($1,072+) St. Paul, MN to Riverside, CA Movers
Moving from St. Paul, MN, to Riverside, CA, runs anywhere from $1,072 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $11,146 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,895 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 5 to 16 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 $2,331, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $11,146 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,508 - $5,708, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,072 - $3,098.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from St. Paul, MN, to Riverside, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,346 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 St. Paul, MN to Riverside, CA
There are 3 main ways to move from St. Paul to Riverside: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service handles labor and transportation for you, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route costing $3,346 - $7,420. Moving containers run about 38% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 66% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 5 to 16 days for this 1,895-mile route, depending on which option you go with.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,895-mile route from St. Paul to Riverside, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $2,331 - $5,502 | $1,508 - $2,883 | $1,072 - $2,106 | $1,412 - $2,621 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $3,346 - $7,420 | $2,067 - $3,918 | $1,149 - $2,382 | $1,653 - $3,231 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $6,567 - $11,146 | $2,720 - $5,708 | $1,492 - $3,098 | $2,241 - $4,524 |
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 St. Paul, MN to Riverside, CA
Full-service movers for the 1,895-mile relocation from St. Paul, Minnesota, to Riverside, California, cost between $2,331 and $11,146. With a long-distance moving company, loading, transportation, and unloading are all taken care of. If you want to skip packing boxes, too, that can be added for $341 - $2,272, depending on your home size. What you pay in the end is mainly a function of how much your shipment weighs and how far it's traveling. As a point of reference, local movers in St. Paul typically charge a base rate around $243 plus $100 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from St. Paul to Riverside:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,331 - $5,502
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,346 - $7,420
- 4+ bedrooms: $6,567 - $11,146
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 St. Paul to Riverside.
Pro tip: The summer months (May - September) are the busiest time of year for movers during peak moving season, which drives up prices and limits scheduling options. If you can move in the fall or winter, you'll likely find better rates and more flexibility.
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 St. Paul, MN to Riverside, CA
Specialty needs vary by market: 69% of St. Paul movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Riverside, 52% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing82% of local movers | $568 - $5,680 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready69% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Matt's Moving Company | $227 - $1,363/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $341 - $2,726 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage12% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs60% of local movers | $1,136 - $3,408 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,840 - $11,360 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $851 - $1,617 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items26% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Matt's Moving Company | $1,136 - $2,840 |
| Piano | Any piano type49% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Matt's Moving Company | $909 - $3,976 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling4% of local movers | $341 - $1,704 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect10% of local movers9% nationally | $738 - $2,272 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $341 - $17,040+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $341 - $3,976+ |
What are the best full-service movers from St. Paul to Riverside?
Movers licensed to operate in California are typically members of the California Moving & Storage 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 St. Paul, MN. 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 St. Paul, MN to Riverside, CA
Moving containers from St. Paul, Minnesota, to Riverside, California, cost between $1,508 and $5,708. You're in charge of loading, and the timeline is yours to set. U-Haul allows 3 days while PODS gives you a full 30. After that, the company picks it up and delivers it to your new address. Running behind schedule? Storage in St. Paul costs roughly $70/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from St. Paul to Riverside:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,508 - $2,883
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,067 - $3,918
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,720 - $5,708
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $85 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $170 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Riverside, CA, if you need to retrieve anything while items are still in storage.
- Moving labor: Since you're responsible for loading the container yourself, many customers bring in hourly help. Based on moveBuddha data, hiring 2 movers for approximately 5 hours costs about $795 in St. Paul, MN. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection goes beyond the standard minimum and covers repair, replacement, or reimbursement at declared value. Pricing is typically 1% - 2% of your total shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 move.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Minnesota 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 $1,508. 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 $2,067 - $3,918.
What are the best moving containers St. Paul to Riverside?
