($1,507+) Portland, OR to Arlington, VA Movers
Moving from Portland, OR, to Arlington, VA, runs anywhere from $1,507 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $13,698 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 2,804 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 7 to 21 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 $2,833, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $13,698 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,960 - $7,389, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,507 - $4,359.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Portland, OR, to Arlington, VA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $4,314 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
Fact Checked by:
Compare moving options from Portland, OR to Arlington, VA
There are 3 main ways to move from Portland to Arlington: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service is the most expensive but covers everything from labor to transportation, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route averaging $4,314 - $9,473. Containers cost roughly 41% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 62% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 2,804 miles, expect 7 to 21 days in transit no matter which service you choose.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 2,804-mile route from Portland to Arlington, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $2,833 - $6,911 | $1,960 - $3,813 | $1,507 - $3,073 | $1,659 - $3,363 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $4,314 - $9,473 | $2,541 - $5,206 | $1,633 - $3,767 | $2,074 - $4,375 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $8,793 - $13,698 | $3,541 - $7,389 | $2,042 - $4,359 | $2,666 - $5,854 |
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 Portland, OR to Arlington, VA
For the 2,804-mile move from Portland, Oregon, to Arlington, Virginia, full-service movers cost between $2,833 and $13,698. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $427 - $2,848 (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 Portland generally start around $278 plus $130 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Portland to Arlington:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,833 - $6,911
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $4,314 - $9,473
- 4+ bedrooms: $8,793 - $13,698
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 Portland to Arlington.
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.
Don't see your company listed?
Reach customers actively searching for trusted movers in your area. Tell us about your company and services to get your business listed on moveBuddha.
Specialty moving services from Portland, OR to Arlington, VA
Specialty needs vary by market: 57% of Portland movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Arlington, 70% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing73% of local movers | $712 - $7,120 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready57% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: 2 Brothers Moving & Delivery | $285 - $1,709/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $427 - $3,418 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage17% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs56% of local movers | $1,424 - $4,272 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,560 - $14,240 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,067 - $2,026 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items26% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: All Service Moving | $1,424 - $3,560 |
| Piano | Any piano type34% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: 2 Brothers Moving & Delivery | $1,139 - $4,984 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling10% of local movers | $427 - $2,136 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect11% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $926 - $2,848 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $427 - $21,360+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $427 - $4,984+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Portland to Arlington?
All three below meet the standards set by the Virginia Movers & Warehousemen’s Association, the group most Virginia movers are affiliated with.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list, with flat-rate pricing that holds firm on moving day and a customer support team available around the clock.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here. With 30+ years of interstate moves behind them, AVL uses full-time in-house crews instead of the contracted labor most national carriers rely on.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, with fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan available on every long-distance move.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Portland, OR. At that distance, local movers often charge 30% - 40% more because they don't spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments the way national carriers do. If a direct route and faster delivery (averaging 2 days) are priorities, a local mover may be worth considering, but that service comes at a higher price.
Moving container costs from Portland, OR to Arlington, VA
Moving containers from Portland, Oregon, to Arlington, Virginia, cost between $1,960 and $7,389. You load everything on your own schedule (U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30). When you're ready, the company takes care of getting the container from point A to point B. Need more time than that? Extra storage in Portland typically runs around $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Portland to Arlington:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,960 - $3,813
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,541 - $5,206
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,541 - $7,389
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 $997 in Portland, OR. 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 $107 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $214 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 Arlington, VA, destination before booking.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Oregon 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 $1,960. 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 $2,541 - $5,206.
What are the best moving containers Portland 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 Portland 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 Portland:
- 2 Brothers Moving & Delivery (4.9/5), 18 years in business
- PDX Movers (4.8/5), 14 years in business
- Bellhop Moving (4.6/5), 12 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Portland, OR to Arlington, VA
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 2,804 miles from Portland, Oregon, to Arlington, Virginia, running $1,507 - $4,359. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $1,270 - $1,452
- Daily insurance: $43/day
- Equipment rentals: $10 - $28
- Portland daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.89 - $1.19
| 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 Portland to Arlington based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,507 - $3,073
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,633 - $3,767
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,042 - $4,359
Pro tip: The base rate of $1,507 - $4,359 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Portland to Arlington. Fuel ($1,270 - $1,452), lodging at around $214/night, meals, and equipment rentals are all on top of that. Factor in roughly $600 - $1,200 more for meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging to get a realistic picture of what the move will actually cost.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $214 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 Portland, Oregon, usually costs about $997 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 2,804-mile drive falls between $1,270 and $1,452, 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 $71 and $427 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Portland 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 Portland, OR to Arlington, VA
Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from Portland, Oregon, to Arlington, Virginia. 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 $1,282 and $4,375.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Portland to Arlington:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,659 - $3,363
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,074 - $4,375
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,666 - $5,854
Pro tip: Freight trailers offer generous space but reward good packing strategy. The 4-foot ramp can be challenging for large or heavy pieces, and using the full 8-foot height takes careful stacking. Because you're billed by the linear foot, maximizing vertical space keeps your costs lower.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In Portland, Oregon, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $997.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $107 - $214 per additional foot to your total.
- Time of year: Rates tend to climb during peak moving season (mid-May through mid-September) when trailer demand is at its highest.
What are the best freight companies from Portland to Arlington?
- 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 Portland to Arlington. 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: Portland, OR 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 Portland on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Portland, OR | Arlington, VA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 128 | 164 |
| Average rent | $1,530/mo | $2,718/mo |
| Median home value | $556,420 | $866,334 |
| Average income | $88,792/yr | $140,160/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 6.9% | 4.0% |
| State income tax | Up to 9.9% | Up to 5.75% |
| Walkability score | 81/100 | 71/100 |
| Safety index | 42.63/100 | 79.15/100 |
| 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 Arlington, VA to Portland, OR guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from Oregon to Virginia 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 104 movers in our Oregon network to compare for this 2,804-mile move.
Our take
A move from Portland, OR, to Arlington, VA, 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 $2,833 - $13,698 on the 2,804-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,960 - $7,389, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $1,507 - $4,359. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $4,314 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and round-the-clock live support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include U.S. Department of Defense and Safran.
FAQs: Moving from Portland, OR, to Arlington, VA
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Portland, OR to Arlington, VA?
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.
How much does it cost to move from Portland, OR to Arlington, VA?
Costs on this route range from around $1,507 to $13,698, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,833 and $13,698, 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.
How walkable is Arlington?
Arlington has a walkability score of 71 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 72, compared to 81 and 92 in Portland. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($1,270 - $1,452), daily insurance ($43/day), and equipment rentals ($10 - $28) on top. Overnight stops can add another $214/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
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 percentage of Portland movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 34% of movers in Portland handle piano moves, and 26% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.