($1,447+) Modesto, CA to Winston-Salem, NC Movers
The cost to move from Modesto, CA to Winston-Salem, NC ranges from $1,352 to $12,260, with an average cost of $4,300. Moves can be as low as $1,447 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 2,671 miles and usually takes 7 to 21 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.
Fact Checked by:
Compare moving options from Modesto, CA to Winston-Salem, NC
Moving options from Modesto to Winston-Salem fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,352 - $12,260 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $4,300, and movers handle all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 37% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 58% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This particular route covers 2,671 miles and typically takes 7 to 21 days depending on the service you pick.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 2,671-mile route from Modesto to Winston-Salem, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,352 - $5,993 | $1,909 - $3,740 | $1,418 - $2,833 | $1,701 - $3,173 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $3,749 - $7,992 | $2,354 - $4,757 | $1,567 - $3,204 | $1,903 - $4,006 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $7,336 - $12,260 | $3,377 - $7,025 | $2,040 - $4,138 | $2,728 - $5,565 |
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated November 2, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Modesto, CA to Winston-Salem, NC
For the 2,671-mile move from Modesto, California, to Winston-Salem, North Carolina, full-service movers cost between $1,352 and $12,260. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $310 - $2,064 (1 - 5+ bedrooms), crews will pack your boxes. The weight of your shipment and the mileage between the two cities are what drive your final cost. For scale, local movers in Modesto generally start around $314 plus $128 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Modesto to Winston-Salem:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,352 - $5,993
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,749 - $7,992
- 4+ bedrooms: $7,336 - $12,260
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 Winston-Salem.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from California to North Carolina. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: Avoiding peak moving season dates (May - September) is one of the easiest ways to reduce costs. Off-season moves typically come with lower pricing and more room to negotiate since movers have fewer bookings.
Don't see your company listed?
Reach customers actively searching for trusted movers in your area. Tell us about your company and services to get your business listed on moveBuddha.
Specialty moving services from Modesto, CA to Winston-Salem, NC
Specialty needs vary by market: 60% of Modesto movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Winston-Salem, 60% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing56% of local movers | $516 - $5,160 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready60% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Grace Moving Company | $206 - $1,238/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $310 - $2,477 |
| 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 | $1,032 - $3,096 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,580 - $10,320 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $773 - $1,469 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items13% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Brewer Moving LLC | $1,032 - $2,580 |
| Piano | Any piano type40% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Pete's Moving Services | $826 - $3,612 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling | $310 - $1,548 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect8% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Silicon Valley Moving and Storage (CA) | $671 - $2,064 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $310 - $15,480+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $310 - $3,612+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Modesto to Winston-Salem?
Movers licensed to operate in North Carolina are typically members of the North Carolina Movers 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 movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in Modesto, CA. Van lines spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments, while local movers tend to charge 30% - 40% more for the same distance. A direct route with a local mover averages 2-day delivery, but that added speed typically carries a higher price tag.
Moving container costs from Modesto, CA to Winston-Salem, NC
Moving containers from Modesto, California, to Winston-Salem, North Carolina, cost between $1,909 and $7,025. 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 Modesto typically runs around $120/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Modesto to Winston-Salem:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,909 - $3,740
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,354 - $4,757
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,377 - $7,025
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Containers are self-loaded, so many people hire hourly help for the heavy lifting. moveBuddha data shows two movers for about five hours runs around $722 in Modesto, CA. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: If you want stronger coverage than the default liability, full-value protection is the upgrade to consider. Most providers charge 1% - 2% of your shipment value, roughly $500 - $1,000 for $50,000 in contents.
- Storage: After the first month, rental fees average $77 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $155 per month for a larger 12- to 16-foot unit.
- Access: If you anticipate needing to access items while in storage, confirm there's a facility conveniently located near your Winston-Salem, NC, destination before booking.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a California to North Carolina 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 $1,909. 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 $2,354 - $4,757.
What are the best moving containers Modesto to Winston-Salem?
- 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 Winston-Salem, NC
Plan on $1,418 - $4,138 for a rental moving truck on the 2,671-mile route from Modesto, California, to Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $877 - $1,002
- Daily insurance: $31/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 Winston-Salem based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,418 - $2,833
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,567 - $3,204
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,040 - $4,138
Pro tip: A rental truck from Modesto to Winston-Salem looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $1,418 - $4,138. But once you factor in fuel ($877 - $1,002), overnight lodging ($155/night), meals, and equipment rentals, most people end up spending roughly $600 - $1,200 more on meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging. Building that into your budget upfront saves you from sticker shock at the end of the move.
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 $722.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $877 - $1,002 for the 2,671-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 $62 and $335, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $155 per night for hotel stops on the 2,671-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $310 - $464.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Modesto to Winston-Salem?
- 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 Winston-Salem, NC
If you're moving a larger household from Modesto, California, 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 Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
Freight trailers are priced by the linear feet your belongings take up, so you only pay for the space you use. A 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route typically falls between $1,903 and $4,006.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Modesto to Winston-Salem:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,701 - $3,173
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,903 - $4,006
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,728 - $5,565
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 Modesto, California, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $722.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $77 - $155 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 Winston-Salem?
- 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: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Modesto to Winston-Salem. 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: Modesto, CA vs Winston-Salem, NC
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Winston-Salem, side by side with Modesto on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Modesto, CA | Winston-Salem, NC |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 116 | 84 |
| Average rent | $1,800/mo | $1,300/mo |
| Median home value | $415,024 | $208,184 |
| Average income | $77,899/yr | $57,673/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 8.0% | 5.2% |
| State income tax | Up to 13.3% | Up to 4.5% |
| Walkability score | 48/100 | 22/100 |
| Safety index | 34.24/100 | 67.33/100 |
| 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 Winston-Salem, NC to Modesto, CA guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from California to North Carolina in the past 3 months alone, keeping our pricing data current. Run your numbers through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. For context, we track 1,154 movers based in California, handy for sizing up options on this 2,671-mile route.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 2,671-mile route from Modesto, CA, to Winston-Salem, NC, run $1,352 - $12,260 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,909 - $7,025, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $1,418 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,749, 30 days of free storage, and a 24/7 support team you can actually reach.
Beyond the move itself, people who've relocated to Winston-Salem tend to point to no traffic and friendly people, though summertime humidity and allergy-inducing pollen come up as common complaints. Major employers in the area include Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center and Novant Health.
FAQs: Moving from Modesto, CA, to Winston-Salem, NC
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Modesto, CA to Winston-Salem, NC?
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 do local movers charge in Modesto?
Local movers based in Modesto typically start around $314 as a base rate, plus $128/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 Winston-Salem run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
How long does a move from Modesto, CA to Winston-Salem, NC take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 7 to 21 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 are the best neighborhoods in Winston-Salem?
For families, Sherwood Forest, Ardmore, and Buena Vista are worth a look in Winston-Salem. If you're moving solo or without kids, West End, Ardmore, and Buena Vista tend to be popular picks instead.
What is the cheapest way to move from Modesto, CA to Winston-Salem, NC?
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 $1,567 - $3,204. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What percentage of Modesto movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 40% of movers in Modesto handle piano moves, and 13% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.