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Vermont
Trusted Vermont Moving Company - Local & Long Distance
Vermont is the most rural state in the nation, with 64.9 percent of its residents living in rural areas, and that working-landscape pull is exactly why people move here. Most arrive from Massachusetts and New York, trading dense metros for the Champlain Valley, the Green Mountains, and small towns reached by dirt roads. Star Van Lines is a USDOT-licensed interstate carrier (USDOT #4176875, MC #1607491) that handles local and long-distance moves across all of Vermont. Because the state has only three Interstates, we have been running the same corridors since 2016: I-89 between Burlington and the New Hampshire line, I-91 down the Connecticut River, and US-7 the length of the Champlain Valley.
Our Vermont moving services cover packing, loading, transport, delivery, and short-term storage at warehouse locations nationwide. Roughly half of Vermont's 14,000-plus miles of public road are unpaved town highways, so the final leg to a rural home can mean a narrow gravel lane that a full-size van struggles to reach in mud season. A move from Burlington to Montpelier runs 39 miles on I-89. A move from Burlington to Boston covers 216 miles. We handle both with the same coordinator and the same written estimate, from the first walk-through to delivery day.
What will a Vermont move actually cost you? Call (855) 822-2722 or use our online quote calculator. You'll get an itemized estimate that breaks down every line item, so there aren't any surprises on moving day. We're rated 4.0 on Trustpilot, 4.5 on Google, and 4.75 on Facebook across 240+ reviews.
Moving services in Vermont
Star Van Lines provides local, long-distance, and interstate moving services across Vermont. We handle packing, loading, transport, and delivery for residential and commercial moves. Vermont's rural geography shapes every job here, because the Green Mountains, the Champlain Valley, and a dense web of unpaved town roads each ask something different of a crew. Every move includes a single coordinator, a trained crew, and a written estimate.
Local moving in Vermont
Local moves in Vermont center on the Burlington and Champlain Valley market, the state's only metropolitan area. A two-person crew with a truck runs $130-$200 per hour; three movers run $195-$300. We serve Burlington and South Burlington, the surrounding Chittenden County towns of Essex, Colchester, and Shelburne, and smaller hubs like Montpelier, Rutland, and Bennington. Many Vermont homes sit at the end of long dirt driveways or on hillside town roads, which adds time for crews and sometimes calls for a smaller shuttle vehicle. And winter changes the math entirely, since snow and ice narrow the safe working window from December into March.
Long-distance moving from Vermont
Long-distance moves from Vermont run in two clear directions. Short Northeast lanes head to Boston (216 miles) and New York City (298 miles), while a steady stream of cross-country moves runs all the way to Los Angeles (2,916 miles), reflecting strong California demand on the Vermont-to-California corridor. We run regular loads south on I-91 along the Connecticut River toward the mid-Atlantic, and we coordinate the long western hauls as full interstate relocations. Because Vermont winters bring heavy snow and the occasional ice storm, your coordinator watches National Weather Service forecasts and builds flexibility into any December-through-March schedule.
Packing and storage
We offer full-service packing, partial packing, and self-pack options. Full-service means our crew brings every box and material and packs each room; partial lets you choose which rooms we handle; self-pack is the lowest-cost option. We have 43 warehouse locations nationwide for short-term and long-term storage. But in Vermont, the swing from humid summers to deep sub-freezing winters means climate-controlled storage is the safer choice for wood furniture, electronics, instruments, and artwork held between a mud-season or winter move and a later move-in date.
Auto transport and specialty items
We ship vehicles by open or enclosed carrier, and many Vermont relocators ship a car rather than drive it cross-country, especially on the long run from California. We also move pianos, antiques, gun safes, and farm and workshop equipment with specialty crating. Ski and snowboard gear, woodstoves, and sugaring equipment turn up often on Vermont manifests, and they need careful padding and disassembly before they ride.
How much does moving in Vermont cost?
Moving costs in Vermont track the state's moderate, slightly-below-average cost of living. Local moves typically run $130-$200 per hour for a two-person crew with a truck. Long-distance moves start at $700 for a studio and reach $7,850 for a large four-plus-bedroom home, depending on distance, weight, and how reachable each address is.
