($813+) Long Beach, CA to Missoula, MT Movers
The cost to move from Long Beach, CA to Missoula, MT ranges from $1,291 to $9,141, with an average cost of $3,350. Moves can be as low as $813 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 1,223 miles and usually takes 2 to 8 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 Long Beach, CA to Missoula, MT
Moving options from Long Beach to Missoula fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,291 - $9,141 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $3,350, and movers handle all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 60% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This particular route covers 1,223 miles and typically takes 2 to 8 days depending on the service you pick.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,223-mile route from Long Beach to Missoula, broken down by home size:
- Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $1,291 - $5,226, container $1,296 - $2,431, rental truck $821 - $1,460, freight trailer $1,203 - $2,144.
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $2,798 - $6,758, container $1,620 - $3,218, rental truck $854 - $1,862, freight trailer $1,351 - $2,818.
- 4+ bedrooms: full-service $4,944 - $9,141, container $2,331 - $4,397, rental truck $1,029 - $2,204, freight trailer $1,920 - $3,409.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Long Beach, CA to Missoula, MT
Hiring full-service movers from Long Beach, California, to Missoula, Montana, costs between $1,291 and $9,141. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 1,223-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $427 - $2,848, depending on the size of your home. Your final cost comes down to two things: the total weight of your shipment and the distance between Long Beach and Missoula. For a rough baseline, movers based in Long Beach tend to start around $162 plus $75/hour per mover on local jobs, before long-distance pricing takes over for a move this size.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Long Beach to Missoula:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,291 - $5,226
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,798 - $6,758
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,944 - $9,141
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 Long Beach to Missoula.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from California to Montana. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
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 Long Beach, CA to Missoula, MT
Specialty needs vary by market — 87% of Long Beach movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Missoula, 100% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $712 - $7,120 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready87% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Sterling Van Lines | $285 - $1,709/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $427 - $3,418 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage40% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs55% of local movers | $1,424 - $4,272 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,560 - $14,240 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,067 - $2,026 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items67% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Sterling Van Lines | $1,424 - $3,560 |
| Piano | Any piano type79% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Sterling Van Lines | $1,139 - $4,984 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling39% of local movers | $427 - $2,136 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect29% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Sterling Van Lines | $926 - $2,848 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $427 - $21,360+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $427 - $4,984+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Long Beach to Missoula?
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is our pick for best overall value. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 support, and 30 days of free storage make Safeway the clearest value on this list.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. AVL has been moving customers since 1995 and uses full-time in-house crews trained on high-value items like art and antiques.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. One of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, 24/7 monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan against damage, loss, and breakage.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Long Beach, 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 Long Beach, CA to Missoula, MT
Moving containers from Long Beach, California, to Missoula, Montana, cost between $1,296 and $4,397. 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 Long Beach runs about $90/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Long Beach to Missoula:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,296 - $2,431
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,620 - $3,218
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,331 - $4,397
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $107 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $214 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Missoula, MT, 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 $997 in Long Beach, 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.
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 $1,296. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,620 - $3,218, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Long Beach to Missoula?
- 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 Long Beach 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 Long Beach:
- Sterling Van Lines (4.6/5), 35 years in business
- Merit Moving Systems (4.9/5), 39 years in business
- Box-N-Go, LLC (4.8/5), 19 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Long Beach, CA to Missoula, MT
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 1,223 miles from Long Beach, California, to Missoula, Montana, running $821 - $2,204. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $554 - $633
- Daily insurance: $43/day
- Equipment rentals: $10 - $28
- Long Beach 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 Long Beach to Missoula based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $821 - $1,460
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $854 - $1,862
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,029 - $2,204
Pro tip: A rental truck from Long Beach to Missoula looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $821 - $2,204. But once you factor in fuel ($554 - $633) , overnight lodging ($214/night), meals, and equipment rentals, most people end up spending $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate suggests. Building that into your budget upfront saves you from sticker shock at the end of the move.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $214 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 $93 and $463 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $554 - $633 in fuel for the 1,223-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $997 in Long Beach, California, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Long Beach to Missoula?
- 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 Long Beach, CA to Missoula, MT
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Long Beach, California, to Missoula, Montana, 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. Overall pricing for a move of this size and distance typically lands around $1,351 and $2,818.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Long Beach to Missoula:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,203 - $2,144
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,351 - $2,818
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,920 - $3,409
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?
- Demand cycles: Trailer costs climb during peak moving season, especially from mid-May through mid-September when demand is at its highest.
- More space: You're billed only for the linear feet you use, but underestimating your inventory means paying for extra space, typically around $107 - $214 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Long Beach, California, for about five hours typically runs $997.
What are the best freight companies from Long Beach to Missoula?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is our pick for best for large moves. The company is best known as a top moving container option for its hybrid model where you load and they drive, and that same model translates well to freight thanks to their 53-foot trucks and pay-by-the-foot pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Beyond their flagship container service, U-Pack also runs freight trailers with the same no-deposit, no-upfront-fee model, charging only for the linear footage you actually fill.
- Sea-Logix, LLC (4.76/5 stars): Sea-Logix, LLC is our pick for best locally owned freight company. Their locally owned and operated facilities mean you work with support staff who know the route and the area, giving you more responsive scheduling than national-only carriers typically offer.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in Missoula fast. For interstate moves, freight is one of the quickest delivery methods out there. Just keep in mind that freight carriers expect you to be available to receive your shipment, so it works best when your move-in is locked in and you don't need temporary storage on either end.
Cost of living: Long Beach, CA vs Missoula, MT
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Missoula, side by side with Long Beach on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Long Beach, CA | Missoula, MT |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 162 | 113 |
| Average rent | $2,075/mo | $1,322/mo |
| Median home value | $762,188 | $426,764 |
| Average income | $83,969/yr | $65,329/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 5.2% | 4.4% |
| State income tax | Up to 13.3% | Up to 6.75% |
| Walkability score | 73/100 | 45/100 |
| Safety index | 41.42/100 | 66.73/100 |
| Air quality | Good | 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 Missoula, MT to Long Beach, CA guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 1 real quotes from California to Montana, 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. California alone has 374 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 1,223-mile move like this one.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from Long Beach, CA, to Missoula, MT, comes down to your budget and how much time and work you're able to put into it. Hands-off relocations handled by full-service movers range from $1,291 - $9,141 on the 1,223-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,296 - $4,397 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $821 - $2,204 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $2,798 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and 24/7 live support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Walmart AT&T and Target.
FAQs: Moving from Long Beach, CA, to Missoula, MT
How walkable is Missoula?
Missoula has a walkability score of 45 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 60, compared to 73 and 70 in Long Beach. 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 ($554 - $633), daily insurance ($43/day), and equipment rentals ($10 - $28) on top. Overnight stops can add another $214/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Montana?
In Montana, local and intrastate movers need to have a valid Public Service Commission (PSC) number issued by the Montana Department of Transportation (MDOT).
What is the best time of year to move from Long Beach, CA to Missoula, MT?
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 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 3 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
What percentage of Long Beach movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 79% of movers in Long Beach handle piano moves, and 67% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
