($1,247+) St. Paul, MN to San Diego, CA Movers
Moving from St. Paul, MN, to San Diego, CA, runs anywhere from $1,163 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $11,325 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,991 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 $2,722, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $11,325 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,726 - $5,775, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,163 - $3,439.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from St. Paul, MN, to San Diego, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,531 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 Diego, CA
Moving options from St. Paul to San Diego 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 $3,531 - $8,013 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 1,991 miles and typically takes 5 to 16 days.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,991-mile route from St. Paul to San Diego, 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 $2,722 - $6,057 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($1,726 - $3,087), rental truck ($1,163 - $2,429), or freight trailer ($1,463 - $2,749). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $3,531 - $8,013 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $11,325.
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 St. Paul, MN to San Diego, CA
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 1,991-mile move from St. Paul, Minnesota, to San Diego, California, with costs ranging from $2,722 - $11,325. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $370 - $2,464. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between St. Paul and San Diego. Local movers in St. Paul typically start around $243 as a base rate plus $100/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from St. Paul to San Diego:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,722 - $6,057
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,531 - $8,013
- 4+ bedrooms: $7,217 - $11,325
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 Diego.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Minnesota to California. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: Avoiding peak moving season dates (May - September) is one of the easiest ways to reduce costs. Off-season moves typically come with lower pricing and more room to negotiate since movers have fewer bookings.
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Specialty moving services from St. Paul, MN to San Diego, CA
Specialty needs vary by market — 91% of St. Paul movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In San Diego, 100% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $616 - $6,160 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready91% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Matt's Moving Company | $246 - $1,478/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $370 - $2,957 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage29% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs59% of local movers | $1,232 - $3,696 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,080 - $12,320 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $923 - $1,753 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items41% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Piepho Moving & Storage, Inc. | $1,232 - $3,080 |
| Piano | Any piano type76% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Matt's Moving Company | $986 - $4,312 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling21% of local movers | $370 - $1,848 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect12% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Piepho Moving & Storage, Inc. | $801 - $2,464 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $370 - $18,480+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $370 - $4,312+ |
What are the best full-service movers from St. Paul to San Diego?
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 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 Diego, CA
Moving containers from St. Paul, Minnesota, to San Diego, California, cost between $1,726 and $5,775. 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 St. Paul runs about $70/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from St. Paul to San Diego:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,726 - $3,087
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,232 - $4,282
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,881 - $5,775
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 $862 in St. Paul, MN. 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 $92 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $185 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 San Diego, CA, destination before booking.
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 $1,726. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $2,232 - $4,282, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers St. Paul to San Diego?
- 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:
- College Muscle Movers, LLC (4.5/5), 19 years in business
- Premium Moving Services (4.5/5), 9 years in business
- Daymakers Moving & Storage (4.9/5), 8 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from St. Paul, MN to San Diego, CA
Renting a moving truck for the 1,991-mile move from St. Paul, Minnesota, to San Diego, California, costs between $1,163 and $3,439, before these typical add-ons:
- Fuel for the drive: $780 - $892
- Daily insurance: $37/day
- Equipment rentals: $9 - $25
- 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 Diego based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,163 - $2,429
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,259 - $2,835
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,654 - $3,439
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $1,163 - $3,439 does not include fuel ($780 - $892) , lodging ($185/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from St. Paul to San Diego typically runs $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate alone.
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 $92 and $431.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $185.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $780 and $892 for the 1,991-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 $862 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 Diego?
- 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 Diego, 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 Diego, 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 $1,752 and $3,390.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from St. Paul to San Diego:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,463 - $2,749
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,752 - $3,390
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,398 - $4,810
Pro tip: A 4-foot ramp sounds simple, but heavy or awkward furniture can make the climb tricky. With 8 feet of height to work with, smart vertical stacking is key. Since freight companies charge by the linear foot, every extra foot you use adds to the bill.
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 St. Paul, Minnesota, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $862.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $92 and $185 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from St. Paul to San Diego?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Best known as a top moving container option thanks to its DIY hybrid model (you load, they drive), MovingYourself also doubles as a strong freight choice with their 53-foot trucks and pay-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. In addition to their well-known container service, U-Pack offers freight trailers that follow the same pay-by-the-foot model with no deposits or upfront fees, making them one of the most flexible freight options for budget-conscious moves.
- T.A. Dedicated, Inc. (4.8/5 stars): T.A. Dedicated, Inc. is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned and operated facilities give you direct access to support staff who know the area and can coordinate pickups and deliveries with greater flexibility than national carriers.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in San Diego 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: St. Paul, MN vs San Diego, CA
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in San Diego, side by side with St. Paul on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | St. Paul, MN | San Diego, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 102 | 155 |
| Average rent | $1,350/mo | $2,881/mo |
| Median home value | $279,535 | $847,715 |
| Average income | $73,055/yr | $104,321/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 4.9% | 6.6% |
| State income tax | Up to 9.85% | Up to 13.3% |
| Walkability score | 60/100 | 53/100 |
| Safety index | 49.14/100 | 60.17/100 |
| 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 Diego, CA to St. Paul, MN guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from Minnesota 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 49 movers in Minnesota, so you have real options to compare for this 1,991-mile move.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from St. Paul, MN, to San Diego, CA, comes down to your budget and how much time and work you're able to put into it. Hands-off relocations handled by full-service movers range from $2,722 - $11,325 on the 1,991-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,726 - $5,775 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $1,163 - $3,439 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $3,531 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and 24/7 live support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include United States Navy and University of California, San Diego.
FAQs: Moving from St. Paul, MN, to San Diego, CA
What are some tips for saving money on a move from St. Paul, MN to San Diego, 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.
How much does it cost to move from St. Paul, MN to San Diego, CA?
Costs on this route range from around $2,722 to $11,325, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,722 and $11,325, 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.
How walkable is San Diego?
San Diego has a walkability score of 53 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 43, 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.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($780 - $892), daily insurance ($37/day), and equipment rentals ($9 - $25) on top. Overnight stops can add another $185/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
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 percentage of St. Paul movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 76% of movers in St. Paul handle piano moves, and 41% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
