($1,041+) Arlington, VA to McAllen, TX Movers
Moving from Arlington, VA, to McAllen, TX, runs anywhere from $1,041 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $9,822 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,751 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 5 to 16 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 $2,155, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $9,822 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,455 - $5,161, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,041 - $2,946.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Arlington, VA, to McAllen, TX. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,899 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 McAllen, TX
Moving options from Arlington to McAllen 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 $2,899 - $6,368 and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 33% less for the same home size, while rental trucks land about 63% less, though both require you to load the truck or container yourself. This route spans 1,751 miles and typically takes 5 to 16 days.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,751-mile route from Arlington to McAllen, 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 $2,155 - $4,589 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($1,455 - $2,663), rental truck ($1,041 - $1,925), or freight trailer ($1,296 - $2,497). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $2,899 - $6,368 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $9,822.
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 Arlington, VA to McAllen, TX
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 1,751-mile move from Arlington, Virginia, to McAllen, Texas, with costs ranging from $2,155 - $9,822. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $386 - $2,576. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Arlington and McAllen. Local movers in Arlington typically start around $200 as a base rate plus $110/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Arlington to McAllen:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,155 - $4,589
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,899 - $6,368
- 4+ bedrooms: $5,189 - $9,822
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 McAllen.
Pro tip: Peak moving season (May - September) limits truck availability and pushes up full-service moving costs. Booking during slower months can give you more scheduling room and a lower final price.
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Specialty moving services from Arlington, VA to McAllen, TX
Specialty needs vary by market: 70% of Arlington movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In McAllen, 63% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing80% of local movers | $644 - $6,440 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready70% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: 495 Movers, Inc | $258 - $1,546/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $386 - $3,091 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage13% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs54% of local movers | $1,288 - $3,864 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,220 - $12,880 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $965 - $1,833 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items34% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: 495 Movers, Inc | $1,288 - $3,220 |
| Piano | Any piano type42% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: 495 Movers, Inc | $1,030 - $4,508 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling9% of local movers | $386 - $1,932 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect8% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Olympia Moving & Storage | $837 - $2,576 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $386 - $19,320+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $386 - $4,508+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Arlington to McAllen?
Movers licensed to operate in Texas are typically members of the Southwest Movers 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 van lines are the smarter financial choice over local movers in Arlington, VA. 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 Arlington, VA to McAllen, TX
Moving containers from Arlington, Virginia, to McAllen, Texas, cost between $1,455 and $5,161. 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 Arlington typically runs around $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Arlington to McAllen:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,455 - $2,663
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,937 - $3,844
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,698 - $5,161
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 $902, 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 $97 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $193 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Arlington, VA, and McAllen, TX, 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 Texas 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 $1,455. 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 $1,937 - $3,844.
What are the best moving containers Arlington to McAllen?
- 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:
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.9/5), 0 years in business
- BoxStar Movers (5.0/5), 5 years in business
- Zip Moving And Storage, Inc. (4.9/5), 11 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Arlington, VA to McAllen, TX
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 1,751 miles from Arlington, Virginia, to McAllen, Texas, running $1,041 - $2,946. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $718 - $820
- Daily insurance: $39/day
- Equipment rentals: $9 - $26
- 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 McAllen based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,041 - $1,925
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,083 - $2,314
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,408 - $2,946
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $1,041 - $2,946 does not include fuel ($718 - $820), lodging ($193/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Arlington to McAllen 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?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $193 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 $84 and $419 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $718 - $820 in fuel for the 1,751-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $902 in Arlington, Virginia, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Arlington to McAllen?
- 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 McAllen, TX
If you're moving a larger household from Arlington, Virginia, 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 McAllen, Texas.
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 $1,489 and $3,137.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Arlington to McAllen:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,296 - $2,497
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,489 - $3,137
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,971 - $4,254
Pro tip: A 4-foot ramp sounds simple, but heavy or awkward furniture can make the climb tricky. With 8 feet of height to work with, smart vertical stacking is key. Since freight companies charge by the linear foot, every extra foot you use adds to the bill.
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 $902.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $97 and $193 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Arlington to McAllen?
- 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: Arlington, VA vs McAllen, TX
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in McAllen, side by side with Arlington on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Arlington, VA | McAllen, TX |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 164 | 76 |
| Average rent | $2,718/mo | $1,350/mo |
| Median home value | $866,334 | $173,919 |
| Average income | $140,160/yr | $60,165/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 4.0% | 7.9% |
| State income tax | Up to 5.75% | None |
| Walkability score | 71/100 | 41/100 |
| Safety index | 79.15/100 | 63.74/100 |
| Air quality | Good | Moderate |
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 McAllen, TX to Arlington, VA guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from Virginia to Texas, 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 304 movers in Virginia, so you have real options to compare for this 1,751-mile move.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 1,751-mile route from Arlington, VA, to McAllen, TX, run $2,155 - $9,822 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,455 - $5,161, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $1,041 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,899, 30 days of free storage, and a 24/7 support team you can actually reach.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include The Monitor Group and Am-Mex Products.
FAQs: Moving from Arlington, VA, to McAllen, TX
What are the best neighborhoods in McAllen?
For families, North McAllen, Sharyland Plantation, and Tres Lagos are worth a look in McAllen. If you're moving solo or without kids, Downtown McAllen, South McAllen, and La Vista tend to be popular picks instead.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Texas?
In-state movers operating in the Lone Star State are legally required to be licensed by the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TXDMV), which issues 10-digit TXDMV numbers to commercial carriers.
What do local movers charge in Arlington?
Local movers based in Arlington typically start around $200 as a base rate, plus $110/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 McAllen 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.
How much does it cost to move from Arlington, VA to McAllen, TX?
Costs on this route range from around $1,041 to $9,822, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,155 and $9,822, 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 percentage of Arlington movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 42% of movers in Arlington handle piano moves, and 34% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.