($1,637+) New Haven, CT to Irvine, CA Movers
Moving from New Haven, CT, to Irvine, CA, runs anywhere from $1,637 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $12,704 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 2,865 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 7 to 21 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 $2,679, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $12,704 or more.
- Moving containers run $2,096 - $7,914, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,637 - $4,594.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from New Haven, CT, to Irvine, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $4,123 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
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Compare moving options from New Haven, CT to Irvine, CA
There are 3 main ways to move from New Haven to Irvine: 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 $4,123 - $8,040. Moving containers run about 30% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 60% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 7 to 21 days for this 2,865-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 2,865-mile route from New Haven to Irvine, 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 $2,679 - $6,340 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($2,096 - $3,804), rental truck ($1,637 - $3,272), or freight trailer ($1,887 - $3,744). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $4,123 - $8,040 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $12,704.
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 New Haven, CT to Irvine, CA
For the 2,865-mile move from New Haven, Connecticut, to Irvine, California, full-service movers cost between $2,679 and $12,704. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $394 - $2,628 (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 New Haven generally start around $324 plus $180 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from New Haven to Irvine:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,679 - $6,340
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $4,123 - $8,040
- 4+ bedrooms: $7,609 - $12,704
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 New Haven to Irvine.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Connecticut to California. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
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 New Haven, CT to Irvine, CA
Specialty needs vary by market — 95% of New Haven movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Irvine, 85% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $657 - $6,570 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready95% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Hands On Moving | $263 - $1,577/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $394 - $3,154 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage40% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs40% of local movers | $1,314 - $3,942 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,285 - $13,140 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $984 - $1,870 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items54% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: RT Relocation | $1,314 - $3,285 |
| Piano | Any piano type77% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Hands On Moving | $1,051 - $4,599 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling26% of local movers | $394 - $1,971 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect16% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Collegian Movers | $854 - $2,628 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $394 - $19,710+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $394 - $4,599+ |
What are the best full-service movers from New Haven to Irvine?
If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in California Moving & Storage Association is a good first thing to confirm.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving offers the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing locks in your cost upfront, and 24/7 customer support is available throughout the move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. Operating since 1995, AVL staffs every move with full-time in-house crews trained on antiques, art, and other high-value items.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. As one of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, real-time shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in New Haven, CT. 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 New Haven, CT to Irvine, CA
Moving containers from New Haven, Connecticut, to Irvine, California, cost between $2,096 and $7,914. A container is delivered to your home and you load it on your own time. Loading windows vary by company: U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30. From there, the company takes over and transports it to Irvine. If you go over that window, storage in New Haven adds around $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from New Haven to Irvine:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,096 - $3,804
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,691 - $5,631
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,642 - $7,914
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Access: Most major container brands operate in both New Haven, CT and Irvine, CA. 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 $920 in New Haven, CT, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $99 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $197 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 Connecticut 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 $2,096. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $2,691 - $5,631, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers New Haven to Irvine?
- 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 New Haven 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 New Haven:
- RT Relocation (4.8/5), 15 years in business
- A Plus Moving, LLC (4.8/5), 9 years in business
- Collegian Movers (5.0/5), 37 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from New Haven, CT to Irvine, CA
Truck rentals from New Haven, Connecticut, to Irvine, California, range from $1,637 - $4,594 for the 2,865-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $1,198 - $1,369
- Daily insurance: $39/day
- Equipment rentals: $9 - $26
- New Haven daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.59 - $0.99
| 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 New Haven to Irvine based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,637 - $3,272
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,774 - $3,743
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,174 - $4,594
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $1,637 - $4,594 when pricing out a rental truck from New Haven to Irvine. Fuel alone runs ($1,198 - $1,369) , and overnight lodging ($197/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend an additional $600 - $1,200 beyond the base rate by the time the move is done.
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 $99 and $460.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $197.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $1,198 and $1,369 for the 2,865-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 $920 for 2 movers in New Haven, Connecticut, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from New Haven to Irvine?
- 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 New Haven, CT to Irvine, CA
For larger DIY moves from New Haven, Connecticut, 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 Irvine, 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 most medium-to-large moves on this route, pricing typically falls between $2,132 and $4,504.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from New Haven to Irvine:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,887 - $3,744
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,132 - $4,504
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,973 - $6,149
Pro tip: Loading a freight trailer is a bit different from filling a container. The 4-foot ramp can be steep with large items, and getting the most out of 8 feet of vertical clearance takes planning. Since pricing is based on linear feet used, every inch of wasted space has a cost.
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 $99 - $197 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in New Haven, Connecticut, for about five hours typically runs $920.
What are the best freight companies from New Haven to Irvine?
- 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.
- William B Meyer, Inc. (4.5/5 stars): William B Meyer, Inc. 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: 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 Irvine 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: New Haven, CT vs Irvine, CA
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Irvine, side by side with New Haven on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | New Haven, CT | Irvine, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 109 | 165 |
| Average rent | $2,375/mo | $4,000/mo |
| Median home value | $248,886 | $1,113,305 |
| Average income | $53,771/yr | $129,647/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 9.7% | 5.4% |
| State income tax | Up to 3.0% | Up to 13.3% |
| Walkability score | 68/100 | 43/100 |
| Safety index | 41.8/100 | 68.99/100 |
| 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 Irvine, CA to New Haven, CT guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from Connecticut to California, so our pricing data reflects what movers are actually charging right now. Check our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers, the best way to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and bad actors. We track 55 movers in Connecticut, so you have real options to compare for this 2,865-mile move.
Our take
The 2,865-mile move from New Haven, CT, to Irvine, CA, costs between $2,679 and $12,704 with full-service movers, $2,096 - $7,914 with a moving container, and $1,637 - $4,594 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 $4,123 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 Mitsubishi Digital Electronics America and Taco Bell.
FAQs: Moving from New Haven, CT, to Irvine, CA
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 New Haven?
Local movers based in New Haven typically start around $324 as a base rate, plus $180/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 Irvine run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
How do I know a mover is licensed in California?
When contacting a local moving company for an estimate in California, make sure each has a “T Number” issued by the California Public Utilities Commission (CAPUC). Moving companies with valid T Numbers have met state requirements for insurance, safety, and financial stability and have passed criminal clearance checks conducted by the California Department of Justice.
What are the best neighborhoods in Irvine?
For families, Westpark II, Turtle Rock, and Woodbridge are worth a look in Irvine. If you're moving solo or without kids, Westpark, Westpark II, and Oak Creek tend to be popular picks instead.
How walkable is Irvine?
Irvine has a walkability score of 43 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 69, compared to 68 and 66 in New Haven. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
What percentage of New Haven movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 77% of movers in New Haven handle piano moves, and 54% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
