($1,017+) Dallas, TX to Oakland, CA Movers
Moving from Dallas, TX, to Oakland, CA, runs anywhere from $1,017 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $9,581 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,719 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 4 to 15 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.
- Full-service moves for smaller spaces (studio apartments and 1-bedrooms) start around $2,360, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $9,581 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,390 - $5,022, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,017 - $2,817.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Dallas, TX, to Oakland, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,006 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
Fact Checked by:
Compare moving options from Dallas, TX to Oakland, CA
Moving options from Dallas to Oakland fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $3,006 - $6,909 for a 2-3 bedroom home and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers cost about 38% less than full-service for the same size, and rental trucks land around 64% less, with both DIY options requiring you to load yourself. Covering 1,719 miles, this route usually takes 4 to 15 days from pickup to delivery.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,719-mile route from Dallas to Oakland, broken down by home size:
- A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $2,360 - $4,854 with full-service movers, $1,390 - $2,594 with a container, $1,017 - $1,936 with a rental truck, or $1,330 - $2,556 by freight.
- A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $3,006 - $6,909 full-service, $1,852 - $3,859 by container, $1,068 - $2,189 by rental truck, or $1,452 - $2,995 by freight.
- A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $5,463 - $9,581 full-service, $2,605 - $5,022 by container, $1,292 - $2,817 by rental truck, or $2,043 - $4,181 by freight.
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 Dallas, TX to Oakland, CA
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 1,719-mile move from Dallas, Texas, to Oakland, California, with prices running from $2,360 - $9,581. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $415 - $2,768 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between Dallas and Oakland are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, Dallas movers tend to run around $179 as a base rate plus $60/hour per mover, for comparison.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Dallas to Oakland:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,360 - $4,854
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,006 - $6,909
- 4+ bedrooms: $5,463 - $9,581
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 Dallas to Oakland.
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.
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 Dallas, TX to Oakland, CA
Specialty needs vary by market: 55% of Dallas movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Oakland, 53% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing74% of local movers | $692 - $6,920 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready55% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: 3 Men Movers | $277 - $1,661/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $415 - $3,322 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage13% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs62% of local movers | $1,384 - $4,152 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,460 - $13,840 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,037 - $1,969 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items24% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: 3 Men Movers | $1,384 - $3,460 |
| Piano | Any piano type41% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: 3 Men Movers | $1,107 - $4,844 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling9% of local movers | $415 - $2,076 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect7% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $900 - $2,768 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $415 - $20,760+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $415 - $4,844+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Dallas to Oakland?
All three below meet the standards set by the California Moving & Storage Association, the group most California 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 the more cost-efficient choice. Local movers in Dallas, TX, often charge 30% - 40% more at that distance because their operations aren't built for long-haul logistics. The exception is if you want a dedicated point-to-point truck with an average 2-day delivery, though that level of service generally increases your total cost.
Moving container costs from Dallas, TX to Oakland, CA
Moving containers from Dallas, Texas, to Oakland, California, cost between $1,390 and $5,022. A container is delivered to your home and you load it on your own time. Loading windows vary by company: U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30. From there, the company takes over and transports it to Oakland. If you go over that window, storage in Dallas adds around $80/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Dallas to Oakland:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,390 - $2,594
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,852 - $3,859
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,605 - $5,022
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 $969 in Dallas, TX. 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 $104 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $208 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 Oakland, CA, destination before booking.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Texas to California 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 $1,390. 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 $1,852 - $3,859.
What are the best moving containers Dallas to Oakland?
- 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 Dallas 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 Dallas:
- AB Moving (4.5/5), 26 years in business
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.9/5), 6 years in business
- 3 Men Movers (4.8/5), 41 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Dallas, TX to Oakland, CA
Plan on $1,017 - $2,817 for a rental moving truck on the 1,719-mile route from Dallas, Texas, to Oakland, California. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $757 - $865
- Daily insurance: $42/day
- Equipment rentals: $10 - $28
- Dallas daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.59 - $0.79
| 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 Dallas to Oakland based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,017 - $1,936
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,068 - $2,189
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,292 - $2,817
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $1,017 - $2,817 when pricing out a rental truck from Dallas to Oakland. Fuel alone runs $757 - $865, and overnight lodging ($208/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend roughly $600 - $1,200 more on meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging by the time the move is done.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Dallas, Texas, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $969.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $757 - $865 for the 1,719-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 $83 and $450, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $208 per night for hotel stops on the 1,719-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $415 - $623.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Dallas to Oakland?
- 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 Dallas, TX to Oakland, CA
If you're moving a larger household from Dallas, Texas, 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 Oakland, California.
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 $1,452 and $2,995.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Dallas to Oakland:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,330 - $2,556
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,452 - $2,995
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,043 - $4,181
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?
- More space: Freight trailers are billed by the section you fill. If you misjudge your shipment size, each extra foot of trailer space adds around $104 - $208 to your final bill.
- Peak season pricing: Expect higher rates during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) when trailer availability tightens across the country.
- Moving labor: Loading is on you unless you hire outside help. A half-day crew of two movers in Dallas, Texas, typically costs $969.
What are the best freight companies from Dallas to Oakland?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Primarily known as a top moving container option for its DIY hybrid model where customers load and the company drives, MovingYourself also functions as a strong freight option thanks to its 53-foot trucks and pay-only-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. Best known for its container service, U-Pack also runs a top-notch freight trailer operation with the same no-deposit, pay-by-the-foot approach that keeps overall costs lower than most freight competitors.
Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from Dallas to Oakland, 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: Dallas, TX vs Oakland, CA
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Oakland, side by side with Dallas on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Dallas, TX | Oakland, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 100 | 196 |
| Average rent | $1,774/mo | $2,200/mo |
| Median home value | $303,018 | $925,411 |
| Average income | $67,760/yr | $97,369/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 3.6% | 4.5% |
| State income tax | None | Up to 13.3% |
| Walkability score | 46/100 | 75/100 |
| Safety index | 48.6/100 | 31.38/100 |
| Air quality | Good | 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 Oakland, CA to Dallas, TX guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from Texas to California, so our pricing data reflects what movers are actually charging right now. Check our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers, the best way to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and bad actors. We track 843 movers in Texas, so you have real options to compare for this 1,719-mile move.
Our take
A move from Dallas, TX, to Oakland, CA, 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 $2,360 - $9,581 on the 1,719-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,390 - $5,022, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $1,017 - $2,817. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $3,006 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and round-the-clock live support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Kaiser Permanente and Dreyer's.
FAQs: Moving from Dallas, TX, to Oakland, CA
How much does it cost to move from Dallas, TX to Oakland, CA?
Costs on this route range from around $1,017 to $9,581, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,360 and $9,581, 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.
How walkable is Oakland?
Oakland has a walkability score of 75 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 65, compared to 46 and 49 in Dallas. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($757 - $865), daily insurance ($42/day), and equipment rentals ($10 - $28) on top. Overnight stops can add another $208/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How do I know a mover is licensed in California?
When contacting a local moving company for an estimate in California, make sure each has a “T Number” issued by the California Public Utilities Commission (CAPUC). Moving companies with valid T Numbers have met state requirements for insurance, safety, and financial stability and have passed criminal clearance checks conducted by the California Department of Justice.
What is the best time of year to move from Dallas, TX to Oakland, CA?
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 Dallas movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 41% of movers in Dallas handle piano moves, and 24% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.