($1,207+) McAllen, TX to Modesto, CA Movers
Moving from McAllen, TX, to Modesto, CA, runs anywhere from $1,219 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $10,779 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,904 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 5 to 16 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 $2,488, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $10,779 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,626 - $5,637, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,219 - $3,127.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from McAllen, TX, to Modesto, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,540 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 McAllen, TX to Modesto, CA
Moving options from McAllen to Modesto fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move on this route costs $3,540 - $7,453 and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, while rental trucks land about 60% less, though both require you to load the truck or container yourself. This route spans 1,904 miles and typically takes 5 to 16 days.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,904-mile route from McAllen to Modesto, broken down by home size:
- Full-service movers: $2,488 for a studio up to $10,779 for a 4+ bedroom home.
- Moving containers: $1,626 - $5,637 depending on home size.
- Rental trucks: $1,219 - $3,127, the lowest-cost option across the board.
- Freight trailers: $1,492 - $4,743, billed by the space you actually use.
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 McAllen, TX to Modesto, CA
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 1,904-mile move from McAllen, Texas, to Modesto, California, with costs ranging from $2,488 - $10,779. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $276 - $1,840. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between McAllen and Modesto. Local movers in McAllen typically start around $160 as a base rate plus $80/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from McAllen to Modesto:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,488 - $5,459
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,540 - $7,453
- 4+ bedrooms: $6,117 - $10,779
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 McAllen to Modesto.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Texas 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 McAllen, TX to Modesto, CA
Specialty needs vary by market — 57% of McAllen 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 packing | Full crew packing71% of local movers | $460 - $4,600 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready57% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Jones Moving & Storage Co., Inc. | $184 - $1,104/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $276 - $2,208 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs43% of local movers | $920 - $2,760 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,300 - $9,200 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $689 - $1,309 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items29% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Rick's Moving & Storage LLC | $920 - $2,300 |
| Piano | Any piano type71% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Jones Moving & Storage Co., Inc. | $736 - $3,220 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling57% of local movers | $276 - $1,380 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect22% nationallyTop pick: | $598 - $1,840 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $276 - $13,800+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $276 - $3,220+ |
What are the best full-service movers from McAllen to Modesto?
Look for California Moving & Storage Association membership as a baseline when comparing movers in California 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 the more cost-efficient choice. Local movers in McAllen, TX, 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 McAllen, TX to Modesto, CA
Moving containers from McAllen, Texas, to Modesto, California, cost between $1,626 and $5,637. You load everything on your own schedule (U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30). When you're ready, the company takes care of getting the container from point A to point B. Need more time than that? Extra storage in McAllen typically runs around $55/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from McAllen to Modesto:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,626 - $3,080
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,018 - $4,359
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,021 - $5,637
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Because loading is on you with a container move, hourly labor help is a popular add-on. In McAllen, TX, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $644, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: After the first month, ongoing rental fees kick in. A small container (7 - 8 feet) averages about $69 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $138 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both McAllen, TX, and Modesto, CA, but confirm a facility is within reasonable distance if you need to retrieve items while in storage.
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection provides broader coverage than the standard liability in your contract. It typically costs 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on $50,000 worth of belongings.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Texas 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 $1,626. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $2,018 - $4,359, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers McAllen to Modesto?
- 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 McAllen 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 McAllen:
- Groves Moving and Storage (3.5/5), 27 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from McAllen, TX to Modesto, CA
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 1,904 miles from McAllen, Texas, to Modesto, California, running $1,219 - $3,127. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $557 - $637
- Daily insurance: $28/day
- Equipment rentals: $6 - $18
- McAllen daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.69
| 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 McAllen to Modesto based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,219 - $2,281
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,243 - $2,713
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,506 - $3,127
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from McAllen to Modesto starts at $1,219 - $3,127, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($557 - $637) , overnight lodging ($138/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?
- Equipment: Tow dollies, appliance dollies, and moving pads are not included in the base rate. These extras often total between $69 and $322.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $138.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $557 and $637 for the 1,904-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 $644 for 2 movers in McAllen, Texas, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from McAllen to Modesto?
- 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 McAllen, TX to Modesto, CA
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from McAllen, Texas, to Modesto, California, 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. Overall pricing for a move of this size and distance typically lands around $1,715 and $3,487.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from McAllen to Modesto:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,492 - $2,911
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,715 - $3,487
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,416 - $4,743
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?
- More space: Freight trailers are billed by the section you fill. If you misjudge your shipment size, each extra foot of trailer space adds around $69 - $138 to your final bill.
- Peak season pricing: Expect higher rates during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) when trailer availability tightens across the country.
- Moving labor: Loading is on you unless you hire outside help. A half-day crew of two movers in McAllen, Texas, typically costs $644.
What are the best freight companies from McAllen to Modesto?
- 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.
- Royal Freight Lp (4.66/5 stars): Royal Freight Lp 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: 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: McAllen, TX 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 McAllen on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | McAllen, TX | Modesto, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 76 | 116 |
| Average rent | $1,350/mo | $1,800/mo |
| Median home value | $173,919 | $415,024 |
| Average income | $60,165/yr | $77,899/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 7.9% | 8.0% |
| State income tax | None | Up to 13.3% |
| Walkability score | 41/100 | 48/100 |
| Safety index | 63.74/100 | 34.24/100 |
| Air quality | Moderate | Moderate |
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 McAllen, TX guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Texas to California, so we know current pricing better than most. Checking our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates. Texas alone has 289 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 1,904-mile move like this one.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 1,904-mile route from McAllen, TX, to Modesto, CA, run $2,488 - $10,779 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,626 - $5,637, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $1,219 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,540, 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 McAllen, TX, to Modesto, 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 is the best time of year to move from McAllen, TX 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.
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 extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($557 - $637), daily insurance ($28/day), and equipment rentals ($6 - $18) on top. Overnight stops can add another $138/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How walkable is Modesto?
Modesto has a walkability score of 48 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 48, compared to 41 and 46 in McAllen. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
What percentage of McAllen movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 71% of movers in McAllen handle piano moves, and 29% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
