($1,215+) San Jose, CA to Minneapolis, MN Movers
The cost to move from San Jose, CA to Minneapolis, MN ranges from $1,214 to $10,806, with an average cost of $4,150. Moves can be as low as $1,215 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 2,013 miles and usually takes 6 to 17 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 San Jose, CA to Minneapolis, MN
Moving options from San Jose to Minneapolis fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,214 - $10,806 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $4,150, and movers handle all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 38% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 62% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This particular route covers 2,013 miles and typically takes 6 to 17 days depending on the service you pick.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 2,013-mile route from San Jose to Minneapolis, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,214 - $5,257 | $1,611 - $2,878 | $1,134 - $2,343 | $1,407 - $2,590 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $3,468 - $7,763 | $2,146 - $4,033 | $1,316 - $2,737 | $1,635 - $3,362 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $6,561 - $10,806 | $2,770 - $5,499 | $1,628 - $3,383 | $2,171 - $4,491 |
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 San Jose, CA to Minneapolis, MN
Hiring full-service movers from San Jose, California, to Minneapolis, Minnesota, costs between $1,214 and $10,806. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 2,013-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $544 - $3,628, depending on the size of your home. Your final cost comes down to two things: the total weight of your shipment and the distance between San Jose and Minneapolis. For a rough baseline, movers based in San Jose tend to start around $316 plus $119/hour per mover on local jobs, before long-distance pricing takes over for a move this size.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from San Jose to Minneapolis:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,214 - $5,257
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,468 - $7,763
- 4+ bedrooms: $6,561 - $10,806
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 San Jose to Minneapolis.
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 San Jose, CA to Minneapolis, MN
Specialty needs vary by market: 55% of San Jose movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Minneapolis, 68% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing75% of local movers | $907 - $9,070 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready55% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Southwest Moving | $363 - $2,177/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $544 - $4,354 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage15% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs50% of local movers | $1,814 - $5,442 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $4,535 - $18,140 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,359 - $2,581 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items25% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Southwest Moving | $1,814 - $4,535 |
| Piano | Any piano type38% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: Vector Moving and Storage | $1,451 - $6,349 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling4% of local movers | $544 - $2,721 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect5% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Silicon Valley Moving and Storage | $1,179 - $3,628 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $544 - $27,210+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $544 - $6,349+ |
What are the best full-service movers from San Jose to Minneapolis?
Movers licensed to operate in Minnesota are typically members of the Minnesota Transport Services 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 San Jose, 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 San Jose, CA to Minneapolis, MN
Moving containers from San Jose, California, to Minneapolis, Minnesota, cost between $1,611 and $5,499. 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 San Jose runs about $120/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from San Jose to Minneapolis:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,611 - $2,878
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,146 - $4,033
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,770 - $5,499
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $136 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $272 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 $1,270 in San Jose, 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 Minneapolis, MN, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a California to Minnesota 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 $1,611. 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 $2,146 - $4,033.
What are the best moving containers San Jose to Minneapolis?
- 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 San Jose 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 San Jose:
- Lunardi Moving (4.8/5), 12 years in business
- Silicon Valley Moving and Storage (4.6/5), 26 years in business
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (5.0/5), 16 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from San Jose, CA to Minneapolis, MN
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 2,013 miles from San Jose, California, to Minneapolis, Minnesota, running $1,134 - $3,383. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $1,162 - $1,328
- Daily insurance: $54/day
- Equipment rentals: $13 - $36
- San Jose daily rental rate: $19 - $49
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.99 - $1.19
| 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 San Jose to Minneapolis based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,134 - $2,343
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,316 - $2,737
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,628 - $3,383
Pro tip: The base rate of $1,134 - $3,383 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from San Jose to Minneapolis. Fuel ($1,162 - $1,328), lodging at around $272/night, meals, and equipment rentals are all on top of that. Factor in roughly $600 - $1,200 more for meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging to get a realistic picture of what the move will actually cost.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in San Jose, California, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $1,270.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $1,162 - $1,328 for the 2,013-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 $109 and $590, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $272 per night for hotel stops on the 2,013-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $544 - $816.
What are the best moving truck rentals from San Jose to Minneapolis?
- 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 San Jose, CA to Minneapolis, MN
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from San Jose, California, to Minneapolis, Minnesota, 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. Pricing for a 2 - 3 bedroom move of this distance typically lands between $1,635 and $3,362.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from San Jose to Minneapolis:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,407 - $2,590
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,635 - $3,362
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,171 - $4,491
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?
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In San Jose, California, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $1,270.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $136 - $272 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 San Jose to Minneapolis?
- 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 San Jose to Minneapolis. 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: San Jose, CA vs Minneapolis, MN
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Minneapolis, side by side with San Jose on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | San Jose, CA | Minneapolis, MN |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 231 | 107 |
| Average rent | $3,095/mo | $1,484/mo |
| Median home value | $1,184,000 | $345,294 |
| Average income | $141,565/yr | $80,269/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 6.6% | 4.5% |
| State income tax | Up to 13.3% | Up to 9.85% |
| Walkability score | 51/100 | 71/100 |
| Safety index | 52.27/100 | 43.94/100 |
| Air quality | Moderate | Good |
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 Minneapolis, MN to San Jose, CA guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from California to Minnesota 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 1,126 movers in our California network to compare for this 2,013-mile move.
Our take
The 2,013-mile move from San Jose, CA, to Minneapolis, MN, costs between $1,214 and $10,806 with full-service movers, $1,611 - $5,499 with a moving container, and $1,134 - $3,383 for a rental truck. Your budget and how much heavy lifting you want to do are the two biggest factors in choosing the right option. If you go with full-service movers, Safeway Moving is our top recommendation, with transparent flat-rate pricing starting around $3,468 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage, and 24/7 customer support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Aeon and Target.
FAQs: Moving from San Jose, CA, to Minneapolis, MN
How much does it cost to move from San Jose, CA to Minneapolis, MN?
Costs on this route range from around $1,215 to $10,806, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,214 and $10,806, 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 is the cheapest way to move from San Jose, CA to Minneapolis, MN?
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 $1,316 - $2,737. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($1,162 - $1,328), daily insurance ($54/day), and equipment rentals ($13 - $36) on top. Overnight stops can add another $272/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How long does a move from San Jose, CA to Minneapolis, MN take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 6 to 17 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 is the best time of year to move from San Jose, CA to Minneapolis, MN?
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.
What percentage of San Jose movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 38% of movers in San Jose handle piano moves, and 25% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.