($729+) McAllen, TX to Fort Collins, CO Movers
Moving from McAllen, TX, to Fort Collins, CO, runs anywhere from $729 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,706 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,214 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 2 to 8 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.
- Full-service moves for smaller spaces (studio apartments and 1-bedrooms) start around $2,213, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $8,706 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,235 - $4,020, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $729 - $2,017.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from McAllen, TX, to Fort Collins, CO. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,799 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
Fact Checked by:
Compare moving options from McAllen, TX to Fort Collins, CO
Moving options from McAllen to Fort Collins fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $2,799 - $6,061 for a 2-3 bedroom home and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers cost about 44% less than full-service for the same size, and rental trucks land around 70% less, with both DIY options requiring you to load yourself. Covering 1,214 miles, this route usually takes 2 to 8 days from pickup to delivery.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,214-mile route from McAllen to Fort Collins, broken down by home size:
- A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $2,213 - $4,685 with full-service movers, $1,235 - $2,201 with a container, $729 - $1,406 with a rental truck, or $1,123 - $2,167 by freight.
- A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $2,799 - $6,061 full-service, $1,576 - $3,067 by container, $838 - $1,705 by rental truck, or $1,274 - $2,504 by freight.
- A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $4,301 - $8,706 full-service, $2,177 - $4,020 by container, $1,022 - $2,017 by rental truck, or $1,759 - $3,317 by freight.
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 McAllen, TX to Fort Collins, CO
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 1,214-mile move from McAllen, Texas, to Fort Collins, Colorado, with prices running from $2,213 - $8,706. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $276 - $1,840 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between McAllen and Fort Collins are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, McAllen movers tend to run around $160 as a base rate plus $80/hour per mover, for comparison.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from McAllen to Fort Collins:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,213 - $4,685
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,799 - $6,061
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,301 - $8,706
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 McAllen to Fort Collins.
Pro tip: Peak moving season (May - September) limits truck availability and pushes up full-service moving costs. Booking during slower months can give you more scheduling room and a lower final price.
Don't see your company listed?
Reach customers actively searching for trusted movers in your area. Tell us about your company and services to get your business listed on moveBuddha.
Specialty moving services from McAllen, TX to Fort Collins, CO
Specialty needs vary by market: 63% of McAllen movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Fort Collins, 57% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing50% of local movers | $460 - $4,600 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready63% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: PODS Moving & Storage | $184 - $1,104/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $276 - $2,208 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs13% of local movers | $920 - $2,760 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,300 - $9,200 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $689 - $1,309 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items13% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Rick's Moving & Storage LLC | $920 - $2,300 |
| Piano | Any piano type38% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Rick's Moving & Storage LLC | $736 - $3,220 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling13% of local movers | $276 - $1,380 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect9% nationallyTop pick: InNout Movers (TX) | $598 - $1,840 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $276 - $13,800+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $276 - $3,220+ |
What are the best full-service movers from McAllen to Fort Collins?
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving offers the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing locks in your cost upfront, and 24/7 customer support is available throughout the move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. Operating since 1995, AVL staffs every move with full-time in-house crews trained on antiques, art, and other high-value items.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. As one of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, real-time shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in McAllen, TX. Van lines spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments, while local movers tend to charge 30% - 40% more for the same distance. A direct route with a local mover averages 2-day delivery, but that added speed typically carries a higher price tag.
Moving container costs from McAllen, TX to Fort Collins, CO
Moving containers from McAllen, Texas, to Fort Collins, Colorado, cost between $1,235 and $4,020. The container gets dropped at your door and you load it at your own pace. U-Haul gives you 3 days to load and PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're done, the company handles all the transportation. If you need extra time, storage in McAllen runs about $55/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from McAllen to Fort Collins:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,235 - $2,201
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,576 - $3,067
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,177 - $4,020
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $69 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $138 per month for larger units (12 - 16 feet).
- Moving labor: Containers don't come with loading help, so many customers hire hourly movers for the job. Two movers for about 5 hours will run you around $644 in McAllen, TX, per moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Standard coverage only reimburses by weight. Full-value protection gives you more complete coverage for higher-value items and typically costs 1% - 2% of your total declared value, around $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 shipment.
- Access: National providers generally operate in both cities, but verify that a facility near your Fort Collins, CO, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Texas to Colorado 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 $1,235. 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 $1,576 - $3,067.
What are the best moving containers McAllen to Fort Collins?
