Moving from Saint Louis, MO to Washington, DC
About 826 miles across a state line, from Missouri into District of Columbia, so the federal interstate rules apply from the first quote.
Distance estimated from city coordinates; the calculator measures your exact route. Prices from our published model, not quotes.
In short
Moving from Saint Louis, MO to Washington, DC covers about 826 miles and is an interstate move. Full-service movers cost $3,717 – $4,956 for a two-bedroom home in our model, delivered in 3 to 7 days. About 141 people a year move between the two counties (Census).
The route
At 826 miles between Missouri and District of Columbia, this sits in the range where carriers differ most. Some run it dedicated with a firm date; others consolidate it with other shipments and quote a window of 3 to 7 days. The price gap between those two is real — a two-bedroom home runs $3,717 – $4,956 full-service — so ask which one you are buying.
- Move type
- Interstate move
- Driving
- 2 days on the road (about 15 hours of driving)
- Usually moves on
- either a dedicated truck or a consolidated load
- Book ahead
- 4 to 6 weeks
Cost of moving from Saint Louis to Washington
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $2,788 – $3,717 | $2,007 – $2,676 | $1,338 – $1,784 |
| 1 bedroom | $3,345 – $4,460 | $2,409 – $3,211 | $1,606 – $2,141 |
| 2 bedrooms | $3,717 – $4,956 | $2,676 – $3,568 | $1,784 – $2,379 |
| 3 bedrooms | $4,275 – $5,699 | $3,078 – $4,104 | $2,052 – $2,736 |
| 4 bedrooms | $4,832 – $6,443 | $3,479 – $4,639 | $2,319 – $3,093 |
| 5+ bedrooms | $5,576 – $7,434 | $4,014 – $5,352 | $2,676 – $3,568 |
Transport only, for an estimated 826 miles, from our published model: distance × home-size factor × service rate, shown as −10% to +20% around the base figure. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items sit on top. How we price it.
Worked example: a two-bedroom home, Saint Louis to Washington
826 miles × 2.0 (two-bedroom size multiplier) × $2.50 (full-service rate) = $4,130. The range runs 10% under that to 20% over: $3,717 to $4,956, transport only. Every parameter is on the methodology page; moving cost per mile explains why the rate falls with distance.
How many people move from Saint Louis to Washington
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates that about 141 people a year (±82) moved from St. Louis city, MO, home to Saint Louis, to District of Columbia, DC, home to Washington. Going the other way: about 17 people a year (±18). Movers from St. Louis city make up 0.2% of the 56,680 people a year who moved into District of Columbia from another county or state.
| County | People a year |
|---|---|
| St. Louis County, MO | 11,953 ±1,596 |
| Jefferson County, MO | 1,408 ±550 |
| St. Clair County, IL | 1,099 ±517 |
| St. Charles County, MO | 1,050 ±480 |
| Cook County, IL | 676 ±251 |
| County | People a year |
|---|---|
| Prince George's County, MD | 5,604 ±979 |
| Montgomery County, MD | 4,380 ±582 |
| Arlington County, VA | 2,881 ±512 |
| Fairfax County, VA | 2,217 ±690 |
| Middlesex County, MA | 1,538 ±527 |
Licensed movers at each end
55 household-goods carriers with interstate authority are based within 30 miles of Saint Louis (95 counting those licensed only inside Missouri). 22 of them had a roadside inspection in the last 24 months, and 23.7% of their 1,152 vehicle inspections ended with a truck put out of service. The largest by registered fleet:
| Carrier | Based in | Size | Inspections, 24 mo | Vehicle out of service |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Van LinesUSDOT 77949 | Fenton · 17 mi | 4,731 trucks | 2,112 | 24.3% of 1,102 |
| Aero Mayflower Transit CompanyUSDOT 73351 | Earth City · 18 mi | 42 trucks | 4 | 0.0% of 2 |
| Cord Moving and Storage CompanyUSDOT 181102 | Earth City · 18 mi | 35 trucks | 2 | 50.0% of 2 |
| World Class Moving & StorageUSDOT 3295868 | Saint Louis · 4 mi | 21 trucks | 4 | 0.0% of 3 |
| McGuire Moving &Storage IncUSDOT 543880 | Saint Louis · 6 mi | 16 trucks | 4 | 0.0% of 2 |
| College Hunks Hauling Junk & MovingUSDOT 3729289 | Saint Louis · 11 mi | 10 trucks | 0 | — |
How these figures are calculated
At the Washington end
For a local crew after delivery, the largest licensed carriers within 30 miles of Washington: JK Moving Services (Sterling, 173 trucks), Eagle Van Lines Inc (Temple Hills, 72 trucks), Town and Country Movers Inc (Gaithersburg, 64 trucks), A&A Transfer LLC (Chantilly, 62 trucks).
