($666+) Riverside, CA to Fort Collins, CO Movers
The cost to move from Riverside, CA to Fort Collins, CO ranges from $1,226 to $7,760, with an average cost of $3,050. Moves can be as low as $666 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 1,042 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 Riverside, CA to Fort Collins, CO
Moving options from Riverside to Fort Collins fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,226 - $7,760 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $3,050, and movers handle all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 40% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 71% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This particular route covers 1,042 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 1,042-mile route from Riverside to Fort Collins, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,226 - $4,607 | $1,172 - $2,076 | $693 - $1,328 | $1,097 - $1,829 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,590 - $6,319 | $1,554 - $3,066 | $756 - $1,475 | $1,255 - $2,404 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $3,976 - $7,760 | $1,976 - $4,115 | $886 - $1,885 | $1,645 - $3,260 |
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 Riverside, CA to Fort Collins, CO
Full-service movers for the 1,042-mile relocation from Riverside, California, to Fort Collins, Colorado, cost between $1,226 and $7,760. 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 $375 - $2,500, 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 Riverside typically charge a base rate around $239 plus $75 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Riverside to Fort Collins:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,226 - $4,607
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,590 - $6,319
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,976 - $7,760
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 Fort Collins.
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 Riverside, CA to Fort Collins, CO
Specialty needs vary by market: 52% of Riverside 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 packing73% of local movers | $625 - $6,250 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready52% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Burgess Moving and Storage | $250 - $1,500/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $375 - $3,000 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage11% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs48% of local movers | $1,250 - $3,750 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,125 - $12,500 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $936 - $1,779 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items26% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Trek Movers | $1,250 - $3,125 |
| Piano | Any piano type33% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: JFK Moving Company | $1,000 - $4,375 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling8% of local movers | $375 - $1,875 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect7% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Silicon Valley Moving and Storage (CA) | $813 - $2,500 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $375 - $18,750+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $375 - $4,375+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Riverside 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 full-service movers are the more cost-efficient choice. Local movers in Riverside, CA, often charge 30% - 40% more at that distance because their operations aren't built for long-haul logistics. The exception is if you want a dedicated point-to-point truck with an average 2-day delivery, though that level of service generally increases your total cost.
Moving container costs from Riverside, CA to Fort Collins, CO
Moving containers from Riverside, California, to Fort Collins, Colorado, cost between $1,172 and $4,115. 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 Riverside costs roughly $100/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Riverside to Fort Collins:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,172 - $2,076
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,554 - $3,066
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,976 - $4,115
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $94 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $188 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 $875 in Riverside, CA, 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 California 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 $1,172. 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 $1,554 - $3,066.
What are the best moving containers Riverside 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 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:
- Trek Movers (5.0/5), 11 years in business
- JFK Moving Company (4.8/5), 6 years in business
- Meathead Movers (4.7/5), 24 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Riverside, CA to Fort Collins, CO
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 1,042 miles from Riverside, California, to Fort Collins, Colorado, running $693 - $1,885. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $414 - $474
- Daily insurance: $38/day
- Equipment rentals: $9 - $25
- Riverside 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 Riverside to Fort Collins based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $693 - $1,328
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $756 - $1,475
- 4+ bedrooms: $886 - $1,885
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $693 - $1,885 when pricing out a rental truck from Riverside to Fort Collins. Fuel alone runs $414 - $474, and overnight lodging ($188/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 $94 and $438.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $188.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $414 and $474 for the 1,042-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 $875 for 2 movers in Riverside, California, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Riverside 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 Riverside, CA to Fort Collins, CO
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 Fort Collins, Colorado. 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. A 2 - 3 bedroom long-distance move using this method runs roughly between $1,255 and $2,404.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Riverside to Fort Collins:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,097 - $1,829
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,255 - $2,404
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,645 - $3,260
Pro tip: Freight trailers come with a 4-foot loading ramp, which can be a challenge with bulky furniture. With 8 feet of vertical space available, stacking efficiently often requires a ladder and a plan. Since you're billed per linear foot, packing tight can make a real difference in your final cost.
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 $94 - $188 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Riverside, California, for about five hours typically runs $875.
What are the best freight companies from Riverside to Fort Collins?
- 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 move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Riverside to Fort Collins. 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: Riverside, CA 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 Riverside on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Riverside, CA | Fort Collins, CO |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 131 | 116 |
| Average rent | $2,295/mo | $1,750/mo |
| Median home value | $539,898 | $544,203 |
| Average income | $88,575/yr | $83,598/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 7.1% | 5.6% |
| State income tax | Up to 13.3% | Up to 5.49% |
| Walkability score | 43/100 | 37/100 |
| Safety index | 59.76/100 | 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 Riverside, CA guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from California to Colorado, so our pricing data stays current. Use our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and spot bad actors early. We track 1,154 movers licensed in California, useful context for sizing up this 1,042-mile move.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from Riverside, CA, to Fort Collins, CO, 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 $1,226 - $7,760 on the 1,042-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,172 - $4,115 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $693 - $1,885 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $2,590 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 Advanced Energy Industries and RIMROCK.
FAQs: Moving from Riverside, CA, to Fort Collins, CO
How much does it cost to move from Riverside, CA to Fort Collins, CO?
Costs on this route range from around $666 to $7,760, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,226 and $7,760, 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 are some tips for saving money on a move from Riverside, CA to Fort Collins, CO?
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 do local movers charge in Riverside?
Local movers based in Riverside typically start around $239 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 Fort Collins run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
How long does a move from Riverside, CA to Fort Collins, CO take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 2 to 8 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are often one of the faster options outside of driving yourself, 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 are the best neighborhoods in Fort Collins?
For families, Old Town, City Park, and Huntington Hills are worth a look in Fort Collins. If you're moving solo or without kids, Old Town, City Park, and Ram's Village tend to be popular picks instead.
What percentage of Riverside movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 33% of movers in Riverside handle piano moves, and 26% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.