Moving from Arlington, TX to McAllen, TX
About 531 miles inside Texas. Past the 100-mile local band movers price on distance and weight, but because the truck never crosses a state line the move is regulated by Texas, not by the federal FMCSA. That changes which licence to check and which estimate rules protect you.
Distance estimated from city coordinates; the calculator measures your exact route. Prices from our published model, not quotes.
In short
Moving from Arlington, TX to McAllen, TX covers about 531 miles and is a move within Texas. Full-service movers cost $2,390 – $3,186 for a two-bedroom home in our model, delivered in 3 to 7 days. About 116 people a year move between the two counties (Census).
The route
At 531 miles between Texas and Texas, 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 $2,390 – $3,186 full-service — so ask which one you are buying.
- Move type
- Within Texas
- Driving
- about 10 hours
- Usually moves on
- either a dedicated truck or a consolidated load
- Book ahead
- 4 to 6 weeks
Cost of moving from Arlington to McAllen
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,792 – $2,390 | $1,290 – $1,720 | $860 – $1,147 |
| 1 bedroom | $2,151 – $2,867 | $1,548 – $2,065 | $1,032 – $1,376 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,390 – $3,186 | $1,720 – $2,294 | $1,147 – $1,529 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,748 – $3,664 | $1,979 – $2,638 | $1,319 – $1,759 |
| 4 bedrooms | $3,106 – $4,142 | $2,237 – $2,982 | $1,491 – $1,988 |
| 5+ bedrooms | $3,584 – $4,779 | $2,581 – $3,441 | $1,720 – $2,294 |
Transport only, for an estimated 531 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, Arlington to McAllen
531 miles × 2.0 (two-bedroom size multiplier) × $2.50 (full-service rate) = $2,655. The range runs 10% under that to 20% over: $2,390 to $3,186, 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 Arlington to McAllen
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates that about 116 people a year (±111) moved from Tarrant County, TX, home to Arlington, to Hidalgo County, TX, home to McAllen. Going the other way: about 487 people a year (±425). Movers from Tarrant County make up 0.7% of the 16,815 people a year who moved into Hidalgo County from another county or state.
| County | People a year |
|---|---|
| Dallas County, TX | 15,770 ±1,727 |
| Denton County, TX | 8,269 ±1,288 |
| Parker County, TX | 4,115 ±1,045 |
| Harris County, TX | 3,076 ±918 |
| Johnson County, TX | 2,998 ±637 |
| County | People a year |
|---|---|
| Harris County, TX | 2,052 ±713 |
| Cameron County, TX | 1,623 ±457 |
| Bexar County, TX | 1,418 ±476 |
| Starr County, TX | 1,106 ±539 |
| Dallas County, TX | 589 ±295 |
Licensed movers at each end
555 household-goods carriers are based within 30 miles of Arlington. 75 of them had a roadside inspection in the last 24 months, and 22.9% of their 236 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic Relocation SystemsUSDOT 2008806 | Carrollton · 20 mi | 72 trucks | 3 | 0.0% of 2 |
| Suddath Moving & StorageUSDOT 1038245 | Coppell · 17 mi | 65 trucks | 1 | — |
| Armstrong RelocationUSDOT 449294 | Carrollton · 20 mi | 54 trucks | 6 | 16.7% of 6 |
| Midland Van LinesUSDOT 3516489 | Alvarado · 23 mi | 29 trucks | 33 | 45.5% of 22 |
| Two Men and A TruckUSDOT 3051005 | Arlington · 2 mi | 22 trucks | 17 | 7.7% of 13 |
| Daryl Flood Moving & StorageUSDOT 2453189 | Coppell · 17 mi | 21 trucks | 0 | — |
How these figures are calculated
At the McAllen end
For a local crew after delivery, the largest licensed carriers within 30 miles of McAllen: Chapa's Moving Express LLC (McAllen, 6 trucks), Lui Lui Moving Service LLC (Edimburg, 6 trucks), Lone Star Moving Service (McAllen, 4 trucks), Cantu Moving Service (Edinburg, 3 trucks).
Rules that apply to this move
Both ends are in Texas, so Texas rather than the FMCSA regulates the move: ask the mover which Texas licence or registration it holds and check it with the state. The federal 110% cap on non-binding estimates does not reach a move inside Texas, so your protection on this 531-mile job is the estimate you sign; ask for it binding or not-to-exceed. More in binding vs non-binding estimates.
Before you book Arlington to McAllen
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 531 miles the gap between a guess and a weighed load is measured in four figures.
Arriving in McAllen
A local move inside McAllen later — across town, out of temporary housing — is billed by the hour: about $445 – $733 for a two-bedroom home and $741 – $1,344 for three bedrooms. The nearest cities we cover from McAllen are Corpus Christi (about 138 mi), Laredo (about 140 mi), San Antonio (about 258 mi).
Other routes from Arlington
All routes from Arlington, nearest first.
| Route | Distance | 2-bedroom, movers |
|---|---|---|
| Arlington to Fort Worth, TX | ~15 mi | $445 – $733 |
| Arlington to McKinney, TX | ~48 mi | $445 – $733 |
| Arlington to Austin, TX | ~203 mi | $914 – $1,218 |
| Arlington to Houston, TX | ~268 mi | $1,206 – $1,608 |
| Arlington to San Antonio, TX | ~283 mi | $1,274 – $1,698 |
| Arlington to Lubbock, TX | ~329 mi | $1,481 – $1,974 |
| Arlington to Corpus Christi, TX | ~401 mi | $1,805 – $2,406 |
| Arlington to Laredo, TX | ~449 mi | $2,021 – $2,694 |
Also moving to McAllen: from Corpus Christi, TX, from Laredo, TX, from San Antonio, TX, from Austin, TX.
Arlington to McAllen moving FAQ
How much does it cost to move from Arlington, TX to McAllen?
From our published model, full-service movers over about 531 miles cost about $1,792 – $2,390 for a studio, $2,390 – $3,186 for a two-bedroom home and $2,748 – $3,664 for a three-bedroom home, transport only; packing, storage and specialty items are extra.
How long does a move from Arlington, TX to McAllen take?
The drive is about 10 hours, 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 Arlington, TX to McAllen?
Loading a freight trailer yourself: about $1,147 – $1,529 for a two-bedroom home, against $2,390 – $3,186 with full-service movers; a moving container is $1,720 – $2,294.
Is Arlington, TX to McAllen an interstate move?
No. Both cities are in Texas, so the move is regulated by Texas rather than by the federal FMCSA. The carrier needs a USDOT number and whatever Texas requires of household-goods movers; interstate authority (an MC number) is not required for this job. The federal 110% rule on non-binding estimates does not apply either, which is a good reason to ask for a binding estimate.
How many people move from Arlington, TX to McAllen each year?
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates about 116 people a year (margin of error ±111) moved from Tarrant County, which contains Arlington, to Hidalgo County, which contains McAllen.
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.