($735+) Fort Collins, CO to Riverside, CA Movers
Moving from Fort Collins, CO, to Riverside, CA, runs anywhere from $671 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,731 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,042 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 2 to 8 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 $2,214, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $8,731 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,206 - $4,322, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $671 - $1,960.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Fort Collins, CO, to Riverside, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,800 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 Fort Collins, CO to Riverside, CA
Moving options from Fort Collins to Riverside fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move on this route costs $2,800 - $6,180 and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, while rental trucks land about 60% less, though both require you to load the truck or container yourself. This route spans 1,042 miles and typically takes 2 to 8 days.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,042-mile route from Fort Collins to Riverside, broken down by home size:
- Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $2,214 - $4,929, container $1,206 - $2,337, rental truck $671 - $1,287, freight trailer $1,097 - $2,042.
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $2,800 - $6,180, container $1,584 - $3,219, rental truck $794 - $1,627, freight trailer $1,293 - $2,473.
- 4+ bedrooms: full-service $4,432 - $8,731, container $2,052 - $4,322, rental truck $930 - $1,960, freight trailer $1,676 - $3,423.
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 Fort Collins, CO to Riverside, CA
Full-service movers for the 1,042-mile relocation from Fort Collins, Colorado, to Riverside, California, cost between $2,214 and $8,731. With a long-distance moving company, loading, transportation, and unloading are all taken care of. If you want to skip packing boxes, too, that can be added for $366 - $2,440, depending on your home size. What you pay in the end is mainly a function of how much your shipment weighs and how far it's traveling. As a point of reference, local movers in Fort Collins typically charge a base rate around $301 plus $120 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Fort Collins to Riverside:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,214 - $4,929
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,800 - $6,180
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,432 - $8,731
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 Fort Collins to Riverside.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Colorado to California. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
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 Fort Collins, CO to Riverside, CA
Specialty needs vary by market — 89% of Fort Collins movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Riverside, 84% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $610 - $6,100 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready89% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Exodus Moving and Storage | $244 - $1,464/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $366 - $2,928 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage21% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs53% of local movers | $1,220 - $3,660 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,050 - $12,200 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $914 - $1,736 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items26% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $1,220 - $3,050 |
| Piano | Any piano type79% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Exodus Moving and Storage | $976 - $4,270 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling21% of local movers | $366 - $1,830 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect5% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Little Guys Movers | $793 - $2,440 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $366 - $18,300+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $366 - $4,270+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Fort Collins to Riverside?
Movers licensed to operate in California are typically members of the California Moving & Storage Association, worth checking for before you book any of the three below.
- 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 full-service movers are almost always better priced than local movers in Fort Collins, CO. Local companies typically run 30% - 40% more at longer distances because they aren't set up to consolidate shipments the way national carriers do. The one case where a local mover might be worth the premium is if you want a dedicated direct-route truck, which averages a 2-day delivery time, but expect to pay more for that convenience.
Moving container costs from Fort Collins, CO to Riverside, CA
Moving containers from Fort Collins, Colorado, to Riverside, California, cost between $1,206 and $4,322. 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 Fort Collins typically runs around $80/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Fort Collins to Riverside:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,206 - $2,337
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,584 - $3,219
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,052 - $4,322
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Containers are self-loaded, so many people hire hourly help for the heavy lifting. moveBuddha data shows two movers for about five hours runs around $854 in Fort Collins, CO. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: If you want stronger coverage than the default liability, full-value protection is the upgrade to consider. Most providers charge 1% - 2% of your shipment value, roughly $500 - $1,000 for $50,000 in contents.
- Storage: After the first month, rental fees average $92 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $183 per month for a larger 12- to 16-foot unit.
- Access: If you anticipate needing to access items while in storage, confirm there's a facility conveniently located near your Riverside, CA, destination before booking.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Colorado 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 $1,206. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,584 - $3,219, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Fort Collins to Riverside?
