 | 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 St. Louis, MO guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 1 real quote from Missouri to Montana 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 138 movers in our Missouri network to compare for this 1,608-mile move.
Our take
For a move from St. Louis, MO, to Missoula, MT, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $2,142 for a studio to $9,959 for a 4+ bedroom home on the 1,608-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,406 - $4,846. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $938 - $2,726, though you'll be handling the driving and loading yourself. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with quotes starting around $2,806 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage included, and 24/7 live customer support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Walmart AT&T and Target.
FAQs: Moving from St. Louis, MO, to Missoula, MT
Is Missoula a safe place to live?
Missoula has a safety index of 66.73 out of 100 and a crime index of 33.27, 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.
How walkable is Missoula?
Missoula has a walkability score of 45 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 60, compared to 66 and 58 in St. Louis. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
What are the best neighborhoods in Missoula?
For families, Lewis And Clark, Rose Park, and Miller Creek are worth a look in Missoula. If you're moving solo or without kids, Heart Of Missoula, Lewis And Clark, and Farviews And Pattee tend to be popular picks instead.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Montana?
In Montana, local and intrastate movers need to have a valid Public Service Commission (PSC) number issued by the Montana Department of Transportation (MDOT).
What do local movers charge in St. Louis?
Local movers based in St. Louis typically start around $247 as a base rate, plus $145/hour per mover. That's a useful baseline if you're hiring help just to load a rental truck or container rather than booking a full long-distance move. Rates in Missoula run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
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.