($584+) St. Louis, MO to Arlington, VA Movers
Moving from St. Louis, MO, to Arlington, VA, runs anywhere from $566 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,129 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 818 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 2 to 7 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 $1,835, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $8,129 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,118 - $3,729, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $566 - $1,618.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from St. Louis, MO, to Arlington, VA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,347 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
Compare moving options from St. Louis, MO to Arlington, VA
There are 3 main ways to move from St. Louis to Arlington: 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 $2,347 - $5,666. Moving containers run about 30% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 60% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 2 to 7 days for this 818-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 818-mile route from St. Louis to Arlington, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,835 - $4,412 | $1,118 - $1,997 | $566 - $1,100 | $1,005 - $1,798 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,347 - $5,666 | $1,495 - $2,714 | $636 - $1,334 | $1,149 - $2,331 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $3,996 - $8,129 | $1,889 - $3,729 | $789 - $1,618 | $1,574 - $2,894 |
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from St. Louis, MO to Arlington, VA
Full-service movers for the 818-mile relocation from St. Louis, Missouri, to Arlington, Virginia, cost between $1,835 and $8,129. 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 $348 - $2,320, 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 Arlington:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,835 - $4,412
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,347 - $5,666
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,996 - $8,129
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 Arlington.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Missouri to Virginia. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
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 St. Louis, MO to Arlington, VA
Specialty needs vary by market — 86% of St. Louis movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Arlington, 94% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing93% of local movers | $580 - $5,800 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready86% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: ABC Quality Moving & Storage | $232 - $1,392/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $348 - $2,784 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage36% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs86% of local movers | $1,160 - $3,480 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,900 - $11,600 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $869 - $1,651 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items36% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: ABC Quality Moving & Storage | $1,160 - $2,900 |
| Piano | Any piano type64% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Arch Moving | $928 - $4,060 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling21% of local movers | $348 - $1,740 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect14% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: ABC Quality Moving & Storage | $754 - $2,320 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $348 - $17,400+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $348 - $4,060+ |
What are the best full-service movers from St. Louis to Arlington?
If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in Virginia Movers & Warehousemen’s Association is a good first thing to confirm.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving offers the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing locks in your cost upfront, and 24/7 customer support is available throughout the move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. Operating since 1995, AVL staffs every move with full-time in-house crews trained on antiques, art, and other high-value items.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. As one of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, real-time shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan.
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 Arlington, VA
Moving containers from St. Louis, Missouri, to Arlington, Virginia, cost between $1,118 and $3,729. You're in charge of loading, and the timeline is yours to set. U-Haul allows 3 days while PODS gives you a full 30. After that, the company picks it up and delivers it to your new address. Running behind schedule? Storage in St. Louis costs roughly $90/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from St. Louis to Arlington:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,118 - $1,997
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,495 - $2,714
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,889 - $3,729
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Access: Most major container brands operate in both St. Louis, MO and Arlington, VA. 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 $812 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 $87 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $174 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 Virginia 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 $1,118. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,495 - $2,714, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers St. Louis to Arlington?
- 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:
- Arch Moving (4.7/5), 23 years in business
- ABC Quality Moving & Storage (4.6/5), 37 years in business
- Simple Moves (4.7/5), 25 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from St. Louis, MO to Arlington, VA
Plan on $566 - $1,618 for a rental moving truck on the 818-mile route from St. Louis, Missouri, to Arlington, Virginia. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $302 - $345
- 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 Arlington based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $566 - $1,100
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $636 - $1,334
- 4+ bedrooms: $789 - $1,618
Pro tip: The base rate of $566 - $1,618 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from St. Louis to Arlington. Fuel ($302 - $345) , lodging at around $174/night, meals, and equipment rentals are all on top of that. Factor in an extra $600 - $1,200 to get a realistic picture of what the move will actually cost.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $174 per night. Most long-distance moves with rental trucks require 1 - 3 overnight stops.
- Equipment: Tow dollies, auto trailers, and specialty moving equipment can add between $75 and $377 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $302 - $345 in fuel for the 818-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $812 in St. Louis, Missouri, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from St. Louis to Arlington?
- 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 Arlington, VA
For larger DIY moves from St. Louis, Missouri, freight trailers give you plenty of room without putting you behind the wheel. Standard trailers are 28 feet long. You load the section you need, and the carrier transports everything to Arlington, Virginia.
Because freight companies bill by linear footage, your total is based on how much of the trailer you occupy, not the full length. For most medium-to-large moves on this route, pricing typically falls between $1,149 and $2,331.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from St. Louis to Arlington:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,005 - $1,798
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,149 - $2,331
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,574 - $2,894
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?
- More space: Freight pricing is based on exactly how much of the trailer you fill. If your items take up more than expected, the added footage can increase your cost by between $87 and $174.
- Peak season impact: Moving during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) often means higher trailer rates as demand increases across the board.
- Moving labor: Unless you plan to load everything yourself, factor in labor costs. Two movers in St. Louis, Missouri, for roughly five hours typically average $812.
What are the best freight companies from St. Louis to Arlington?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the pick for best for large moves. The company is well-regarded as a top moving container option for its load-it-yourself, we-drive-it model, and that same model makes it a strong freight option for larger homes that benefit from the company's 53-foot trucks and footage-based pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Alongside their flagship container service, U-Pack provides a top-notch freight trailer option that follows the same model: no deposits, no upfront fees, and pricing based on the linear footage you actually use.
- Flanagan-White Delivery, Inc. (4.42/5 stars): Flanagan-White Delivery, Inc. is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned and based facilities mean accessible support staff and area-specific scheduling flexibility that national-only freight carriers typically don't match.
Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from St. Louis to Arlington, 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 Arlington, VA
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Arlington, side by side with St. Louis on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | St. Louis, MO | Arlington, VA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 84 | 164 |
| Average rent | $1,250/mo | $2,718/mo |
| Median home value | $180,206 | $866,334 |
| Average income | $55,279/yr | $140,160/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 6.3% | 4.0% |
| State income tax | Up to 4.8% | Up to 5.75% |
| Walkability score | 66/100 | 71/100 |
| Safety index | 30.35/100 | 79.15/100 |
| 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 Arlington, VA to St. Louis, MO guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from Missouri to Virginia, so our pricing data reflects what movers are actually charging right now. Check our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers, the best way to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and bad actors. We track 54 movers in Missouri, so you have real options to compare for this 818-mile move.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from St. Louis, MO, to Arlington, VA, 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 $1,835 - $8,129 on the 818-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,118 - $3,729 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $566 - $1,618 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $2,347 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 U.S. Department of Defense and Safran.
FAQs: Moving from St. Louis, MO, to Arlington, VA
What are the best neighborhoods in Arlington?
For families, Arlington Ridge, Barcroft, and Chain Bridge Forest are worth a look in Arlington. If you're moving solo or without kids, Aurora Highlands, Ballston-Virginia Square, and Bluemont tend to be popular picks instead.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Virginia?
In addition to filing tariffs and complying with insurance, bond, and highway safety requirements, all intrastate moving companies in Virginia must have a certificate from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (VaDMV).
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 Arlington run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
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 3 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
How much does it cost to move from St. Louis, MO to Arlington, VA?
Costs on this route range from around $1,835 to $8,129, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,835 and $8,129, 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 64% of movers in St. Louis handle piano moves, and 36% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.