($799+) Irvine, CA to San Antonio, TX Movers
The cost to move from Irvine, CA to San Antonio, TX ranges from $1,268 to $9,209, with an average cost of $3,300. Moves can be as low as $799 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 1,337 miles and usually takes 3 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 Irvine, CA to San Antonio, TX
Moving options from Irvine to San Antonio fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,268 - $9,209 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $3,300, and movers handle all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 34% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 66% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This particular route covers 1,337 miles and typically takes 3 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 1,337-mile route from Irvine to San Antonio, broken down by home size:
- Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $1,268 - $5,196, container $1,265 - $2,407, rental truck $799 - $1,589, freight trailer $1,138 - $2,297.
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $2,695 - $6,231, container $1,766 - $3,255, rental truck $908 - $1,797, freight trailer $1,400 - $2,578.
- 4+ bedrooms: full-service $4,862 - $9,209, container $2,191 - $4,734, rental truck $1,176 - $2,374, freight trailer $1,825 - $3,787.
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 Irvine, CA to San Antonio, TX
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 1,337-mile move from Irvine, California, to San Antonio, Texas, with prices running from $1,268 - $9,209. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $406 - $2,708 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between Irvine and San Antonio are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, Irvine movers tend to run around $197 as a base rate plus $75/hour per mover, for comparison.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Irvine to San Antonio:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,268 - $5,196
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,695 - $6,231
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,862 - $9,209
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 Irvine to San Antonio.
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 Irvine, CA to San Antonio, TX
Specialty needs vary by market: 56% of Irvine movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In San Antonio, 72% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing77% of local movers | $677 - $6,770 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready56% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Meathead Movers | $271 - $1,625/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $406 - $3,250 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage12% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs53% of local movers | $1,354 - $4,062 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,385 - $13,540 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,014 - $1,927 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items29% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Best Fit Movers | $1,354 - $3,385 |
| Piano | Any piano type38% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: Best Fit Movers | $1,083 - $4,739 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling10% of local movers | $406 - $2,031 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect5% of local movers9% nationally | $880 - $2,708 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $406 - $20,310+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $406 - $4,739+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Irvine to San Antonio?
Southwest Movers Association membership is a quick way to confirm a mover is legitimate in Texas, on top of the picks below.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing means no surprise charges on moving day, and their support team is consistently rated among the most responsive in the industry.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here, 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, with 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 van lines are the smarter financial choice over local movers in Irvine, CA. 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 Irvine, CA to San Antonio, TX
Moving containers from Irvine, California, to San Antonio, Texas, cost between $1,265 and $4,734. 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 Irvine typically runs around $110/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Irvine to San Antonio:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,265 - $2,407
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,766 - $3,255
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,191 - $4,734
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 $948 in Irvine, CA. 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 $102 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $203 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 San Antonio, TX, destination before booking.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a California to Texas 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 $1,265. 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 $1,766 - $3,255.
What are the best moving containers Irvine to San Antonio?
- 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 Irvine 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 Irvine:
- Meathead Movers (4.7/5), 24 years in business
- Best Fit Movers (4.8/5), 8 years in business
- Maison Moving (4.6/5), 18 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Irvine, CA to San Antonio, TX
Truck rentals from Irvine, California, to San Antonio, Texas, range from $799 - $2,374 for the 1,337-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $576 - $658
- Daily insurance: $41/day
- Equipment rentals: $9 - $27
- Irvine daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.79 - $1.09
| 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 Irvine to San Antonio based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $799 - $1,589
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $908 - $1,797
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,176 - $2,374
Pro tip: A rental truck from Irvine to San Antonio looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $799 - $2,374. But once you factor in fuel ($576 - $658), overnight lodging ($203/night), meals, and equipment rentals, most people end up spending roughly $600 - $1,200 more on meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging. Building that into your budget upfront saves you from sticker shock at the end of the move.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Gas: Fuel adds $576 - $658 for the 1,337-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 Irvine, California, for about 5 hours typically costs around $948.
- Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
- Lodging: The 1,337-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $203 per night, adding $406 - $609 in hotel costs total.
- Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $68 and $406.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Irvine to San Antonio?
- 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 Irvine, CA to San Antonio, TX
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Irvine, California, to San Antonio, Texas, when you want to do the loading yourself without having to drive a massive vehicle. The trailer is delivered, you pack it up, and the carrier handles the long haul.
What sets freight trailers apart is the pay-for-what-you-use pricing model. Each additional foot of trailer space you occupy adds to the cost. Pricing for a 2 - 3 bedroom move of this distance typically lands between $1,400 and $2,578.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Irvine to San Antonio:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,138 - $2,297
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,400 - $2,578
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,825 - $3,787
Pro tip: A 4-foot ramp sounds simple, but heavy or awkward furniture can make the climb tricky. With 8 feet of height to work with, smart vertical stacking is key. Since freight companies charge by the linear foot, every extra foot you use adds to the bill.
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 $102 - $203 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Irvine, California, for about five hours typically runs $948.
What are the best freight companies from Irvine to San Antonio?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Primarily known as a top moving container option for its DIY hybrid model where customers load and the company drives, MovingYourself also functions as a strong freight option thanks to its 53-foot trucks and pay-only-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. Best known for its container service, U-Pack also runs a top-notch freight trailer operation with the same no-deposit, pay-by-the-foot approach that keeps overall costs lower than most freight competitors.
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 San Antonio 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: Irvine, CA vs San Antonio, TX
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in San Antonio, side by side with Irvine on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Irvine, CA | San Antonio, TX |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 165 | 91 |
| Average rent | $4,000/mo | $1,496/mo |
| Median home value | $1,113,305 | $216,453 |
| Average income | $129,647/yr | $62,917/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 5.4% | 3.8% |
| State income tax | Up to 13.3% | None |
| Walkability score | 43/100 | 37/100 |
| Safety index | 68.99/100 | 51.94/100 |
| 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 Antonio, TX to Irvine, CA guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from California to Texas 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 1,126 movers based in California, handy for sizing up options on this 1,337-mile route.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from Irvine, CA, to San Antonio, TX, 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 $1,268 - $9,209 on the 1,337-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,265 - $4,734 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $799 - $2,374 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $2,695 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and 24/7 live support.
Beyond the move itself, people who've relocated to San Antonio tend to point to diversity and sight-seeing, though abundant stray pets and brutal summers come up as common complaints. Major employers in the area include Joint Base San Antonio (Three Military Bases) and H-E-B.
FAQs: Moving from Irvine, CA, to San Antonio, TX
Is San Antonio a safe place to live?
San Antonio has a safety index of 51.94 out of 100 and a crime index of 48.06, compared to 68.99 and 31.01 in Irvine. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
How walkable is San Antonio?
San Antonio has a walkability score of 37 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 45, compared to 43 and 69 in Irvine. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
What are the best neighborhoods in San Antonio?
For families, Alamo Heights, Great Northwest, and Northwest Crossing are worth a look in San Antonio. If you're moving solo or without kids, Alamo Heights, Downtown, and Tobin Hill tend to be popular picks instead.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Texas?
In-state movers operating in the Lone Star State are legally required to be licensed by the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TXDMV), which issues 10-digit TXDMV numbers to commercial carriers.
What do local movers charge in Irvine?
Local movers based in Irvine typically start around $197 as a base rate, plus $75/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 San Antonio run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
What percentage of Irvine movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 38% of movers in Irvine handle piano moves, and 29% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.