($1,273+) Memphis, TN to Modesto, CA Movers

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Background image of a moving truck moving from Memphis, TN to Modesto, CA

Moving from Memphis, TN, to Modesto, CA, runs anywhere from $1,249 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $11,297 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 2,010 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 6 to 17 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 $2,656, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $11,297 or more.
  • Moving containers run $1,604 - $6,121, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,249 - $3,374.
  • Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Memphis, TN, to Modesto, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,740 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.

Compare moving options from Memphis, TN to Modesto, CA

Moving options from Memphis to Modesto fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $3,740 - $7,654 for a 2-3 bedroom home and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers cost about 30% less than full-service for the same size, and rental trucks land around 60% less, with both DIY options requiring you to load yourself. Covering 2,010 miles, this route usually takes 6 to 17 days from pickup to delivery.

Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 2,010-mile route from Memphis to Modesto, broken down by home size:

Home size Full-service movers Moving container Rental truck Freight trailer
Studio / 1 bedroom $2,656 - $5,555 $1,604 - $3,173 $1,249 - $2,408 $1,549 - $2,828
2 - 3 bedrooms $3,740 - $7,654 $2,075 - $4,670 $1,352 - $2,895 $1,644 - $3,380
4+ bedrooms $6,732 - $11,297 $3,080 - $6,121 $1,590 - $3,374 $2,440 - $4,944

Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.

Professional
Safeway Moving
star star star star star 4.9 / 5
Read our full Safeway review
Best overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran-owned
Container
Unlimited storage
3 container sizes
10% discount
Rental Truck
Budget Truck Rental
star star star star star 4.3 / 5
Read our full Budget review
Affordable pricing
Online estimates
Several discounts
Freight
MovingYourself
star star star star star 4.5 / 5
Read our full MovingYourself review
Fast delivery
Nationwide
100+ miles moves

Full-service moving costs from Memphis, TN to Modesto, CA

Hiring full-service movers from Memphis, Tennessee, to Modesto, California, costs between $2,656 and $11,297. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 2,010-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $294 - $1,960, depending on the size of your home. Your final cost comes down to two things: the total weight of your shipment and the distance between Memphis and Modesto. For a rough baseline, movers based in Memphis tend to start around $334 plus $125/hour per mover on local jobs, before long-distance pricing takes over for a move this size.

Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Memphis to Modesto:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,656 - $5,555
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,740 - $7,654
  • 4+ bedrooms: $6,732 - $11,297

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 Memphis to Modesto.

The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Tennessee to California. 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 Memphis, TN to Modesto, CA

Specialty needs vary by market — 100% of Memphis movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Modesto, 79% of movers offer the same service.

Service When you need it Typical cost
Full packingFull crew packing100% of local movers$490 - $4,900
Storage in transitNew place not ready100% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: The Armstrong Company$196 - $1,176/mo
Shuttle feeTruck can't reach door$294 - $2,352
Full-value protectionMore than $0.60/lb coverage14% of local movers$300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value)
Small movesUnder ~2,000 lbs57% of local movers$980 - $2,940
Office / commercialWorkplace relocation$2,450 - $9,800
Car shippingSecond vehicle$734 - $1,395
Antiques & fine artFragile, high-value items71% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: The Armstrong Company$980 - $2,450
PianoAny piano type100% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: The Armstrong Company$784 - $3,430
Pool tableDisassembly & re-leveling29% of local movers$294 - $1,470
Hot tubHeavy, needs disconnect29% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Spyder Moving and Storage$637 - $1,960
Wine collectionClimate-controlled transport$294 - $14,700+
Pet relocationGround, air, or concierge$294 - $3,430+

What are the best full-service movers from Memphis to Modesto?

California Moving & Storage Association membership is a quick way to confirm a mover is legitimate in California, on top of the picks below.

  1. Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing means no surprise charges on moving day, and their support team is consistently rated among the most responsive in the industry.
  2. American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here, 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.
  3. Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, with 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 full-service movers are the more cost-efficient choice. Local movers in Memphis, TN, often charge 30% - 40% more at that distance because their operations aren't built for long-haul logistics. The exception is if you want a dedicated point-to-point truck with an average 2-day delivery, though that level of service generally increases your total cost.

Moving container costs from Memphis, TN to Modesto, CA

Moving containers from Memphis, Tennessee, to Modesto, California, cost between $1,604 and $6,121. 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 Memphis runs about $45/month.

Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Memphis to Modesto:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,604 - $3,173
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,075 - $4,670
  • 4+ bedrooms: $3,080 - $6,121

What other costs come with moving containers?

  • Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $74 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $147 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 $686 in Memphis, TN, 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 Modesto, CA, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.

Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Tennessee 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 $1,604. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $2,075 - $4,670, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.

What are the best moving containers Memphis to Modesto?

  1. Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
  2. U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
  3. 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 Memphis 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 Memphis:

  • TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.5/5), 36 years in business
  • Cord Moving and Storage (4.7/5), 106 years in business
  • Spyder Moving and Storage (4.7/5), 8 years in business

Moving truck rental costs from Memphis, TN to Modesto, CA

Plan on $1,249 - $3,374 for a rental moving truck on the 2,010-mile route from Memphis, Tennessee, to Modesto, California. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:

  • Fuel for the drive: $627 - $716
  • Daily insurance: $29/day
  • Equipment rentals: $7 - $20
  • Memphis daily rental rate: $19 - $39
  • Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.59 - $0.79
Home sizeTypical truck size
Studio / 1 bedroom10 - 12 ft
2 - 3 bedrooms15 - 17 ft
4+ bedrooms20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel)

These are typical moving truck rental costs from Memphis to Modesto based on home size:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,249 - $2,408
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,352 - $2,895
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,590 - $3,374

Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $1,249 - $3,374 when pricing out a rental truck from Memphis to Modesto. Fuel alone runs ($627 - $716) , and overnight lodging ($147/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?

  • Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
  • Lodging: Budget around $147 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 Memphis, Tennessee, usually costs about $686 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
  • Gas: Fuel for the 2,010-mile drive falls between $627 and $716, 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 $49 and $294 to your total.

What are the best moving truck rentals from Memphis to Modesto?

  1. Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
  2. Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
  3. 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 Memphis, TN to Modesto, CA

If you're moving a larger household from Memphis, Tennessee, and want to stay in control of the loading process, freight trailers offer a practical middle ground between hiring movers and renting a truck yourself. A 28-foot trailer is delivered to your door, you load what you need, and the carrier handles the drive to Modesto, California.

Freight trailers are priced by the linear feet your belongings take up, so you only pay for the space you use. Most moves on this route fall between $1,644 and $3,380.

Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Memphis to Modesto:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,549 - $2,828
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,644 - $3,380
  • 4+ bedrooms: $2,440 - $4,944

Pro tip: Freight pricing rewards efficient packing. Trailers are 8 feet tall and accessed via a 4-foot ramp, so technique matters, especially for heavy pieces. Since each additional linear foot adds to your quote, packing strategically is one of the easiest ways to control costs.

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 Memphis, Tennessee, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $686.
  • More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $74 and $147 per foot.

What are the best freight companies from Memphis to Modesto?

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Empire Express, Inc. (4.7/5 stars): Empire Express, Inc. is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned facilities and accessible live support staff make scheduling and route coordination easier on local-area routes than what most national freight providers can offer.

Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from Memphis to Modesto, 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: Memphis, TN vs Modesto, CA

The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Modesto, side by side with Memphis on housing, income, and taxes.

Measure Memphis, TN Modesto, CA
Cost of living index86116
Average rent$1,299/mo$1,800/mo
Median home value$154,209$415,024
Average income$51,211/yr$77,899/yr
Unemployment rate8.0%8.0%
State income taxNoneUp to 13.3%
Walkability score35/10048/100
Safety index22.51/10034.24/100
Air qualityGoodModerate

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 Modesto, CA to Memphis, TN guide.

Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:

In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from Tennessee 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 70 movers in Tennessee, so you have real options to compare for this 2,010-mile move.

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Our take

Full-service movers on the 2,010-mile route from Memphis, TN, to Modesto, CA, run $2,656 - $11,297 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,604 - $6,121, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $1,249 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,740, 30 days of free storage, and a 24/7 support team you can actually reach.

Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Save Mart Supermarkets and Sutter Central Valley Hospitals.

FAQs: Moving from Memphis, TN, to Modesto, CA

How long does a move from Memphis, TN to Modesto, CA 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 Memphis, TN to Modesto, CA?

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 are some tips for saving money on a move from Memphis, TN to Modesto, CA?

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.

Is Modesto a safe place to live?

Modesto has a safety index of 34.24 out of 100 and a crime index of 65.76, compared to 22.51 and 77.49 in Memphis. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.

How walkable is Modesto?

Modesto has a walkability score of 48 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 48, compared to 35 and 41 in Memphis. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.

What percentage of Memphis movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?

About 100% of movers in Memphis handle piano moves, and 71% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.