Local moving rates
| Crew size | Hourly rate |
|---|---|
| 2 movers + truck | $130-$200 / hour |
| 3 movers + truck | $195-$300 / hour |
| 4 movers + truck | $260-$400 / hour |
Long-distance rates from Vermont
| Move size | Estimated price range |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 Bedroom | $700 - $1,950 |
| 2-3 Bedrooms | $1,300 - $4,300 |
| 4+ Bedrooms | $2,150 - $7,850 |
Popular routes and pricing from Vermont
| Route | Distance | Avg cost (2-3 BR) |
|---|---|---|
| Burlington to Boston | 216 mi | $1,300 - $1,600 |
| Burlington to Richmond | 620 mi | $1,900 - $2,350 |
| Burlington to Charlotte | 913 mi | $2,400 - $2,900 |
| Burlington to Orlando | 1,361 mi | $2,850 - $3,500 |
| Burlington to Los Angeles | 2,916 mi | $3,500 - $4,300 |
Pricing reflects market averages for moves in and from Vermont as of June 2026. Your final price depends on inventory weight, packing level, access at pickup and delivery, and scheduling flexibility. Call (855) 822-2722 or use our free quote calculator for an exact estimate.
What affects your moving price
- Shipment weight and volume are the biggest factors on any long-distance move from Vermont.
- Distance drives the base price. Burlington to Boston is 216 miles; Burlington to Los Angeles is 2,916.
- Access at both ends matters. Long dirt driveways, hillside town roads, and mud-season weight limits can all add time or call for a shuttle.
- How much packing you want us to do. Full-service runs more than partial, and self-pack is the lowest option.
- When you move. Summer and fall foliage are peak demand, while deep winter brings snow and ice that slow loading.
- Add-on services like auto transport, climate-controlled storage, and specialty handling for pianos, gun safes, or sugaring equipment carry their own pricing.
Moving routes from Vermont
Moving to Vermont: what you should know
A move to Vermont involves more than logistics. As the most rural state in the country, Vermont trades the conveniences of a big metro for a working landscape of mountains, farms, and small towns, and that trade shapes the cost of living, the roads your crew will drive, and the seasons you can move in. Below is a quick guide covering cost of living, access and logistics, climate and timing, and the residency rules that affect your move.
What it costs to move to Vermont
Vermont's cost of living index is 97.958 (US average = 100, BEA RPP 2024), a little below the national figure. Local moving labor reflects the small, tight Burlington-area market, with a two-person crew running $130-$200 per hour. Building access in Vermont is rarely about high-rises and almost always about reach: a home on a dirt town road or a long hillside driveway can call for a shuttle or extra crew time. Median home value is $316,600 (Census ACS 2020-2024) and median monthly rent is $1,234, while median household income is $81,203. Although housing is not the bargain it is in some inland states, 73.2 percent of Vermont households own their homes, one of the higher ownership rates in the country.
Access and logistics
Vermont has just three Interstates, so most moves lean on them plus a deep network of town roads. I-89 is the primary spine, running northwest to southeast from Burlington and the Champlain Valley to White River Junction and the New Hampshire line. I-91 runs north to south along the Connecticut River on the state's eastern edge. US-7 is the Champlain Valley arterial, connecting Burlington south through Middlebury and Rutland to Bennington. Beyond those, roughly half of Vermont's 14,000-plus miles of public road are unpaved town highways, with Class 3 roads alone topping 8,500 miles. That means the last mile to many homes is gravel or dirt, the Green Mountains add steep grades, and a loaded van needs a clear, firm route planned in advance. And the season decides which of those routes are passable.
Climate and timing
Vermont has warm, humid summers with average highs near 83 degrees in Burlington and cold winters with January lows around 13. The state gets about 37.5 inches of rain, 87.5 inches of snow, and roughly 159 days with sun each year. But the headline weather risk here is water, not wind: river flooding and fluvial erosion rank as Vermont's top two natural hazards, with federal flood disasters declared in both July 2023 and July 2024. The best months for a Vermont move are late May through early October, when roads are firm and dry. Avoid the late-March-to-April mud season, when thawing dirt roads soften and many towns ban heavy trucks, and plan winter moves with room for storm days.
