($898+) Riverside, CA to Austin, TX Movers
The cost to move from Riverside, CA to Austin, TX ranges from $1,390 to $9,523, with an average cost of $3,800. Moves can be as low as $898 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 1,324 miles and usually takes 3 to 8 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed over 657 quotes from Riverside, CA to Austin, TX, so our pricing data reflects what movers are actually charging right now. Check our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers, the best way to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and bad actors.
Compare moving options from Riverside, CA to Austin, TX
Moving options from Riverside to Austin fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,390 - $9,523 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $3,800, 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.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,324-mile route from Riverside to Austin, broken down by home size:
- Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $1,390 - $5,638, container $1,390 - $2,860, rental truck $908 - $1,752, freight trailer $1,355 - $2,452.
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $3,246 - $6,938, container $1,810 - $3,914, rental truck $981 - $2,104, freight trailer $1,433 - $2,918.
- 4+ bedrooms: full-service $5,163 - $9,523, container $2,584 - $5,200, rental truck $1,296 - $2,414, freight trailer $1,986 - $3,837.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated August 18, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Riverside, CA to Austin, TX
For the 1,324-mile move from Riverside, California, to Austin, Texas, full-service movers cost between $1,390 and $9,523. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $391 - $2,604 (1 - 5+ bedrooms), crews will pack your boxes. The weight of your shipment and the mileage between the two cities are what drive your final cost.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Riverside to Austin:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,390 - $5,638
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,246 - $6,938
- 4+ bedrooms: $5,163 - $9,523
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 Riverside to Austin.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from California to Texas. 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.
Add-ons and specialty services from Riverside, CA to Austin, TX
Most moves come with a few extras on top of the base price, and some items need a specialist instead of a standard crew. The table below lists what each add-on and specialty service runs from Riverside to Austin. Prices are localized to Riverside costs.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost (Riverside to Austin) |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | You want the crew to box everything | $651 - $6,510 |
| Storage in transit | Your new place is not ready on arrival | $260 - $1,562/mo |
| Shuttle fee | A full-size truck cannot reach the door | $391 - $3,125 |
| Full-value protection | Coverage beyond the default $0.60/lb | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Shipments under about 2,000 lbs | $1,302 - $3,906 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,255 - $13,020 |
| Car shipping | Moving a second vehicle | $975 - $1,853 |
| Antiques & fine art | Climate control and white-glove handling | $1,302 - $3,255 |
| Piano | Upright, baby grand, or grand | $1,042 - $4,557 |
| Pool table | Disassembly and professional re-leveling | $391 - $1,953 |
| Hot tub | 500 - 900 lb units with electrical disconnect | $846 - $2,604 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled, vibration-safe transport | $391 - $19,530+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or VIP concierge | $391 - $4,557+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Riverside to Austin?
- 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 van lines are the smarter financial choice over local movers in Riverside, CA. Local companies can run 30% - 40% more at that range since they don't consolidate shipments the way interstate carriers do. If a direct, dedicated route with an average 2-day delivery appeals to you, a local mover could be worth it, but that convenience comes at a cost.
Moving container costs from Riverside, CA to Austin, TX
Moving containers from Riverside, California, to Austin, Texas, cost between $1,390 and $5,200. 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.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Riverside to Austin:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,390 - $2,860
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,810 - $3,914
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,584 - $5,200
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Access: Most major container brands operate in both Riverside, CA and Austin, TX. Still, double-check that a nearby facility is available if you need to access your belongings before delivery.
- Moving labor: Because containers are self-loaded, many customers hire hourly help. Two movers for about 5 hours typically cost around $911 in Riverside, CA, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $98 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $195 for larger ones (12 - 16 feet).
- Added contents protection: For more coverage beyond the standard minimum, full-value protection is the typical upgrade, generally 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value. On a $50,000 household, that's roughly $500 - $1,000 as a one-time fee.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a California to Texas 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 $1,390. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,810 - $3,914, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Riverside to Austin?
- PODS (4.8/5 stars): PODS is best for nationwide coverage. It runs the widest service network of any container company, with secure month-to-month storage and steel-frame containers you load on your own schedule.