Rules that apply to this move
Because the truck crosses from Missouri into District of Columbia, 49 CFR Part 375 applies: a written estimate before loading, no more than 110% of a non-binding estimate collected at delivery, and full-value protection unless you choose released value in writing. See binding vs non-binding estimates and valuation explained.
Before you book Saint Louis to Washington
Ask: dedicated or consolidated?
This is the distance where carriers split. A dedicated truck costs more and delivers on a date; a consolidated load costs less and delivers in a window. Decide which you are buying before you compare prices.
Get it binding or not-to-exceed
A non-binding estimate is a guess with no ceiling. On 826 miles the gap between a guess and a weighed load is measured in four figures.
Arriving in Washington
A local move inside Washington later — across town, out of temporary housing — is billed by the hour: about $525 – $873 for a two-bedroom home and $885 – $1,614 for three bedrooms. The nearest cities we cover from Washington are Arlington (about 4 mi), Annapolis (about 35 mi), Baltimore (about 42 mi).
Other routes from Saint Louis
All routes from Saint Louis, nearest first.
| Route | Distance | 2-bedroom, movers |
|---|---|---|
| Saint Louis to Springfield, IL | ~101 mi | $455 – $606 |
| Saint Louis to Columbia, MO | ~137 mi | $617 – $822 |
| Saint Louis to Springfield, MO | ~228 mi | $1,026 – $1,368 |
| Saint Louis to Kansas City, MO | ~278 mi | $1,251 – $1,668 |
| Saint Louis to Louisville, KY | ~281 mi | $1,265 – $1,686 |
| Saint Louis to Overland Park, KS | ~284 mi | $1,278 – $1,704 |
| Saint Louis to Chicago, IL | ~306 mi | $1,377 – $1,836 |
| Saint Louis to Little Rock, AR | ~341 mi | $1,535 – $2,046 |
Also moving to Washington: from Arlington, VA, from Annapolis, MD, from Baltimore, MD, from Richmond, VA.
Saint Louis to Washington moving FAQ
How much does it cost to move from Saint Louis to Washington?
From our published model, full-service movers over about 826 miles cost about $2,788 – $3,717 for a studio, $3,717 – $4,956 for a two-bedroom home and $4,275 – $5,699 for a three-bedroom home, transport only; packing, storage and specialty items are extra.
How long does a move from Saint Louis to Washington take?
The drive is 2 days on the road (about 15 hours of driving), but the move usually takes 3 to 7 days because it moves on either a dedicated truck or a consolidated load, depending on the carrier and the season. Ask for the delivery window in writing. Book ahead: 4 to 6 weeks, 6 to 8 in summer.
What is the cheapest way to move from Saint Louis to Washington?
Loading a freight trailer yourself: about $1,784 – $2,379 for a two-bedroom home, against $3,717 – $4,956 with full-service movers; a moving container is $2,676 – $3,568.
Do I need an interstate-licensed mover for Saint Louis to Washington?
Yes. Saint Louis is in Missouri and Washington is in District of Columbia, so the carrier needs active FMCSA interstate authority (an MC number) as well as a USDOT number. 55 listed movers within 30 miles of Saint Louis hold it.
How many people move from Saint Louis to Washington each year?
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates about 141 people a year (margin of error ±82) moved from St. Louis city, which contains Saint Louis, to District of Columbia, which contains Washington.
Sources for this page
The published cost model; US Census Bureau ACS migration flows (± is the 90% margin of error); the FMCSA Motor Carrier Census and Safety Measurement System; 49 CFR Part 375. Data last refreshed September 24, 2026.