Residency and regulations
New Vermont residents have 60 days to get a Vermont driver license and 60 days to register a vehicle, whichever comes first against an expiring out-of-state credential. Apply at the Vermont DMV (dmv.vermont.gov) once you are settled. Vermont requires an annual safety inspection for every registered vehicle, and that inspection includes an OBD emissions test for vehicles 16 model years old or newer; a newly registered out-of-state vehicle must pass within 15 days. Because Vermont allows same-day voter registration, that part of the process is simple whenever you are ready.
What to know before moving to Vermont
Benefits of moving to Vermont
0,663
Population
$0,203
Median household income
0.958 (US = 100, BEA RPP 2024)
Cost of living index
0/year (approximate)
Days of sunshine
0.35%-8.75% (progressive)
State income tax
0.9% of residents live in rural areas
Most rural state
Vermont is home to about 644,663 people, most of them spread across small towns rather than one dominant city, with the Burlington-South Burlington metro as the state's only metropolitan area and Montpelier, Rutland, and Bennington as smaller hubs. The economy leans on healthcare, education, tourism, and a growing advanced-manufacturing base. Median household income is $81,203, and the cost of living index of 97.958 keeps that income roughly in line with the national average. The migration story points inward: in the 2023-2024 ACS window Vermont gained about 9,100 more residents from other states than it lost, with the largest inbound flows coming from Massachusetts (4,300), New York (3,600), and Pennsylvania (2,400). And the state's population edged up 0.2 percent between 2020 and 2025.
Is Vermont a good place to live?
Vermont offers a rural, outdoor-anchored life with strong community ties, four real seasons, and some of the best skiing and fall scenery in the East. But the trade-offs are real: winters are long and snowy, flooding is the dominant natural hazard, and rural living means dirt roads and longer drives to services. Whether it's a good fit depends on how much you value landscape and quiet over big-city convenience.
Tax environment
Vermont's income tax is progressive, ranging from 3.35 percent to 8.75 percent across four brackets (Tax Foundation 2026). The average combined state and local sales tax is 6.39 percent, on the lower side nationally, since Vermont's 6 percent state rate carries only a small local add-on. Property taxes are a more notable line item: the effective rate runs about 1.51 percent of home value, and Vermont funds its schools through a statewide education property tax. Vermont also levies a state estate tax, which matters for some retirees weighing the move.
Housing market
Median home value in Vermont is $316,600 (Census ACS 2020-2024), and median monthly rent is $1,234. While prices are higher than in much of the rural interior, inventory is genuinely tight, especially in and around Burlington, where the state's only metro economy concentrates demand. A high ownership rate of 73.2 percent reflects a settled, owner-heavy market, and many of the homes that do change hands sit on town roads or acreage rather than in dense subdivisions.
Job market and economy
Vermont's economy is anchored by healthcare and education. The University of Vermont Medical Center is the state's largest employer, the State of Vermont and the University of Vermont follow close behind, and GlobalFoundries in Essex Junction is the largest private for-profit employer, anchoring an advanced-manufacturing and semiconductor base. Tourism and outdoor recreation add a second engine, from ski country to the fall foliage economy. The labor force participation rate is 64.5 percent, and 43.8 percent of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, one of the better-educated workforces in the country.
Safety and natural risks
Flooding is Vermont's defining natural hazard. River flooding and fluvial erosion rank as the state's number one and number two risks, and federal disasters were declared after major flooding in both July 2023 and July 2024. Severe winter storms, ice storms, and heavy snow follow close behind, while wildfire and earthquake risk stay low. If you are buying near a river or in a valley, flood-zone awareness matters for both insurance and where you store belongings during a staged move.
Who thrives in Vermont?
Champlain Valley quality-of-life relocators
Households leaving denser metros for Burlington and South Burlington, the state's only metropolitan area at roughly 228,000 people, trade commute and crowding for lake-and-mountain access. They tend to come from California and the New York-Boston corridor, and they want full-service handling of a long-haul move into the Champlain Valley.
