($661+) Oakland, CA to Missoula, MT Movers

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Background image of a moving truck moving from Oakland, CA to Missoula, MT

The cost to move from Oakland, CA to Missoula, MT ranges from $1,293 to $8,143, with an average cost of $3,200. Moves can be as low as $661 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.

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 $1,293 - $8,143 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $3,200, 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 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 $1,293 - $4,719 $1,209 - $2,089 $641 - $1,290 $1,045 - $2,038
2 - 3 bedrooms $2,567 - $6,013 $1,508 - $3,148 $729 - $1,443 $1,280 - $2,445
4+ bedrooms $4,160 - $8,143 $2,033 - $4,094 $887 - $1,791 $1,726 - $3,114

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 Oakland, CA to Missoula, MT

A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 971-mile move from Oakland, California, to Missoula, Montana, with prices running from $1,293 - $8,143. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $488 - $3,256 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between Oakland and Missoula are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, Oakland movers tend to run around $281 as a base rate plus $147/hour per mover, for comparison.

Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Oakland to Missoula:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,293 - $4,719
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,567 - $6,013
  • 4+ bedrooms: $4,160 - $8,143

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.

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

Pro tip: Demand for full-service movers surges during peak moving season from May - September, pushing prices higher. Shifting your move to a cooler month could save you a meaningful amount on your total bill.

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Specialty moving services from Oakland, CA to Missoula, MT

Specialty needs vary by market — 85% of Oakland movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Missoula, 100% of movers offer the same service.

Service When you need it Typical cost
Full packingFull crew packing98% of local movers$814 - $8,140
Storage in transitNew place not ready85% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: West Coast Moving Systems, Inc$326 - $1,954/mo
Shuttle feeTruck can't reach door$488 - $3,907
Full-value protectionMore than $0.60/lb coverage54% of local movers$300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value)
Small movesUnder ~2,000 lbs47% of local movers$1,628 - $4,884
Office / commercialWorkplace relocation$4,070 - $16,280
Car shippingSecond vehicle$1,219 - $2,317
Antiques & fine artFragile, high-value items67% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Sweet Lemon Moving Services$1,628 - $4,070
PianoAny piano type79% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Sweet Lemon Moving Services$1,302 - $5,698
Pool tableDisassembly & re-leveling37% of local movers$488 - $2,442
Hot tubHeavy, needs disconnect25% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Big Family Movers$1,058 - $3,256
Wine collectionClimate-controlled transport$488 - $24,420+
Pet relocationGround, air, or concierge$488 - $5,698+

What are the best full-service movers from Oakland to Missoula?

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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 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 $1,209 and $4,094. 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: $1,209 - $2,089
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,508 - $3,148
  • 4+ bedrooms: $2,033 - $4,094

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.

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 $1,209. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,508 - $3,148, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.

What are the best moving containers Oakland to Missoula?

  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 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
  • West Coast Moving Systems, Inc (4.8/5), 19 years in business
  • Good Green Moving (4.7/5), 13 years in business

Moving truck rental costs from Oakland, CA to Missoula, MT

Truck rentals from Oakland, California, to Missoula, Montana, range from $641 - $1,791 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 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 Oakland to Missoula based on home size:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $641 - $1,290
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $729 - $1,443
  • 4+ bedrooms: $887 - $1,791

Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $641 - $1,791 when pricing out a rental truck from Oakland to Missoula. Fuel alone runs ($503 - $575) , and overnight lodging ($244/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?

  • Equipment: Tow dollies, appliance dollies, and moving pads are not included in the base rate. These extras often total between $122 and $570.
  • Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $244.
  • Gas: Expect fuel to run between $503 and $575 for the 971-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 $1,140 for 2 movers in Oakland, California, for about 5 hours.
  • Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.

What are the best moving truck rentals from Oakland to Missoula?

  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 Oakland, CA to Missoula, MT

For larger DIY moves from Oakland, California, freight trailers give you plenty of room without putting you behind the wheel. Standard trailers are 28 feet long. You load the section you need, and the carrier transports everything to Missoula, Montana.

Because freight companies bill by linear footage, your total is based on how much of the trailer you occupy, not the full length. For most medium-to-large moves on this route, pricing typically falls between $1,280 and $2,445.

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

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,045 - $2,038
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,280 - $2,445
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,726 - $3,114

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 $122 - $244 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 Oakland, California, typically costs $1,140.

What are the best freight companies from Oakland to Missoula?

  1. MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Best known as a top moving container option thanks to its DIY hybrid model (you load, they drive), MovingYourself also doubles as a strong freight choice with their 53-foot trucks and pay-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
  2. U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. In addition to their well-known container service, U-Pack offers freight trailers that follow the same pay-by-the-foot model with no deposits or upfront fees, making them one of the most flexible freight options for budget-conscious moves.
  3. PRO Logistics (4.54/5 stars): PRO Logistics is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned and operated facilities give you direct access to support staff who know the area and can coordinate pickups and deliveries with greater flexibility than national carriers.

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 index196113
Average rent$2,200/mo$1,322/mo
Median home value$925,411$426,764
Average income$97,369/yr$65,329/yr
Unemployment rate4.5%4.4%
State income taxUp to 13.3%Up to 6.75%
Walkability score75/10045/100
Safety index31.38/10066.73/100
Air qualityGoodGood

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 use moveBuddha to find your mover:

We've processed 1 real quotes from California to Montana over the past 3 months, giving us some of the most up-to-date pricing data around. Running your move through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. There are 374 movers in our California network to compare for this 971-mile move.

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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 $1,293 - $8,143 on the 971-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,209 - $4,094 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $641 - $1,791 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $2,567 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 are the best neighborhoods in Missoula?

For families, Lewis And Clark, Rose Park, and Miller Creek are worth a look in Missoula. If you're moving solo or without kids, Heart Of Missoula, Lewis And Clark, and Farviews And Pattee tend to be popular picks instead.

How do I know a mover is licensed in Montana?

In Montana, local and intrastate movers need to have a valid Public Service Commission (PSC) number issued by the Montana Department of Transportation (MDOT).

What do local movers charge in Oakland?

Local movers based in Oakland typically start around $281 as a base rate, plus $147/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 Missoula run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.

What size moving truck do I need for this route?

Rental trucks generally range from 10 to 26 feet. A 15- to 17-foot truck covers most 2-bedroom moves, while a smaller 10- to 12-foot truck works for a studio or 1-bedroom. Homes with 3 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.

How much does it cost to move from Oakland, CA to Missoula, MT?

Costs on this route range from around $1,293 to $8,143, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,293 and $8,143, 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 79% of movers in Oakland handle piano moves, and 67% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.