($919+) Santa Ana, CA to Dallas, TX Movers
The cost to move from Santa Ana, CA to Dallas, TX ranges from $1,219 to $9,994, with an average cost of $3,500. Moves can be as low as $919 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 1,422 miles and usually takes 3 to 8 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 Santa Ana, CA to Dallas, TX
Moving options from Santa Ana to Dallas fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,219 - $9,994 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $3,500, and movers handle 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 particular route covers 1,422 miles and typically takes 3 to 8 days depending on the service you pick.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,422-mile route from Santa Ana to Dallas, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,219 - $5,060 | $1,358 - $2,721 | $946 - $1,725 | $1,222 - $2,260 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,950 - $7,250 | $1,715 - $3,689 | $1,014 - $2,113 | $1,402 - $2,922 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $5,164 - $9,994 | $2,381 - $4,816 | $1,288 - $2,430 | $2,061 - $3,970 |
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Santa Ana, CA to Dallas, TX
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 1,422-mile move from Santa Ana, California, to Dallas, Texas, with costs ranging from $1,219 - $9,994. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $417 - $2,780. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Santa Ana and Dallas. Local movers in Santa Ana typically start around $185 as a base rate plus $75/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Santa Ana to Dallas:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,219 - $5,060
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,950 - $7,250
- 4+ bedrooms: $5,164 - $9,994
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 Santa Ana to Dallas.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from California to Texas. 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 Santa Ana, CA to Dallas, TX
Specialty needs vary by market — 84% of Santa Ana movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Dallas, 94% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $695 - $6,950 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready84% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Meathead Movers | $278 - $1,668/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $417 - $3,336 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage39% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs48% of local movers | $1,390 - $4,170 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,475 - $13,900 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,041 - $1,978 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items64% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: NorthStar Moving Company | $1,390 - $3,475 |
| Piano | Any piano type78% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: NorthStar Moving Company | $1,112 - $4,865 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling37% of local movers | $417 - $2,085 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect28% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: California Movers Local & Long Distance Moving Company | $904 - $2,780 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $417 - $20,850+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $417 - $4,865+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Santa Ana to Dallas?
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 Santa Ana, 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 Santa Ana, CA to Dallas, TX
Moving containers from Santa Ana, California, to Dallas, Texas, cost between $1,358 and $4,816. You load everything on your own schedule (U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30). When you're ready, the company takes care of getting the container from point A to point B. Need more time than that? Extra storage in Santa Ana typically runs around $110/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Santa Ana to Dallas:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,358 - $2,721
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,715 - $3,689
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,381 - $4,816
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $104 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $209 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 $973 in Santa Ana, 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 Dallas, TX, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
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 $1,358. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,715 - $3,689, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Santa Ana to Dallas?
- 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 Santa Ana 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 Santa Ana:
- California Movers Local & Long Distance Moving Company (5.0/5), 11 years in business
- Sterling Van Lines (4.6/5), 35 years in business
- Merit Moving Systems (4.9/5), 39 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Santa Ana, CA to Dallas, TX
Truck rentals from Santa Ana, California, to Dallas, Texas, range from $946 - $2,430 for the 1,422-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $629 - $719
- Daily insurance: $42/day
- Equipment rentals: $10 - $28
- Santa Ana daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.79 - $1.09
| 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 Santa Ana to Dallas based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $946 - $1,725
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,014 - $2,113
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,288 - $2,430
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $946 - $2,430 does not include fuel ($629 - $719) , lodging ($209/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Santa Ana to Dallas typically runs $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate alone.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $209 per night if your drive requires an overnight stop. Typically, you'll make 1 - 3 overnight stops, depending on move distance.
- Moving labor: Bringing in professional loading help in Santa Ana, California, usually costs about $973 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 1,422-mile drive falls between $629 and $719, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, moving pads, and vehicle trailers are easy to overlook but can add between $70 and $417 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Santa Ana to Dallas?
- 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 Santa Ana, CA to Dallas, TX
For larger DIY moves from Santa Ana, 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 Dallas, 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 most medium-to-large moves on this route, pricing typically falls between $1,402 and $2,922.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Santa Ana to Dallas:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,222 - $2,260
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,402 - $2,922
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,061 - $3,970
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 $104 - $209 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Santa Ana, California, for about five hours typically runs $973.
What are the best freight companies from Santa Ana to Dallas?
- 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.
- ALL Service Handling (4.76/5 stars): ALL Service Handling 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: If speed matters on your move from Santa Ana to Dallas, 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: Santa Ana, CA vs Dallas, TX
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Dallas, side by side with Santa Ana on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Santa Ana, CA | Dallas, TX |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 165 | 100 |
| Average rent | $2,650/mo | $1,774/mo |
| Median home value | $657,015 | $303,018 |
| Average income | $88,354/yr | $67,760/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 7.0% | 3.6% |
| State income tax | Up to 13.3% | None |
| Walkability score | 67/100 | 46/100 |
| Safety index | 45.83/100 | 48.6/100 |
| 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 Dallas, TX to Santa Ana, CA guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from California to Texas, so we know current pricing better than most. Checking our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates. California alone has 374 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 1,422-mile move like this one.
Our take
A move from Santa Ana, CA, to Dallas, 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 $1,219 - $9,994 on the 1,422-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,358 - $4,816, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $946 - $2,430. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $2,950 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 Dallas tend to point to ample economic opportunity and fabulous weather, though high housing costs and terrible traffic come up as common complaints. Major employers in the area include Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. and American Airlines Group, Inc..
FAQs: Moving from Santa Ana, CA, to Dallas, TX
How much does it cost to move from Santa Ana, CA to Dallas, TX?
Costs on this route range from around $1,219 to $9,994, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,219 and $9,994, 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 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 3 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
What do local movers charge in Santa Ana?
Local movers based in Santa Ana typically start around $185 as a base rate, plus $75/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 Dallas run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
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 are the best neighborhoods in Dallas?
For families, Preston Hollow, Lake Highlands, and Uptown are worth a look in Dallas. If you're moving solo or without kids, Bishop Arts District, Deep Ellum, and Design District tend to be popular picks instead.
What percentage of Santa Ana movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 78% of movers in Santa Ana handle piano moves, and 64% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
