($939+) Fontana, CA to McAllen, TX Movers
The cost to move from Fontana, CA to McAllen, TX ranges from $1,161 to $9,823, with an average cost of $3,400. Moves can be as low as $939 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 1,545 miles and usually takes 4 to 15 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 Fontana, CA to McAllen, TX
Moving options from Fontana to McAllen fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,161 - $9,823 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $3,400, and movers handle all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 36% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 64% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This particular route covers 1,545 miles and typically takes 4 to 15 days depending on the service you pick.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,545-mile route from Fontana to McAllen, broken down by home size:
- A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $1,161 - $5,181 with full-service movers, $1,320 - $2,448 with a container, $893 - $1,712 with a rental truck, or $1,261 - $2,319 by freight.
- A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $2,859 - $6,344 full-service, $1,826 - $3,781 by container, $1,025 - $2,079 by rental truck, or $1,418 - $2,939 by freight.
- A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $5,298 - $9,823 full-service, $2,294 - $4,763 by container, $1,242 - $2,591 by rental truck, or $1,970 - $3,811 by freight.
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 Fontana, CA to McAllen, TX
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 1,545-mile move from Fontana, California, to McAllen, Texas, with prices running from $1,161 - $9,823. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $305 - $2,036 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between Fontana and McAllen are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, Fontana movers tend to run around $259 as a base rate plus $110/hour per mover, for comparison.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Fontana to McAllen:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,161 - $5,181
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,859 - $6,344
- 4+ bedrooms: $5,298 - $9,823
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 Fontana to McAllen.
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 Fontana, CA to McAllen, TX
Specialty needs vary by market: 52% of Fontana movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In McAllen, 63% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing72% of local movers | $509 - $5,090 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready52% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Trek Movers | $204 - $1,222/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $305 - $2,443 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage11% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs48% of local movers | $1,018 - $3,054 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,545 - $10,180 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $762 - $1,449 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items26% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Trek Movers | $1,018 - $2,545 |
| Piano | Any piano type32% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Trek Movers | $814 - $3,563 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling8% of local movers | $305 - $1,527 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect6% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Silicon Valley Moving and Storage (CA) | $662 - $2,036 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $305 - $15,270+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $305 - $3,563+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Fontana to McAllen?
Look for Southwest Movers Association membership as a baseline when comparing movers in Texas 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 Fontana, CA. 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 Fontana, CA to McAllen, TX
Moving containers from Fontana, California, to McAllen, Texas, cost between $1,320 and $4,763. 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 Fontana typically costs about $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Fontana to McAllen:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,320 - $2,448
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,826 - $3,781
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,294 - $4,763
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $76 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $153 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in McAllen, TX, 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 $713 in Fontana, CA. 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 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 $1,320. 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 $1,826 - $3,781.
What are the best moving containers Fontana to McAllen?
- 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 Fontana 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 Fontana:
- Trek Movers (5.0/5), 11 years in business
- Meathead Movers (4.7/5), 24 years in business
- Flex Moving & Storage (5.0/5), 24 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Fontana, CA to McAllen, TX
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 1,545 miles from Fontana, California, to McAllen, Texas, running $893 - $2,591. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $500 - $572
- Daily insurance: $31/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $20
- Fontana daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.89 - $1.39
| 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 Fontana to McAllen based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $893 - $1,712
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,025 - $2,079
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,242 - $2,591
Pro tip: A rental truck from Fontana to McAllen looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $893 - $2,591. But once you factor in fuel ($500 - $572), overnight lodging ($153/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?
- Equipment: Tow dollies, appliance dollies, and moving pads are not included in the base rate. These extras often total between $76 and $356.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $153.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $500 and $572 for the 1,545-mile drive, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: If you'd rather not do all the heavy lifting, budget around $713 for 2 movers in Fontana, California, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Fontana to McAllen?
- 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 Fontana, CA to McAllen, TX
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 Fontana, California, to McAllen, Texas. 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. A 2 - 3 bedroom long-distance move using this method runs roughly between $1,418 and $2,939.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Fontana to McAllen:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,261 - $2,319
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,418 - $2,939
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,970 - $3,811
Pro tip: Freight trailers come with a 4-foot loading ramp, which can be a challenge with bulky furniture. With 8 feet of vertical space available, stacking efficiently often requires a ladder and a plan. Since you're billed per linear foot, packing tight can make a real difference in your final cost.
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 $76 - $153 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Fontana, California, for about five hours typically runs $713.
What are the best freight companies from Fontana to McAllen?
- 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 move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Fontana to McAllen. 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: Fontana, CA vs McAllen, TX
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in McAllen, side by side with Fontana on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Fontana, CA | McAllen, TX |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 119 | 76 |
| Average rent | $3,000/mo | $1,350/mo |
| Median home value | $554,802 | $173,919 |
| Average income | $98,187/yr | $60,165/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 7.6% | 7.9% |
| State income tax | Up to 13.3% | None |
| Walkability score | 37/100 | 41/100 |
| Safety index | 68.35/100 | 63.74/100 |
| 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 McAllen, TX to Fontana, 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 1,154 movers based in California, handy for sizing up options on this 1,545-mile route.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from Fontana, CA, to McAllen, 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 $1,161 - $9,823 on the 1,545-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,320 - $4,763 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $893 - $2,591 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $2,859 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 The Monitor Group and Am-Mex Products.
FAQs: Moving from Fontana, CA, to McAllen, TX
What are the best neighborhoods in McAllen?
For families, North McAllen, Sharyland Plantation, and Tres Lagos are worth a look in McAllen. If you're moving solo or without kids, Downtown McAllen, South McAllen, and La Vista 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 Fontana?
Local movers based in Fontana typically start around $259 as a base rate, plus $110/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 McAllen run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
What size moving truck do I need for this route?
Rental trucks generally range from 10 to 26 feet. A 15- to 17-foot truck covers most 2-bedroom moves, while a smaller 10- to 12-foot truck works for a studio or 1-bedroom. Homes with 4 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
How much does it cost to move from Fontana, CA to McAllen, TX?
Costs on this route range from around $939 to $9,823, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,161 and $9,823, 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 Fontana movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 32% of movers in Fontana handle piano moves, and 26% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.