($963+) Tulsa, OK to Modesto, CA Movers
Moving from Tulsa, OK, to Modesto, CA, runs anywhere from $963 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $10,520 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,652 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 $2,226, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $10,520 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,370 - $5,135, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $963 - $2,826.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Tulsa, OK, to Modesto, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,116 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 Tulsa, OK to Modesto, CA
There are 3 main ways to move from Tulsa to Modesto: 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 $3,116 - $7,326. Moving containers run about 43% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 67% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 4 to 15 days for this 1,652-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 1,652-mile route from Tulsa to Modesto, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $2,226 - $5,134 | $1,370 - $2,740 | $963 - $1,868 | $1,284 - $2,297 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $3,116 - $7,326 | $1,770 - $3,682 | $1,042 - $2,289 | $1,415 - $3,157 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $5,517 - $10,520 | $2,489 - $5,135 | $1,379 - $2,826 | $2,031 - $4,189 |
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 Tulsa, OK to Modesto, CA
Full-service movers for the 1,652-mile relocation from Tulsa, Oklahoma, to Modesto, California, cost between $2,226 and $10,520. 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 $292 - $1,948, 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 Tulsa typically charge a base rate around $225 plus $90 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Tulsa to Modesto:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,226 - $5,134
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,116 - $7,326
- 4+ bedrooms: $5,517 - $10,520
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 Tulsa to Modesto.
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 Tulsa, OK to Modesto, CA
Specialty needs vary by market: 43% of Tulsa movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Modesto, 60% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing73% of local movers | $487 - $4,870 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready43% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $195 - $1,169/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $292 - $2,338 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage14% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs62% of local movers | $974 - $2,922 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,435 - $9,740 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $730 - $1,386 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items24% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Coleman Worldwide Moving (OK) | $974 - $2,435 |
| Piano | Any piano type33% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: You Move Me | $779 - $3,409 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling10% of local movers | $292 - $1,461 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect9% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (OK) | $633 - $1,948 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $292 - $14,610+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $292 - $3,409+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Tulsa to Modesto?
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 carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Tulsa, OK. 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 Tulsa, OK to Modesto, CA
Moving containers from Tulsa, Oklahoma, to Modesto, California, cost between $1,370 and $5,135. A container is delivered to your home and you load it on your own time. Loading windows vary by company: U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30. From there, the company takes over and transports it to Modesto. If you go over that window, storage in Tulsa adds around $55/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Tulsa to Modesto:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,370 - $2,740
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,770 - $3,682
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,489 - $5,135
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $73 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $146 per month for larger units (12 - 16 feet).
- Moving labor: Containers don't come with loading help, so many customers hire hourly movers for the job. Two movers for about 5 hours will run you around $682 in Tulsa, OK, per moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Standard coverage only reimburses by weight. Full-value protection gives you more complete coverage for higher-value items and typically costs 1% - 2% of your total declared value, around $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 shipment.
- Access: National providers generally operate in both cities, but verify that a facility near your Modesto, CA, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Oklahoma 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 $1,370. 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 $1,770 - $3,682.
What are the best moving containers Tulsa to Modesto?
- 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 Tulsa 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 Tulsa:
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.3/5), 32 years in business
- 2 Fellas & A Big Vehicle Moving Company (4.3/5), 30 years in business
- Bigger Better Movers (4.8/5), 6 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Tulsa, OK to Modesto, CA
Plan on $963 - $2,826 for a rental moving truck on the 1,652-mile route from Tulsa, Oklahoma, to Modesto, California. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $512 - $585
- Daily insurance: $29/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $19
- Tulsa daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.89
| 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 Tulsa to Modesto based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $963 - $1,868
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,042 - $2,289
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,379 - $2,826
Pro tip: A rental truck from Tulsa to Modesto looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $963 - $2,826. But once you factor in fuel ($512 - $585), overnight lodging ($146/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?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Tulsa, Oklahoma, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $682.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $512 - $585 for the 1,652-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 $58 and $317, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $146 per night for hotel stops on the 1,652-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $292 - $438.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Tulsa to Modesto?
- 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 Tulsa, OK to Modesto, CA
For larger DIY moves from Tulsa, Oklahoma, 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 Modesto, 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 $1,415 and $3,157.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Tulsa to Modesto:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,284 - $2,297
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,415 - $3,157
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,031 - $4,189
Pro tip: Freight pricing rewards efficient packing. Trailers are 8 feet tall and accessed via a 4-foot ramp, so technique matters, especially for heavy pieces. Since each additional linear foot adds to your quote, packing strategically is one of the easiest ways to control costs.
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 Tulsa, Oklahoma, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $682.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $73 and $146 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Tulsa to Modesto?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the pick for best for large moves. The company is well-regarded as a top moving container option for its load-it-yourself, we-drive-it model, and that same model makes it a strong freight option for larger homes that benefit from the company's 53-foot trucks and footage-based pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Alongside their flagship container service, U-Pack provides a top-notch freight trailer option that follows the same model: no deposits, no upfront fees, and pricing based on the linear footage you actually use.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in Modesto 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: Tulsa, OK vs Modesto, CA
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Modesto, side by side with Tulsa on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Tulsa, OK | Modesto, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 85 | 116 |
| Average rent | $1,199/mo | $1,800/mo |
| Median home value | $187,761 | $415,024 |
| Average income | $58,407/yr | $77,899/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 4.7% | 8.0% |
| State income tax | Up to 4.75% | Up to 13.3% |
| Walkability score | 39/100 | 48/100 |
| Safety index | 48.06/100 | 34.24/100 |
| 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 Modesto, CA to Tulsa, OK guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from Oklahoma to California, so our pricing data stays current. Use our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and spot bad actors early. We track 79 movers licensed in Oklahoma, useful context for sizing up this 1,652-mile move.
Our take
For a move from Tulsa, OK, to Modesto, CA, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $2,226 for a studio to $10,520 for a 4+ bedroom home on the 1,652-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,370 - $5,135. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $963 - $2,826, 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 $3,116 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 Save Mart Supermarkets and Sutter Central Valley Hospitals.
FAQs: Moving from Tulsa, OK, to Modesto, CA
Is Modesto a safe place to live?
Modesto has a safety index of 34.24 out of 100 and a crime index of 65.76, compared to 48.06 and 51.94 in Tulsa. 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 Tulsa, OK to Modesto, 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 Tulsa, OK to Modesto, 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.
How long does a move from Tulsa, OK to Modesto, CA take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 4 to 15 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 extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($512 - $585), daily insurance ($29/day), and equipment rentals ($7 - $19) on top. Overnight stops can add another $146/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
What percentage of Tulsa movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 33% of movers in Tulsa handle piano moves, and 24% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.