($520+) Santa Ana, CA to Salt Lake City, UT Movers
The cost to move from Santa Ana, CA to Salt Lake City, UT ranges from $1,175 to $7,651, with an average cost of $2,800. Moves can be as low as $520 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 686 miles and usually takes 1 to 6 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.
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Compare moving options from Santa Ana, CA to Salt Lake City, UT
Moving options from Santa Ana to Salt Lake City fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,175 - $7,651 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $2,800, and movers handle all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 46% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 76% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This particular route covers 686 miles and typically takes 1 to 6 days depending on the service you pick.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 686-mile route from Santa Ana to Salt Lake City, broken down by home size:
Home size makes the biggest difference in what you'll pay on this route. A studio or 1-bedroom runs $1,175 - $4,326 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($971 - $1,924), rental truck ($476 - $955), or freight trailer ($947 - $1,584). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $2,275 - $5,322 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $7,651.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated November 2, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Santa Ana, CA to Salt Lake City, UT
Full-service movers for the 686-mile relocation from Santa Ana, California, to Salt Lake City, Utah, cost between $1,175 and $7,651. With a long-distance moving company, loading, transportation, and unloading are all taken care of. If you want to skip packing boxes, too, that can be added for $442 - $2,948, depending on your home size. What you pay in the end is mainly a function of how much your shipment weighs and how far it's traveling. As a point of reference, local movers in Santa Ana typically charge a base rate around $185 plus $75 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Santa Ana to Salt Lake City:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,175 - $4,326
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,275 - $5,322
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,936 - $7,651
Packing, storage, shuttle fees, and added coverage can stack on top of the base price. See the full add-ons and specialty services table below for what each runs from Santa Ana to Salt Lake City.
Pro tip: Avoiding peak moving season dates (May - September) is one of the easiest ways to reduce costs. Off-season moves typically come with lower pricing and more room to negotiate since movers have fewer bookings.
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Specialty moving services from Santa Ana, CA to Salt Lake City, UT
Specialty needs vary by market: 54% of Santa Ana movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Salt Lake City, 47% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing78% of local movers | $737 - $7,370 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready54% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Meathead Movers | $295 - $1,769/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $442 - $3,538 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage12% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs55% of local movers | $1,474 - $4,422 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,685 - $14,740 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,104 - $2,098 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items29% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: SOS Moving, LLC | $1,474 - $3,685 |
| Piano | Any piano type39% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: SOS Moving, LLC | $1,179 - $5,159 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling10% of local movers | $442 - $2,211 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect5% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Silicon Valley Moving and Storage (CA) | $958 - $2,948 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $442 - $22,110+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $442 - $5,159+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Santa Ana to Salt Lake City?
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 customer support, and 30 days of free storage are included with every move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list, with 30+ years in business since 1995. AVL is one of the few national carriers that uses full-time in-house crews instead of contracted labor.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, combining fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan that covers damage, loss, and breakage.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Santa Ana, CA. At that distance, local movers often charge 30% - 40% more because they don't spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments the way national carriers do. If a direct route and faster delivery (averaging 2 days) are priorities, a local mover may be worth considering, but that service comes at a higher price.
Moving container costs from Santa Ana, CA to Salt Lake City, UT
Moving containers from Santa Ana, California, to Salt Lake City, Utah, cost between $971 and $3,228. You're in charge of loading, and the timeline is yours to set. U-Haul allows 3 days while PODS gives you a full 30. After that, the company picks it up and delivers it to your new address. Running behind schedule? Storage in Santa Ana costs roughly $110/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Santa Ana to Salt Lake City:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $971 - $1,924
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,233 - $2,514
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,668 - $3,228
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $111 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $221 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Salt Lake City, UT, if you need to retrieve anything while items are still in storage.
- Moving labor: Since you're responsible for loading the container yourself, many customers bring in hourly help. Based on moveBuddha data, hiring 2 movers for approximately 5 hours costs about $1,032 in Santa Ana, CA. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection goes beyond the standard minimum and covers repair, replacement, or reimbursement at declared value. Pricing is typically 1% - 2% of your total shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 move.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a California to Utah move in the past 90 days. Our pricing data is drawn from 1,500+ monthly data points across our vetted mover network and refreshed every month.
Pro tip: Before ordering moving containers, take a careful inventory of everything you're moving. A typical 1-bedroom home weighs around 3,000 pounds and fits in a single container starting at $971. Underestimating how much you have and needing an extra container means paying for another one, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise. For reference, a 2 - 3 bedroom home typically runs $1,233 - $2,514.
What are the best moving containers Santa Ana to Salt Lake City?
- Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
- U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
- MovingYourself (5.0/5 stars)
Want a hand without paying for full service? A container or truck move does not mean doing all the heavy lifting yourself. You can hire a labor-only crew in Santa Ana to load and unload while you handle the drive, then book full help later if you change your mind. Three top-rated local crews for labor-only help in Santa Ana:
- Meathead Movers (4.7/5), 24 years in business
- Best Fit Movers (4.8/5), 8 years in business
- Maison Moving (4.6/5), 18 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Santa Ana, CA to Salt Lake City, UT
Truck rentals from Santa Ana, California, to Salt Lake City, Utah, range from $476 - $1,347 for the 686-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $322 - $368
- Daily insurance: $44/day
- Equipment rentals: $10 - $29
- Santa Ana daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.79 - $1.09
| Home size | Typical truck size |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | 10 - 12 ft |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | 15 - 17 ft |
| 4+ bedrooms | 20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel) |
These are typical moving truck rental costs from Santa Ana to Salt Lake City based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $476 - $955
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $535 - $1,068
- 4+ bedrooms: $667 - $1,347
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Santa Ana to Salt Lake City starts at $476 - $1,347, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($322 - $368), overnight lodging ($221/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for roughly $600 - $1,200 more on top of fuel and lodging to cover meals, equipment, and other extras.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $221 per night. Most long-distance moves with rental trucks require 1 - 3 overnight stops.
