Moving From Guide

Moving From St. Louis, MO

Everything you need to know about leaving St. Louis — from top destinations and moving tips to your farewell checklist.

Population: 301,578COL Index: 86Median Home: $175,000Avg Winter: 24°F

Why People Leave St. Louis

Every city has its trade-offs. Here are the most common reasons residents decide it's time to move on from St. Louis.

1

Harsh winters averaging 24°F drive many residents to seek warmer climates, especially retirees and remote workers who have location flexibility.

2

Career opportunities elsewhere attract ambitious professionals looking for growth in emerging job markets.

3

Many residents seek a change of pace — whether it's a smaller community, different climate, or closer proximity to family.

Top Destinations From St. Louis

Explore the most popular places people move to when leaving St. Louis, with distance, drive time, and cost comparisons.

Nashville, TN

310 miles
5 hour drive
via I-64 East / I-24 East

Dallas, TX

640 miles
9.5 hour drive
via I-44 West

Atlanta, GA

555 miles
8 hour drive
via I-64 East / I-65 South

Denver, CO

860 miles
13 hour drive
via I-70 West

Austin, TX

860 miles
13 hour drive
via I-44 West / I-35 South

New York, NY

1,134 miles
20.6 hour drive
via I-40 East

Los Angeles, CA

2,062 miles
37.5 hour drive
via I-40 West

Chicago, IL

341 miles
6.2 hour drive
via I-65 North / I-80 East

Houston, TX

884 miles
16.1 hour drive
via I-65 South / I-80 West

Phoenix, AZ

1,651 miles
30 hour drive
via I-40 West

Philadelphia, PA

1,051 miles
19.1 hour drive
via I-40 East

San Antonio, TX

1,031 miles
18.7 hour drive
via I-65 South / I-80 West

San Diego, CA

2,030 miles
36.9 hour drive
via I-40 West

San Jose, CA

2,235 miles
40.6 hour drive
via I-40 West

Jacksonville, FL

976 miles
17.7 hour drive
via I-65 South / I-80 East

Fort Worth, TX

740 miles
13.5 hour drive
via I-65 South / I-80 West

Columbus, OH

515 miles
9.4 hour drive
via I-40 East

Charlotte, NC

738 miles
13.4 hour drive
via I-40 East

Indianapolis, IN

299 miles
5.4 hour drive
via I-40 East

San Francisco, CA

2,264 miles
41.2 hour drive
via I-40 West

Seattle, WA

2,236 miles
40.7 hour drive
via I-40 West

Oklahoma City, OK

596 miles
10.8 hour drive
via I-40 West

El Paso, TX

1,342 miles
24.4 hour drive
via I-40 West

Washington, DC

921 miles
16.7 hour drive
via I-40 East

Las Vegas, NV

1,788 miles
32.5 hour drive
via I-40 West

Louisville, KY

314 miles
5.7 hour drive
via I-40 East

Memphis, TN

313 miles
5.7 hour drive
via I-35 South

Portland, OR

2,235 miles
40.6 hour drive
via I-40 West

Baltimore, MD

950 miles
17.3 hour drive
via I-40 East

Milwaukee, WI

426 miles
7.7 hour drive
via I-65 North / I-80 East

Albuquerque, NM

1,223 miles
22.2 hour drive
via I-40 West

Tucson, AZ

1,621 miles
29.5 hour drive
via I-40 West

Fresno, CA

2,101 miles
38.2 hour drive
via I-40 West

Sacramento, CA

2,186 miles
39.7 hour drive
via I-40 West

Mesa, AZ

1,635 miles
29.7 hour drive
via I-40 West

Kansas City, MO

309 miles
5.6 hour drive
via I-40 West

Omaha, NE

460 miles
8.4 hour drive
via I-40 West

Colorado Springs, CO

1,024 miles
18.6 hour drive
via I-40 West

Raleigh, NC

865 miles
15.7 hour drive
via I-40 East

Miami, FL

1,381 miles
25.1 hour drive
via I-65 South / I-80 East

Tampa, FL

1,120 miles
20.4 hour drive
via I-65 South / I-80 East

Orlando, FL

1,120 miles
20.4 hour drive
via I-65 South / I-80 East

Pittsburgh, PA

725 miles
13.2 hour drive
via I-40 East

Cincinnati, OH

400 miles
7.3 hour drive
via I-40 East

Boise, ID

1,808 miles
32.9 hour drive
via I-40 West

Richmond, VA

907 miles
16.5 hour drive
via I-40 East

Salt Lake City, UT

1,508 miles
27.4 hour drive
via I-40 West

Minneapolis, MN

606 miles
11 hour drive
via I-35 North

New Orleans, LA

779 miles
14.2 hour drive
via I-35 South

Honolulu, HI

5,369 miles
97.6 hour drive