Outdoor and ski-economy newcomers
Buyers and seasonal residents drawn by the working landscape that pulled 16 million visitors and $4.2 billion in spending in 2024, from ski-country towns like Stowe and Killington to leaf-peeping valleys. Many move in late spring or fall to dodge mud season, and they need crews that can work around mountain grades and peak foliage road traffic.
Remote professionals trading city salaries for rural Vermont
Knowledge workers who keep an out-of-state salary while settling into a town where the median home value is $316,600 and most homes are owner-occupied. Because they often buy in small communities reached by unpaved town roads, they need movers comfortable with last-mile rural access and seasonal timing.
Retirees and second-home owners in the Green Mountains
Older relocators consolidating into a Vermont primary residence or converting a vacation home, drawn by the rural pace and the seasons. With a high ownership rate of 73.2 percent and many properties on dirt roads, they often need packing help, climate-controlled storage for a staged move, and careful winter scheduling.
University and medical-sector arrivals to Burlington
Faculty, students, researchers, and healthcare staff moving for the University of Vermont and the UVM Medical Center, the anchors of the Burlington economy. Their moves cluster around academic and hospital start dates in late summer, often arriving from distant states, and they prioritize predictable scheduling into a tight housing market.
First week after moving to Vermont: what to do
After your move to Vermont, several tasks need attention in the first weeks. Vermont gives new residents 60 days for both a driver license and vehicle registration, so there is time, but the annual inspection and flood-aware insurance are worth handling early. Here is a prioritized checklist.
- Update your driver license.
Vermont gives new residents 60 days to get a Vermont license, or until your out-of-state license expires, whichever comes first. Bring your current license and proof of Vermont residency to the Vermont DMV. (dmv.vermont.gov)
- Register your vehicle.
You have 60 days to register, and you will need a Vermont license or ID first. Vermont requires an annual safety inspection that also includes an OBD emissions test for vehicles 16 model years old or newer, and a newly registered out-of-state vehicle must pass within 15 days.
- Transfer your auto insurance.
Contact your insurer to re-rate your policy for Vermont before you register. Rural roads and winter driving affect premiums, and Vermont has its own minimum liability requirements.
- Register to vote.
Vermont offers online registration at sos.vermont.gov, plus mail and in-person options at your town clerk's office, and it allows same-day registration through Election Day.
- Update homeowner's or renter's insurance.
Because flooding is Vermont's leading hazard, review flood coverage carefully. Standard policies don't cover flood damage, so if you are near a river or in a valley you may need a separate flood policy.
- Forward your mail.
USPS Change of Address is free online at usps.com. Mail forwarding starts within 7-10 business days.
- Transfer medical records.
Contact your current providers before the move and find a new primary care physician. The UVM Medical Center and its network cover much of northern and central Vermont.
- Update school records.
If you have children, request transcripts from the previous district and contact your new one about enrollment and deadlines. Vermont's school year usually starts in late August.
Vermont at a glance: schools, jobs, and things to do
Schools and universities
South Burlington School District and the Champlain Valley Unified School District, based in Shelburne, are among the strongest in the state, and the Champlain Valley district is also Vermont's largest. The University of Vermont in Burlington is the public land-grant flagship, chartered in 1791. Vermont also hosts well-known private colleges, including Middlebury College and Norwich University, a private military college in Northfield. For families, school quality varies by town, so it pays to research the specific district before choosing where to land. Because Vermont's districts are small, the gap between neighboring towns can be wide.
Major employers
The University of Vermont Medical Center and the broader UVM Health Network make up Vermont's largest employer, with roughly 7,860 workers. The State of Vermont is the largest public employer, and the University of Vermont is another major one. GlobalFoundries, the semiconductor plant in Essex Junction, is the state's largest private for-profit employer and the anchor of Vermont's advanced-manufacturing base. Tourism and outdoor recreation round out the picture, from ski resorts to the businesses that serve foliage season. Because the economy leans on healthcare, education, and manufacturing, job seekers in those fields find the steadiest opportunities.