- Units Moving & Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars): Units is best for locally owned service. Their steel containers come in multiple sizes that fit tight driveways, and locally owned branches mean you reach a live support team that knows your area.
- 1-800-Pack-Rat: 1-800-Pack-Rat is best for weatherproof storage. Their all-steel containers hold up well in transit and long storage windows, with flexible month-to-month terms when your move-in date slips.
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 Riverside 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 Riverside:
- Burgess Moving and Storage, 80 years in business
- Trek Movers (5.0/5), 10 years in business
- Alex Moving and Storage (3.6/5), 24 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Riverside, CA to Austin, TX
Using a rental truck to move from Riverside, California, to Austin, Texas, generally costs between $908 and $2,414. Renting a truck is the cheapest option on this route, but it's also the most physically demanding. You handle all the heavy lifting yourself when you load the truck, you drive the full 1,324 miles to Austin, and you unload everything once you arrive. The base rate doesn't include fuel ($548 - $627), insurance ($39/day), or equipment rentals ($9 - $26) (these are billed separately).
Rental moving truck sizes generally range from 10 - 26 feet. Most 2-bedroom moves fit comfortably in a 15- to 17-foot truck, which is the most commonly rented size. Studio apartments and 1-bedroom homes can typically get by with a 10- to 12-foot truck. For 3+ bedroom homes, a 20- to 26-foot truck is usually the right call, though trucks at that size typically require diesel fuel, which can greatly increase your total cost.
These are typical moving truck rental costs from Riverside to Austin based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $908 - $1,752
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $981 - $2,104
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,296 - $2,414
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $908 - $2,414 when pricing out a rental truck from Riverside to Austin. Fuel alone runs ($548 - $627) , and overnight lodging ($195/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend an additional $600 - $1,200 beyond the base rate by the time the move is done.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $195 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 $85 and $423 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $548 - $627 in fuel for the 1,324-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $911 in Riverside, California, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Riverside to Austin?
- Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars): Budget Truck Rental is the best value rental on this route. Lower base rates than competitors, plus stackable discounts for AAA, military, and online bookings, make Budget the most cost-conscious choice.
- Penske Truck Rental (4/5 stars): Penske Truck Rental is most reliable on this list. Their fleet is one of the newest in the industry, and Penske bundles unlimited mileage on one-way moves with 24/7 roadside assistance at no extra charge.
- U-Haul Truck Rental (4.2/5 stars): U-Haul Truck Rental is our pick for best availability. With 23,000+ locations across North America and 7 truck size options, U-Haul has the broadest network and the most reservation flexibility of any truck rental company.
Freight trailer costs from Riverside, CA to Austin, TX
Freight trailers are a good fit for medium-to-large moves where you need more space than a container but don't want to drive a rental truck from Riverside, California, to Austin, Texas. The trailer is delivered to your address, you load it, and the carrier takes it the rest of the way.
Unlike truck rentals with flat rates, freight trailers scale with your shipment. Every additional section of trailer space you fill increases your total. Most long-distance moves using this method run roughly between $1,433 and $2,918.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Riverside to Austin:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,355 - $2,452
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,433 - $2,918
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,986 - $3,837
Pro tip: Freight pricing rewards efficient packing. Trailers are 8 feet tall and accessed via a 4-foot ramp, so technique matters, especially for heavy pieces. Since each additional linear foot adds to your quote, packing strategically is one of the easiest ways to control costs.
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 $98 - $195 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Riverside, California, for about five hours typically runs $911.
What are the best freight companies from Riverside to Austin?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the pick for best for large moves. The company is well-regarded as a top moving container option for its load-it-yourself, we-drive-it model, and that same model makes it a strong freight option for larger homes that benefit from the company's 53-foot trucks and footage-based pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Alongside their flagship container service, U-Pack provides a top-notch freight trailer option that follows the same model: no deposits, no upfront fees, and pricing based on the linear footage you actually use.
- ALL Service Handling (4.7/5 stars): ALL Service Handling is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned and based facilities mean accessible support staff and area-specific scheduling flexibility that national-only freight carriers typically don't match.
Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from Riverside to Austin, freight trailers are one of the fastest interstate options available, second only to renting a truck and driving it yourself. The tradeoff is that freight works best when you're ready to receive your belongings on the other end. If your timeline is tight on the receiving side or you need a short storage buffer, a moving container might be a better fit.
Cost of living: Riverside, CA vs Austin, TX
Good news for your budget: Austin isn't meaningfully more or less expensive to live in than Riverside. Cost of living index runs 129 there against 131 here, and rent, income, and tax rates all fall in a comparable band. Focus your planning on the move itself rather than a change in monthly expenses.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Austin, TX to Riverside, CA guide.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from Riverside, CA, to Austin, TX, 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 $1,390 - $9,523 on the 1,324-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,390 - $5,200 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $908 - $2,414 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $3,246 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and 24/7 live support.
How to plan your move from Riverside, CA to Austin, TX
- Compare your moving service options: Decide which service fits your Riverside, CA to Austin, TX move by comparing hands-off full-service pricing ($1,390 - $9,523) with lower-cost DIY container and truck options.
- Estimate your cost with the moving calculator: Get a tailored estimate for your move from Riverside to Austin using the moving cost calculator before you start contacting movers.
- Review the top-rated movers for this route: Shortlist a few movers from our recommended picks for this route, weighing their moveBuddha ratings and the strengths called out in each review.
- Request free quotes: Reach out for free estimates from your top choices so you can compare actual costs, not just averages, before booking.
- Verify licensing with the FMCSA: Protect yourself by looking up the mover's registration and complaint history with the FMCSA before you sign anything.
- Book early and time your move: Schedule your move for the fall or winter when demand drops, and book ahead to secure the best price and date for this route.
FAQ
What is the best time of year to move from Riverside, CA to Austin, TX?
Fall and winter, roughly October - March, are consistently the most affordable times to move from Riverside, California, to Austin, Texas. Fewer people are relocating during those months, which means lower prices, better availability, and more leverage when negotiating with movers.
Summer is the most expensive time to move, with peak demand running from mid-May through mid-September. If your schedule allows any flexibility, even shifting your move a few weeks earlier or later than the summer rush can save you a noticeable amount.
How much does moving from Riverside, CA to Austin, TX cost?
Rental trucks start at $908 for a move from Riverside to Austin, making them roughly 50% cheaper than full-service movers for a 1-bedroom apartment. The price range for this route is $1,390 on the low end to $9,523 on the high end. A studio or small apartment using a rental truck is going to land near the bottom, while a large home with a full-service crew will land near the top.
What is the most budget-friendly way to move from Riverside, CA to Austin, TX?
Renting a moving truck is the cheapest option for moving from Riverside to Austin, since you handle all the labor yourself and only pay for the vehicle. A 2-bedroom truck rental on this route averages $981 - $2,104. Take a look at our cheapest truck rental recommendations to lock in the lowest base rate for your DIY relocation.
What looks affordable upfront often isn't once you factor in the extras. Fuel ($548 - $627), insurance ($39/day), equipment rentals ($9 - $26), and overnight lodging ($195/night for cross-country drives) all add up beyond the base rate. Run the full math before booking your move from Riverside, California, to Austin, Texas.
What tips should I follow when moving from Riverside, CA to Austin, TX?
Reducing your shipment by 500 pounds, roughly the equivalent of decluttering one bedroom's worth of items, saves approximately $200 - $400 on a full-service move on this route.
Staying organized throughout the process matters just as much. A detailed moving checklist keeps you on schedule, helps you avoid last-minute mistakes, and makes the whole experience considerably less overwhelming.
How long does a move from Riverside, CA to Austin, TX take?
Full-service and container moves on this route typically take 5 - 7 days from pickup to delivery. Carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction, which is what keeps transit times and costs in a reasonable range.
Freight trailers are the fastest delivery option on this route outside of driving a rental truck yourself, and they tend to have more consistent delivery windows than full-service movers. Just keep in mind that freight works best when you're ready to receive your shipment on the other end.
If you need storage or your move-in isn't locked in yet, a container or full-service mover gives you more flexibility. Driving a rental truck from Riverside, California, to Austin, Texas, puts the timeline entirely in your hands.