- 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 McAllen 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 McAllen:
- PODS Moving & Storage (3.7/5), 27 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from McAllen, TX to Fort Collins, CO
Plan on $729 - $2,017 for a rental moving truck on the 1,214-mile route from McAllen, Texas, to Fort Collins, Colorado. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $355 - $406
- Daily insurance: $28/day
- Equipment rentals: $6 - $18
- McAllen daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.69
| 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 McAllen to Fort Collins based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $729 - $1,406
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $838 - $1,705
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,022 - $2,017
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $729 - $2,017 when pricing out a rental truck from McAllen to Fort Collins. Fuel alone runs $355 - $406, and overnight lodging ($138/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend roughly $600 - $1,200 more on meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging by the time the move is done.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Equipment: Tow dollies, appliance dollies, and moving pads are not included in the base rate. These extras often total between $69 and $322.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $138.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $355 and $406 for the 1,214-mile drive, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: If you'd rather not do all the heavy lifting, budget around $644 for 2 movers in McAllen, Texas, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from McAllen to Fort Collins?
- 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 McAllen, TX to Fort Collins, CO
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from McAllen, Texas, to Fort Collins, Colorado, when you want to do the loading yourself without having to drive a massive vehicle. The trailer is delivered, you pack it up, and the carrier handles the long haul.
What sets freight trailers apart is the pay-for-what-you-use pricing model. Each additional foot of trailer space you occupy adds to the cost. Pricing for a 2 - 3 bedroom move of this distance typically lands between $1,274 and $2,504.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from McAllen to Fort Collins:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,123 - $2,167
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,274 - $2,504
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,759 - $3,317
Pro tip: Freight trailers offer generous space but reward good packing strategy. The 4-foot ramp can be challenging for large or heavy pieces, and using the full 8-foot height takes careful stacking. Because you're billed by the linear foot, maximizing vertical space keeps your costs lower.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- More space: Freight pricing is based on exactly how much of the trailer you fill. If your items take up more than expected, the added footage can increase your cost by between $69 and $138.
- Peak season impact: Moving during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) often means higher trailer rates as demand increases across the board.
- Moving labor: Unless you plan to load everything yourself, factor in labor costs. Two movers in McAllen, Texas, for roughly five hours typically average $644.
What are the best freight companies from McAllen to Fort Collins?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Best known as a top moving container option thanks to its DIY hybrid model (you load, they drive), MovingYourself also doubles as a strong freight choice with their 53-foot trucks and pay-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. In addition to their well-known container service, U-Pack offers freight trailers that follow the same pay-by-the-foot model with no deposits or upfront fees, making them one of the most flexible freight options for budget-conscious moves.
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 Fort Collins 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: McAllen, TX vs Fort Collins, CO
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Fort Collins, side by side with McAllen on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | McAllen, TX | Fort Collins, CO |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 76 | 116 |
| Average rent | $1,350/mo | $1,750/mo |
| Median home value | $173,919 | $544,203 |
| Average income | $60,165/yr | $83,598/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 7.9% | 5.6% |
| State income tax | None | Up to 5.49% |
| Walkability score | 41/100 | 37/100 |
| Safety index | 63.74/100 | 72.86/100 |
| 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 Fort Collins, CO to McAllen, TX guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Texas to Colorado, so we know current pricing better than most. Checking our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates. Texas alone has 843 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 1,214-mile move like this one.
Our take
For a move from McAllen, TX, to Fort Collins, CO, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $2,213 for a studio to $8,706 for a 4+ bedroom home on the 1,214-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,235 - $4,020. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $729 - $2,017, though you'll be handling the driving and loading yourself. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with quotes starting around $2,799 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage included, and 24/7 live customer support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Advanced Energy Industries and RIMROCK.
FAQs: Moving from McAllen, TX, to Fort Collins, CO
How much does it cost to move from McAllen, TX to Fort Collins, CO?
Costs on this route range from around $729 to $8,706, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,213 and $8,706, 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.
How walkable is Fort Collins?
Fort Collins has a walkability score of 37 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 78, compared to 41 and 46 in McAllen. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($355 - $406), daily insurance ($28/day), and equipment rentals ($6 - $18) on top. Overnight stops can add another $138/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Colorado?
The Colorado Public Utilities Commission (COPUC) regulates local and intrastate moving service providers in Colorado.
What is the best time of year to move from McAllen, TX to Fort Collins, CO?
Aim for a move between October and March, when demand drops and rates tend to be lower across all service types. Peak season runs mid-May through mid-September, and weekends and month-end dates are pricier regardless of season. A midweek, mid-month date outside peak season is your best bet for saving money.
What percentage of McAllen movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 38% of movers in McAllen handle piano moves, and 13% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.