($779+) Modesto, CA to Fort Collins, CO Movers
The cost to move from Modesto, CA to Fort Collins, CO ranges from $1,249 to $8,976, with an average cost of $3,400. Moves can be as low as $779 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 1,173 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 Modesto, CA to Fort Collins, CO
Moving options from Modesto to Fort Collins fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,249 - $8,976 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $3,400, 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 1,173 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 1,173-mile route from Modesto to Fort Collins, broken down by home size:
- Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $1,249 - $5,356, container $1,275 - $2,337, rental truck $749 - $1,469, freight trailer $1,158 - $2,103.
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $2,837 - $6,883, container $1,575 - $3,388, rental truck $826 - $1,817, freight trailer $1,392 - $2,578.
- 4+ bedrooms: full-service $4,589 - $8,976, container $2,221 - $4,172, rental truck $1,058 - $2,150, freight trailer $1,831 - $3,479.
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 Fort Collins, CO
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 1,173-mile move from Modesto, California, to Fort Collins, Colorado, with costs ranging from $1,249 - $8,976. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $348 - $2,320. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Modesto and Fort Collins. Local movers in Modesto typically start around $314 as a base rate plus $128/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Modesto to Fort Collins:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,249 - $5,356
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,837 - $6,883
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,589 - $8,976
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 Fort Collins.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from California to Colorado. 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 Fort Collins, CO
Specialty needs vary by market — 79% of Modesto movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Fort Collins, 89% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $580 - $5,800 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready79% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Pete's Moving Services | $232 - $1,392/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $348 - $2,784 |
| 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 | $1,160 - $3,480 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,900 - $11,600 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $869 - $1,651 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items36% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Grace Moving Company | $1,160 - $2,900 |
| Piano | Any piano type71% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Grace Moving Company | $928 - $4,060 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling7% of local movers | $348 - $1,740 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect21% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: MidCal Moving and Storage Company | $754 - $2,320 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $348 - $17,400+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $348 - $4,060+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Modesto to Fort Collins?
- 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 Modesto, 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 Modesto, CA to Fort Collins, CO
Moving containers from Modesto, California, to Fort Collins, Colorado, cost between $1,275 and $4,172. 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 Modesto costs roughly $120/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Modesto to Fort Collins:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,275 - $2,337
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,575 - $3,388
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,221 - $4,172
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $87 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $174 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Fort Collins, CO, if you need to retrieve anything while items are still in storage.
- Moving labor: Since you're responsible for loading the container yourself, many customers bring in hourly help. Based on moveBuddha data, hiring 2 movers for approximately 5 hours costs about $812 in Modesto, CA. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection goes beyond the standard minimum and covers repair, replacement, or reimbursement at declared value. Pricing is typically 1% - 2% of your total shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 move.
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 $1,275. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,575 - $3,388, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Modesto 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 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 Fort Collins, CO
A rental truck for this 1,173-mile move from Modesto, California, to Fort Collins, Colorado, costs between $749 and $2,150. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $433 - $495
- Daily insurance: $35/day
- Equipment rentals: $8 - $23
- 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 Fort Collins based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $749 - $1,469
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $826 - $1,817
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,058 - $2,150
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Modesto to Fort Collins starts at $749 - $2,150, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($433 - $495) , overnight lodging ($174/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for an additional $600 - $1,200 on top of your base rate to cover those costs.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Modesto, California, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $812.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $433 - $495 for the 1,173-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 $70 and $377, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $174 per night for hotel stops on the 1,173-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $348 - $522.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Modesto 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 Modesto, CA to Fort Collins, CO
Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from Modesto, California, to Fort Collins, Colorado. Standard trailers run 28 feet long, and you're only charged for the portion you actually fill. The carrier drops the trailer off, you load it at your own pace, and they handle the drive to your new city.
Pricing is based entirely on the linear footage your shipment occupies, not the full trailer length. Most long-distance freight moves land somewhere between $1,044 and $2,578.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Modesto to Fort Collins:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,158 - $2,103
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,392 - $2,578
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,831 - $3,479
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?
- Seasonal demand: Pricing tends to rise during peak moving season, particularly between mid-May and mid-September.
- Moving labor: Most customers hire loading help since freight is self-loaded. Two movers in Modesto, California, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $812.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $87 and $174 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Modesto to Fort Collins?
- 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.
- 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.
- Speed Intermodal (4.7/5 stars): Speed Intermodal 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 move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Modesto 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: Modesto, CA vs Fort Collins, CO
Modesto and Fort Collins land in a similar range on everyday costs. The cost of living index sits at 116 in Modesto and 116 in Fort Collins, and rent tracks closely too ($1,800/mo vs. $1,750/mo). You likely won't need to rework your monthly budget much after this move. Walkability (48 vs 37) and safety scores (34.24 vs 72.86) come out about the same too.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Fort Collins, CO to Modesto, CA guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from California to Colorado 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 1,173-mile move.
Our take
For a move from Modesto, CA, to Fort Collins, CO, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $1,249 for a studio to $8,976 for a 4 - 5 bedroom home on the 1,173-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,275 - $4,172. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $749 - $2,150, though you'll be handling the driving and loading yourself. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with quotes starting around $2,837 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage included, and 24/7 live customer support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Advanced Energy Industries and RIMROCK.
FAQs: Moving from Modesto, CA, to Fort Collins, CO
What is the best time of year to move from Modesto, CA to Fort Collins, CO?
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.
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.
Is Fort Collins a safe place to live?
Fort Collins has a safety index of 72.86 out of 100 and a crime index of 17.0, compared to 34.24 and 65.76 in Modesto. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What is the cheapest way to move from Modesto, CA to Fort Collins, CO?
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 $826 - $1,817. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
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 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.
