($1,083+) St. Paul, MN to Fontana, CA Movers
Moving from St. Paul, MN, to Fontana, CA, runs anywhere from $1,083 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $10,818 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,884 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 $2,307, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $10,818 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,493 - $5,165, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,083 - $3,098.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from St. Paul, MN, to Fontana, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,312 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
Fact Checked by:
Compare moving options from St. Paul, MN to Fontana, CA
There are 3 main ways to move from St. Paul to Fontana: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service is the most expensive but covers everything from labor to transportation, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route averaging $3,312 - $7,494. Containers cost roughly 44% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 64% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 1,884 miles, expect 5 to 16 days in transit no matter which service you choose.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,884-mile route from St. Paul to Fontana, 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 $2,307 - $5,394 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($1,493 - $2,855), rental truck ($1,083 - $2,189), or freight trailer ($1,412 - $2,492). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $3,312 - $7,494 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $10,818.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated November 2, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from St. Paul, MN to Fontana, CA
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 1,884-mile move from St. Paul, Minnesota, to Fontana, California, with costs ranging from $2,307 - $10,818. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $326 - $2,176. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between St. Paul and Fontana. 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 Fontana:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,307 - $5,394
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,312 - $7,494
- 4+ bedrooms: $6,067 - $10,818
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 Fontana.
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.
Don't see your company listed?
Reach customers actively searching for trusted movers in your area. Tell us about your company and services to get your business listed on moveBuddha.
Specialty moving services from St. Paul, MN to Fontana, CA
Specialty needs vary by market: 69% of St. Paul movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Fontana, 52% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing82% of local movers | $544 - $5,440 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready69% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Matt's Moving Company | $218 - $1,306/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $326 - $2,611 |
| 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 | $1,088 - $3,264 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,720 - $10,880 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $815 - $1,548 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items26% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Matt's Moving Company | $1,088 - $2,720 |
| Piano | Any piano type49% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Matt's Moving Company | $870 - $3,808 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling4% of local movers | $326 - $1,632 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect10% of local movers9% nationally | $707 - $2,176 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $326 - $16,320+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $326 - $3,808+ |
What are the best full-service movers from St. Paul to Fontana?
Movers licensed to operate in California are typically members of the California Moving & Storage Association, worth checking for before you book any of the three below.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 customer support, and 30 days of free storage are included with every move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list, 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.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, combining 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 van lines are the smarter financial choice over local movers in St. Paul, MN. Local companies can run 30% - 40% more at that range since they don't consolidate shipments the way interstate carriers do. If a direct, dedicated route with an average 2-day delivery appeals to you, a local mover could be worth it, but that convenience comes at a cost.
Moving container costs from St. Paul, MN to Fontana, CA
Moving containers from St. Paul, Minnesota, to Fontana, California, cost between $1,493 and $5,165. With a moving container, you load on your own schedule. U-Haul gives you 3 days to fill yours, while PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're ready, the company transports it straight to your new place. Need more time first? Storage in St. Paul typically costs about $70/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from St. Paul to Fontana:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,493 - $2,855
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,870 - $3,998
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,666 - $5,165
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $82 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $163 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 $762 in St. Paul, MN, 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 Fontana, CA, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
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 $1,493. 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 $1,870 - $3,998.
What are the best moving containers St. Paul to Fontana?
- 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 Fontana, CA
Plan on $1,083 - $3,098 for a rental moving truck on the 1,884-mile route from St. Paul, Minnesota, to Fontana, California. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $652 - $745
- Daily insurance: $33/day
- Equipment rentals: $8 - $22
- 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 Fontana based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,083 - $2,189
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,195 - $2,530
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,477 - $3,098
Pro tip: The base rate of $1,083 - $3,098 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from St. Paul to Fontana. Fuel ($652 - $745), lodging at around $163/night, meals, and equipment rentals are all on top of that. Factor in roughly $600 - $1,200 more for meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging to get a realistic picture of what the move will actually cost.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in St. Paul, Minnesota, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $762.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $652 - $745 for the 1,884-mile drive, depending on whether your truck takes gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, auto transport trailers, and furniture pads are separate rentals. Expect to spend between $65 and $354, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $163 per night for hotel stops on the 1,884-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $326 - $490.
What are the best moving truck rentals from St. Paul to Fontana?
- 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 Fontana, CA
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from St. Paul, Minnesota, to Fontana, 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. Pricing for a 2 - 3 bedroom move of this distance typically lands between $1,512 and $3,328.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from St. Paul to Fontana:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,412 - $2,492
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,512 - $3,328
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,112 - $4,481
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 $82 - $163 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 St. Paul, Minnesota, typically costs $762.
What are the best freight companies from St. Paul to Fontana?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the pick for best for large moves. The company is well-regarded as a top moving container option for its load-it-yourself, we-drive-it model, and that same model makes it a strong freight option for larger homes that benefit from the company's 53-foot trucks and footage-based pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Alongside their flagship container service, U-Pack provides a top-notch freight trailer option that follows the same model: no deposits, no upfront fees, and pricing based on the linear footage you actually use.
Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from St. Paul to Fontana. If you have a hard move-in date and want your stuff there as soon as possible, freight is hard to beat. It's worth noting that freight works best when you're ready to receive your delivery, so if your move-in date is still up in the air or you'll need short-term storage, a moving container is likely the more practical choice.
Cost of living: St. Paul, MN vs Fontana, CA
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Fontana, side by side with St. Paul on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | St. Paul, MN | Fontana, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 102 | 119 |
| Average rent | $1,350/mo | $3,000/mo |
| Median home value | $279,535 | $554,802 |
| Average income | $73,055/yr | $98,187/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 4.9% | 7.6% |
| State income tax | Up to 9.85% | Up to 13.3% |
| Walkability score | 60/100 | 37/100 |
| Safety index | 49.14/100 | 68.35/100 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
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 Fontana, CA to St. Paul, MN guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from Minnesota to California over the past 3 months, giving us some of the most up-to-date pricing data around. Running your move through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. There are 151 movers in our Minnesota network to compare for this 1,884-mile move.
Our take
A move from St. Paul, MN, to Fontana, CA, 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 $2,307 - $10,818 on the 1,884-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,493 - $5,165, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $1,083 - $3,098. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $3,312 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and round-the-clock live support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include California Steel Industries and Fontana Unified.
FAQs: Moving from St. Paul, MN, to Fontana, CA
How much does it cost to move from St. Paul, MN to Fontana, CA?
Costs on this route range from around $1,083 to $10,818, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,307 and $10,818, 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 4 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 St. Paul?
Local movers based in St. Paul typically start around $243 as a base rate, plus $100/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 Fontana run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
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 are the best neighborhoods in Fontana?
For families, Sierra Lakes, Hunter's Ridge, and Southridge Village are worth a look in Fontana. If you're moving solo or without kids, Downtown Fontana, North Fontana, and Rancho Fontana tend to be popular picks instead.
What percentage of St. Paul movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 49% of movers in St. Paul handle piano moves, and 26% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.