- Equipment: Tow dollies, auto trailers, and specialty moving equipment can add between $96 and $479 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $322 - $368 in fuel for the 686-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $1,032 in Santa Ana, California, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Santa Ana to Salt Lake City?
- Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
- Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
- U-Haul Truck Rental (4.2/5 stars)
The best truck rental companies for this route, based on moveBuddha's ratings.
Freight trailer costs from Santa Ana, CA to Salt Lake City, UT
For larger DIY moves from Santa Ana, California, freight trailers give you plenty of room without putting you behind the wheel. Standard trailers are 28 feet long. You load the section you need, and the carrier transports everything to Salt Lake City, Utah.
Because freight companies bill by linear footage, your total is based on how much of the trailer you occupy, not the full length. For a 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route, pricing typically falls between $1,029 and $2,011.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Santa Ana to Salt Lake City:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $947 - $1,584
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,029 - $2,011
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,334 - $2,715
Pro tip: A 4-foot ramp sounds simple, but heavy or awkward furniture can make the climb tricky. With 8 feet of height to work with, smart vertical stacking is key. Since freight companies charge by the linear foot, every extra foot you use adds to the bill.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Seasonal demand: Pricing tends to rise during peak moving season, particularly between mid-May and mid-September.
- Moving labor: Most customers hire loading help since freight is self-loaded. Two movers in Santa Ana, California, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $1,032.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $111 and $221 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Santa Ana to Salt Lake City?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the best for large moves pick. While it's a top moving container option for the DIY hybrid setup (you handle the loading, they handle the driving), the same approach makes it a strong freight choice for 3 to 5+ bedroom homes that need 53 feet of trailer capacity with pay-as-you-go pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer here. In addition to their popular container service, U-Pack delivers a top-tier freight trailer option that uses the same pay-by-the-foot pricing model and skips deposits and upfront fees entirely.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are one of the fastest ways to move your belongings interstate, often beating full-service movers on delivery time. If getting your stuff to Salt Lake City quickly is a priority, freight is worth a hard look. That said, freight carriers typically require you to be available to receive your shipment within a set window, so if you need short-term storage or your new place won't be ready right away, a container or full-service mover may give you more flexibility.
Cost of living: Santa Ana, CA vs Salt Lake City, UT
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Salt Lake City, side by side with Santa Ana on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Santa Ana, CA | Salt Lake City, UT |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 165 | 121 |
| Average rent | $2,650/mo | $1,495/mo |
| Median home value | $657,015 | $495,721 |
| Average income | $88,354/yr | $74,925/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 7.0% | 3.0% |
| State income tax | Up to 13.3% | Up to 4.95% |
| Walkability score | 67/100 | 59/100 |
| Safety index | 45.83/100 | 65.36/100 |
| Air quality | Moderate | Good |
Cost of living index is relative to the U.S. average of 100. Figures reflect the latest available city and state data.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Salt Lake City, UT to Santa Ana, CA guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from California to Utah over the past 3 months, giving us some of the most up-to-date pricing data around. Running your move through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. There are 1,154 movers in our California network to compare for this 686-mile move.
Our take
A move from Santa Ana, CA, to Salt Lake City, UT, gives you several options depending on your budget and how much you want to do yourself. Full-service movers handle everything but cost the most, ranging from $1,175 - $7,651 on the 686-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $971 - $3,228, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $476 - $1,347. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $2,275 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and round-the-clock live support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Intermountain Healthcare and Alsco.
FAQs: Moving from Santa Ana, CA, to Salt Lake City, UT
How much does it cost to move from Santa Ana, CA to Salt Lake City, UT?
Costs on this route range from around $520 to $7,651, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,175 and $7,651, while DIY options like rental trucks and containers come in lower. Moving during peak season (May - September) tends to push prices higher across the board.
What size moving truck do I need for this route?
Rental trucks generally range from 10 to 26 feet. A 15- to 17-foot truck covers most 2-bedroom moves, while a smaller 10- to 12-foot truck works for a studio or 1-bedroom. Homes with 4 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
What do local movers charge in Santa Ana?
Local movers based in Santa Ana typically start around $185 as a base rate, plus $75/hour per mover. That's a useful baseline if you're hiring help just to load a rental truck or container rather than booking a full long-distance move. Rates in Salt Lake City run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Utah?
Although a local license is not required in Utah, make sure the moving company you’ll be hiring is registered with U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). To verify if you’re dealing with a legal and licensed mover, you may ask them their USDOT registration number.
What are the best neighborhoods in Salt Lake City?
For families, East Bench, Greater Avenues, and Liberty Wells are worth a look in Salt Lake City. If you're moving solo or without kids, Capitol Hill, Central City, and East Bench tend to be popular picks instead.
What percentage of Santa Ana movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 39% of movers in Santa Ana handle piano moves, and 29% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.