($817+) Houston, TX to Arlington, VA Movers
Moving from Houston, TX, to Arlington, VA, runs anywhere from $817 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $9,173 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,403 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 3 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 $2,306, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $9,173 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,270 - $4,876, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $817 - $2,511.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Houston, TX, to Arlington, VA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,816 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 Houston, TX to Arlington, VA
There are 3 main ways to move from Houston 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 $2,816 - $6,789. Moving containers run about 40% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 65% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 3 to 8 days for this 1,403-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 1,403-mile route from Houston to Arlington, 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 $2,306 - $4,981 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($1,270 - $2,497), rental truck ($817 - $1,696), or freight trailer ($1,167 - $2,337). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $2,816 - $6,789 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $9,173.
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 Houston, TX to Arlington, VA
For the 1,403-mile move from Houston, Texas, to Arlington, Virginia, full-service movers cost between $2,306 and $9,173. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $371 - $2,476 (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 Houston generally start around $175 plus $75 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Houston to Arlington:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,306 - $4,981
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,816 - $6,789
- 4+ bedrooms: $5,180 - $9,173
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 Houston to Arlington.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Texas to Virginia. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: Avoiding peak moving season dates (May - September) is one of the easiest ways to reduce costs. Off-season moves typically come with lower pricing and more room to negotiate since movers have fewer bookings.
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Specialty moving services from Houston, TX to Arlington, VA
Specialty needs vary by market: 54% of Houston 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 packing81% of local movers | $619 - $6,190 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready54% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: A Better Tripp Moving & Storage | $248 - $1,486/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $371 - $2,971 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage12% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs61% of local movers | $1,238 - $3,714 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,095 - $12,380 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $927 - $1,762 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items28% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: A Better Tripp Moving & Storage | $1,238 - $3,095 |
| Piano | Any piano type42% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: A Better Tripp Moving & Storage | $990 - $4,333 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling17% of local movers | $371 - $1,857 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect8% of local movers9% nationally | $805 - $2,476 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $371 - $18,570+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $371 - $4,333+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Houston 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 van lines are the smarter financial choice over local movers in Houston, TX. Local companies can run 30% - 40% more at that range since they don't consolidate shipments the way interstate carriers do. If a direct, dedicated route with an average 2-day delivery appeals to you, a local mover could be worth it, but that convenience comes at a cost.
Moving container costs from Houston, TX to Arlington, VA
Moving containers from Houston, Texas, to Arlington, Virginia, cost between $1,270 and $4,876. 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 Arlington. If you go over that window, storage in Houston adds around $70/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Houston to Arlington:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,270 - $2,497
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,689 - $3,382
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,343 - $4,876
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 Houston, TX, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $867, 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 $93 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $186 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Houston, TX, and Arlington, VA, 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 Texas 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 $1,270. 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 $1,689 - $3,382.
What are the best moving containers Houston 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 Houston 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 Houston:
- 3 Men Movers (4.8/5), 41 years in business
- Bellhop Moving (4.6/5), 15 years in business
- Square Cow (4.9/5), 18 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Houston, TX to Arlington, VA
Truck rentals from Houston, Texas, to Arlington, Virginia, range from $817 - $2,511 for the 1,403-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $553 - $632
- Daily insurance: $37/day
- Equipment rentals: $9 - $25
- Houston 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 Houston to Arlington based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $817 - $1,696
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $977 - $2,017
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,148 - $2,511
Pro tip: A rental truck from Houston to Arlington looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $817 - $2,511. But once you factor in fuel ($553 - $632), overnight lodging ($186/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?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $186 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 $80 and $402 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $553 - $632 in fuel for the 1,403-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $867 in Houston, Texas, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Houston 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 Houston, TX to Arlington, VA
Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from Houston, Texas, 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 $1,114 and $2,706.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Houston to Arlington:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,167 - $2,337
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,448 - $2,706
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,799 - $3,530
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?
- 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 Houston, Texas, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $867.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $93 and $186 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Houston 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.
Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from Houston 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: Houston, TX 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 Houston on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Houston, TX | Arlington, VA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 97 | 164 |
| Average rent | $1,549/mo | $2,718/mo |
| Median home value | $258,925 | $866,334 |
| Average income | $62,894/yr | $140,160/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 4.1% | 4.0% |
| State income tax | None | Up to 5.75% |
| Walkability score | 47/100 | 71/100 |
| Safety index | 36.5/100 | 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 Houston, TX guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from Texas 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 803 movers in Texas, so you have real options to compare for this 1,403-mile move.
Our take
The 1,403-mile move from Houston, TX, to Arlington, VA, costs between $2,306 and $9,173 with full-service movers, $1,270 - $4,876 with a moving container, and $817 - $2,511 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 $2,816 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage, and 24/7 customer support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include U.S. Department of Defense and Safran.
FAQs: Moving from Houston, TX, to Arlington, VA
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 Houston?
Local movers based in Houston typically start around $175 as a base rate, plus $75/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.
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 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 walkable is Arlington?
Arlington has a walkability score of 71 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 72, compared to 47 and 49 in Houston. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
What percentage of Houston movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 42% of movers in Houston handle piano moves, and 28% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.