- 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 St. Paul 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 St. Paul:
- Premium Moving Services (4.5/5), 9 years in business
- College Muscle Movers, LLC (4.5/5), 19 years in business
- Good Stuff Moving (4.8/5), 27 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from St. Paul, MN to Riverside, CA
Truck rentals from St. Paul, Minnesota, to Riverside, California, range from $1,072 - $3,098 for the 1,895-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $685 - $783
- Daily insurance: $34/day
- Equipment rentals: $8 - $23
- St. Paul 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 St. Paul to Riverside based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,072 - $2,106
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,149 - $2,382
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,492 - $3,098
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from St. Paul to Riverside starts at $1,072 - $3,098, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($685 - $783), overnight lodging ($170/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for roughly $600 - $1,200 more on top of fuel and lodging to cover meals, equipment, and other extras.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in St. Paul, Minnesota, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $795.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $685 - $783 for the 1,895-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 $68 and $369, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $170 per night for hotel stops on the 1,895-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $341 - $511.
What are the best moving truck rentals from St. Paul to Riverside?
- 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 St. Paul, MN to Riverside, CA
For larger DIY moves from St. Paul, Minnesota, 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 Riverside, California.
Because freight companies bill by linear footage, your total is based on how much of the trailer you occupy, not the full length. For a 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route, pricing typically falls between $1,653 and $3,231.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from St. Paul to Riverside:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,412 - $2,621
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,653 - $3,231
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,241 - $4,524
Pro tip: Freight pricing rewards efficient packing. Trailers are 8 feet tall and accessed via a 4-foot ramp, so technique matters, especially for heavy pieces. Since each additional linear foot adds to your quote, packing strategically is one of the easiest ways to control costs.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- More space: Freight pricing is based on exactly how much of the trailer you fill. If your items take up more than expected, the added footage can increase your cost by between $85 and $170.
- Peak season impact: Moving during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) often means higher trailer rates as demand increases across the board.
- Moving labor: Unless you plan to load everything yourself, factor in labor costs. Two movers in St. Paul, Minnesota, for roughly five hours typically average $795.
What are the best freight companies from St. Paul to Riverside?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is our pick for best for large moves. The company is best known as a top moving container option for its hybrid model where you load and they drive, and that same model translates well to freight thanks to their 53-foot trucks and pay-by-the-foot pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Beyond their flagship container service, U-Pack also runs freight trailers with the same no-deposit, no-upfront-fee model, charging only for the linear footage you actually fill.
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 Riverside 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: St. Paul, MN vs Riverside, CA
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Riverside, side by side with St. Paul on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | St. Paul, MN | Riverside, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 102 | 131 |
| Average rent | $1,350/mo | $2,295/mo |
| Median home value | $279,535 | $539,898 |
| Average income | $73,055/yr | $88,575/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 4.9% | 7.1% |
| State income tax | Up to 9.85% | Up to 13.3% |
| Walkability score | 60/100 | 43/100 |
| Safety index | 49.14/100 | 59.76/100 |
| Air quality | Good | Moderate |
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 Riverside, CA to St. Paul, MN guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Minnesota to California 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 151 movers based in Minnesota, handy for sizing up options on this 1,895-mile route.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from St. Paul, MN, to Riverside, CA, 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 $2,331 - $11,146 on the 1,895-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,508 - $5,708 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $1,072 - $3,098 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $3,346 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 Bourns and California Baptist University.
FAQs: Moving from St. Paul, MN, to Riverside, CA
How walkable is Riverside?
Riverside has a walkability score of 43 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 49, compared to 60 and 64 in St. Paul. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
How much does it cost to move from St. Paul, MN to Riverside, CA?
Costs on this route range from around $1,072 to $11,146, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,331 and $11,146, 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 are some tips for saving money on a move from St. Paul, MN to Riverside, CA?
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 St. Paul?
Local movers based in St. Paul typically start around $243 as a base rate, plus $100/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 Riverside run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
How long does a move from St. Paul, MN to Riverside, CA take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 5 to 16 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 percentage of St. Paul movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 49% of movers in St. Paul handle piano moves, and 26% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.