($1,176+) St. Louis, MO to Oakland, CA Movers

Easily compare and book your next move with moveBuddha
Background image of a moving truck moving from St. Louis, MO to Oakland, CA

Moving from St. Louis, MO, to Oakland, CA, runs anywhere from $1,286 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $11,727 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 2,048 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 6 to 17 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 $2,563, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $11,727 or more.
  • Moving containers run $1,767 - $6,290, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,286 - $3,377.
  • Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from St. Louis, MO, to Oakland, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,611 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.

Compare moving options from St. Louis, MO to Oakland, CA

Moving options from St. Louis to Oakland fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $3,611 - $7,833 on this route, with movers handling 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 2,048-mile route typically takes 6 to 17 days door to door.

Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 2,048-mile route from St. Louis to Oakland, broken down by home size:

Home size Full-service movers Moving container Rental truck Freight trailer
Studio / 1 bedroom $2,563 - $5,434 $1,767 - $3,292 $1,286 - $2,340 $1,530 - $2,790
2 - 3 bedrooms $3,611 - $7,833 $2,068 - $4,660 $1,273 - $2,926 $1,741 - $3,585
4+ bedrooms $6,899 - $11,727 $2,952 - $6,290 $1,590 - $3,377 $2,410 - $4,838

Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.

Professional
Safeway Moving
star star star star star 4.9 / 5
Read our full Safeway review
Best overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran-owned
Container
Unlimited storage
3 container sizes
10% discount
Rental Truck
Budget Truck Rental
star star star star star 4.3 / 5
Read our full Budget review
Affordable pricing
Online estimates
Several discounts
Freight
MovingYourself
star star star star star 4.5 / 5
Read our full MovingYourself review
Fast delivery
Nationwide
100+ miles moves

Full-service moving costs from St. Louis, MO to Oakland, CA

Hiring full-service movers from St. Louis, Missouri, to Oakland, California, costs between $2,563 and $11,727. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 2,048-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $386 - $2,576, 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 St. Louis and Oakland. For a rough baseline, movers based in St. Louis tend to start around $247 plus $145/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 St. Louis to Oakland:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,563 - $5,434
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,611 - $7,833
  • 4+ bedrooms: $6,899 - $11,727

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 St. Louis to Oakland.

The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Missouri to California. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.

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.

Get Started

Specialty moving services from St. Louis, MO to Oakland, CA

Specialty needs vary by market — 86% of St. Louis movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Oakland, 85% of movers offer the same service.

Service When you need it Typical cost
Full packingFull crew packing93% of local movers$644 - $6,440
Storage in transitNew place not ready86% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: ABC Quality Moving & Storage$258 - $1,546/mo
Shuttle feeTruck can't reach door$386 - $3,091
Full-value protectionMore than $0.60/lb coverage36% of local movers$300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value)
Small movesUnder ~2,000 lbs86% of local movers$1,288 - $3,864
Office / commercialWorkplace relocation$3,220 - $12,880
Car shippingSecond vehicle$965 - $1,833
Antiques & fine artFragile, high-value items36% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: ABC Quality Moving & Storage$1,288 - $3,220
PianoAny piano type64% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Arch Moving$1,030 - $4,508
Pool tableDisassembly & re-leveling21% of local movers$386 - $1,932
Hot tubHeavy, needs disconnect14% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: ABC Quality Moving & Storage$837 - $2,576
Wine collectionClimate-controlled transport$386 - $19,320+
Pet relocationGround, air, or concierge$386 - $4,508+

What are the best full-service movers from St. Louis to Oakland?

California Moving & Storage Association membership is a quick way to confirm a mover is legitimate in California, on top of the picks below.

  1. Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing means no surprise charges on moving day, and their support team is consistently rated among the most responsive in the industry.
  2. American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here, 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.
  3. Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, with 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 full-service movers are almost always better priced than local movers in St. Louis, MO. Local companies typically run 30% - 40% more at longer distances because they aren't set up to consolidate shipments the way national carriers do. The one case where a local mover might be worth the premium is if you want a dedicated direct-route truck, which averages a 2-day delivery time, but expect to pay more for that convenience.

Moving container costs from St. Louis, MO to Oakland, CA

Moving containers from St. Louis, Missouri, to Oakland, California, cost between $1,767 and $6,290. 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 St. Louis costs roughly $90/month if you need it.

Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from St. Louis to Oakland:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,767 - $3,292
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,068 - $4,660
  • 4+ bedrooms: $2,952 - $6,290

What other costs come with moving containers?

  • Moving labor: Containers are self-loaded, so many people hire hourly help for the heavy lifting. moveBuddha data shows two movers for about five hours runs around $902 in St. Louis, MO. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
  • Added contents protection: If you want stronger coverage than the default liability, full-value protection is the upgrade to consider. Most providers charge 1% - 2% of your shipment value, roughly $500 - $1,000 for $50,000 in contents.
  • Storage: After the first month, rental fees average $97 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $193 per month for a larger 12- to 16-foot unit.
  • Access: If you anticipate needing to access items while in storage, confirm there's a facility conveniently located near your Oakland, CA, destination before booking.

Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Missouri to California 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 $1,767. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $2,068 - $4,660, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.

What are the best moving containers St. Louis to Oakland?

