($1,161+) Modesto, CA to McAllen, TX Movers
The cost to move from Modesto, CA to McAllen, TX ranges from $1,369 to $10,779, with an average cost of $4,050. Moves can be as low as $1,161 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 1,903 miles and usually takes 5 to 16 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 Modesto, CA to McAllen, TX
Moving options from Modesto to McAllen fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,369 - $10,779 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $4,050, 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 1,903 miles and typically takes 5 to 16 days depending on the service you pick.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,903-mile route from Modesto to McAllen, broken down by home size:
- Full-service movers: $1,369 for a studio up to $10,779 for a 4+ bedroom home.
- Moving containers: $1,577 - $6,102 depending on home size.
- Rental trucks: $1,196 - $3,095, the lowest-cost option across the board.
- Freight trailers: $1,389 - $4,789, billed by the space you actually use.
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 Modesto, CA to McAllen, TX
Hiring full-service movers from Modesto, California, to McAllen, Texas, costs between $1,369 and $10,779. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 1,903-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $300 - $2,000, 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 Modesto and McAllen. For a rough baseline, movers based in Modesto tend to start around $314 plus $128/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 Modesto to McAllen:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,369 - $5,349
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,366 - $7,529
- 4+ bedrooms: $6,633 - $10,779
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 Modesto to McAllen.
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: Moving company rates climb during peak moving season (May –-September) when demand peaks. Scheduling your move outside of that window can lead to noticeably lower costs and better availability.
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Specialty moving services from Modesto, CA to McAllen, TX
Specialty needs vary by market — 79% of Modesto movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In McAllen, 57% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $500 - $5,000 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready79% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Pete's Moving Services | $200 - $1,200/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $300 - $2,400 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage21% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs14% of local movers | $1,000 - $3,000 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,500 - $10,000 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $749 - $1,423 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items36% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Grace Moving Company | $1,000 - $2,500 |
| Piano | Any piano type71% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Grace Moving Company | $800 - $3,500 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling7% of local movers | $300 - $1,500 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect21% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: MidCal Moving and Storage Company | $650 - $2,000 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $300 - $15,000+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $300 - $3,500+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Modesto to McAllen?
If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in Southwest Movers Association is a good first thing to confirm.
- 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 Modesto, 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 Modesto, CA to McAllen, TX
Moving containers from Modesto, California, to McAllen, Texas, cost between $1,577 and $6,102. You load everything on your own schedule (U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30). When you're ready, the company takes care of getting the container from point A to point B. Need more time than that? Extra storage in Modesto typically runs around $120/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Modesto to McAllen:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,577 - $2,988
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,186 - $4,445
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,992 - $6,102
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Access: Most major container brands operate in both Modesto, CA and McAllen, 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 $700 in Modesto, CA, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $75 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $150 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 $1,577. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $2,186 - $4,445, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Modesto to McAllen?
- 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 Modesto 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 Modesto:
- Brewer Moving LLC (4.9/5), 11 years in business
- MidCal Moving and Storage Company (4.6/5), 170 years in business
- Pack it up Movers (4.9/5), 8 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Modesto, CA to McAllen, TX
A rental truck for this 1,903-mile move from Modesto, California, to McAllen, Texas, costs between $1,196 and $3,095. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $606 - $692
- Daily insurance: $30/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $20
- Modesto daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.79 - $1.29
| 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 Modesto to McAllen based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,196 - $2,191
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,268 - $2,554
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,632 - $3,095
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $1,196 - $3,095 does not include fuel ($606 - $692) , lodging ($150/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Modesto to McAllen typically runs $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate alone.
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 $75 and $350.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $150.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $606 and $692 for the 1,903-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 $700 for 2 movers in Modesto, California, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Modesto to McAllen?
- 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 Modesto, CA to McAllen, TX
If you're moving a larger household from Modesto, California, and want to stay in control of the loading process, freight trailers offer a practical middle ground between hiring movers and renting a truck yourself. A 28-foot trailer is delivered to your door, you load what you need, and the carrier handles the drive to McAllen, Texas.
Freight trailers are priced by the linear feet your belongings take up, so you only pay for the space you use. Most moves on this route fall between $1,715 and $3,280.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Modesto to McAllen:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,389 - $2,827
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,715 - $3,280
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,393 - $4,789
Pro tip: A 4-foot ramp sounds simple, but heavy or awkward furniture can make the climb tricky. With 8 feet of height to work with, smart vertical stacking is key. Since freight companies charge by the linear foot, every extra foot you use adds to the bill.
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 $75 - $150 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 Modesto, California, typically costs $700.
What are the best freight companies from Modesto to McAllen?
- 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.
- Speed Intermodal (4.7/5 stars): Speed Intermodal is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Local ownership translates to accessible support staff and facilities based in the communities they serve, giving customers more direct communication than they'd typically get from a national-only freight network.
Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Modesto to McAllen. 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: Modesto, CA vs McAllen, TX
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in McAllen, side by side with Modesto on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Modesto, CA | McAllen, TX |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 116 | 76 |
| Average rent | $1,800/mo | $1,350/mo |
| Median home value | $415,024 | $173,919 |
| Average income | $77,899/yr | $60,165/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 8.0% | 7.9% |
| State income tax | Up to 13.3% | None |
| Walkability score | 48/100 | 41/100 |
| Safety index | 34.24/100 | 63.74/100 |
| Air quality | Moderate | Moderate |
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 McAllen, TX to Modesto, CA guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from California to Texas in the past 3 months alone, keeping our pricing data current. Run your numbers through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. For context, we track 374 movers based in California, handy for sizing up options on this 1,903-mile route.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from Modesto, CA, to McAllen, 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 $1,369 - $10,779 on the 1,903-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,577 - $6,102 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $1,196 - $3,095 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $3,366 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 The Monitor Group and Am-Mex Products.
FAQs: Moving from Modesto, CA, to McAllen, TX
What do local movers charge in Modesto?
Local movers based in Modesto typically start around $314 as a base rate, plus $128/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 McAllen run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Modesto, CA to McAllen, TX?
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.
How much does it cost to move from Modesto, CA to McAllen, TX?
Costs on this route range from around $1,369 to $10,779, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,369 and $10,779, 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 McAllen?
McAllen has a walkability score of 41 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 46, compared to 48 and 48 in Modesto. 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 ($606 - $692), daily insurance ($30/day), and equipment rentals ($7 - $20) on top. Overnight stops can add another $150/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
What percentage of Modesto movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 71% of movers in Modesto handle piano moves, and 36% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
