($975+) Modesto, CA to San Antonio, TX Movers
The cost to move from Modesto, CA to San Antonio, TX ranges from $1,210 to $10,343, with an average cost of $3,700. Moves can be as low as $975 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 1,663 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.
Compare moving options from Modesto, CA to San Antonio, TX
Moving options from Modesto to San Antonio fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,210 - $10,343 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $3,700, and movers handle all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 41% 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 1,663 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 1,663-mile route from Modesto to San Antonio, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,210 - $5,148 | $1,516 - $2,692 | $945 - $1,814 | $1,338 - $2,545 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $3,000 - $7,133 | $1,772 - $3,689 | $1,023 - $2,361 | $1,477 - $3,134 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $5,309 - $10,343 | $2,519 - $4,994 | $1,288 - $2,833 | $2,056 - $4,240 |
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 Modesto, CA to San Antonio, TX
Full-service movers for the 1,663-mile relocation from Modesto, California, to San Antonio, Texas, cost between $1,210 and $10,343. 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 $318 - $2,120, 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 Modesto typically charge a base rate around $314 plus $128 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Modesto to San Antonio:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,210 - $5,148
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,000 - $7,133
- 4+ bedrooms: $5,309 - $10,343
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 Modesto to San Antonio.
Pro tip: The summer months (May - September) are the busiest time of year for movers during peak moving season, which drives up prices and limits scheduling options. If you can move in the fall or winter, you'll likely find better rates and more flexibility.
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Specialty moving services from Modesto, CA to San Antonio, TX
Specialty needs vary by market: 63% of Modesto 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 packing58% of local movers | $530 - $5,300 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready63% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Grace Moving Company | $212 - $1,272/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $318 - $2,544 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage13% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs46% of local movers | $1,060 - $3,180 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,650 - $10,600 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $794 - $1,508 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items13% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Brewer Moving LLC | $1,060 - $2,650 |
| Piano | Any piano type38% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: Pete's Moving Services | $848 - $3,710 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling | $318 - $1,590 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect8% of local movers9% nationally | $689 - $2,120 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $318 - $15,900+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $318 - $3,710+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Modesto to San Antonio?
All three below meet the standards set by the Southwest Movers Association, the group most Texas movers are affiliated with.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list, with flat-rate pricing that holds firm on moving day and a customer support team available around the clock.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here. With 30+ years of interstate moves behind them, AVL uses full-time in-house crews instead of the contracted labor most national carriers rely on.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, with fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan available on every long-distance move.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national full-service movers are almost always better priced than local movers in Modesto, CA. 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 Modesto, CA to San Antonio, TX
Moving containers from Modesto, California, to San Antonio, Texas, cost between $1,516 and $4,994. 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 Modesto runs about $120/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Modesto to San Antonio:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,516 - $2,692
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,772 - $3,689
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,519 - $4,994
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $80 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $159 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 $742 in Modesto, CA, 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 San Antonio, TX, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
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 $1,516. 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 $1,772 - $3,689.
What are the best moving containers Modesto 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 Modesto 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 Modesto:
- Big Island Movers (4.8/5), 14 years in business
- Brewer Moving LLC (4.9/5), 11 years in business
- Lunardi Moving (4.8/5), 12 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Modesto, CA to San Antonio, TX
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 1,663 miles from Modesto, California, to San Antonio, Texas, running $945 - $2,833. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $561 - $641
- Daily insurance: $32/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $21
- Modesto daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.79 - $1.29
| 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 Modesto to San Antonio based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $945 - $1,814
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,023 - $2,361
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,288 - $2,833
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $945 - $2,833 does not include fuel ($561 - $641), lodging ($159/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Modesto to San Antonio typically runs more than the base rate alone, with meals, equipment, and other extras adding roughly $600 - $1,200 on top of fuel and lodging.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Modesto, California, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $742.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $561 - $641 for the 1,663-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 $64 and $345, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $159 per night for hotel stops on the 1,663-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $318 - $477.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Modesto 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 Modesto, CA to San Antonio, TX
For larger DIY moves from Modesto, California, 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 San Antonio, Texas.
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 $1,477 and $3,134.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Modesto to San Antonio:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,338 - $2,545
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,477 - $3,134
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,056 - $4,240
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?
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In Modesto, California, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $742.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $80 - $159 per additional foot to your total.
- Time of year: Rates tend to climb during peak moving season (mid-May through mid-September) when trailer demand is at its highest.
What are the best freight companies from Modesto to San Antonio?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the best for large moves pick. While it's a top moving container option for the DIY hybrid setup (you handle the loading, they handle the driving), the same approach makes it a strong freight choice for 3 to 5+ bedroom homes that need 53 feet of trailer capacity with pay-as-you-go pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer here. In addition to their popular container service, U-Pack delivers a top-tier freight trailer option that uses the same pay-by-the-foot pricing model and skips deposits and upfront fees entirely.
Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from Modesto to San Antonio, 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: Modesto, 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 Modesto on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Modesto, CA | San Antonio, TX |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 116 | 91 |
| Average rent | $1,800/mo | $1,496/mo |
| Median home value | $415,024 | $216,453 |
| Average income | $77,899/yr | $62,917/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 8.0% | 3.8% |
| State income tax | Up to 13.3% | None |
| Walkability score | 48/100 | 37/100 |
| Safety index | 34.24/100 | 51.94/100 |
| Air quality | Moderate | 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 Modesto, CA guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from California to Texas, 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 1,126 movers licensed in California, useful context for sizing up this 1,663-mile move.
Our take
A move from Modesto, CA, to San Antonio, TX, gives you several options depending on your budget and how much you want to do yourself. Full-service movers handle everything but cost the most, ranging from $1,210 - $10,343 on the 1,663-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,516 - $4,994, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $945 - $2,833. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $3,000 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and round-the-clock 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 Modesto, CA, to San Antonio, TX
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 walkable is San Antonio?
San Antonio has a walkability score of 37 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 45, compared to 48 and 48 in Modesto. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
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 34.24 and 65.76 in Modesto. 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 Modesto, CA to San Antonio, TX?
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 Modesto, CA to San Antonio, TX?
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. Texas also has a hurricane season running June through November, worth factoring into your timing if you have flexibility. A midweek, mid-month date outside peak season is your best bet for saving money.
What percentage of Modesto movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 38% of movers in Modesto handle piano moves, and 13% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.