($1,103+) Santa Ana, CA to Minneapolis, MN Movers
The cost to move from Santa Ana, CA to Minneapolis, MN ranges from $1,276 to $11,565, with an average cost of $4,050. Moves can be as low as $1,103 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 1,923 miles and usually takes 5 to 16 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 Santa Ana, CA to Minneapolis, MN
Moving options from Santa Ana to Minneapolis fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,276 - $11,565 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $4,050, 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 1,923 miles and typically takes 5 to 16 days depending on the service you pick.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,923-mile route from Santa Ana to Minneapolis, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,276 - $5,624 | $1,626 - $3,142 | $1,161 - $2,258 | $1,419 - $2,633 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $3,540 - $7,757 | $2,018 - $4,531 | $1,243 - $2,713 | $1,648 - $3,280 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $6,311 - $11,565 | $3,021 - $5,637 | $1,585 - $3,127 | $2,301 - $4,696 |
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 Minneapolis, MN
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 1,923-mile move from Santa Ana, California, to Minneapolis, Minnesota, with costs ranging from $1,276 - $11,565. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $425 - $2,836. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Santa Ana and Minneapolis. 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 Minneapolis:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,276 - $5,624
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,540 - $7,757
- 4+ bedrooms: $6,311 - $11,565
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 Minneapolis.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from California to Minnesota. 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 Santa Ana, CA to Minneapolis, MN
Specialty needs vary by market — 84% of Santa Ana movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Minneapolis, 91% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $709 - $7,090 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready84% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Meathead Movers | $284 - $1,702/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $425 - $3,403 |
| 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 | $1,418 - $4,254 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,545 - $14,180 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,062 - $2,018 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items64% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: NorthStar Moving Company | $1,418 - $3,545 |
| Piano | Any piano type78% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: NorthStar Moving Company | $1,134 - $4,963 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling37% of local movers | $425 - $2,127 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect28% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: California Movers Local & Long Distance Moving Company | $922 - $2,836 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $425 - $21,270+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $425 - $4,963+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Santa Ana to Minneapolis?
Look for Minnesota Transport Services Association membership as a baseline when comparing movers in Minnesota beyond this list.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is our pick for best overall value. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 support, and 30 days of free storage make Safeway the clearest value on this list.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. AVL has been moving customers since 1995 and uses full-time in-house crews trained on high-value items like art and antiques.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. One of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, 24/7 monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan against damage, loss, and breakage.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Santa Ana, 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 Santa Ana, CA to Minneapolis, MN
Moving containers from Santa Ana, California, to Minneapolis, Minnesota, cost between $1,626 and $5,637. 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 Minneapolis:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,626 - $3,142
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,018 - $4,531
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,021 - $5,637
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Because loading is on you with a container move, hourly labor help is a popular add-on. In Santa Ana, CA, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $993, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: After the first month, ongoing rental fees kick in. A small container (7 - 8 feet) averages about $106 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $213 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Santa Ana, CA, and Minneapolis, MN, but confirm a facility is within reasonable distance if you need to retrieve items while in storage.
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection provides broader coverage than the standard liability in your contract. It typically costs 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on $50,000 worth of belongings.
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 $1,626. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $2,018 - $4,531, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Santa Ana 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 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 Minneapolis, MN
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 1,923 miles from Santa Ana, California, to Minneapolis, Minnesota, running $1,161 - $3,127. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $868 - $992
- Daily insurance: $43/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 Minneapolis based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,161 - $2,258
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,243 - $2,713
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,585 - $3,127
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $1,161 - $3,127 when pricing out a rental truck from Santa Ana to Minneapolis. Fuel alone runs ($868 - $992) , and overnight lodging ($213/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend an additional $600 - $1,200 beyond the base rate by the time the move is done.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $213 per night. Most long-distance moves with rental trucks require 1 - 3 overnight stops.
- Equipment: Tow dollies, auto trailers, and specialty moving equipment can add between $92 and $461 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $868 - $992 in fuel for the 1,923-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $993 in Santa Ana, California, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Santa Ana 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 Santa Ana, CA to Minneapolis, MN
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 Minneapolis, Minnesota.
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 $1,648 and $3,280.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Santa Ana to Minneapolis:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,419 - $2,633
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,648 - $3,280
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,301 - $4,696
Pro tip: Freight trailers offer generous space but reward good packing strategy. The 4-foot ramp can be challenging for large or heavy pieces, and using the full 8-foot height takes careful stacking. Because you're billed by the linear foot, maximizing vertical space keeps your costs lower.
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 Santa Ana, California, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $993.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $106 and $213 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Santa Ana to Minneapolis?
- 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.
- ALL Service Handling (4.76/5 stars): ALL Service Handling is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Local ownership translates to accessible support staff and facilities based in the communities they serve, giving customers more direct communication than they'd typically get from a national-only freight network.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are one of the fastest ways to move your belongings interstate, often beating full-service movers on delivery time. If getting your stuff to Minneapolis quickly is a priority, freight is worth a hard look. That said, freight carriers typically require you to be available to receive your shipment within a set window, so if you need short-term storage or your new place won't be ready right away, a container or full-service mover may give you more flexibility.
Cost of living: Santa Ana, 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 Santa Ana on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Santa Ana, CA | Minneapolis, MN |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 165 | 107 |
| Average rent | $2,650/mo | $1,484/mo |
| Median home value | $657,015 | $345,294 |
| Average income | $88,354/yr | $80,269/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 7.0% | 4.5% |
| State income tax | Up to 13.3% | Up to 9.85% |
| Walkability score | 67/100 | 71/100 |
| Safety index | 45.83/100 | 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 Santa Ana, 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 Minnesota, 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 374 movers licensed in California, useful context for sizing up this 1,923-mile move.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from Santa Ana, CA, to Minneapolis, MN, comes down to your budget and how much time and work you're able to put into it. Hands-off relocations handled by full-service movers range from $1,276 - $11,565 on the 1,923-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,626 - $5,637 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $1,161 - $3,127 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $3,540 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and 24/7 live support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Aeon and Target.
FAQs: Moving from Santa Ana, CA, to Minneapolis, MN
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Santa Ana, CA to Minneapolis, MN?
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 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 Minneapolis run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
How long does a move from Santa Ana, CA to Minneapolis, MN 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 are the best neighborhoods in Minneapolis?
For families, Diamond Lake, Fulton, and Kenny are worth a look in Minneapolis. If you're moving solo or without kids, Linden Hills, Loring Park, and Northeast Minneapolis tend to be popular picks instead.
What is the cheapest way to move from Santa Ana, 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 $1,243 - $2,713. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
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.