Attractions and recreation
The Ben & Jerry's Factory in Waterbury is one of Vermont's best-known stops. Lake Champlain anchors the Burlington waterfront and a long season of boating and recreation. The Shelburne Museum is the largest art and history museum in northern New England. For skiers and outdoor lovers, Stowe Mountain Resort and Killington, the largest ski area in the eastern United States, are major draws and, for many people, a real reason to move here. The Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park adds a quieter, conservation-minded side to the state's outdoor appeal.
FAQ
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(855) 822-2722 or email
Local moving in Vermont typically costs $130-$200 per hour for a two-person crew with a truck, or $195-$300 for the three-person crew a three-bedroom home usually needs. At 4-6 hours, that puts a typical three-bedroom local move around $780 to $1,800 once crew size and access are factored in. Long dirt driveways and stairs can add time. Call (855) 822-2722 for an itemized estimate.
Long-distance moves from Vermont start at $700 for a studio and reach about $7,850 for a large four-plus-bedroom home. The final price depends on shipment weight, distance, and access at both ends. A two-to-three-bedroom move from Burlington to Boston runs about $1,300 to $1,600, while the cross-country lane to Los Angeles runs higher. Star Van Lines provides written estimates so your price won't change after booking.
Search our USDOT number 4176875 on the FMCSA SAFER website (safer.fmcsa.dot.gov). This federal database confirms our operating authority, MC number 1607491, insurance status, and safety record. Any legitimate interstate mover should be able to provide a verifiable USDOT number.
In Vermont the charges to ask about are long-carry fees when a truck can't park close to the door, shuttle fees when a full-size van can't reach a home on a narrow or unpaved town road, and stair fees for walk-up units. We disclose every potential charge in your written estimate before you book, so nothing is a surprise on moving day.
Federal law requires interstate movers to offer two levels: Released Value Protection (free, covering $0.60 per pound per item) and Full Value Protection (paid, covering repair, replacement, or cash settlement at current value). Star Van Lines is fully insured under USDOT #4176875 and can explain both options when you request a quote.
New Vermont residents have 60 days to get a Vermont driver license and 60 days to register a vehicle, or until an out-of-state credential expires, whichever comes first. You will need a Vermont license or ID before you can register. Plan the annual safety and emissions inspection at the same time, since a newly registered vehicle must pass within 15 days.
Mud season runs roughly from late March into April, when the spring thaw turns Vermont's many unpaved town roads soft and slick. Because about half the state's roads are gravel or dirt, many towns post weight limits or ban heavy trucks outright during these weeks. If your new home is on a town road, your coordinator may schedule around the thaw or stage the move with a smaller vehicle for the last mile.
Vermont's cost of living index is 97.958 (US average = 100, BEA RPP 2024), just below the national figure. Median home value is $316,600 and median monthly rent is $1,234, with the tightest, priciest market in and around Burlington, the state's only metro. Median household income is $81,203, and 73.2 percent of households own their homes.
Late May through early October is the best window, when roads are firm and the weather is mild. Avoid late March and April, Vermont's mud season, when dirt roads soften and towns restrict heavy trucks. Deep winter, from December through February, brings snow and ice that slow loading, so build in flexibility if you must move then. Fall foliage weeks are beautiful but busy on the roads.
Yes. Because the drive from California is long and Vermont winters limit driving windows, many new residents ship a vehicle rather than drive it, and the Vermont-to-California lane is one of our busiest. We move cars by open or enclosed carrier. Since you have 60 days to register a vehicle in Vermont, it helps to time the auto transport so the car arrives with room to handle inspection and registration inside that window.
Yes. Much of Vermont sits at the end of a town road, and we plan rural moves around that reality. When a full-size van can't safely reach a gravel or hillside address, we use a shuttle for the last leg, and we time deliveries to avoid mud-season weight limits. Whether you are headed to the Champlain Valley, the Green Mountains, or a hill town, we route the move to the door.
Vermont is the most rural state in the nation, with 64.9 percent of residents living in rural areas per the 2020 Census. For a move, that means fewer big-building elevators and more long driveways, dirt town roads, and mountain grades, so access planning matters more here than in a metro state. It also means the best moving weather is tied to the seasons, since firm roads in summer and fall beat the spring thaw and deep winter.
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USDOT #4176875 | MC #1607491 | Licensed & Insured