($660+) Fort Collins, CO to Riverside, CA Movers
Moving from Fort Collins, CO, to Riverside, CA, runs anywhere from $660 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,670 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ 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 $2,153, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $7,670 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,137 - $3,802, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $660 - $1,775.
- 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 $2,589 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
There are 3 main ways to move from Fort Collins to Riverside: 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 $2,589 - $6,442. Moving containers run about 42% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 73% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 2 to 8 days for this 1,042-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 1,042-mile route from Fort Collins to Riverside, broken down by home size:
- Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $2,153 - $4,942, container $1,137 - $2,225, rental truck $660 - $1,316, freight trailer $1,045 - $1,983.
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $2,589 - $6,442, container $1,494 - $3,095, rental truck $706 - $1,550, freight trailer $1,255 - $2,499.
- 4+ bedrooms: full-service $4,349 - $7,670, container $1,915 - $3,802, rental truck $922 - $1,775, freight trailer $1,532 - $3,229.
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 Fort Collins, CO to Riverside, CA
For the 1,042-mile move from Fort Collins, Colorado, to Riverside, California, full-service movers cost between $2,153 and $7,670. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $366 - $2,440 (1 - 5+ bedrooms), crews will pack your boxes. The weight of your shipment and the mileage between the two cities are what drive your final cost. For scale, local movers in Fort Collins generally start 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: $2,153 - $4,942
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,589 - $6,442
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,349 - $7,670
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.
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 Fort Collins, CO to Riverside, CA
Specialty needs vary by market: 57% of Fort Collins movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Riverside, 52% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing74% of local movers | $610 - $6,100 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready57% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $244 - $1,464/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $366 - $2,928 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage16% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs56% 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 items31% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $1,220 - $3,050 |
| Piano | Any piano type52% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $976 - $4,270 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling4% of local movers | $366 - $1,830 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect9% of local movers9% nationally | $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?
If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in California Moving & Storage Association is a good first thing to confirm.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 full-service movers are the more cost-efficient choice. Local movers in Fort Collins, CO, often charge 30% - 40% more at that distance because their operations aren't built for long-haul logistics. The exception is if you want a dedicated point-to-point truck with an average 2-day delivery, though that level of service generally increases your total cost.
Moving container costs from Fort Collins, CO to Riverside, CA
Moving containers from Fort Collins, Colorado, to Riverside, California, cost between $1,137 and $3,802. With a moving container, you load on your own schedule. U-Haul gives you 3 days to fill yours, while PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're ready, the company transports it straight to your new place. Need more time first? Storage in Fort Collins typically costs about $80/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Fort Collins to Riverside:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,137 - $2,225
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,494 - $3,095
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,915 - $3,802
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Because loading is on you with a container move, hourly labor help is a popular add-on. In Fort Collins, CO, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $854, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: After the first month, ongoing rental fees kick in. A small container (7 - 8 feet) averages about $92 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $183 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Fort Collins, CO, and Riverside, CA, but confirm a facility is within reasonable distance if you need to retrieve items while in storage.
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection provides broader coverage than the standard liability in your contract. It typically costs 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on $50,000 worth of belongings.
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 $1,137. 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 $1,494 - $3,095.
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:
- Little Guys Movers (4.9/5), 34 years in business
- Choice Moving Company (4.9/5), 11 years in business
- Two College Movers (4.8/5), 13 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Fort Collins, CO to Riverside, CA
Plan on $660 - $1,775 for a rental moving truck on the 1,042-mile route from Fort Collins, Colorado, to Riverside, California. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- 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: $660 - $1,316
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $706 - $1,550
- 4+ bedrooms: $922 - $1,775
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Fort Collins to Riverside starts at $660 - $1,775, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($404 - $462), overnight lodging ($183/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?
- Gas: Fuel adds $404 - $462 for the 1,042-mile drive, depending on whether your rental truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: You'll handle the heavy lifting unless you bring in help. Two movers in Fort Collins, Colorado, for about 5 hours typically costs around $854.
- Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
- Lodging: The 1,042-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $183 per night, adding $366 - $549 in hotel costs total.
- Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $61 and $366.
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
If you're moving a larger household from Fort Collins, Colorado, and want to stay in control of the loading process, freight trailers offer a practical middle ground between hiring movers and renting a truck yourself. A 28-foot trailer is delivered to your door, you load what you need, and the carrier handles the drive to Riverside, California.
Freight trailers are priced by the linear feet your belongings take up, so you only pay for the space you use. A 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route typically falls between $1,255 and $2,499.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Fort Collins to Riverside:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,045 - $1,983
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,255 - $2,499
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,532 - $3,229
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 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 $92 and $183.
- 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 Fort Collins, Colorado, for roughly five hours typically average $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.
Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Fort Collins to Riverside. 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: 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 moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from Colorado to California, so our pricing data reflects what movers are actually charging right now. Check our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers, the best way to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and bad actors. We track 278 movers in Colorado, so you have real options to compare for this 1,042-mile move.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from Fort Collins, CO, to Riverside, CA, 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 $2,153 - $7,670 on the 1,042-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,137 - $3,802 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $660 - $1,775 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $2,589 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 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 long does a move from Fort Collins, CO to Riverside, CA take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 2 to 8 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 do local movers charge in Fort Collins?
Local movers based in Fort Collins typically start around $301 as a base rate, plus $120/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 Riverside run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
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.
How much does it cost to move from Fort Collins, CO to Riverside, CA?
Costs on this route range from around $660 to $7,670, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,153 and $7,670, 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 Fort Collins movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 52% of movers in Fort Collins handle piano moves, and 31% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.