($1,199+) Oakland, CA to St. Paul, MN Movers
The cost to move from Oakland, CA to St. Paul, MN ranges from $1,349 to $11,357, with an average cost of $4,250. Moves can be as low as $1,199 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 1,980 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.
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Compare moving options from Oakland, CA to St. Paul, MN
Moving options from Oakland to St. Paul fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,349 - $11,357 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $4,250, 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 1,980 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 1,980-mile route from Oakland to St. Paul, broken down by home size:
- A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $1,349 - $5,440 with full-service movers, $1,660 - $2,992 with a container, $1,175 - $2,337 with a rental truck, or $1,493 - $2,976 by freight.
- A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $3,610 - $8,096 full-service, $2,146 - $4,547 by container, $1,285 - $2,615 by rental truck, or $1,666 - $3,496 by freight.
- A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $6,681 - $11,357 full-service, $2,852 - $6,252 by container, $1,687 - $3,472 by rental truck, or $2,304 - $4,620 by freight.
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 Oakland, CA to St. Paul, MN
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 1,980-mile move from Oakland, California, to St. Paul, Minnesota, with costs ranging from $1,349 - $11,357. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $475 - $3,168. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Oakland and St. Paul. Local movers in Oakland typically start around $281 as a base rate plus $147/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Oakland to St. Paul:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,349 - $5,440
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,610 - $8,096
- 4+ bedrooms: $6,681 - $11,357
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 Oakland to St. Paul.
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: Demand for full-service movers surges during peak moving season from May - September, pushing prices higher. Shifting your move to a cooler month could save you a meaningful amount on your total bill.
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Specialty moving services from Oakland, CA to St. Paul, MN
Specialty needs vary by market — 85% of Oakland movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In St. Paul, 91% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing98% of local movers | $792 - $7,920 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready85% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: West Coast Moving Systems, Inc | $317 - $1,901/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $475 - $3,802 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage54% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs47% of local movers | $1,584 - $4,752 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,960 - $15,840 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,186 - $2,254 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items67% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Sweet Lemon Moving Services | $1,584 - $3,960 |
| Piano | Any piano type79% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Sweet Lemon Moving Services | $1,267 - $5,544 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling37% of local movers | $475 - $2,376 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect25% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Big Family Movers | $1,030 - $3,168 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $475 - $23,760+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $475 - $5,544+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Oakland to St. Paul?
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 full-service movers are almost always better priced than local movers in Oakland, CA. Local companies typically run 30% - 40% more at longer distances because they aren't set up to consolidate shipments the way national carriers do. The one case where a local mover might be worth the premium is if you want a dedicated direct-route truck, which averages a 2-day delivery time, but expect to pay more for that convenience.
Moving container costs from Oakland, CA to St. Paul, MN
Moving containers from Oakland, California, to St. Paul, Minnesota, cost between $1,660 and $6,252. 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 Oakland typically costs about $120/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Oakland to St. Paul:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,660 - $2,992
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,146 - $4,547
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,852 - $6,252
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $119 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $238 per month for larger units (12 - 16 feet).
- Moving labor: Containers don't come with loading help, so many customers hire hourly movers for the job. Two movers for about 5 hours will run you around $1,109 in Oakland, CA, per moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Standard coverage only reimburses by weight. Full-value protection gives you more complete coverage for higher-value items and typically costs 1% - 2% of your total declared value, around $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 shipment.
- Access: National providers generally operate in both cities, but verify that a facility near your St. Paul, MN, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
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 $1,660. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $2,146 - $4,547, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Oakland to St. Paul?
- 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 Oakland 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 Oakland:
- Sweet Lemon Moving Services (5.0/5), 9 years in business
- West Coast Moving Systems, Inc (4.8/5), 19 years in business
- Good Green Moving (4.7/5), 13 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Oakland, CA to St. Paul, MN
Plan on $1,175 - $3,472 for a rental moving truck on the 1,980-mile route from Oakland, California, to St. Paul, Minnesota. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $998 - $1,140
- Daily insurance: $48/day
- Equipment rentals: $11 - $32
- Oakland daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.79 - $1.39
| 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 Oakland to St. Paul based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,175 - $2,337
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,285 - $2,615
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,687 - $3,472
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $1,175 - $3,472 does not include fuel ($998 - $1,140) , lodging ($238/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Oakland to St. Paul typically runs $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate alone.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Equipment: Tow dollies, appliance dollies, and moving pads are not included in the base rate. These extras often total between $119 and $554.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $238.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $998 and $1,140 for the 1,980-mile drive, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: If you'd rather not do all the heavy lifting, budget around $1,109 for 2 movers in Oakland, California, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Oakland to St. Paul?
- 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 Oakland, CA to St. Paul, MN
Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from Oakland, California, to St. Paul, Minnesota. Standard trailers run 28 feet long, and you're only charged for the portion you actually fill. The carrier drops the trailer off, you load it at your own pace, and they handle the drive to your new city.
Pricing is based entirely on the linear footage your shipment occupies, not the full trailer length. Most long-distance freight moves land somewhere between $1,426 and $3,496.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Oakland to St. Paul:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,493 - $2,976
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,666 - $3,496
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,304 - $4,620
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?
- 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 Oakland, California, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $1,109.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $119 and $238 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Oakland to St. Paul?
- 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 Logistics (4.54/5 stars): PRO Logistics 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: If speed matters on your move from Oakland to St. Paul, 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: Oakland, CA vs St. Paul, MN
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in St. Paul, side by side with Oakland on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Oakland, CA | St. Paul, MN |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 196 | 102 |
| Average rent | $2,200/mo | $1,350/mo |
| Median home value | $925,411 | $279,535 |
| Average income | $97,369/yr | $73,055/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 4.5% | 4.9% |
| State income tax | Up to 13.3% | Up to 9.85% |
| Walkability score | 75/100 | 60/100 |
| Safety index | 31.38/100 | 49.14/100 |
| 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 St. Paul, MN to Oakland, CA guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from California to Minnesota over the past 3 months, giving us some of the most up-to-date pricing data around. Running your move through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. There are 374 movers in our California network to compare for this 1,980-mile move.
Our take
The 1,980-mile move from Oakland, CA, to St. Paul, MN, costs between $1,349 and $11,357 with full-service movers, $1,660 - $6,252 with a moving container, and $1,175 - $3,472 for a rental truck. Your budget and how much heavy lifting you want to do are the two biggest factors in choosing the right option. If you go with full-service movers, Safeway Moving is our top recommendation, with transparent flat-rate pricing starting around $3,610 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage, and 24/7 customer support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Siemens and ACS Group.
FAQs: Moving from Oakland, CA, to St. Paul, MN
How much does it cost to move from Oakland, CA to St. Paul, MN?
Costs on this route range from around $1,349 to $11,357, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,349 and $11,357, 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 is the cheapest way to move from Oakland, CA to St. Paul, 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 $1,285 - $2,615. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($998 - $1,140), daily insurance ($48/day), and equipment rentals ($11 - $32) on top. Overnight stops can add another $238/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How long does a move from Oakland, CA to St. Paul, 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 is the best time of year to move from Oakland, CA to St. Paul, MN?
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 Oakland movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 79% of movers in Oakland handle piano moves, and 67% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
