($1,204+) St. Paul, MN to San Francisco, CA Movers
Moving from St. Paul, MN, to San Francisco, CA, runs anywhere from $1,204 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $11,116 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 2,011 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 $2,559, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $11,116 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,531 - $5,613, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,204 - $3,286.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from St. Paul, MN, to San Francisco, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,568 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 St. Paul, MN to San Francisco, CA
Moving options from St. Paul to San Francisco 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 $3,568 - $7,606 and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 39% less for the same home size, while rental trucks land about 64% less, though both require you to load the truck or container yourself. This route spans 2,011 miles and typically takes 6 to 17 days.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 2,011-mile route from St. Paul to San Francisco, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $2,559 - $5,353 | $1,531 - $3,180 | $1,204 - $2,187 | $1,450 - $2,618 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $3,568 - $7,606 | $2,166 - $4,245 | $1,291 - $2,577 | $1,717 - $3,430 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $6,884 - $11,116 | $2,855 - $5,613 | $1,597 - $3,286 | $2,148 - $4,628 |
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated October 30, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from St. Paul, MN to San Francisco, CA
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 2,011-mile move from St. Paul, Minnesota, to San Francisco, California, with prices running from $2,559 - $11,116. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $478 - $3,184 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between St. Paul and San Francisco are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, St. Paul movers tend to run around $243 as a base rate plus $100/hour per mover, for comparison.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from St. Paul to San Francisco:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,559 - $5,353
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,568 - $7,606
- 4+ bedrooms: $6,884 - $11,116
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 St. Paul to San Francisco.
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 St. Paul, MN to San Francisco, CA
Specialty needs vary by market: 68% of St. Paul movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In San Francisco, 54% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing80% of local movers | $796 - $7,960 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready68% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Matt's Moving Company | $318 - $1,910/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $478 - $3,821 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage12% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs60% of local movers | $1,592 - $4,776 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,980 - $15,920 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,192 - $2,265 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items26% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Matt's Moving Company | $1,592 - $3,980 |
| Piano | Any piano type45% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: Matt's Moving Company | $1,274 - $5,572 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling4% of local movers | $478 - $2,388 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect10% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (MN) | $1,035 - $3,184 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $478 - $23,880+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $478 - $5,572+ |
What are the best full-service movers from St. Paul to San Francisco?
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 full-service movers are the more cost-efficient choice. Local movers in St. Paul, MN, 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 St. Paul, MN to San Francisco, CA
Moving containers from St. Paul, Minnesota, to San Francisco, California, cost between $1,531 and $5,613. 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 San Francisco. If you go over that window, storage in St. Paul adds around $70/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from St. Paul to San Francisco:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,531 - $3,180
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,166 - $4,245
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,855 - $5,613
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 St. Paul, MN, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $1,114, 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 $119 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $239 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both St. Paul, MN, and San Francisco, 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 Minnesota 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 $1,531. 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 $2,166 - $4,245.
What are the best moving containers St. Paul to San Francisco?
- 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 St. Paul 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 St. Paul:
- Premium Moving Services (4.5/5), 9 years in business
- College Muscle Movers, LLC (4.5/5), 19 years in business
- Good Stuff Moving (4.8/5), 27 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from St. Paul, MN to San Francisco, CA
Renting a moving truck for the 2,011-mile move from St. Paul, Minnesota, to San Francisco, California, costs between $1,204 and $3,286, before these typical add-ons:
- Fuel for the drive: $1,019 - $1,164
- Daily insurance: $48/day
- Equipment rentals: $11 - $32
- St. Paul daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.59 - $0.79
| 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 St. Paul to San Francisco based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,204 - $2,187
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,291 - $2,577
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,597 - $3,286
Pro tip: A rental truck from St. Paul to San Francisco looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $1,204 - $3,286. But once you factor in fuel ($1,019 - $1,164), overnight lodging ($239/night), meals, and equipment rentals, most people end up spending roughly $600 - $1,200 more on meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging. Building that into your budget upfront saves you from sticker shock at the end of the move.
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 $119 and $557.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $239.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $1,019 and $1,164 for the 2,011-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 $1,114 for 2 movers in St. Paul, Minnesota, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from St. Paul to San Francisco?
- 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 St. Paul, MN to San Francisco, CA
If you're moving a larger household from St. Paul, Minnesota, 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 San Francisco, California.
Freight trailers are priced by the linear feet your belongings take up, so you only pay for the space you use. A 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route typically falls between $1,717 and $3,430.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from St. Paul to San Francisco:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,450 - $2,618
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,717 - $3,430
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,148 - $4,628
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?
- More space: Freight pricing is based on exactly how much of the trailer you fill. If your items take up more than expected, the added footage can increase your cost by between $119 and $239.
- Peak season impact: Moving during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) often means higher trailer rates as demand increases across the board.
- Moving labor: Unless you plan to load everything yourself, factor in labor costs. Two movers in St. Paul, Minnesota, for roughly five hours typically average $1,114.
What are the best freight companies from St. Paul to San Francisco?
- 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.
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: St. Paul, MN vs San Francisco, CA
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in San Francisco, side by side with St. Paul on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | St. Paul, MN | San Francisco, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 102 | 245 |
| Average rent | $1,350/mo | $3,250/mo |
| Median home value | $279,535 | $1,374,773 |
| Average income | $73,055/yr | $141,446/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 4.9% | 5.4% |
| State income tax | Up to 9.85% | Up to 13.3% |
| Walkability score | 60/100 | 99/100 |
| Safety index | 49.14/100 | 38.59/100 |
| Air quality | Good | 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 San Francisco, CA to St. Paul, MN guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Minnesota 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. Minnesota alone has 141 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 2,011-mile move like this one.
Our take
The 2,011-mile move from St. Paul, MN, to San Francisco, CA, costs between $2,559 and $11,116 with full-service movers, $1,531 - $5,613 with a moving container, and $1,204 - $3,286 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 $3,568 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 Lyft and Securitize.
FAQs: Moving from St. Paul, MN, to San Francisco, CA
What is the best time of year to move from St. Paul, MN to San Francisco, 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 ($1,019 - $1,164), daily insurance ($48/day), and equipment rentals ($11 - $32) on top. Overnight stops can add another $239/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How walkable is San Francisco?
San Francisco has a walkability score of 99 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 99, compared to 60 and 64 in St. Paul. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
How much does it cost to move from St. Paul, MN to San Francisco, CA?
Costs on this route range from around $1,204 to $11,116, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,559 and $11,116, 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.
What percentage of St. Paul movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 45% of movers in St. Paul handle piano moves, and 26% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.