($611+) Oakland, CA to Missoula, MT Movers
The cost to move from Oakland, CA to Missoula, MT ranges from $1,184 to $7,837, with an average cost of $2,950. Moves can be as low as $611 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 971 miles and usually takes 2 to 7 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 Oakland, CA to Missoula, MT
Moving options from Oakland to Missoula fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,184 - $7,837 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $2,950, and movers handle all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 41% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 72% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This particular route covers 971 miles and typically takes 2 to 7 days depending on the service you pick.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 971-mile route from Oakland to Missoula, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,184 - $4,919 | $1,118 - $2,033 | $598 - $1,145 | $1,026 - $1,922 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,421 - $6,144 | $1,423 - $2,825 | $667 - $1,446 | $1,208 - $2,375 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,086 - $7,837 | $1,995 - $3,596 | $836 - $1,793 | $1,597 - $2,967 |
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 Oakland, CA to Missoula, MT
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 971-mile move from Oakland, California, to Missoula, Montana, with costs ranging from $1,184 - $7,837. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $488 - $3,256. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Oakland and Missoula. Local movers in Oakland typically start around $281 as a base rate plus $147/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Oakland to Missoula:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,184 - $4,919
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,421 - $6,144
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,086 - $7,837
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 Oakland to Missoula.
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 Oakland, CA to Missoula, MT
Specialty needs vary by market: 53% of Oakland movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Missoula, 50% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing76% of local movers | $814 - $8,140 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready53% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Pure Moving Company | $326 - $1,954/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $488 - $3,907 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage15% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs52% of local movers | $1,628 - $4,884 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $4,070 - $16,280 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,219 - $2,317 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items29% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Pure Moving Company | $1,628 - $4,070 |
| Piano | Any piano type38% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Got2Move | $1,302 - $5,698 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling4% of local movers | $488 - $2,442 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect4% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Silicon Valley Moving and Storage (CA) | $1,058 - $3,256 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $488 - $24,420+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $488 - $5,698+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Oakland to Missoula?
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 customer support, and 30 days of free storage are included with every move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list, 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.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, combining 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 carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Oakland, 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 Oakland, CA to Missoula, MT
Moving containers from Oakland, California, to Missoula, Montana, cost between $1,118 and $3,596. 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 Oakland costs roughly $120/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Oakland to Missoula:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,118 - $2,033
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,423 - $2,825
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,995 - $3,596
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Access: Most major container brands operate in both Oakland, CA and Missoula, MT. 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 $1,140 in Oakland, CA, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $122 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $244 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 Montana 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 $1,118. 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 $1,423 - $2,825.
What are the best moving containers Oakland 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 Oakland 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 Oakland:
- Sweet Lemon Moving Services (5.0/5), 9 years in business
- Got2Move (4.8/5), 19 years in business
- 680 Movers (4.8/5), 9 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Oakland, CA to Missoula, MT
Truck rentals from Oakland, California, to Missoula, Montana, range from $598 - $1,793 for the 971-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $503 - $575
- Daily insurance: $49/day
- Equipment rentals: $11 - $33
- Oakland daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.79 - $1.39
| 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 Oakland to Missoula based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $598 - $1,145
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $667 - $1,446
- 4+ bedrooms: $836 - $1,793
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Oakland to Missoula starts at $598 - $1,793, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($503 - $575), overnight lodging ($244/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for roughly $600 - $1,200 more on top of fuel and lodging to cover meals, equipment, and other extras.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $244 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 $106 and $529 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $503 - $575 in fuel for the 971-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $1,140 in Oakland, California, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Oakland 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 Oakland, CA to Missoula, MT
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 Oakland, California, to Missoula, Montana. 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 $1,208 and $2,375.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Oakland to Missoula:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,026 - $1,922
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,208 - $2,375
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,597 - $2,967
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?
- More space: Freight pricing is based on exactly how much of the trailer you fill. If your items take up more than expected, the added footage can increase your cost by between $122 and $244.
- Peak season impact: Moving during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) often means higher trailer rates as demand increases across the board.
- Moving labor: Unless you plan to load everything yourself, factor in labor costs. Two movers in Oakland, California, for roughly five hours typically average $1,140.
What are the best freight companies from Oakland to Missoula?
- 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 are one of the fastest ways to move your belongings interstate, often beating full-service movers on delivery time. If getting your stuff to Missoula quickly is a priority, freight is worth a hard look. That said, freight carriers typically require you to be available to receive your shipment within a set window, so if you need short-term storage or your new place won't be ready right away, a container or full-service mover may give you more flexibility.
Cost of living: Oakland, 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 Oakland on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Oakland, CA | Missoula, MT |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 196 | 113 |
| Average rent | $2,200/mo | $1,322/mo |
| Median home value | $925,411 | $426,764 |
| Average income | $97,369/yr | $65,329/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 4.5% | 4.4% |
| State income tax | Up to 13.3% | Up to 6.75% |
| Walkability score | 75/100 | 45/100 |
| Safety index | 31.38/100 | 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 Oakland, CA guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 1 real quote from California to Montana 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 1,154 movers based in California, handy for sizing up options on this 971-mile route.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from Oakland, 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 $1,184 - $7,837 on the 971-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,118 - $3,596 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $598 - $1,793 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $2,421 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 Oakland, CA, to Missoula, MT
What is the best time of year to move from Oakland, 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.
How long does a move from Oakland, CA to Missoula, MT take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 2 to 7 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 extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($503 - $575), daily insurance ($49/day), and equipment rentals ($11 - $33) on top. Overnight stops can add another $244/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
What is the cheapest way to move from Oakland, CA to Missoula, MT?
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 $667 - $1,446. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
How much does it cost to move from Oakland, CA to Missoula, MT?
Costs on this route range from around $611 to $7,837, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,184 and $7,837, 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 percentage of Oakland movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 38% of movers in Oakland handle piano moves, and 29% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.