via I-40 West

Charleston, SC

914 miles
16.6 hour drive
via I-65 South / I-80 East

Savannah, GA

889 miles
16.2 hour drive
via I-65 South / I-80 East

Knoxville, TN

508 miles
9.2 hour drive
via I-40 East

Fort Lauderdale, FL

1,356 miles
24.7 hour drive
via I-65 South / I-80 East

Chattanooga, TN

476 miles
8.7 hour drive
via I-65 South / I-80 East

Madison, WI

403 miles
7.3 hour drive
via I-35 North

Grand Rapids, MI

497 miles
9 hour drive
via I-65 North / I-80 East

Huntsville, AL

436 miles
7.9 hour drive
via I-65 South / I-80 East

Greenville, SC

656 miles
11.9 hour drive
via I-40 East

Asheville, NC

612 miles
11.1 hour drive
via I-40 East

Des Moines, IA

355 miles
6.5 hour drive
via I-65 North / I-80 West

Spokane, WA

1,947 miles
35.4 hour drive
via I-40 West

Birmingham, AL

521 miles
9.5 hour drive
via I-65 South / I-80 East

Sioux Falls, SD

625 miles
11.4 hour drive
via I-65 North / I-80 West

Fargo, ND

858 miles
15.6 hour drive
via I-65 North / I-80 West

Scottsdale, AZ

1,639 miles
29.8 hour drive
via I-40 West

Arlington, TX

730 miles
13.3 hour drive
via I-65 South / I-80 West

Aurora, CO

1,023 miles
18.6 hour drive
via I-40 West

Bakersfield, CA

2,079 miles
37.8 hour drive
via I-40 West

Anaheim, CA

2,045 miles
37.2 hour drive
via I-40 West

Santa Ana, CA

2,045 miles
37.2 hour drive
via I-40 West

Long Beach, CA

2,067 miles
37.6 hour drive
via I-40 West

Virginia Beach, VA

1,022 miles
18.6 hour drive
via I-40 East

Rochester, NY

946 miles
17.2 hour drive
via I-40 East

Finding Movers in St. Louis

Navigating the moving company landscape can be overwhelming. Here's what to keep in mind when hiring movers in St. Louis.

Get Multiple Quotes

Always get at least 3 in-home or virtual estimates. Prices in St. Louis can vary by 30-50% between companies for the same move.

Verify Licenses

Check USDOT numbers for interstate moves and state licensing for local moves. Avoid movers who only accept cash or won't provide written estimates.

Time It Right

Moving during off-peak months (October–April) can save 20-30%. Midweek moves are also typically cheaper than weekend slots in St. Louis.

Packing Up in St. Louis

Packing up a house in St. Louis? These tips will save you time, money, and headaches on moving day.

Start with the Garage

Homes in St. Louis often accumulate years of garage clutter. Start there — you'll free up staging space and reduce your load.

Protect Your Floors

Use furniture sliders on hardwood and carpet protectors on stairs. Moving heavy furniture can cause costly damage to your home.

Label by Room and Priority

Color-code boxes by destination room and mark 'open first' essentials. You'll thank yourself on unpacking day.

Handle Yard Equipment Early

Drain fuel from mowers, blowers, and trimmers. These items need special handling and should be prepped days before the move.

Photograph Your Setup

Take photos of how electronics, shelving, and wall art are arranged. It makes recreating your space in your new home much easier.

Your St. Louis Farewell Checklist

Don't leave anything behind (except the memories). Complete these 10 essential tasks before your last day in St. Louis.

Cancel or transfer utilities (electric, gas, water, internet)
Forward your mail through USPS (set up at least 2 weeks early)
Update your address with banks, insurance, and subscriptions
Transfer or obtain new vehicle registration and driver's license
Notify your employer and update payroll records
Say goodbye to neighbors, friends, and colleagues
Get copies of medical and dental records
Close or transfer local gym memberships and services
Return library books, rented equipment, and borrowed items
Do a final walkthrough and document the condition of your home

Ready to Leave St. Louis?

Get free, no-obligation moving quotes from top-rated movers experienced with St. Louis relocations.