- 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 Fort Collins 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 Fort Collins:
- Exodus Moving and Storage (4.6/5), 26 years in business
- Johnson Storage & Moving (4.7/5), 126 years in business
- Choice Moving Company (4.9/5), 7 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Fort Collins, CO to Riverside, CA
Truck rentals from Fort Collins, Colorado, to Riverside, California, range from $671 - $1,960 for the 1,042-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $404 - $462
- Daily insurance: $37/day
- Equipment rentals: $9 - $24
- Fort Collins 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 Fort Collins to Riverside based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $671 - $1,287
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $794 - $1,627
- 4+ bedrooms: $930 - $1,960
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $671 - $1,960 when pricing out a rental truck from Fort Collins to Riverside. Fuel alone runs ($404 - $462) , and overnight lodging ($183/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?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $183 per night if your drive requires an overnight stop. Typically, you'll make 1 - 3 overnight stops, depending on move distance.
- Moving labor: Bringing in professional loading help in Fort Collins, Colorado, usually costs about $854 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 1,042-mile drive falls between $404 and $462, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, moving pads, and vehicle trailers are easy to overlook but can add between $61 and $366 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Fort Collins to Riverside?
- 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 Fort Collins, CO to Riverside, CA
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 Fort Collins, Colorado, to Riverside, California. 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. Most long-distance moves using this method run roughly between $1,293 and $2,473.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Fort Collins to Riverside:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,097 - $2,042
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,293 - $2,473
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,676 - $3,423
Pro tip: Freight trailers offer generous space but reward good packing strategy. The 4-foot ramp can be challenging for large or heavy pieces, and using the full 8-foot height takes careful stacking. Because you're billed by the linear foot, maximizing vertical space keeps your costs lower.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Demand cycles: Trailer costs climb during peak moving season, especially from mid-May through mid-September when demand is at its highest.
- More space: You're billed only for the linear feet you use, but underestimating your inventory means paying for extra space, typically around $92 - $183 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Fort Collins, Colorado, for about five hours typically runs $854.
What are the best freight companies from Fort Collins to Riverside?
- 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.
- Sutherland Trucking (4.34/5 stars): Sutherland Trucking 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: One of the biggest advantages of freight trailers is speed. For an interstate move, freight delivery is one of the fastest options you have short of driving a rental truck yourself. It's a smart choice when your timeline is firm and you'll be ready to receive your shipment. If there's any chance your new place won't be ready or you need a few weeks of storage, a moving container with built-in storage may serve you better.
Cost of living: Fort Collins, CO vs Riverside, CA
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Riverside, side by side with Fort Collins on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Fort Collins, CO | Riverside, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 116 | 131 |
| Average rent | $1,750/mo | $2,295/mo |
| Median home value | $544,203 | $539,898 |
| Average income | $83,598/yr | $88,575/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 5.6% | 7.1% |
| State income tax | Up to 5.49% | Up to 13.3% |
| Walkability score | 37/100 | 43/100 |
| Safety index | 72.86/100 | 59.76/100 |
| 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 Riverside, CA to Fort Collins, CO guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Colorado to California 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 81 movers based in Colorado, handy for sizing up options on this 1,042-mile route.
Our take
The 1,042-mile move from Fort Collins, CO, to Riverside, CA, costs between $2,214 and $8,731 with full-service movers, $1,206 - $4,322 with a moving container, and $671 - $1,960 for a rental truck. Your budget and how much heavy lifting you want to do are the two biggest factors in choosing the right option. If you go with full-service movers, Safeway Moving is our top recommendation, with transparent flat-rate pricing starting around $2,800 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage, and 24/7 customer support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Bourns and California Baptist University.
FAQs: Moving from Fort Collins, CO, to Riverside, CA
What are the best neighborhoods in Riverside?
For families, Orangecrest, Mission Grove, and Canyon Crest are worth a look in Riverside. If you're moving solo or without kids, Canyon Crest, Victoria, and Downtown tend to be popular picks instead.
How walkable is Riverside?
Riverside has a walkability score of 43 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 49, compared to 37 and 78 in Fort Collins. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
Is Riverside a safe place to live?
Riverside has a safety index of 59.76 out of 100 and a crime index of 40.24, compared to 72.86 and 17.0 in Fort Collins. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Fort Collins, CO to Riverside, CA?
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.
What is the best time of year to move from Fort Collins, CO to Riverside, 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 Fort Collins movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 79% of movers in Fort Collins handle piano moves, and 26% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
