($383+) Arlington, VA to Boston, MA Movers
Moving from Arlington, VA, to Boston, MA, runs anywhere from $407 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,524 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 442 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 $1,154, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $7,524 or more.
- Moving containers run $941 - $3,049, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $407 - $996.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Arlington, VA, to Boston, MA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $1,809 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 Arlington, VA to Boston, MA
Moving options from Arlington to Boston fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $1,809 - $5,203 for a 2-3 bedroom home and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers cost about 30% less than full-service for the same size, and rental trucks land around 60% less, with both DIY options requiring you to load yourself. Covering 442 miles, this route usually takes 1 to 4 days from pickup to delivery.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 442-mile route from Arlington to Boston, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,154 - $3,695 | $941 - $1,729 | $407 - $750 | $899 - $1,617 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $1,809 - $5,203 | $1,278 - $2,289 | $430 - $898 | $1,002 - $1,964 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $3,339 - $7,524 | $1,712 - $3,049 | $546 - $996 | $1,369 - $2,416 |
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 Arlington, VA to Boston, MA
For the 442-mile move from Arlington, Virginia, to Boston, Massachusetts, full-service movers cost between $1,154 and $7,524. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $476 - $3,176 (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 Arlington generally start around $200 plus $110 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Arlington to Boston:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,154 - $3,695
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,809 - $5,203
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,339 - $7,524
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 Arlington to Boston.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Virginia to Massachusetts. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
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 Arlington, VA to Boston, MA
Specialty needs vary by market — 94% of Arlington movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Boston, 96% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $794 - $7,940 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready94% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: BoxStar Movers | $318 - $1,906/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $476 - $3,811 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage30% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs58% of local movers | $1,588 - $4,764 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,970 - $15,880 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,189 - $2,260 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items56% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: BoxStar Movers | $1,588 - $3,970 |
| Piano | Any piano type71% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: BoxStar Movers | $1,270 - $5,558 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling39% of local movers | $476 - $2,382 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect28% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: BoxStar Movers | $1,032 - $3,176 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $476 - $23,820+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $476 - $5,558+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Arlington to Boston?
Massachusetts Movers Association membership is a quick way to confirm a mover is legitimate in Massachusetts, on top of the picks below.
- 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 Arlington, VA?
Based on recent quotes for this route, a 2-bedroom move from Arlington to Boston with a local mover averages $1,737 - $4,995. A local mover in Arlington, VA 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.
495 Movers, Inc (4.84/5 stars) is our preferred moving company in Arlington, based on our analysis of feedback from 410 customers, 83.7% of which is positive.
Address: 640 Lofstrand Ln, Rockville, MD, 20850 | Founded: 2009
Moving container costs from Arlington, VA to Boston, MA
Moving containers from Arlington, Virginia, to Boston, Massachusetts, cost between $941 and $3,049. With a moving container, you load on your own schedule. U-Haul gives you 3 days to fill yours, while PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're ready, the company transports it straight to your new place. Need more time first? Storage in Arlington typically costs about $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Arlington to Boston:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $941 - $1,729
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,278 - $2,289
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,712 - $3,049
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 Arlington, VA, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $1,112, 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 $119 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $238 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Arlington, VA, and Boston, MA, 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 Virginia to Massachusetts 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 $941. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,278 - $2,289, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Arlington to Boston?
- 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 Arlington 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 Arlington:
- BoxStar Movers (5.0/5), 5 years in business
- Zip Moving And Storage, Inc. (4.9/5), 10 years in business
- My Pro Movers (5.0/5), 9 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Arlington, VA to Boston, MA
A rental truck for this 442-mile move from Arlington, Virginia, to Boston, Massachusetts, costs between $407 and $996. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $223 - $255
- Daily insurance: $48/day
- Equipment rentals: $11 - $32
- Arlington daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.99 - $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 Arlington to Boston based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $407 - $750
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $430 - $898
- 4+ bedrooms: $546 - $996
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $407 - $996 when pricing out a rental truck from Arlington to Boston. Fuel alone runs ($223 - $255) , and overnight lodging ($238/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?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $238 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 Arlington, Virginia, usually costs about $1,112 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 442-mile drive falls between $223 and $255, 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 $79 and $476 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Arlington to Boston?
- 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 Arlington, VA to Boston, MA
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Arlington, Virginia, to Boston, Massachusetts, 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 $1,002 and $1,964.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Arlington to Boston:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $899 - $1,617
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,002 - $1,964
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,369 - $2,416
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 Arlington, Virginia, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $1,112.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $119 and $238 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Arlington to Boston?
- 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.
- Terminal Transportation Services (4.7/5 stars): Terminal Transportation Services is our pick for best locally owned freight company. Their locally owned and operated facilities mean you work with support staff who know the route and the area, giving you more responsive scheduling than national-only carriers typically offer.
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 Boston 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: Arlington, VA vs Boston, MA
There's not a big cost-of-living gap between Arlington and Boston to plan around. Cost of living index: 164 vs. 151. Average rent: $2,718/mo vs. $3,400/mo. The bigger factor in your budget is the one-time cost of the move itself, covered above. Walkability: 71 vs. 98. Safety index: 79.15 vs. 60.12.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Boston, MA to Arlington, VA guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from Virginia to Massachusetts, 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 104 movers licensed in Virginia, useful context for sizing up this 442-mile move.
Our take
For a move from Arlington, VA, to Boston, MA, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $1,154 for a studio to $7,524 for a 4 - 5 bedroom home on the 442-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $941 - $3,049. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $407 - $996, though you'll be handling the driving and loading yourself. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with quotes starting around $1,809 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage included, and 24/7 live customer support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include General Electric and Fidelity Investments.
FAQs: Moving from Arlington, VA, to Boston, MA
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Arlington, VA to Boston, MA?
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 Boston a safe place to live?
Boston has a safety index of 60.12 out of 100 and a crime index of 39.88, compared to 79.15 and 15.67 in Arlington. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
How walkable is Boston?
Boston has a walkability score of 98 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 86, compared to 71 and 72 in Arlington. 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 Boston?
For families, Charlestown, East Boston, and Hyde Park are worth a look in Boston. If you're moving solo or without kids, Allston-Brighton, Back Bay-Beacon Hill, and East Boston tend to be popular picks instead.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Massachusetts?
Moving companies in Massachusetts are required to obtain a license from the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities – Transportation Oversight Division to provide local and intrastate moving services in Massachusetts movers must carry adequate cargo insurance and publicly file their tariffs required to list the services they provide and the cost for each.
What percentage of Arlington movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 71% of movers in Arlington handle piano moves, and 56% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
