($1,061+) Fargo, ND to Ontario, CA Movers
Moving from Fargo, ND, to Ontario, CA, runs anywhere from $1,050 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $12,259 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,764 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 $2,741, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $12,259 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,512 - $5,583, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,050 - $2,972.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Fargo, ND, to Ontario, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,921 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
Compare moving options from Fargo, ND to Ontario, CA
There are 3 main ways to move from Fargo to Ontario: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service handles labor and transportation for you, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route costing $3,921 - $8,874. Moving containers run about 30% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 60% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 5 to 16 days for this 1,764-mile route, depending on which option you go with.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,764-mile route from Fargo to Ontario, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $2,741 - $6,146 | $1,512 - $3,059 | $1,050 - $2,186 | $1,444 - $2,621 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $3,921 - $8,874 | $2,114 - $4,117 | $1,231 - $2,429 | $1,562 - $3,161 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $7,091 - $12,259 | $2,668 - $5,583 | $1,478 - $2,972 | $2,178 - $4,555 |
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 Fargo, ND to Ontario, CA
Full-service movers for the 1,764-mile relocation from Fargo, North Dakota, to Ontario, California, cost between $2,741 and $12,259. With a long-distance moving company, loading, transportation, and unloading are all taken care of. If you want to skip packing boxes, too, that can be added for $307 - $2,044, depending on your home size. What you pay in the end is mainly a function of how much your shipment weighs and how far it's traveling. As a point of reference, local movers in Fargo typically charge a base rate around $264 plus $99 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Fargo to Ontario:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,741 - $6,146
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,921 - $8,874
- 4+ bedrooms: $7,091 - $12,259
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 Fargo to Ontario.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from North Dakota 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 Fargo, ND to Ontario, CA
Specialty needs vary by market — 50% of Fargo movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Ontario, 85% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing83% of local movers | $511 - $5,110 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready50% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $204 - $1,226/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $307 - $2,453 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage50% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs50% of local movers | $1,022 - $3,066 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,555 - $10,220 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $765 - $1,454 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items17% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Midwest Moving Company | $1,022 - $2,555 |
| Piano | Any piano type67% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $818 - $3,577 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling33% of local movers | $307 - $1,533 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect17% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Midwest Moving Company | $664 - $2,044 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $307 - $15,330+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $307 - $3,577+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Fargo to Ontario?
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 movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in Fargo, ND. 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 Fargo, ND to Ontario, CA
Moving containers from Fargo, North Dakota, to Ontario, California, cost between $1,512 and $5,583. 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 Ontario. If you go over that window, storage in Fargo adds around $90/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Fargo to Ontario:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,512 - $3,059
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,114 - $4,117
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,668 - $5,583
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $77 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $153 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Ontario, CA, if you need to retrieve anything while items are still in storage.
- Moving labor: Since you're responsible for loading the container yourself, many customers bring in hourly help. Based on moveBuddha data, hiring 2 movers for approximately 5 hours costs about $715 in Fargo, ND. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection goes beyond the standard minimum and covers repair, replacement, or reimbursement at declared value. Pricing is typically 1% - 2% of your total shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 move.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a North Dakota 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 $1,512. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $2,114 - $4,117, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Fargo to Ontario?
- 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 Fargo 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 Fargo:
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.8/5), 24 years in business
- Midwest Moving Company (4.8/5), 8 years in business
- 5 Star Moving (4.3/5), 23 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Fargo, ND to Ontario, CA
Truck rentals from Fargo, North Dakota, to Ontario, California, range from $1,050 - $2,972 for the 1,764-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $574 - $656
- Daily insurance: $31/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $20
- Fargo 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 Fargo to Ontario based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,050 - $2,186
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,231 - $2,429
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,478 - $2,972
Pro tip: A rental truck from Fargo to Ontario looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $1,050 - $2,972. But once you factor in fuel ($574 - $656) , overnight lodging ($153/night), meals, and equipment rentals, most people end up spending $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate suggests. Building that into your budget upfront saves you from sticker shock at the end of the move.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $153 per night. Most long-distance moves with rental trucks require 1 - 3 overnight stops.
- Equipment: Tow dollies, auto trailers, and specialty moving equipment can add between $66 and $332 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $574 - $656 in fuel for the 1,764-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $715 in Fargo, North Dakota, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Fargo to Ontario?
- 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 Fargo, ND to Ontario, CA
Freight trailers are a good fit for medium-to-large moves where you need more space than a container but don't want to drive a rental truck from Fargo, North Dakota, to Ontario, California. The trailer is delivered to your address, you load it, and the carrier takes it the rest of the way.
Unlike truck rentals with flat rates, freight trailers scale with your shipment. Every additional section of trailer space you fill increases your total. Most long-distance moves using this method run roughly between $1,562 and $3,161.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Fargo to Ontario:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,444 - $2,621
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,562 - $3,161
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,178 - $4,555
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 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 $77 and $153.
- 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 Fargo, North Dakota, for roughly five hours typically average $715.
What are the best freight companies from Fargo to Ontario?
- 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.
- Magnum Ltd (4.96/5 stars): Magnum Ltd 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: If speed matters on your move from Fargo to Ontario, freight trailers are one of the fastest interstate options available, second only to renting a truck and driving it yourself. The tradeoff is that freight works best when you're ready to receive your belongings on the other end. If your timeline is tight on the receiving side or you need a short storage buffer, a moving container might be a better fit.
Cost of living: Fargo, ND vs Ontario, CA
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Ontario, side by side with Fargo on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Fargo, ND | Ontario, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 91 | 119 |
| Average rent | $1,055/mo | $2,619/mo |
| Median home value | $269,827 | $564,076 |
| Average income | $66,029/yr | $82,806/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 3.6% | 6.9% |
| State income tax | Up to 2.9% | Up to 13.3% |
| Walkability score | 45/100 | 48/100 |
| Safety index | 56.17/100 | 49.75/100 |
| 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 Ontario, CA to Fargo, ND guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from North Dakota to California, so our pricing data stays current. Use our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and spot bad actors early. We track 10 movers licensed in North Dakota, useful context for sizing up this 1,764-mile move.
Our take
The 1,764-mile move from Fargo, ND, to Ontario, CA, costs between $2,741 and $12,259 with full-service movers, $1,512 - $5,583 with a moving container, and $1,050 - $2,972 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 $3,921 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 Prime Healthcare and Niagara Bottling.
FAQs: Moving from Fargo, ND, to Ontario, 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 do local movers charge in Fargo?
Local movers based in Fargo typically start around $264 as a base rate, plus $99/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 Ontario 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 Ontario?
For families, Creekside, Parkview, and Ontario Ranch are worth a look in Ontario. If you're moving solo or without kids, Downtown Ontario, Piemonte, and Ontario Ranch tend to be popular picks instead.
How walkable is Ontario?
Ontario has a walkability score of 48 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 46, compared to 45 and 49 in Fargo. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
What percentage of Fargo movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 67% of movers in Fargo handle piano moves, and 17% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.