($1,032+) Dallas, TX to San Francisco, CA Movers
Moving from Dallas, TX, to San Francisco, CA, runs anywhere from $1,032 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $10,177 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,731 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 4 to 15 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.
- Full-service moves for smaller spaces (studio apartments and 1-bedrooms) start around $2,376, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $10,177 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,491 - $5,335, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,032 - $2,973.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Dallas, TX, to San Francisco, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,127 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
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Compare moving options from Dallas, TX to San Francisco, CA
There are 3 main ways to move from Dallas to San Francisco: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service handles labor and transportation for you, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route costing $3,127 - $7,166. Moving containers run about 38% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 64% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 4 to 15 days for this 1,731-mile route, depending on which option you go with.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,731-mile route from Dallas to San Francisco, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $2,376 - $5,079 | $1,491 - $2,730 | $1,032 - $2,062 | $1,329 - $2,532 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $3,127 - $7,166 | $1,947 - $3,820 | $1,127 - $2,267 | $1,450 - $2,962 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $5,871 - $10,177 | $2,709 - $5,335 | $1,421 - $2,973 | $2,062 - $4,185 |
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated October 30, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Dallas, TX to San Francisco, CA
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 1,731-mile move from Dallas, Texas, to San Francisco, California, with costs ranging from $2,376 - $10,177. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $474 - $3,160. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Dallas and San Francisco. Local movers in Dallas typically start around $179 as a base rate plus $60/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Dallas to San Francisco:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,376 - $5,079
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,127 - $7,166
- 4+ bedrooms: $5,871 - $10,177
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 Dallas to San Francisco.
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 Dallas, TX to San Francisco, CA
Specialty needs vary by market: 55% of Dallas movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In San Francisco, 54% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing74% of local movers | $790 - $7,900 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready55% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: AB Moving | $316 - $1,896/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $474 - $3,792 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage13% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs61% of local movers | $1,580 - $4,740 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,950 - $15,800 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,183 - $2,248 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items24% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: AM Moving Company LLC | $1,580 - $3,950 |
| Piano | Any piano type41% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: AB Moving | $1,264 - $5,530 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling9% of local movers | $474 - $2,370 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect7% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $1,027 - $3,160 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $474 - $23,700+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $474 - $5,530+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Dallas to San Francisco?
Look for California Moving & Storage Association membership as a baseline when comparing movers in California beyond this list.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is our pick for best overall value. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 support, and 30 days of free storage make Safeway the clearest value on this list.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. AVL has been moving customers since 1995 and uses full-time in-house crews trained on high-value items like art and antiques.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. One of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, 24/7 monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan against damage, loss, and breakage.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national van lines are the smarter financial choice over local movers in Dallas, TX. 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 Dallas, TX to San Francisco, CA
Moving containers from Dallas, Texas, to San Francisco, California, cost between $1,491 and $5,335. 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 Dallas costs roughly $80/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Dallas to San Francisco:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,491 - $2,730
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,947 - $3,820
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,709 - $5,335
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $119 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $237 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in San Francisco, CA, 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 $1,106 in Dallas, TX. 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 Texas to California 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 $1,491. 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 $1,947 - $3,820.
What are the best moving containers Dallas to San Francisco?
- 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 Dallas 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 Dallas:
- AB Moving (4.5/5), 26 years in business
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.9/5), 6 years in business
- 3 Men Movers (4.8/5), 41 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Dallas, TX to San Francisco, CA
Truck rentals from Dallas, Texas, to San Francisco, California, range from $1,032 - $2,973 for the 1,731-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $870 - $995
- Daily insurance: $47/day
- Equipment rentals: $11 - $32
- Dallas daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.59 - $0.79
| 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 Dallas to San Francisco based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,032 - $2,062
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,127 - $2,267
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,421 - $2,973
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Dallas to San Francisco starts at $1,032 - $2,973, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($870 - $995), overnight lodging ($237/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 $237 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 $103 and $514 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $870 - $995 in fuel for the 1,731-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $1,106 in Dallas, Texas, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Dallas to San Francisco?
- 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 Dallas, TX to San Francisco, CA
For larger DIY moves from Dallas, Texas, 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 San Francisco, California.
Because freight companies bill by linear footage, your total is based on how much of the trailer you occupy, not the full length. For a 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route, pricing typically falls between $1,450 and $2,962.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Dallas to San Francisco:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,329 - $2,532
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,450 - $2,962
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,062 - $4,185
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 Dallas, Texas, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $1,106.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $119 and $237 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Dallas to San Francisco?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is our pick for best for large moves. The company is best known as a top moving container option for its hybrid model where you load and they drive, and that same model translates well to freight thanks to their 53-foot trucks and pay-by-the-foot pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Beyond their flagship container service, U-Pack also runs freight trailers with the same no-deposit, no-upfront-fee model, charging only for the linear footage you actually fill.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in San Francisco fast. For interstate moves, freight is one of the quickest delivery methods out there. Just keep in mind that freight carriers expect you to be available to receive your shipment, so it works best when your move-in is locked in and you don't need temporary storage on either end.
Cost of living: Dallas, TX vs San Francisco, CA
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in San Francisco, side by side with Dallas on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Dallas, TX | San Francisco, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 100 | 245 |
| Average rent | $1,774/mo | $3,250/mo |
| Median home value | $303,018 | $1,374,773 |
| Average income | $67,760/yr | $141,446/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 3.6% | 5.4% |
| State income tax | None | Up to 13.3% |
| Walkability score | 46/100 | 99/100 |
| Safety index | 48.6/100 | 38.59/100 |
| Air quality | Good | 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 San Francisco, CA to Dallas, TX guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from Texas to California 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 803 movers in our Texas network to compare for this 1,731-mile move.
Our take
A move from Dallas, TX, to San Francisco, CA, gives you several options depending on your budget and how much you want to do yourself. Full-service movers handle everything but cost the most, ranging from $2,376 - $10,177 on the 1,731-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,491 - $5,335, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $1,032 - $2,973. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $3,127 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and round-the-clock live support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Lyft and Securitize.
FAQs: Moving from Dallas, TX, to San Francisco, CA
How much does it cost to move from Dallas, TX to San Francisco, CA?
Costs on this route range from around $1,032 to $10,177, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,376 and $10,177, 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 San Francisco?
San Francisco has a walkability score of 99 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 99, compared to 46 and 49 in Dallas. 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 ($870 - $995), daily insurance ($47/day), and equipment rentals ($11 - $32) on top. Overnight stops can add another $237/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How do I know a mover is licensed in California?
When contacting a local moving company for an estimate in California, make sure each has a “T Number” issued by the California Public Utilities Commission (CAPUC). Moving companies with valid T Numbers have met state requirements for insurance, safety, and financial stability and have passed criminal clearance checks conducted by the California Department of Justice.
What is the best time of year to move from Dallas, TX to San Francisco, CA?
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 percentage of Dallas movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 41% of movers in Dallas handle piano moves, and 24% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.