($737+) McAllen, TX to St. Louis, MO Movers
Moving from McAllen, TX, to St. Louis, MO, runs anywhere from $737 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,388 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,137 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 $2,196, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $8,388 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,155 - $3,893, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $737 - $1,992.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from McAllen, TX, to St. Louis, MO. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,705 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 McAllen, TX to St. Louis, MO
Moving options from McAllen to St. Louis 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 $2,705 - $5,842 and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 46% less for the same home size, while rental trucks land about 72% less, though both require you to load the truck or container yourself. This route spans 1,137 miles and typically takes 2 to 8 days.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,137-mile route from McAllen to St. Louis, 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 $2,196 - $4,748 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($1,155 - $2,249), rental truck ($737 - $1,308), or freight trailer ($1,094 - $2,105). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $2,705 - $5,842 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $8,388.
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 McAllen, TX to St. Louis, MO
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 1,137-mile move from McAllen, Texas, to St. Louis, Missouri, with costs ranging from $2,196 - $8,388. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $238 - $1,584. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between McAllen and St. Louis. Local movers in McAllen typically start around $160 as a base rate plus $80/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from McAllen to St. Louis:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,196 - $4,748
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,705 - $5,842
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,319 - $8,388
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 McAllen to St. Louis.
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 McAllen, TX to St. Louis, MO
Specialty needs vary by market: 63% of McAllen movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In St. Louis, 68% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing50% of local movers | $396 - $3,960 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready63% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: PODS Moving & Storage | $158 - $950/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $238 - $1,901 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs13% of local movers | $792 - $2,376 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $1,980 - $7,920 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $593 - $1,127 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items13% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Rick's Moving & Storage LLC | $792 - $1,980 |
| Piano | Any piano type38% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Rick's Moving & Storage LLC | $634 - $2,772 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling13% of local movers | $238 - $1,188 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect9% nationallyTop pick: InNout Movers (TX) | $515 - $1,584 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $238 - $11,880+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $238 - $2,772+ |
What are the best full-service movers from McAllen to St. Louis?
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 customer support, and 30 days of free storage are included with every move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list, 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, combining 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 almost always better priced than local movers in McAllen, TX. Local companies typically run 30% - 40% more at longer distances because they aren't set up to consolidate shipments the way national carriers do. The one case where a local mover might be worth the premium is if you want a dedicated direct-route truck, which averages a 2-day delivery time, but expect to pay more for that convenience.
Moving container costs from McAllen, TX to St. Louis, MO
Moving containers from McAllen, Texas, to St. Louis, Missouri, cost between $1,155 and $3,893. 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 McAllen costs roughly $55/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from McAllen to St. Louis:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,155 - $2,249
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,472 - $3,070
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,096 - $3,893
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Access: Most major container brands operate in both McAllen, TX and St. Louis, MO. 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 $554 in McAllen, TX, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $59 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $119 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 Texas 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 $1,155. 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 $1,472 - $3,070.
What are the best moving containers McAllen 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 McAllen 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 McAllen:
- PODS Moving & Storage (3.7/5), 27 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from McAllen, TX to St. Louis, MO
Truck rentals from McAllen, Texas, to St. Louis, Missouri, range from $737 - $1,992 for the 1,137-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $287 - $327
- Daily insurance: $24/day
- Equipment rentals: $6 - $16
- McAllen daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.69
| 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 McAllen to St. Louis based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $737 - $1,308
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $750 - $1,684
- 4+ bedrooms: $923 - $1,992
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $737 - $1,992 does not include fuel ($287 - $327), lodging ($119/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from McAllen to St. Louis typically runs more than the base rate alone, with meals, equipment, and other extras adding roughly $600 - $1,200 on top of fuel and lodging.
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 $59 and $277.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $119.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $287 and $327 for the 1,137-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 $554 for 2 movers in McAllen, Texas, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from McAllen 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 McAllen, TX to St. Louis, MO
If you're moving a larger household from McAllen, Texas, and want to stay in control of the loading process, freight trailers offer a practical middle ground between hiring movers and renting a truck yourself. A 28-foot trailer is delivered to your door, you load what you need, and the carrier handles the drive to St. Louis, Missouri.
Freight trailers are priced by the linear feet your belongings take up, so you only pay for the space you use. A 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route typically falls between $1,277 and $2,357.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from McAllen to St. Louis:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,094 - $2,105
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,277 - $2,357
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,710 - $3,115
Pro tip: Freight pricing rewards efficient packing. Trailers are 8 feet tall and accessed via a 4-foot ramp, so technique matters, especially for heavy pieces. Since each additional linear foot adds to your quote, packing strategically is one of the easiest ways to control costs.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Seasonal demand: Pricing tends to rise during peak moving season, particularly between mid-May and mid-September.
- Moving labor: Most customers hire loading help since freight is self-loaded. Two movers in McAllen, Texas, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $554.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $59 and $119 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from McAllen to St. Louis?
- 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: One of the biggest advantages of freight trailers is speed. For an interstate move, freight delivery is one of the fastest options you have short of driving a rental truck yourself. It's a smart choice when your timeline is firm and you'll be ready to receive your shipment. If there's any chance your new place won't be ready or you need a few weeks of storage, a moving container with built-in storage may serve you better.
Cost of living: McAllen, TX vs St. Louis, MO
Good news for your budget: St. Louis isn't meaningfully more or less expensive to live in than McAllen. Cost of living index runs 84 there against 76 here. Focus your planning on the move itself rather than a change in monthly expenses. For reference, walkability and safety scores are 41/100 and 63.74/100 here versus 66/100 and 30.35/100 there.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our St. Louis, MO to McAllen, TX guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from Texas 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 843 movers licensed in Texas, useful context for sizing up this 1,137-mile move.
Our take
The 1,137-mile move from McAllen, TX, to St. Louis, MO, costs between $2,196 and $8,388 with full-service movers, $1,155 - $3,893 with a moving container, and $737 - $1,992 for a rental truck. Your budget and how much heavy lifting you want to do are the two biggest factors in choosing the right option. If you go with full-service movers, Safeway Moving is our top recommendation, with transparent flat-rate pricing starting around $2,705 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage, and 24/7 customer 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 McAllen, TX, to St. Louis, MO
What is the cheapest way to move from McAllen, TX to St. Louis, MO?
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 $750 - $1,684. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
How much does it cost to move from McAllen, TX to St. Louis, MO?
Costs on this route range from around $737 to $8,388, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,196 and $8,388, 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 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 4 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
What do local movers charge in McAllen?
Local movers based in McAllen typically start around $160 as a base rate, plus $80/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 St. Louis run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Missouri?
Movers that provide local and intrastate relocation services in Missouri fall under the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT). Every household goods mover operating in the state is required to have a MoDOT Number.
What percentage of McAllen movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 38% of movers in McAllen handle piano moves, and 13% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.