($1,237+) Modesto, CA to St. Paul, MN Movers
The cost to move from Modesto, CA to St. Paul, MN ranges from $1,405 to $10,975, with an average cost of $4,100. Moves can be as low as $1,237 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 2,000 miles and usually takes 6 to 17 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.
Compare moving options from Modesto, CA to St. Paul, MN
Moving options from Modesto to St. Paul fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,405 - $10,975 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $4,100, 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 2,000 miles and typically takes 6 to 17 days depending on the service you pick.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 2,000-mile route from Modesto to St. Paul, broken down by home size:
- Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $1,405 - $5,341, container $1,738 - $3,110, rental truck $1,261 - $2,268, freight trailer $1,459 - $2,885.
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $3,597 - $7,823, container $2,096 - $4,448, rental truck $1,365 - $2,923, freight trailer $1,765 - $3,416.
- 4+ bedrooms: full-service $6,873 - $10,975, container $2,843 - $6,301, rental truck $1,739 - $3,238, freight trailer $2,274 - $4,704.
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 Modesto, CA to St. Paul, MN
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 2,000-mile move from Modesto, California, to St. Paul, Minnesota, with prices running from $1,405 - $10,975. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $331 - $2,208 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between Modesto and St. Paul are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, Modesto movers tend to run around $314 as a base rate plus $128/hour per mover, for comparison.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Modesto to St. Paul:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,405 - $5,341
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,597 - $7,823
- 4+ bedrooms: $6,873 - $10,975
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 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.
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Specialty moving services from Modesto, CA to St. Paul, MN
Specialty needs vary by market — 79% of Modesto 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 packing100% of local movers | $552 - $5,520 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready79% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Pete's Moving Services | $221 - $1,325/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $331 - $2,650 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage21% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs14% of local movers | $1,104 - $3,312 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,760 - $11,040 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $827 - $1,571 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items36% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Grace Moving Company | $1,104 - $2,760 |
| Piano | Any piano type71% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Grace Moving Company | $883 - $3,864 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling7% of local movers | $331 - $1,656 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect21% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: MidCal Moving and Storage Company | $718 - $2,208 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $331 - $16,560+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $331 - $3,864+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Modesto to St. Paul?
All three below meet the standards set by the Minnesota Transport Services Association, the group most Minnesota 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 carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Modesto, CA. 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 Modesto, CA to St. Paul, MN
Moving containers from Modesto, California, to St. Paul, Minnesota, cost between $1,738 and $6,301. 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 St. Paul:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,738 - $3,110
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,096 - $4,448
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,843 - $6,301
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Access: Most major container brands operate in both Modesto, CA and St. Paul, MN. Still, double-check that a nearby facility is available if you need to access your belongings before delivery.
- Moving labor: Because containers are self-loaded, many customers hire hourly help. Two movers for about 5 hours typically cost around $773 in Modesto, CA, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $83 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $166 for larger ones (12 - 16 feet).
- Added contents protection: For more coverage beyond the standard minimum, full-value protection is the typical upgrade, generally 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value. On a $50,000 household, that's roughly $500 - $1,000 as a one-time fee.
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 $1,738. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $2,096 - $4,448, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Modesto 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 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:
- Brewer Moving LLC (4.9/5), 11 years in business
- MidCal Moving and Storage Company (4.6/5), 170 years in business
- Pack it up Movers (4.9/5), 8 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Modesto, CA to St. Paul, MN
Truck rentals from Modesto, California, to St. Paul, Minnesota, range from $1,261 - $3,238 for the 2,000-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $703 - $803
- Daily insurance: $33/day
- Equipment rentals: $8 - $22
- 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 St. Paul based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,261 - $2,268
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,365 - $2,923
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,739 - $3,238
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Modesto to St. Paul starts at $1,261 - $3,238, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($703 - $803) , overnight lodging ($166/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for an additional $600 - $1,200 on top of your base rate to cover those costs.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $166 per night. Most long-distance moves with rental trucks require 1 - 3 overnight stops.
- Equipment: Tow dollies, auto trailers, and specialty moving equipment can add between $72 and $359 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $703 - $803 in fuel for the 2,000-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $773 in Modesto, California, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Modesto 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 Modesto, CA to St. Paul, MN
Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from Modesto, 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 $994 and $3,416.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Modesto to St. Paul:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,459 - $2,885
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,765 - $3,416
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,274 - $4,704
Pro tip: A 4-foot ramp sounds simple, but heavy or awkward furniture can make the climb tricky. With 8 feet of height to work with, smart vertical stacking is key. Since freight companies charge by the linear foot, every extra foot you use adds to the bill.
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 $83 - $166 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Modesto, California, for about five hours typically runs $773.
What are the best freight companies from Modesto to St. Paul?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the pick for best for large moves. The company is well-regarded as a top moving container option for its load-it-yourself, we-drive-it model, and that same model makes it a strong freight option for larger homes that benefit from the company's 53-foot trucks and footage-based pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Alongside their flagship container service, U-Pack provides a top-notch freight trailer option that follows the same model: no deposits, no upfront fees, and pricing based on the linear footage you actually use.
- Speed Intermodal (4.7/5 stars): Speed Intermodal is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned and based facilities mean accessible support staff and area-specific scheduling flexibility that national-only freight carriers typically don't match.
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 St. Paul 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: Modesto, CA vs St. Paul, MN
Modesto and St. Paul land in a similar range on everyday costs. The cost of living index sits at 116 in Modesto and 102 in St. Paul, and rent tracks closely too ($1,800/mo vs. $1,350/mo). You likely won't need to rework your monthly budget much after this move. Walkability (48 vs 60) and safety scores (34.24 vs 49.14) come out about the same too.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our St. Paul, MN to Modesto, 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 374 movers based in California, handy for sizing up options on this 2,000-mile route.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from Modesto, 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 $1,405 - $10,975 on the 2,000-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,738 - $6,301 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $1,261 - $3,238 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $3,597 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 Modesto, CA, to St. Paul, MN
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 3 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
What do local movers charge in Modesto?
Local movers based in Modesto typically start around $314 as a base rate, plus $128/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 St. Paul run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
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 are the best neighborhoods in St. Paul?
For families, Macalester-Groveland, Summit Hill, and Highland are worth a look in St. Paul. If you're moving solo or without kids, Downtown, St. Anthony Park, and Summit Hill tend to be popular picks instead.
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 48 and 48 in Modesto. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
What percentage of Modesto movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 71% of movers in Modesto handle piano moves, and 36% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.