Student Movers in Arlington
Oscar's Moving Company and International Van Lines are verified movers handling student and small apartment moves in Arlington. 3 additional movers in the area also serve students.
| Company | FMCSA | Reviews | Small Moves | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oscar's Moving CompanyVerified | Active | - | - | Yes |
| International Van LinesVerified | Active | - | - | Yes |
| Bellhop | Active | 4.6/5 | 1661 | Yes |
| Intelligent Labor and Moving | None | - | - | Yes |
Student Moving Costs in Arlington
| Move Type | Cost Range | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Dorm room (local) | $200 to $500 | 2 movers, 1 to 2 hours. Boxes, small furniture only. |
| Studio apartment (local) | $300 to $800 | 2 movers, 2 to 3 hours. Includes bed, desk, boxes. |
| 1BR apartment (local) | $500 to $1,500 | 2 to 3 movers, 3 to 4 hours. Full furniture. |
| Cargo van rental (DIY) | $20 to $40/day | Plus $0.69 to $0.99/mile. Best for dorms under 10 miles. |
| Labor-only (you drive) | $100 to $200 | 2 movers for loading/unloading only, 1 to 2 hours. |
Add $50 to $150 per flight of stairs for walkup buildings. Weekend and end-of-month moves cost 15 to 20% more.
Student Moving Guide
How to Move on a Student Budget
Cargo van rental: $20 to $40/day for a dorm or studio. U-Haul, Budget, Enterprise. Add mileage ($0.69 to $0.99/mi).
Labor-only movers: Hire 2 movers for loading and unloading only ($100 to $200 for 2 hours). You drive the truck.
Full-service for 1BR: $500 to $1,500 depending on distance. Worth it if you have furniture beyond dorm basics.
Free boxes: Campus recycling centers, liquor stores near campus, Buy Nothing groups. Most students need 10 to 15 boxes max.
Timing: Mid-week moves are 15 to 20% cheaper. Avoid the last weekend of May and first weekend of August.
Dorm Move-In and Move-Out Logistics
Move-in windows: Most universities assign 2 to 4 hour slots. Book movers for the START of your window.
Certificate of Insurance (COI): Check if your campus requires one from the moving company. Request this 7 to 10 days before.
Elevator access: Some dorms restrict elevator use during peak move-in. Confirm with housing office.
Parking: Campus parking for moving trucks is usually limited to 30 to 60 minutes in designated zones. Have a plan.
Storage between semesters: Campus storage programs ($200 to $400/summer), off-campus storage units ($50 to $100/month), or ship boxes home via UPS/FedEx ($15 to $30/box).
What to Bring vs. What to Buy There
Ship or move: Clothes, bedding, laptop, personal items, small electronics.
Buy at destination: Cleaning supplies, hangers, desk lamp, shower caddy, basic kitchen items. Target or Walmart near campus is cheaper than shipping.
Don't bring: Large furniture (unless off-campus apartment), full desktop PC setup (laptop is enough for dorms), excessive kitchen equipment.
Sell before you go: Textbooks (campus buyback or Chegg), mini fridge (sell to incoming students), furniture (Facebook Marketplace, dorm swap groups).
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a student move cost in Arlington?
A dorm or studio move in Arlington costs $200 to $800. A 1BR apartment move costs $500 to $1,500. Price depends on stairs, distance, and whether you need packing. Hiring 2 movers for 2 to 3 hours for a small move is the most common student option.
When should college students book movers?
Book 2 to 3 weeks ahead for August and May moves. These are peak periods when every student is moving simultaneously. Mid-semester moves (October, March) are cheaper and easier to schedule. Mid-week moves are 15 to 20% cheaper than weekends.
Do movers handle dorm moves in Arlington?
Yes. Most local movers handle dorm and small apartment moves. Key requirements: ability to navigate narrow hallways, elevators, and time-restricted building access. Some campuses require a Certificate of Insurance (COI) and have scheduled move-in windows of 2 to 4 hours.
What is the cheapest way for a student to move?
For a dorm or studio under 10 miles: rent a cargo van ($20 to $40/day) and recruit friends. For anything larger or longer distance, hiring 2 movers for 2 to 3 hours ($200 to $500) is usually worth it compared to the time, risk of injury, and potential damage.
Related
3 of 66 movers serving Arlington, MA list student or college moving as a service: A Plus Moving & Storage, Bellhop, Intelligent Labor and Moving.
Market Overview
48 profiled movers in MA. average Google rating 4.9. 7 flagged to avoid.
Moving in Arlington
Arlington is one of the most popular destinations for young professionals in the DC area, located directly across the Potomac from the capital. With walkable urban villages like Clarendon, Ballston, and Rosslyn, it combines city living with Virginia's lower taxes. Housing is heavily apartment and condo-dominated near Metro stations, with single-family homes in outer neighborhoods. Its proximity to DC and abundance of movers make it competitively priced.
Arlington Moving FAQ
How much does a move cost in Arlington?
For a studio or 1 bedroom apartment, expect $600–$1,100. For a 2 bedroom, roughly $1,200–$1,800. Most Arlington apartments near Metro stations have elevators and loading docks, keeping moves efficient.
Do Arlington apartments have move-in fees?
Most high-rise buildings in Clarendon, Ballston, and Rosslyn charge move-in fees ($200–$500) and require freight elevator reservations 1-2 weeks ahead. Some require a certificate of insurance from your mover. Check your lease for specifics.
When is the busiest moving time in Arlington?
September 1 and end-of-month weekends. Arlington has one of the highest renter turnover rates in the DC area. The Clarendon/Ballston corridor sees especially heavy move volume. Book 3+ weeks ahead during these periods.
How much does it cost to move from Arlington to DC?
Arlington to DC neighborhoods like Georgetown or Foggy Bottom is 3-5 miles. For a 1 bedroom move, expect roughly $700–$1,100. The short distance across the Potomac keeps costs low.
Is Arlington cheaper than DC for moving?
Generally yes — Arlington apartments tend to have better truck access, more loading docks, and fewer parking challenges than older DC neighborhoods. A comparable 1 bedroom move might cost 10-15% less in Arlington than in Adams Morgan or Capitol Hill.
More in Arlington