($947+) San Antonio, TX to Arlington, VA Movers
Moving from San Antonio, TX, to Arlington, VA, runs anywhere from $947 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $10,102 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,596 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 4 to 15 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 $2,270, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $10,102 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,341 - $4,811, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $947 - $2,643.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from San Antonio, TX, to Arlington, VA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,088 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 San Antonio, TX to Arlington, VA
There are 3 main ways to move from San Antonio 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 $3,088 - $7,030. Moving containers run about 39% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 68% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 4 to 15 days for this 1,596-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 1,596-mile route from San Antonio to Arlington, broken down by home size:
- A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $2,270 - $5,318 with full-service movers, $1,341 - $2,573 with a container, $947 - $1,745 with a rental truck, or $1,334 - $2,483 by freight.
- A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $3,088 - $7,030 full-service, $1,877 - $3,856 by container, $994 - $2,162 by rental truck, or $1,531 - $3,055 by freight.
- A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $5,204 - $10,102 full-service, $2,385 - $4,811 by container, $1,265 - $2,643 by rental truck, or $1,947 - $3,928 by freight.
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 San Antonio, TX to Arlington, VA
Full-service movers for the 1,596-mile relocation from San Antonio, Texas, to Arlington, Virginia, cost between $2,270 and $10,102. With a long-distance moving company, loading, transportation, and unloading are all taken care of. If you want to skip packing boxes, too, that can be added for $361 - $2,404, depending on your home size. What you pay in the end is mainly a function of how much your shipment weighs and how far it's traveling. As a point of reference, local movers in San Antonio typically charge a base rate around $192 plus $96 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from San Antonio to Arlington:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,270 - $5,318
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,088 - $7,030
- 4+ bedrooms: $5,204 - $10,102
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 San Antonio 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.
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Specialty moving services from San Antonio, TX to Arlington, VA
Specialty needs vary by market: 72% of San Antonio 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 packing85% of local movers | $601 - $6,010 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready72% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: 3 Men Movers | $240 - $1,442/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $361 - $2,885 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage16% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs67% of local movers | $1,202 - $3,606 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,005 - $12,020 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $900 - $1,710 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items30% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Evolution Moving Company | $1,202 - $3,005 |
| Piano | Any piano type49% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: 3 Men Movers | $962 - $4,207 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling18% of local movers | $361 - $1,803 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect9% of local movers9% nationally | $781 - $2,404 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $361 - $18,030+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $361 - $4,207+ |
What are the best full-service movers from San Antonio to Arlington?
Movers licensed to operate in Virginia are typically members of the Virginia Movers & Warehousemen’s Association, worth checking for before you book any of the three below.
- 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 the more cost-efficient choice. Local movers in San Antonio, TX, 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 San Antonio, TX to Arlington, VA
Moving containers from San Antonio, Texas, to Arlington, Virginia, cost between $1,341 and $4,811. 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 San Antonio costs roughly $70/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from San Antonio to Arlington:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,341 - $2,573
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,877 - $3,856
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,385 - $4,811
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 San Antonio, TX, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $841, 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 $180 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both San Antonio, 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 $1,341. 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 $1,877 - $3,856.
What are the best moving containers San Antonio 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 San Antonio 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 San Antonio:
- 3 Men Movers (4.8/5), 41 years in business
- Evolution Moving Company (4.9/5), 10 years in business
- AB Moving (4.6/5), 26 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from San Antonio, TX to Arlington, VA
Truck rentals from San Antonio, Texas, to Arlington, Virginia, range from $947 - $2,643 for the 1,596-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $610 - $698
- Daily insurance: $36/day
- Equipment rentals: $8 - $24
- San Antonio daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.79 - $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 San Antonio to Arlington based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $947 - $1,745
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $994 - $2,162
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,265 - $2,643
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from San Antonio to Arlington starts at $947 - $2,643, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($610 - $698), overnight lodging ($180/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for roughly $600 - $1,200 more on top of fuel and lodging to cover meals, equipment, and other extras.
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 $90 and $421.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $180.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $610 and $698 for the 1,596-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 $841 for 2 movers in San Antonio, Texas, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from San Antonio 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 San Antonio, TX to Arlington, VA
Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from San Antonio, 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 $1,082 and $3,055.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from San Antonio to Arlington:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,334 - $2,483
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,531 - $3,055
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,947 - $3,928
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 San Antonio, Texas, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $841.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $90 and $180 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from San Antonio to Arlington?
- 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 move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from San Antonio 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: San Antonio, 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 San Antonio on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | San Antonio, TX | Arlington, VA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 91 | 164 |
| Average rent | $1,496/mo | $2,718/mo |
| Median home value | $216,453 | $866,334 |
| Average income | $62,917/yr | $140,160/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 3.8% | 4.0% |
| State income tax | None | Up to 5.75% |
| Walkability score | 37/100 | 71/100 |
| Safety index | 51.94/100 | 79.15/100 |
| Air quality | Moderate | 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 San Antonio, TX guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Texas to Virginia in the past 3 months alone, keeping our pricing data current. Run your numbers through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. For context, we track 803 movers based in Texas, handy for sizing up options on this 1,596-mile route.
Our take
The 1,596-mile move from San Antonio, TX, to Arlington, VA, costs between $2,270 and $10,102 with full-service movers, $1,341 - $4,811 with a moving container, and $947 - $2,643 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 $3,088 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 San Antonio, TX, to Arlington, VA
How walkable is Arlington?
Arlington has a walkability score of 71 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 72, compared to 37 and 45 in San Antonio. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
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 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 do local movers charge in San Antonio?
Local movers based in San Antonio typically start around $192 as a base rate, plus $96/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.
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 percentage of San Antonio movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 49% of movers in San Antonio handle piano moves, and 30% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.