($744+) St. Louis, MO to McAllen, TX Movers
Moving from St. Louis, MO, to McAllen, TX, runs anywhere from $744 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,901 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,136 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 2 to 8 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 $2,070, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $7,901 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,191 - $4,139, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $744 - $2,051.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from St. Louis, MO, to McAllen, TX. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,575 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 McAllen, TX
Moving options from St. Louis to McAllen fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move on this route costs $2,575 - $5,728 and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 37% less for the same home size, while rental trucks land about 71% less, though both require you to load the truck or container yourself. This route spans 1,136 miles and typically takes 2 to 8 days.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,136-mile route from St. Louis to McAllen, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $2,070 - $4,798 | $1,191 - $2,182 | $744 - $1,430 | $1,105 - $1,984 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,575 - $5,728 | $1,612 - $3,070 | $750 - $1,700 | $1,240 - $2,481 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,363 - $7,901 | $2,096 - $4,139 | $971 - $2,051 | $1,626 - $3,344 |
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 McAllen, TX
Full-service movers for the 1,136-mile relocation from St. Louis, Missouri, to McAllen, Texas, cost between $2,070 and $7,901. 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 $242 - $1,616, 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 St. Louis typically charge a base rate around $247 plus $145 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from St. Louis to McAllen:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,070 - $4,798
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,575 - $5,728
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,363 - $7,901
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 McAllen.
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 St. Louis, MO to McAllen, TX
Specialty needs vary by market: 68% of St. Louis movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In McAllen, 63% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing71% of local movers | $404 - $4,040 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready68% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $162 - $970/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $242 - $1,939 |
| 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 | $808 - $2,424 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,020 - $8,080 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $605 - $1,150 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items31% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: McGuire Moving and Storage | $808 - $2,020 |
| Piano | Any piano type52% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $646 - $2,828 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling16% of local movers | $242 - $1,212 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect22% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: ABC Quality Moving & Storage | $525 - $1,616 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $242 - $12,120+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $242 - $2,828+ |
What are the best full-service movers from St. Louis to McAllen?
Southwest Movers Association membership is a quick way to confirm a mover is legitimate in Texas, 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 full-service movers are the more cost-efficient choice. Local movers in St. Louis, MO, often charge 30% - 40% more at that distance because their operations aren't built for long-haul logistics. The exception is if you want a dedicated point-to-point truck with an average 2-day delivery, though that level of service generally increases your total cost.
Moving container costs from St. Louis, MO to McAllen, TX
Moving containers from St. Louis, Missouri, to McAllen, Texas, cost between $1,191 and $4,139. 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 McAllen:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,191 - $2,182
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,612 - $3,070
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,096 - $4,139
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Access: Most major container brands operate in both St. Louis, MO and McAllen, TX. Still, double-check that a nearby facility is available if you need to access your belongings before delivery.
- Moving labor: Because containers are self-loaded, many customers hire hourly help. Two movers for about 5 hours typically cost around $566 in St. Louis, MO, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $61 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $121 for larger ones (12 - 16 feet).
- Added contents protection: For more coverage beyond the standard minimum, full-value protection is the typical upgrade, generally 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value. On a $50,000 household, that's roughly $500 - $1,000 as a one-time fee.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Missouri to Texas 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 $1,191. 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 $1,612 - $3,070.
What are the best moving containers St. Louis to McAllen?
- 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 McAllen, TX
Truck rentals from St. Louis, Missouri, to McAllen, Texas, range from $744 - $2,051 for the 1,136-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $292 - $334
- Daily insurance: $24/day
- Equipment rentals: $6 - $16
- 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 McAllen based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $744 - $1,430
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $750 - $1,700
- 4+ bedrooms: $971 - $2,051
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $744 - $2,051 when pricing out a rental truck from St. Louis to McAllen. Fuel alone runs $292 - $334, and overnight lodging ($121/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend roughly $600 - $1,200 more on meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging by the time the move is done.
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 $61 and $283.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $121.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $292 and $334 for the 1,136-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 $566 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 McAllen?
- 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 McAllen, TX
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 McAllen, Texas. 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 $1,240 and $2,481.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from St. Louis to McAllen:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,105 - $1,984
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,240 - $2,481
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,626 - $3,344
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 $61 - $121 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 $566.
What are the best freight companies from St. Louis to McAllen?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Primarily known as a top moving container option for its DIY hybrid model where customers load and the company drives, MovingYourself also functions as a strong freight option thanks to its 53-foot trucks and pay-only-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. Best known for its container service, U-Pack also runs a top-notch freight trailer operation with the same no-deposit, pay-by-the-foot approach that keeps overall costs lower than most freight competitors.
Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from St. Louis to McAllen. If you have a hard move-in date and want your stuff there as soon as possible, freight is hard to beat. It's worth noting that freight works best when you're ready to receive your delivery, so if your move-in date is still up in the air or you'll need short-term storage, a moving container is likely the more practical choice.
Cost of living: St. Louis, MO vs McAllen, TX
Day-to-day costs in McAllen are close to what you're used to in St. Louis: cost of living index of 76 versus 84, with average rent of $1,350/mo compared to $1,250/mo. With an index gap that small, budgeting for this move mostly comes down to the moving costs above rather than a shift in your monthly expenses. For reference, walkability and safety scores are 66/100 and 30.35/100 in St. Louis versus 41/100 and 63.74/100 in McAllen.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our McAllen, TX to St. Louis, MO guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from Missouri to Texas, 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 138 movers licensed in Missouri, useful context for sizing up this 1,136-mile move.
Our take
For a move from St. Louis, MO, to McAllen, TX, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $2,070 for a studio to $7,901 for a 4+ bedroom home on the 1,136-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,191 - $4,139. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $744 - $2,051, 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 $2,575 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 The Monitor Group and Am-Mex Products.
FAQs: Moving from St. Louis, MO, to McAllen, TX
What are the best neighborhoods in McAllen?
For families, North McAllen, Sharyland Plantation, and Tres Lagos are worth a look in McAllen. If you're moving solo or without kids, Downtown McAllen, South McAllen, and La Vista tend to be popular picks instead.
How walkable is McAllen?
McAllen has a walkability score of 41 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 46, 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.
Is McAllen a safe place to live?
McAllen has a safety index of 63.74 out of 100 and a crime index of 36.26, 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 are some tips for saving money on a move from St. Louis, MO to McAllen, TX?
Cutting 500 pounds from your shipment, roughly one bedroom's worth of items, saves approximately $200 - $400 on a full-service move on this route. Beyond that, staying organized matters just as much. A solid moving checklist keeps you on schedule and helps you avoid costly last-minute mistakes.
What is the best time of year to move from St. Louis, MO to McAllen, TX?
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. Texas also has a hurricane season running June through November, worth factoring into your timing if you have flexibility. A midweek, mid-month date outside peak season is your best bet for saving money.
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.