($965+) Plano, TX to Irvine, CA Movers

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Background image of a moving truck moving from Plano, TX to Irvine, CA

Moving from Plano, TX, to Irvine, CA, runs anywhere from $900 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $9,478 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,452 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 3 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 $2,289, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $9,478 or more.
  • Moving containers run $1,451 - $5,059, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $900 - $2,451.
  • Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Plano, TX, to Irvine, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,904 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.

Compare moving options from Plano, TX to Irvine, CA

There are 3 main ways to move from Plano to Irvine: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service is the most expensive but covers everything from labor to transportation, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route averaging $2,904 - $7,324. Containers cost roughly 30% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 60% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 1,452 miles, expect 3 to 8 days in transit no matter which service you choose.

Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,452-mile route from Plano to Irvine, broken down by home size:

Home size Full-service movers Moving container Rental truck Freight trailer
Studio / 1 bedroom $2,289 - $5,243 $1,451 - $2,716 $900 - $1,687 $1,332 - $2,324
2 - 3 bedrooms $2,904 - $7,324 $1,873 - $3,830 $953 - $2,175 $1,513 - $2,885
4+ bedrooms $5,224 - $9,478 $2,372 - $5,059 $1,199 - $2,451 $1,898 - $3,808

Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.

Professional
Safeway Moving
star star star star star 4.9 / 5
Read our full Safeway review
Best overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran-owned
Container
Unlimited storage
3 container sizes
10% discount
Rental Truck
Budget Truck Rental
star star star star star 4.3 / 5
Read our full Budget review
Affordable pricing
Online estimates
Several discounts
Freight
MovingYourself
star star star star star 4.5 / 5
Read our full MovingYourself review
Fast delivery
Nationwide
100+ miles moves

Full-service moving costs from Plano, TX to Irvine, CA

Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 1,452-mile move from Plano, Texas, to Irvine, California, with costs ranging from $2,289 - $9,478. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $400 - $2,664. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Plano and Irvine. Local movers in Plano typically start around $181 as a base rate plus $92/hour per mover.

Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Plano to Irvine:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,289 - $5,243
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,904 - $7,324
  • 4+ bedrooms: $5,224 - $9,478

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 Plano to Irvine.

The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Texas to California. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.

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 Plano, TX to Irvine, CA

Specialty needs vary by market — 94% of Plano movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Irvine, 85% of movers offer the same service.

Service When you need it Typical cost
Full packingFull crew packing98% of local movers$666 - $6,660
Storage in transitNew place not ready94% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: AB Moving$266 - $1,598/mo
Shuttle feeTruck can't reach door$400 - $3,197
Full-value protectionMore than $0.60/lb coverage25% of local movers$300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value)
Small movesUnder ~2,000 lbs68% of local movers$1,332 - $3,996
Office / commercialWorkplace relocation$3,330 - $13,320
Car shippingSecond vehicle$998 - $1,895
Antiques & fine artFragile, high-value items49% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: AB Moving$1,332 - $3,330
PianoAny piano type65% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: AB Moving$1,066 - $4,662
Pool tableDisassembly & re-leveling35% of local movers$400 - $1,998
Hot tubHeavy, needs disconnect23% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: AB Moving$866 - $2,664
Wine collectionClimate-controlled transport$400 - $19,980+
Pet relocationGround, air, or concierge$400 - $4,662+

What are the best full-service movers from Plano to Irvine?

California Moving & Storage Association membership is a quick way to confirm a mover is legitimate in California, on top of the picks below.

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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 full-service movers are almost always better priced than local movers in Plano, TX. Local companies typically run 30% - 40% more at longer distances because they aren't set up to consolidate shipments the way national carriers do. The one case where a local mover might be worth the premium is if you want a dedicated direct-route truck, which averages a 2-day delivery time, but expect to pay more for that convenience.

Moving container costs from Plano, TX to Irvine, CA

Moving containers from Plano, Texas, to Irvine, California, cost between $1,451 and $5,059. You're in charge of loading, and the timeline is yours to set. U-Haul allows 3 days while PODS gives you a full 30. After that, the company picks it up and delivers it to your new address. Running behind schedule? Storage in Plano costs roughly $80/month if you need it.

Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Plano to Irvine:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,451 - $2,716
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,873 - $3,830
  • 4+ bedrooms: $2,372 - $5,059

What other costs come with moving containers?

  • Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $100 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $200 per month.
  • Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Irvine, 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 $932 in Plano, TX. 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 Texas 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 $1,451. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,873 - $3,830, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.

What are the best moving containers Plano to Irvine?

  1. Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
  2. U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
  3. 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 Plano 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 Plano:

  • AB Moving (4.8/5), 26 years in business
  • TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.6/5), 16 years in business
  • Wrightway Moving Company (4.8/5), 25 years in business

Moving truck rental costs from Plano, TX to Irvine, CA

Plan on $900 - $2,451 for a rental moving truck on the 1,452-mile route from Plano, Texas, to Irvine, California. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:

  • Fuel for the drive: $615 - $703
  • Daily insurance: $40/day
  • Equipment rentals: $9 - $27
  • Plano daily rental rate: $19 - $39
  • Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.59 - $0.79
Home sizeTypical truck size
Studio / 1 bedroom10 - 12 ft
2 - 3 bedrooms15 - 17 ft
4+ bedrooms20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel)

These are typical moving truck rental costs from Plano to Irvine based on home size:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $900 - $1,687
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $953 - $2,175
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,199 - $2,451

Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Plano to Irvine starts at $900 - $2,451, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($615 - $703) , overnight lodging ($200/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for an additional $600 - $1,200 on top of your base rate to cover those costs.

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 $100 and $466.
  • Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $200.
  • Gas: Expect fuel to run between $615 and $703 for the 1,452-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 $932 for 2 movers in Plano, Texas, for about 5 hours.
  • Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.

What are the best moving truck rentals from Plano to Irvine?

  1. Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
  2. Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
  3. 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 Plano, TX to Irvine, CA

If you're moving a larger household from Plano, Texas, 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 Irvine, California.

Freight trailers are priced by the linear feet your belongings take up, so you only pay for the space you use. Most moves on this route fall between $1,513 and $2,885.

Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Plano to Irvine:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,332 - $2,324
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,513 - $2,885
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,898 - $3,808

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?

  • 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 Plano, Texas, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $932.
  • More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $100 and $200 per foot.

What are the best freight companies from Plano to Irvine?

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Hazel's Expedited Freight (4.62/5 stars): Hazel's Expedited Freight is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned and based facilities mean accessible support staff and area-specific scheduling flexibility that national-only freight carriers typically don't match.

Pro tip: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in Irvine 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: Plano, TX vs Irvine, CA

The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Irvine, side by side with Plano on housing, income, and taxes.

Measure Plano, TX Irvine, CA
Cost of living index112165
Average rent$2,100/mo$4,000/mo
Median home value$440,202$1,113,305
Average income$108,649/yr$129,647/yr
Unemployment rate5.5%5.4%
State income taxNoneUp to 13.3%
Walkability score41/10043/100
Safety index76.98/10068.99/100
Air qualityGoodGood

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 Irvine, CA to Plano, TX guide.

Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:

In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from Texas 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 289 movers licensed in Texas, useful context for sizing up this 1,452-mile move.

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Our take

Full-service movers on the 1,452-mile route from Plano, TX, to Irvine, CA, run $2,289 - $9,478 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,451 - $5,059, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $900 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,904, 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 Mitsubishi Digital Electronics America and Taco Bell.

FAQs: Moving from Plano, TX, to Irvine, CA

What are some tips for saving money on a move from Plano, TX to Irvine, 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 Plano, TX to Irvine, 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 Plano, TX to Irvine, 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 extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?

The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($615 - $703), daily insurance ($40/day), and equipment rentals ($9 - $27) on top. Overnight stops can add another $200/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.

What is the cheapest way to move from Plano, TX to Irvine, CA?

Renting a moving truck is almost always the most affordable option, since you handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself. A 2-bedroom rental truck move on this route averages $953 - $2,175. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.

What percentage of Plano movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?

About 65% of movers in Plano handle piano moves, and 49% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.