($1,047+) Modesto, CA to Austin, TX Movers
The cost to move from Modesto, CA to Austin, TX ranges from $1,262 to $9,622, with an average cost of $3,800. Moves can be as low as $1,047 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 1,687 miles and usually takes 4 to 15 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 Modesto, CA to Austin, TX
Moving options from Modesto to Austin fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,262 - $9,622 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $3,800, and movers handle all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 44% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 65% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This particular route covers 1,687 miles and typically takes 4 to 15 days depending on the service you pick.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,687-mile route from Modesto to Austin, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,262 - $5,418 | $1,397 - $2,823 | $1,037 - $1,954 | $1,283 - $2,566 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $3,271 - $6,681 | $1,824 - $3,988 | $1,132 - $2,255 | $1,428 - $3,221 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $5,474 - $9,622 | $2,436 - $5,141 | $1,413 - $2,647 | $2,031 - $4,277 |
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated October 30, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Modesto, CA to Austin, TX
Full-service movers for the 1,687-mile relocation from Modesto, California, to Austin, Texas, cost between $1,262 and $9,622. 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 $364 - $2,424, 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 Modesto typically charge a base rate around $314 plus $128 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Modesto to Austin:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,262 - $5,418
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,271 - $6,681
- 4+ bedrooms: $5,474 - $9,622
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 Austin.
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.
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Specialty moving services from Modesto, CA to Austin, TX
Specialty needs vary by market: 63% of Modesto movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Austin, 63% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing58% of local movers | $606 - $6,060 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready63% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Grace Moving Company | $242 - $1,454/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $364 - $2,909 |
| 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 | $1,212 - $3,636 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,030 - $12,120 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $908 - $1,725 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items13% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Brewer Moving LLC | $1,212 - $3,030 |
| Piano | Any piano type38% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: Pete's Moving Services | $970 - $4,242 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling | $364 - $1,818 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect8% of local movers9% nationally | $788 - $2,424 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $364 - $18,180+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $364 - $4,242+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Modesto to Austin?
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 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 Austin, TX
Moving containers from Modesto, California, to Austin, Texas, cost between $1,397 and $5,141. With a moving container, you load on your own schedule. U-Haul gives you 3 days to fill yours, while PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're ready, the company transports it straight to your new place. Need more time first? Storage in Modesto typically costs about $120/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Modesto to Austin:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,397 - $2,823
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,824 - $3,988
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,436 - $5,141
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 $848 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 $91 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $182 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 Austin, TX, destination before booking.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a California to Texas 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 $1,397. 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 $1,824 - $3,988.
What are the best moving containers Modesto to Austin?
- 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 Austin, TX
Plan on $1,037 - $2,647 for a rental moving truck on the 1,687-mile route from Modesto, California, to Austin, Texas. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $651 - $744
- Daily insurance: $36/day
- Equipment rentals: $8 - $24
- 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 Austin based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,037 - $1,954
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,132 - $2,255
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,413 - $2,647
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $1,037 - $2,647 does not include fuel ($651 - $744), lodging ($182/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Modesto to Austin typically runs more than the base rate alone, with meals, equipment, and other extras adding roughly $600 - $1,200 on top of fuel and lodging.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $182 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 Modesto, California, usually costs about $848 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 1,687-mile drive falls between $651 and $744, 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 $61 and $364 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Modesto to Austin?
- 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 Austin, TX
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Modesto, California, to Austin, Texas, when you want to do the loading yourself without having to drive a massive vehicle. The trailer is delivered, you pack it up, and the carrier handles the long haul.
What sets freight trailers apart is the pay-for-what-you-use pricing model. Each additional foot of trailer space you occupy adds to the cost. Pricing for a 2 - 3 bedroom move of this distance typically lands between $1,428 and $3,221.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Modesto to Austin:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,283 - $2,566
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,428 - $3,221
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,031 - $4,277
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 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 $91 and $182.
- 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 Modesto, California, for roughly five hours typically average $848.
What are the best freight companies from Modesto to Austin?
- 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: One of the biggest advantages of freight trailers is speed. For an interstate move, freight delivery is one of the fastest options you have short of driving a rental truck yourself. It's a smart choice when your timeline is firm and you'll be ready to receive your shipment. If there's any chance your new place won't be ready or you need a few weeks of storage, a moving container with built-in storage may serve you better.
Cost of living: Modesto, CA vs Austin, TX
There's not a big cost-of-living gap between Modesto and Austin to plan around. Cost of living index: 116 vs. 129. Average rent: $1,800/mo vs. $1,765/mo. The bigger factor in your budget is the one-time cost of the move itself, covered above. Walkability: 48 vs. 42. Safety index: 34.24 vs. 59.87.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Austin, TX to Modesto, CA guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from California to Texas 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 1,126 movers based in California, handy for sizing up options on this 1,687-mile route.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 1,687-mile route from Modesto, CA, to Austin, TX, run $1,262 - $9,622 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,397 - $5,141, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $1,037 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,271, 30 days of free storage, and a 24/7 support team you can actually reach.
Beyond the move itself, people who've relocated to Austin tend to point to delicious barbecue and phenomenal live music, though hot summers and terrible traffic come up as common complaints. Major employers in the area include Keller Williams Realty and Whole Foods Market.
FAQs: Moving from Modesto, CA, to Austin, TX
What is the best time of year to move from Modesto, CA to Austin, TX?
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. Texas also has a hurricane season running June through November, worth factoring into your timing if you have flexibility. A midweek, mid-month date outside peak season is your best bet for saving money.
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 4 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
Is Austin a safe place to live?
Austin has a safety index of 59.87 out of 100 and a crime index of 42.91, compared to 34.24 and 65.76 in Modesto. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What is the cheapest way to move from Modesto, CA to Austin, TX?
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 $1,132 - $2,255. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What are the best neighborhoods in Austin?
For families, Rollingwood, West Lake, and Brushy Creek are worth a look in Austin. If you're moving solo or without kids, Cherrywood, North University, and Old West Austin tend to be popular picks instead.
What percentage of Modesto movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 38% of movers in Modesto handle piano moves, and 13% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.