Moving from Seattle, WA to Missoula, MT
About 460 miles across a state line, from Washington into Montana, 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 Seattle, WA to Missoula, MT covers about 460 miles and is an interstate move. Full-service movers cost $2,070 – $2,760 for a two-bedroom home in our model, delivered in 3 to 7 days. About 424 people a year move between the two counties (Census).
The route
At 460 miles between Washington and Montana, 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 $2,070 – $2,760 full-service — so ask which one you are buying.
- Move type
- Interstate move
- Driving
- about 8 hours
- Usually moves on
- either a dedicated truck or a consolidated load
- Book ahead
- 4 to 6 weeks
Cost of moving from Seattle to Missoula
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,553 – $2,070 | $1,118 – $1,490 | $745 – $994 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,863 – $2,484 | $1,341 – $1,788 | $894 – $1,192 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,070 – $2,760 | $1,490 – $1,987 | $994 – $1,325 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,381 – $3,174 | $1,714 – $2,285 | $1,143 – $1,524 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,691 – $3,588 | $1,938 – $2,583 | $1,292 – $1,722 |
| 5+ bedrooms | $3,105 – $4,140 | $2,236 – $2,981 | $1,490 – $1,987 |
Transport only, for an estimated 460 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, Seattle to Missoula
460 miles × 2.0 (two-bedroom size multiplier) × $2.50 (full-service rate) = $2,300. The range runs 10% under that to 20% over: $2,070 to $2,760, 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 Seattle to Missoula
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates that about 424 people a year (±320) moved from King County, WA, home to Seattle, to Missoula County, MT, home to Missoula. Going the other way: about 98 people a year (±78). Movers from King County make up 3.9% of the 10,974 people a year who moved into Missoula County from another county or state.
At state level, the 2024 survey counts about 3,631 people a year (±1,556) moving from Washington to Montana and about 6,291 people a year (±2,249) from Montana to Washington — a net gain for Washington of about 2,660 people a year.
| County | People a year |
|---|---|
| Snohomish County, WA | 21,771 ±1,735 |
| Pierce County, WA | 21,425 ±1,746 |
| Kitsap County, WA | 3,349 ±699 |
| Maricopa County, AZ | 3,295 ±699 |
| Spokane County, WA | 3,045 ±593 |
| County | People a year |
|---|---|
| Flathead County, MT | 1,029 ±524 |
| Yellowstone County, MT | 683 ±293 |
| Cascade County, MT | 575 ±268 |
| Ravalli County, MT | 461 ±163 |
| King County, WA | 424 ±320 |
Licensed movers at each end
79 household-goods carriers with interstate authority are based within 30 miles of Seattle (299 counting those licensed only inside Washington). 48 of them had a roadside inspection in the last 24 months, and 16.1% of their 274 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Relocation Services Aff Aes TransportationUSDOT 340754 | Fife · 25 mi | 86 trucks | 184 | 12.0% of 108 |
| Hogland Transfer CoUSDOT 8264 | Everett · 24 mi | 67 trucks | 44 | 26.7% of 15 |
| CMS Relocation & LogisticsUSDOT 505087 | Kent · 15 mi | 59 trucks | 8 | 0.0% of 4 |
| Hansen Bros Moving & StorageUSDOT 8257 | Bellevue · 9 mi | 46 trucks | 10 | 16.7% of 6 |
| Hill Moving Services IncUSDOT 534666 | Poulsbo · 17 mi | 34 trucks | 10 | 33.3% of 3 |
| 4252510911USDOT 153161 | Kent · 15 mi | 31 trucks | 22 | 37.5% of 8 |
How these figures are calculated
At the Missoula end
For a local crew after delivery, the largest licensed carriers within 30 miles of Missoula: Montana Transfer (Missoula, 15 trucks), All Lanes Moving & Storage Inc (Missoula, 5 trucks), Garden City Movers LLC (Missoula, 2 trucks), Service Long Distance Moving LLC (Missoula, 1 truck).
Rules that apply to this move
Because the truck crosses from Washington into Montana, 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 Seattle to Missoula
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 460 miles the gap between a guess and a weighed load is measured in four figures.
Arriving in Missoula
A local move inside Missoula later — across town, out of temporary housing — is billed by the hour: about $515 – $831 for a two-bedroom home and $867 – $1,533 for three bedrooms. The nearest cities we cover from Missoula are Spokane (about 198 mi), Boise (about 290 mi), Billings (about 318 mi).
Other routes from Seattle
All routes from Seattle, nearest first.
| Route | Distance | 2-bedroom, movers |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle to Tacoma, WA | ~29 mi | $535 – $873 |
| Seattle to Olympia, WA | ~55 mi | $535 – $873 |
| Seattle to Vancouver, WA | ~160 mi | $720 – $960 |
| Seattle to Portland, OR | 174 mi | $783 – $1,044 |
| Seattle to Salem, OR | ~218 mi | $981 – $1,308 |
| Seattle to Spokane, WA | ~266 mi | $1,197 – $1,596 |
| Seattle to Eugene, OR | ~289 mi | $1,301 – $1,734 |
| Seattle to Boise, ID | ~471 mi | $2,120 – $2,826 |
Also moving to Missoula: from Spokane, WA, from Billings, MT, from Reno, NV, from Cheyenne, WY.
Seattle to Missoula moving FAQ
How much does it cost to move from Seattle to Missoula?
From our published model, full-service movers over about 460 miles cost about $1,553 – $2,070 for a studio, $2,070 – $2,760 for a two-bedroom home and $2,381 – $3,174 for a three-bedroom home, transport only; packing, storage and specialty items are extra.
How long does a move from Seattle to Missoula take?
The drive is about 8 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 Seattle to Missoula?
Loading a freight trailer yourself: about $994 – $1,325 for a two-bedroom home, against $2,070 – $2,760 with full-service movers; a moving container is $1,490 – $1,987.
Do I need an interstate-licensed mover for Seattle to Missoula?
Yes. Seattle is in Washington and Missoula is in Montana, so the carrier needs active FMCSA interstate authority (an MC number) as well as a USDOT number. 79 listed movers within 30 miles of Seattle hold it.
How many people move from Seattle to Missoula each year?
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates about 424 people a year (margin of error ±320) moved from King County, which contains Seattle, to Missoula County, which contains Missoula.
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.