($1,101+) Missoula, MT to Austin, TX Movers
Moving from Missoula, MT, to Austin, TX, runs anywhere from $1,101 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $12,124 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,813 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 $2,858, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $12,124 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,554 - $5,367, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,101 - $2,907.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Missoula, MT, to Austin, TX. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,908 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 Missoula, MT to Austin, TX
Moving options from Missoula to Austin fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $3,908 - $8,803 for a 2-3 bedroom home and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers cost about 48% less than full-service for the same size, and rental trucks land around 72% less, with both DIY options requiring you to load yourself. Covering 1,813 miles, this route usually takes 5 to 16 days from pickup to delivery.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,813-mile route from Missoula to Austin, 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 $2,858 - $6,016 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($1,554 - $2,994), rental truck ($1,101 - $2,037), or freight trailer ($1,318 - $2,464). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $3,908 - $8,803 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $12,124.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated October 30, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Missoula, MT to Austin, TX
For the 1,813-mile move from Missoula, Montana, to Austin, Texas, full-service movers cost between $2,858 and $12,124. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $358 - $2,388 (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 Missoula generally start around $342 plus $150 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Missoula to Austin:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,858 - $6,016
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,908 - $8,803
- 4+ bedrooms: $7,317 - $12,124
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 Missoula to Austin.
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 Missoula, MT to Austin, TX
Specialty needs vary by market: 50% of Missoula movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Austin, 63% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing75% of local movers | $597 - $5,970 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready50% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $239 - $1,433/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $358 - $2,866 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs50% of local movers | $1,194 - $3,582 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,985 - $11,940 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $894 - $1,699 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items25% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Moving On Up LLC | $1,194 - $2,985 |
| Piano | Any piano type25% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: Moving On Up LLC | $955 - $4,179 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling25% of local movers | $358 - $1,791 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect25% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Moving On Up LLC | $776 - $2,388 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $358 - $17,910+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $358 - $4,179+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Missoula to Austin?
If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in Southwest Movers 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 Missoula, MT, 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 Missoula, MT to Austin, TX
Moving containers from Missoula, Montana, to Austin, Texas, cost between $1,554 and $5,367. A container is delivered to your home and you load it on your own time. Loading windows vary by company: U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30. From there, the company takes over and transports it to Austin. If you go over that window, storage in Missoula adds around $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Missoula to Austin:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,554 - $2,994
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,028 - $3,913
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,745 - $5,367
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 Missoula, MT, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $836, 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 $90 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $179 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Missoula, MT, and Austin, TX, 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 Montana 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 $1,554. 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 $2,028 - $3,913.
What are the best moving containers Missoula to Austin?
- 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 Missoula 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 Missoula:
Moving truck rental costs from Missoula, MT to Austin, TX
A rental truck for this 1,813-mile move from Missoula, Montana, to Austin, Texas, costs between $1,101 and $2,907. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $689 - $787
- Daily insurance: $36/day
- Equipment rentals: $8 - $24
- Missoula daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.99 - $1.09
| 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 Missoula to Austin based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,101 - $2,037
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,088 - $2,520
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,430 - $2,907
Pro tip: A rental truck from Missoula to Austin looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $1,101 - $2,907. But once you factor in fuel ($689 - $787), overnight lodging ($179/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?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $179 per night if your drive requires an overnight stop. Typically, you'll make 1 - 3 overnight stops, depending on move distance.
- Moving labor: Bringing in professional loading help in Missoula, Montana, usually costs about $836 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 1,813-mile drive falls between $689 and $787, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, moving pads, and vehicle trailers are easy to overlook but can add between $60 and $358 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Missoula to Austin?
- 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 Missoula, MT to Austin, TX
Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from Missoula, Montana, to Austin, Texas. Standard trailers run 28 feet long, and you're only charged for the portion you actually fill. The carrier drops the trailer off, you load it at your own pace, and they handle the drive to your new city.
Pricing is based entirely on the linear footage your shipment occupies, not the full trailer length. Most long-distance freight moves land somewhere between $1,075 and $3,099.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Missoula to Austin:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,318 - $2,464
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,622 - $3,099
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,111 - $4,508
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 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 $90 and $179.
- 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 Missoula, Montana, for roughly five hours typically average $836.
What are the best freight companies from Missoula to Austin?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is our pick for best for large moves. The company is best known as a top moving container option for its hybrid model where you load and they drive, and that same model translates well to freight thanks to their 53-foot trucks and pay-by-the-foot pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Beyond their flagship container service, U-Pack also runs freight trailers with the same no-deposit, no-upfront-fee model, charging only for the linear footage you actually fill.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in Austin fast. For interstate moves, freight is one of the quickest delivery methods out there. Just keep in mind that freight carriers expect you to be available to receive your shipment, so it works best when your move-in is locked in and you don't need temporary storage on either end.
Cost of living: Missoula, MT vs Austin, TX
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Austin, side by side with Missoula on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Missoula, MT | Austin, TX |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 113 | 129 |
| Average rent | $1,322/mo | $1,765/mo |
| Median home value | $426,764 | $512,969 |
| Average income | $65,329/yr | $91,461/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 4.4% | 3.5% |
| State income tax | Up to 6.75% | None |
| Walkability score | 45/100 | 42/100 |
| Safety index | 66.73/100 | 59.87/100 |
| Air quality | Good | 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 Austin, TX to Missoula, MT guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 1 real quote from Montana to Texas 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 19 movers in our Montana network to compare for this 1,813-mile move.
Our take
For a move from Missoula, MT, to Austin, TX, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $2,858 for a studio to $12,124 for a 4+ bedroom home on the 1,813-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,554 - $5,367. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $1,101 - $2,907, 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 $3,908 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage included, and 24/7 live customer support.
Beyond the move itself, people who've relocated to Austin tend to point to delicious barbecue and phenomenal live music, though hot summers and terrible traffic come up as common complaints. Major employers in the area include Keller Williams Realty and Whole Foods Market.
FAQs: Moving from Missoula, MT, to Austin, TX
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Missoula, MT to Austin, 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 do local movers charge in Missoula?
Local movers based in Missoula typically start around $342 as a base rate, plus $150/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 Austin run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
How long does a move from Missoula, MT to Austin, TX take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 5 to 16 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 are the best neighborhoods in Austin?
For families, Rollingwood, West Lake, and Brushy Creek are worth a look in Austin. If you're moving solo or without kids, Cherrywood, North University, and Old West Austin tend to be popular picks instead.
What is the cheapest way to move from Missoula, MT to Austin, TX?
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 $1,088 - $2,520. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What percentage of Missoula movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 25% of movers in Missoula handle piano moves, and 25% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.