($1,682+) Irvine, CA to New York City, NY Movers
The cost to move from Irvine, CA to NYC ranges from $1,372 to $13,115, with an average cost of $4,800. Moves can be as low as $1,682 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 2,773 miles and usually takes 7 to 21 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.
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Compare moving options from Irvine, CA to NYC
Moving options from Irvine to NYC fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,372 - $13,115 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $4,800, 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 2,773 miles and typically takes 7 to 21 days depending on the service you pick.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 2,773-mile route from Irvine to NYC, 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 $1,372 - $6,109 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($2,069 - $3,869), rental truck ($1,538 - $3,261), or freight trailer ($1,899 - $3,588). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $3,970 - $8,628 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $13,115.
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 Irvine, CA to NYC
Hiring full-service movers from Irvine, California, to NYC, New York, costs between $1,372 and $13,115. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 2,773-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $503 - $3,356, 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 Irvine and NYC. For a rough baseline, movers based in Irvine tend to start around $197 plus $75/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 Irvine to NYC:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,372 - $6,109
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,970 - $8,628
- 4+ bedrooms: $7,778 - $13,115
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 Irvine to NYC.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from California to New York. 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 Irvine, CA to NYC
Specialty needs vary by market — 85% of Irvine movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In New York City, 93% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $839 - $8,390 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready85% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Meathead Movers | $336 - $2,014/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $503 - $4,027 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage39% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs44% of local movers | $1,678 - $5,034 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $4,195 - $16,780 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,257 - $2,388 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items64% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: NorthStar Moving Company | $1,678 - $4,195 |
| Piano | Any piano type76% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: NorthStar Moving Company | $1,342 - $5,873 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling35% of local movers | $503 - $2,517 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect28% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: California Movers Local & Long Distance Moving Company | $1,091 - $3,356 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $503 - $25,170+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $503 - $5,873+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Irvine to NYC?
Look for New York State Movers & Warehousemen’s Association membership as a baseline when comparing movers in New York 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 movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in Irvine, CA. Van lines spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments, while local movers tend to charge 30% - 40% more for the same distance. A direct route with a local mover averages 2-day delivery, but that added speed typically carries a higher price tag.
Moving container costs from Irvine, CA to NYC
Moving containers from Irvine, California, to NYC, New York, cost between $2,069 and $7,643. 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 Irvine typically runs around $110/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Irvine to NYC:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,069 - $3,869
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,606 - $5,224
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,559 - $7,643
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Containers are self-loaded, so many people hire hourly help for the heavy lifting. moveBuddha data shows two movers for about five hours runs around $1,175 in Irvine, CA. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: If you want stronger coverage than the default liability, full-value protection is the upgrade to consider. Most providers charge 1% - 2% of your shipment value, roughly $500 - $1,000 for $50,000 in contents.
- Storage: After the first month, rental fees average $126 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $252 per month for a larger 12- to 16-foot unit.
- Access: If you anticipate needing to access items while in storage, confirm there's a facility conveniently located near your NYC, destination before booking.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a California to New York 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 $2,069. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $2,606 - $5,224, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Irvine to NYC?
- 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 Irvine 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 Irvine:
- California Movers Local & Long Distance Moving Company (5.0/5), 11 years in business
- Sterling Van Lines (4.6/5), 35 years in business
- Merit Moving Systems (4.9/5), 39 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Irvine, CA to NYC
Plan on $1,538 - $4,673 for a rental moving truck on the 2,773-mile route from Irvine, California, to NYC, New York. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $1,481 - $1,692
- Daily insurance: $50/day
- Equipment rentals: $12 - $34
- Irvine daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.79 - $1.09
| 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 Irvine to NYC based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,538 - $3,261
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,734 - $3,549
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,193 - $4,673
Pro tip: The base rate of $1,538 - $4,673 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Irvine to NYC. Fuel ($1,481 - $1,692) , lodging at around $252/night, meals, and equipment rentals are all on top of that. Factor in an extra $600 - $1,200 to get a realistic picture of what the move will actually cost.
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 $126 and $587.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $252.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $1,481 and $1,692 for the 2,773-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 $1,175 for 2 movers in Irvine, California, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Irvine to NYC?
- 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 Irvine, CA to NYC
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Irvine, California, to NYC, New York, 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 $2,064 and $4,179.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Irvine to NYC:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,899 - $3,588
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,064 - $4,179
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,847 - $5,996
Pro tip: Freight trailers come with a 4-foot loading ramp, which can be a challenge with bulky furniture. With 8 feet of vertical space available, stacking efficiently often requires a ladder and a plan. Since you're billed per linear foot, packing tight can make a real difference in your final 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 $126 - $252 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 Irvine, California, typically costs $1,175.
What are the best freight companies from Irvine to NYC?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is our pick for best for large moves. The company is best known as a top moving container option for its hybrid model where you load and they drive, and that same model translates well to freight thanks to their 53-foot trucks and pay-by-the-foot pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Beyond their flagship container service, U-Pack also runs freight trailers with the same no-deposit, no-upfront-fee model, charging only for the linear footage you actually fill.
- ALL Service Handling (4.76/5 stars): ALL Service Handling is our pick for best locally owned freight company. Their locally owned and operated facilities mean you work with support staff who know the route and the area, giving you more responsive scheduling than national-only carriers typically offer.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in NYC fast. For interstate moves, freight is one of the quickest delivery methods out there. Just keep in mind that freight carriers expect you to be available to receive your shipment, so it works best when your move-in is locked in and you don't need temporary storage on either end.
Cost of living: Irvine, CA vs NYC
Good news for your budget: NYC isn't meaningfully more or less expensive to live in than Irvine. Cost of living index runs 172 there against 165 here, and rent, income, and tax rates all fall in a comparable band. Focus your planning on the move itself rather than a change in monthly expenses. Walkability and safety scores land in a similar range too - 43/100 and 68.99/100 here versus 88/100 and 49.17/100 there.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our New York City, NY to Irvine, CA guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from California to New York, 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. California alone has 374 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 2,773-mile move like this one.
Our take
A move from Irvine, CA, to NYC, gives you several options depending on your budget and how much you want to do yourself. Full-service movers handle everything but cost the most, ranging from $1,372 - $13,115 on the 2,773-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $2,069 - $7,643, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $1,538 - $4,673. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $3,970 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and round-the-clock live support.
Beyond the move itself, people who've relocated to NYC tend to point to ample economic opportunity and diverse cuisine, though overcrowded and pollution come up as common complaints. Major employers in the area include IBM and PepsiCo.
FAQs: Moving from Irvine, CA, to NYC, NY
What is the cheapest way to move from Irvine, CA to NYC?
Renting a moving truck is almost always the most affordable option, since you handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself. A 2-bedroom rental truck move on this route averages $1,734 - $3,549. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
How much does it cost to move from Irvine, CA to NYC?
Costs on this route range from around $1,372 to $13,115, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,372 and $13,115, 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 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 Irvine?
Local movers based in Irvine typically start around $197 as a base rate, plus $75/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 NYC run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
How do I know a mover is licensed in New York?
New York requires moving companies to have a license and obtain a New York Department of Transportation (NYDOT) number. A NYDOT license ensures your mover is in compliance with the state's safety, insurance, and operational regulations.
What percentage of Irvine movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 76% of movers in Irvine handle piano moves, and 64% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