  1. Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
  2. U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
  3. 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 St. Louis 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 St. Louis:

  • Arch Moving (4.7/5), 23 years in business
  • ABC Quality Moving & Storage (4.6/5), 37 years in business
  • Simple Moves (4.7/5), 25 years in business

Moving truck rental costs from St. Louis, MO to Oakland, CA

Renting a moving truck for the 2,048-mile move from St. Louis, Missouri, to Oakland, California, costs between $1,286 and $3,377, before these typical add-ons:

  • Fuel for the drive: $839 - $959
  • Daily insurance: $39/day
  • Equipment rentals: $9 - $26
  • St. Louis daily rental rate: $19 - $39
  • Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.99
Home sizeTypical truck size
Studio / 1 bedroom10 - 12 ft
2 - 3 bedrooms15 - 17 ft
4+ bedrooms20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel)

These are typical moving truck rental costs from St. Louis to Oakland based on home size:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,286 - $2,340
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,273 - $2,926
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,590 - $3,377

Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $1,286 - $3,377 does not include fuel ($839 - $959) , lodging ($193/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from St. Louis to Oakland typically runs $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate alone.

What other costs come with rental trucks?

  • Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in St. Louis, Missouri, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $902.
  • Gas: Fuel costs total $839 - $959 for the 2,048-mile drive, depending on whether your truck takes gas or diesel.
  • Equipment: Appliance dollies, auto transport trailers, and furniture pads are separate rentals. Expect to spend between $77 and $419, depending on what you need.
  • Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
  • Lodging: Budget around $193 per night for hotel stops on the 2,048-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $386 - $580.

What are the best moving truck rentals from St. Louis to Oakland?

  1. Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
  2. Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
  3. 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 St. Louis, MO to Oakland, CA

Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from St. Louis, Missouri, to Oakland, California, 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 $1,741 and $3,585.

Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from St. Louis to Oakland:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,530 - $2,790
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,741 - $3,585
  • 4+ bedrooms: $2,410 - $4,838

Pro tip: Loading a freight trailer is a bit different from filling a container. The 4-foot ramp can be steep with large items, and getting the most out of 8 feet of vertical clearance takes planning. Since pricing is based on linear feet used, every inch of wasted space has a cost.

What other costs come with freight trailers?

  • More space: Freight trailers are billed by the section you fill. If you misjudge your shipment size, each extra foot of trailer space adds around $97 - $193 to your final bill.
  • Peak season pricing: Expect higher rates during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) when trailer availability tightens across the country.
  • Moving labor: Loading is on you unless you hire outside help. A half-day crew of two movers in St. Louis, Missouri, typically costs $902.

What are the best freight companies from St. Louis to Oakland?

  1. MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Primarily known as a top moving container option for its DIY hybrid model where customers load and the company drives, MovingYourself also functions as a strong freight option thanks to its 53-foot trucks and pay-only-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
  2. U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. Best known for its container service, U-Pack also runs a top-notch freight trailer operation with the same no-deposit, pay-by-the-foot approach that keeps overall costs lower than most freight competitors.
  3. Flanagan-White Delivery, Inc. (4.42/5 stars): Flanagan-White Delivery, Inc. is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned facilities and accessible live support staff make scheduling and route coordination easier on local-area routes than what most national freight providers can offer.

Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from St. Louis to Oakland. If you have a hard move-in date and want your stuff there as soon as possible, freight is hard to beat. It's worth noting that freight works best when you're ready to receive your delivery, so if your move-in date is still up in the air or you'll need short-term storage, a moving container is likely the more practical choice.

Cost of living: St. Louis, MO vs Oakland, CA

The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Oakland, side by side with St. Louis on housing, income, and taxes.

Measure St. Louis, MO Oakland, CA
Cost of living index84196
Average rent$1,250/mo$2,200/mo
Median home value$180,206$925,411
Average income$55,279/yr$97,369/yr
Unemployment rate6.3%4.5%
State income taxUp to 4.8%Up to 13.3%
Walkability score66/10075/100
Safety index30.35/10031.38/100
Air qualityModerateGood

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 Oakland, CA to St. Louis, MO guide.

Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:

In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from Missouri to California, 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. We track 54 movers in Missouri, so you have real options to compare for this 2,048-mile move.

30%+
Save 30%+
Comparing movers helps moveBuddha users save more than 30% on average compared to booking blind.
$1K
$1,000 in coverage
Booking a moveBuddha Certified mover unlocks dedicated support throughout your move.
Dispute mediation
If something goes wrong, we help resolve it with Certified movers.

Our take

A move from St. Louis, MO, to Oakland, CA, 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 $2,563 - $11,727 on the 2,048-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,767 - $6,290, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $1,286 - $3,377. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $3,611 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 Kaiser Permanente and Dreyer's.

FAQs: Moving from St. Louis, MO, to Oakland, CA

What are some tips for saving money on a move from St. Louis, MO to Oakland, CA?

Cutting 500 pounds from your shipment, roughly one bedroom's worth of items, saves approximately $200 - $400 on a full-service move on this route. Beyond that, staying organized matters just as much. A solid moving checklist keeps you on schedule and helps you avoid costly last-minute mistakes.

What is the best time of year to move from St. Louis, MO to Oakland, CA?

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.

How long does a move from St. Louis, MO to Oakland, CA take?

Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 5 - 7 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are usually the fastest option outside of driving yourself, with deliveries in 3 - 5 days, though you'll need to be ready to receive your shipment on arrival. Driving a rental truck yourself puts the schedule entirely in your hands.

What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?

The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($839 - $959), daily insurance ($39/day), and equipment rentals ($9 - $26) on top. Overnight stops can add another $193/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.

What is the cheapest way to move from St. Louis, MO to Oakland, CA?

Renting a moving truck is almost always the most affordable option, since you handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself. A 2-bedroom rental truck move on this route averages $1,273 - $2,926. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.

What percentage of St. Louis movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?

About 64% of movers in St. Louis handle piano moves, and 36% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.