($360+) Dayton, OH to St. Louis, MO Movers
Moving from Dayton, OH, to St. Louis, MO, runs anywhere from $339 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,388 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 359 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 1 to 4 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 $1,199, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $7,388 or more.
- Moving containers run $898 - $3,021, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $339 - $924.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Dayton, OH, to St. Louis, MO. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $1,797 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 Dayton, OH to St. Louis, MO
Moving options from Dayton to St. Louis fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $1,797 - $5,143 on this route, with movers handling all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 60% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This 359-mile route typically takes 1 to 4 days door to door.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 359-mile route from Dayton to St. Louis, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,199 - $4,139 | $898 - $1,724 | $339 - $638 | $792 - $1,507 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $1,797 - $5,143 | $1,220 - $2,261 | $391 - $811 | $909 - $1,718 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $2,853 - $7,388 | $1,505 - $3,021 | $485 - $924 | $1,216 - $2,256 |
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 Dayton, OH to St. Louis, MO
Hiring full-service movers from Dayton, Ohio, to St. Louis, Missouri, costs between $1,199 and $7,388. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 359-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $245 - $1,632, 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 Dayton and St. Louis. For a rough baseline, movers based in Dayton tend to start around $330 plus $140/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 Dayton to St. Louis:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,199 - $4,139
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,797 - $5,143
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,853 - $7,388
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 Dayton to St. Louis.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Ohio to Missouri. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: The summer months (May - September) are the busiest time of year for movers during peak moving season, which drives up prices and limits scheduling options. If you can move in the fall or winter, you'll likely find better rates and more flexibility.
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Specialty moving services from Dayton, OH to St. Louis, MO
Specialty needs vary by market — 88% of Dayton movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In St. Louis, 86% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $408 - $4,080 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready88% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: American Way Van & Storage | $163 - $979/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $245 - $1,958 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage6% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs38% of local movers | $816 - $2,448 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,040 - $8,160 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $611 - $1,161 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items25% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: American Way Van & Storage | $816 - $2,040 |
| Piano | Any piano type44% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: American Way Van & Storage | $653 - $2,856 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling13% of local movers | $245 - $1,224 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect22% nationallyTop pick: | $530 - $1,632 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $245 - $12,240+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $245 - $2,856+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Dayton to St. Louis?
- 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.
How much do local movers cost in Dayton, OH?
Based on recent quotes for this route, a 2-bedroom move from Dayton to St. Louis with a local mover averages $1,850 - $5,297. A local mover in Dayton, OH is worth considering for moves under 500 miles. Short-distance moves don't always need the scale of a national carrier, and local companies can offer streamlined service, more flexible pickup windows, and a more personal approach to coordination.
Be sure to confirm interstate licensing, insurance coverage, and delivery expectations before booking.
TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.62/5 stars) is a local mover in Dayton, based on our analysis of feedback from 247 customers, 87.4% of which is positive.
Address: 11807 Reading Road, Cincinnati, OH, 45241 | Founded: 2004
Moving container costs from Dayton, OH to St. Louis, MO
Moving containers from Dayton, Ohio, to St. Louis, Missouri, cost between $898 and $3,021. 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 Dayton runs about $60/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Dayton to St. Louis:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $898 - $1,724
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,220 - $2,261
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,505 - $3,021
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 $571 in Dayton, OH. 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 $61 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $122 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 St. Louis, MO, destination before booking.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Ohio to Missouri 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 $898. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,220 - $2,261, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Dayton to St. Louis?
- 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 Dayton 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 Dayton:
- Lincoln Storage & Moving Inc (3.9/5), 110 years in business
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.6/5), 25 years in business
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.9/5), 6 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Dayton, OH to St. Louis, MO
A rental truck for this 359-mile move from Dayton, Ohio, to St. Louis, Missouri, costs between $339 and $924. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $93 - $107
- Daily insurance: $24/day
- Equipment rentals: $6 - $16
- Dayton 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 Dayton to St. Louis based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $339 - $638
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $391 - $811
- 4+ bedrooms: $485 - $924
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $339 - $924 when pricing out a rental truck from Dayton to St. Louis. Fuel alone runs ($93 - $107) , and overnight lodging ($122/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend an additional $600 - $1,200 beyond the base rate by the time the move is done.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $122 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 $53 and $265 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $93 - $107 in fuel for the 359-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $571 in Dayton, Ohio, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Dayton to St. Louis?
- 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 Dayton, OH to St. Louis, MO
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Dayton, Ohio, to St. Louis, Missouri, when you want to do the loading yourself without having to drive a massive vehicle. The trailer is delivered, you pack it up, and the carrier handles the long haul.
What sets freight trailers apart is the pay-for-what-you-use pricing model. Each additional foot of trailer space you occupy adds to the cost. Overall pricing for a move of this size and distance typically lands around $909 and $1,718.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Dayton to St. Louis:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $792 - $1,507
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $909 - $1,718
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,216 - $2,256
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 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 $61 and $122.
- 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 Dayton, Ohio, for roughly five hours typically average $571.
What are the best freight companies from Dayton to St. Louis?
- 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.
- ACE Doran Hauling & Rigging Co (4.88/5 stars): ACE Doran Hauling & Rigging Co is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned and operated facilities give you direct access to support staff who know the area and can coordinate pickups and deliveries with greater flexibility than national carriers.
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 St. Louis 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: Dayton, OH vs St. Louis, MO
Dayton and St. Louis land in a similar range on everyday costs. The cost of living index sits at 80 in Dayton and 84 in St. Louis, and rent tracks closely too ($925/mo vs. $1,250/mo). You likely won't need to rework your monthly budget much after this move. Walkability (45 vs 66) and safety scores (40.68 vs 30.35) come out about the same too.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our St. Louis, MO to Dayton, OH guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from Ohio to Missouri, 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 103 movers licensed in Ohio, useful context for sizing up this 359-mile move.
Our take
A move from Dayton, OH, to St. Louis, MO, gives you several options depending on your budget and how much you want to do yourself. Full-service movers handle everything but cost the most, ranging from $1,199 - $7,388 on the 359-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $898 - $3,021, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $339 - $924. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $1,797 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and round-the-clock live support.
Beyond the move itself, people who've relocated to St. Louis tend to point to rich culture and bountiful arts and recreational activities, though poor education and high crime rate come up as common complaints. Major employers in the area include BJC HealthCare and Walmart.
FAQs: Moving from Dayton, OH, to St. Louis, MO
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($93 - $107), daily insurance ($24/day), and equipment rentals ($6 - $16) on top. Overnight stops can add another $122/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How long does a move from Dayton, OH to St. Louis, MO take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 5 - 7 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are usually the fastest option outside of driving yourself, with deliveries in 3 - 5 days, 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 is the best time of year to move from Dayton, OH to St. Louis, MO?
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.
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Dayton, OH to St. Louis, MO?
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.
Is St. Louis a safe place to live?
St. Louis has a safety index of 30.35 out of 100 and a crime index of 69.65, compared to 40.68 and 4.0 in Dayton. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What percentage of Dayton movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 44% of movers in Dayton handle piano moves, and 25% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
