($1,072+) Memphis, TN to Riverside, CA Movers
Moving from Memphis, TN, to Riverside, CA, runs anywhere from $1,072 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $10,727 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,758 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 5 to 16 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 $2,548, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $10,727 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,496 - $5,804, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,072 - $3,093.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Memphis, TN, to Riverside, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,362 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 Memphis, TN to Riverside, CA
Moving options from Memphis to Riverside fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $3,362 - $7,232 on this route, with movers handling all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 60% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This 1,758-mile route typically takes 5 to 16 days door to door.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,758-mile route from Memphis to Riverside, broken down by home size:
Home size makes the biggest difference in what you'll pay on this route. A studio or 1-bedroom runs $2,548 - $5,714 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($1,496 - $2,882), rental truck ($1,072 - $2,082), or freight trailer ($1,458 - $2,541). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $3,362 - $7,232 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $10,727.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 23, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Memphis, TN to Riverside, CA
Full-service movers for the 1,758-mile relocation from Memphis, Tennessee, to Riverside, California, cost between $2,548 and $10,727. 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 $312 - $2,080, 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 Memphis typically charge a base rate around $334 plus $125 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Memphis to Riverside:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,548 - $5,714
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,362 - $7,232
- 4+ bedrooms: $6,017 - $10,727
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 Memphis to Riverside.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Tennessee to California. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: Peak moving season (May - September) limits truck availability and pushes up full-service moving costs. Booking during slower months can give you more scheduling room and a lower final price.
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Specialty moving services from Memphis, TN to Riverside, CA
Specialty needs vary by market — 100% of Memphis 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 | $520 - $5,200 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready100% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: The Armstrong Company | $208 - $1,248/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $312 - $2,496 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage14% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs57% of local movers | $1,040 - $3,120 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,600 - $10,400 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $779 - $1,480 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items71% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: The Armstrong Company | $1,040 - $2,600 |
| Piano | Any piano type100% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: The Armstrong Company | $832 - $3,640 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling29% of local movers | $312 - $1,560 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect29% of local movers21% nationallyTop pick: Spyder Moving and Storage | $676 - $2,080 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $312 - $15,600+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $312 - $3,640+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Memphis 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 carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Memphis, TN. 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 Memphis, TN to Riverside, CA
Moving containers from Memphis, Tennessee, to Riverside, California, cost between $1,496 and $5,804. The container gets dropped at your door and you load it at your own pace. U-Haul gives you 3 days to load and PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're done, the company handles all the transportation. If you need extra time, storage in Memphis runs about $45/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Memphis to Riverside:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,496 - $2,882
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,054 - $4,034
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,695 - $5,804
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $78 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $156 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Riverside, CA, 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 $728 in Memphis, TN. 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 Tennessee 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 $1,496. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $2,054 - $4,034, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Memphis 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 Memphis 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 Memphis:
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.5/5), 36 years in business
- Cord Moving and Storage (4.7/5), 106 years in business
- Spyder Moving and Storage (4.7/5), 8 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Memphis, TN to Riverside, CA
Renting a moving truck for the 1,758-mile move from Memphis, Tennessee, to Riverside, California, costs between $1,072 and $3,093, before these typical add-ons:
- Fuel for the drive: $582 - $665
- Daily insurance: $31/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $21
- Memphis 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 Memphis to Riverside based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,072 - $2,082
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,231 - $2,379
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,478 - $3,093
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $1,072 - $3,093 when pricing out a rental truck from Memphis to Riverside. Fuel alone runs ($582 - $665) , and overnight lodging ($156/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?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $156 per night. Most long-distance moves with rental trucks require 1 - 3 overnight stops.
- Equipment: Tow dollies, auto trailers, and specialty moving equipment can add between $68 and $338 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $582 - $665 in fuel for the 1,758-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $728 in Memphis, Tennessee, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Memphis 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 Memphis, TN to Riverside, CA
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Memphis, Tennessee, to Riverside, California, 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. Overall pricing for a move of this size and distance typically lands around $1,675 and $3,425.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Memphis to Riverside:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,458 - $2,541
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,675 - $3,425
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,156 - $4,555
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 $78 and $156.
- 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 Memphis, Tennessee, for roughly five hours typically average $728.
What are the best freight companies from Memphis to Riverside?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is our pick for best for large moves. The company is best known as a top moving container option for its hybrid model where you load and they drive, and that same model translates well to freight thanks to their 53-foot trucks and pay-by-the-foot pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Beyond their flagship container service, U-Pack also runs freight trailers with the same no-deposit, no-upfront-fee model, charging only for the linear footage you actually fill.
- Empire Express, Inc. (4.7/5 stars): Empire Express, Inc. is our pick for best locally owned freight company. Their locally owned and operated facilities mean you work with support staff who know the route and the area, giving you more responsive scheduling than national-only carriers typically offer.
Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from Memphis to Riverside, freight trailers are one of the fastest interstate options available, second only to renting a truck and driving it yourself. The tradeoff is that freight works best when you're ready to receive your belongings on the other end. If your timeline is tight on the receiving side or you need a short storage buffer, a moving container might be a better fit.
Cost of living: Memphis, TN 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 Memphis on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Memphis, TN | Riverside, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 86 | 131 |
| Average rent | $1,299/mo | $2,295/mo |
| Median home value | $154,209 | $539,898 |
| Average income | $51,211/yr | $88,575/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 8.0% | 7.1% |
| State income tax | None | Up to 13.3% |
| Walkability score | 35/100 | 43/100 |
| Safety index | 22.51/100 | 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 Memphis, TN guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from Tennessee to California over the past 3 months, giving us some of the most up-to-date pricing data around. Running your move through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. There are 70 movers in our Tennessee network to compare for this 1,758-mile move.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 1,758-mile route from Memphis, TN, to Riverside, CA, run $2,548 - $10,727 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,496 - $5,804, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $1,072 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,362, 30 days of free storage, and a 24/7 support team you can actually reach.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Bourns and California Baptist University.
FAQs: Moving from Memphis, TN, to Riverside, CA
How long does a move from Memphis, TN to Riverside, CA take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 5 - 7 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are usually the fastest option outside of driving yourself, with deliveries in 3 - 5 days, 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 Memphis?
Local movers based in Memphis typically start around $334 as a base rate, plus $125/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 Memphis, TN 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 Memphis, TN to Riverside, CA?
Costs on this route range from around $2,548 to $10,727, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,548 and $10,727, 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.
How walkable is Riverside?
Riverside has a walkability score of 43 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 49, compared to 35 and 41 in Memphis. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
What percentage of Memphis movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 100% of movers in Memphis handle piano moves, and 71% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
