($1,109+) Oakland, CA to St. Paul, MN Movers
The cost to move from Oakland, CA to St. Paul, MN ranges from $1,272 to $11,361, with an average cost of $3,950. Moves can be as low as $1,109 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.
Fact Checked by:
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 $1,272 - $11,361 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $3,950, and movers handle all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 38% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 64% 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:
Home size makes the biggest difference in what you'll pay on this route. A studio or 1-bedroom runs $1,272 - $5,026 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($1,503 - $3,060), rental truck ($1,120 - $2,248), or freight trailer ($1,380 - $2,540). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $3,405 - $7,127 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $11,361.
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 Oakland, CA to St. Paul, MN
For the 1,980-mile move from Oakland, California, to St. Paul, Minnesota, full-service movers cost between $1,272 and $11,361. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $475 - $3,168 (1 - 5+ bedrooms), crews will pack your boxes. The weight of your shipment and the mileage between the two cities are what drive your final cost. For scale, local movers in Oakland generally start around $281 plus $147 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Oakland to St. Paul:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,272 - $5,026
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,405 - $7,127
- 4+ bedrooms: $6,363 - $11,361
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: Moving company rates climb during peak moving season (May –-September) when demand peaks. Scheduling your move outside of that window can lead to noticeably lower costs and better availability.
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 Oakland, CA to St. Paul, MN
Specialty needs vary by market: 53% of Oakland movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In St. Paul, 69% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing76% of local movers | $792 - $7,920 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready53% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Pure Moving Company | $317 - $1,901/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $475 - $3,802 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage15% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs52% 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 items29% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Pure Moving Company | $1,584 - $3,960 |
| Piano | Any piano type38% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Got2Move | $1,267 - $5,544 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling4% of local movers | $475 - $2,376 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect4% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Silicon Valley Moving and Storage (CA) | $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?
Movers licensed to operate in Minnesota are typically members of the Minnesota Transport Services 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 movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in Oakland, 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 Oakland, CA to St. Paul, MN
Moving containers from Oakland, California, to St. Paul, Minnesota, cost between $1,503 and $5,503. The container gets dropped at your door and you load it at your own pace. U-Haul gives you 3 days to load and PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're done, the company handles all the transportation. If you need extra time, storage in Oakland runs about $120/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Oakland to St. Paul:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,503 - $3,060
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,105 - $4,080
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,718 - $5,503
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $119 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $238 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in St. Paul, MN, 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 $1,109 in Oakland, CA. 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 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 $1,503. 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 $2,105 - $4,080.
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
- Got2Move (4.8/5), 19 years in business
- 680 Movers (4.8/5), 9 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Oakland, CA to St. Paul, MN
Plan on $1,120 - $3,275 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: $1,120 - $2,248
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,212 - $2,492
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,591 - $3,275
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $1,120 - $3,275 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 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?
- Gas: Fuel adds $998 - $1,140 for the 1,980-mile drive, depending on whether your rental truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: You'll handle the heavy lifting unless you bring in help. Two movers in Oakland, California, for about 5 hours typically costs around $1,109.
- Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
- Lodging: The 1,980-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $238 per night, adding $475 - $713 in hotel costs total.
- Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $79 and $475.
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 well suited for larger moves from Oakland, California, to St. Paul, Minnesota, 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 $1,685 and $3,464.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Oakland to St. Paul:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,380 - $2,540
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,685 - $3,464
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,306 - $4,357
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?
- Demand cycles: Trailer costs climb during peak moving season, especially from mid-May through mid-September when demand is at its highest.
- More space: You're billed only for the linear feet you use, but underestimating your inventory means paying for extra space, typically around $119 - $238 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Oakland, California, for about five hours typically runs $1,109.
What are the best freight companies from Oakland to St. Paul?
- 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: 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: 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 book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from California to Minnesota 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 1,154 movers based in California, handy for sizing up options on this 1,980-mile route.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from Oakland, CA, to St. Paul, 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 $1,272 - $11,361 on the 1,980-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,503 - $5,503 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $1,120 - $3,275 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $3,405 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 Siemens and ACS Group.
FAQs: Moving from Oakland, CA, to St. Paul, MN
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Oakland, CA to St. Paul, 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.
How much does it cost to move from Oakland, CA to St. Paul, MN?
Costs on this route range from around $1,109 to $11,361, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,272 and $11,361, 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 St. Paul?
St. Paul has a walkability score of 60 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 64, compared to 75 and 65 in Oakland. 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 ($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 do I know a mover is licensed in Minnesota?
To operate legally within the state, Minnesota household goods movers must have a current permit from the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT). Before being granted operating authority, each moving company must file a public tariff, provide proof of insurance and submit a Certificate of Compliance to MnDOT.
What percentage of Oakland movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 38% of movers in Oakland handle piano moves, and 29% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.