($635+) Los Angeles, CA to Denver, CO Movers
The cost to move from Los Angeles, CA to Denver, CO ranges from $1,154 to $7,619, with an average cost of $3,000. Moves can be as low as $635 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 1,016 miles and usually takes 2 to 8 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 Los Angeles, CA to Denver, CO
Moving options from Los Angeles to Denver fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,154 - $7,619 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $3,000, and movers handle all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 36% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 72% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This particular route covers 1,016 miles and typically takes 2 to 8 days depending on the service you pick.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,016-mile route from Los Angeles to Denver, broken down by home size:
- A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $1,154 - $4,942 with full-service movers, $1,105 - $2,208 with a container, $695 - $1,206 with a rental truck, or $995 - $2,006 by freight.
- A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $2,422 - $6,360 full-service, $1,558 - $2,861 by container, $686 - $1,448 by rental truck, or $1,174 - $2,455 by freight.
- A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $4,011 - $7,619 full-service, $2,101 - $4,039 by container, $934 - $1,817 by rental truck, or $1,584 - $3,074 by freight.
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 Los Angeles, CA to Denver, CO
Full-service movers for the 1,016-mile relocation from Los Angeles, California, to Denver, Colorado, cost between $1,154 and $7,619. 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 $445 - $2,968, 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 Los Angeles typically charge a base rate around $200 plus $100 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Los Angeles to Denver:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,154 - $4,942
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,422 - $6,360
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,011 - $7,619
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 Los Angeles to Denver.
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 Los Angeles, CA to Denver, CO
Specialty needs vary by market: 56% of Los Angeles movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Denver, 48% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing78% of local movers | $742 - $7,420 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready56% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Rigo's Moving Company Inc | $297 - $1,781/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $445 - $3,562 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage14% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs53% of local movers | $1,484 - $4,452 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,710 - $14,840 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,112 - $2,112 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items29% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Rigo's Moving Company Inc | $1,484 - $3,710 |
| Piano | Any piano type40% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: Rigo's Moving Company Inc | $1,187 - $5,194 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling10% of local movers | $445 - $2,226 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect4% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: 5 Star Moving | $965 - $2,968 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $445 - $22,260+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $445 - $5,194+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Los Angeles to Denver?
- 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 full-service movers are the more cost-efficient choice. Local movers in Los Angeles, CA, 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 Los Angeles, CA to Denver, CO
Moving containers from Los Angeles, California, to Denver, Colorado, cost between $1,105 and $4,039. 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 Los Angeles typically costs about $110/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Los Angeles to Denver:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,105 - $2,208
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,558 - $2,861
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,101 - $4,039
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $111 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $223 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Denver, CO, 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 $1,039 in Los Angeles, CA. 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 California to Colorado 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 $1,105. 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 $1,558 - $2,861.
What are the best moving containers Los Angeles to Denver?
- 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 Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles:
- Rigo's Moving Company Inc (4.3/5), 12 years in business
- Move Central Moving & Storage (3.9/5), 14 years in business
- Best California Movers (5.0/5), 8 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Los Angeles, CA to Denver, CO
Plan on $695 - $1,817 for a rental moving truck on the 1,016-mile route from Los Angeles, California, to Denver, Colorado. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $480 - $548
- Daily insurance: $45/day
- Equipment rentals: $10 - $30
- Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles to Denver based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $695 - $1,206
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $686 - $1,448
- 4+ bedrooms: $934 - $1,817
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Los Angeles to Denver starts at $695 - $1,817, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($480 - $548), overnight lodging ($223/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for roughly $600 - $1,200 more on top of fuel and lodging to cover meals, equipment, and other extras.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $223 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 $96 and $482 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $480 - $548 in fuel for the 1,016-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $1,039 in Los Angeles, California, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Los Angeles to Denver?
- 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 Los Angeles, CA to Denver, CO
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 Los Angeles, California, to Denver, Colorado. 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. A 2 - 3 bedroom long-distance move using this method runs roughly between $1,174 and $2,455.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Los Angeles to Denver:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $995 - $2,006
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,174 - $2,455
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,584 - $3,074
Pro tip: Freight pricing rewards efficient packing. Trailers are 8 feet tall and accessed via a 4-foot ramp, so technique matters, especially for heavy pieces. Since each additional linear foot adds to your quote, packing strategically is one of the easiest ways to control costs.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Demand cycles: Trailer costs climb during peak moving season, especially from mid-May through mid-September when demand is at its highest.
- More space: You're billed only for the linear feet you use, but underestimating your inventory means paying for extra space, typically around $111 - $223 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Los Angeles, California, for about five hours typically runs $1,039.
What are the best freight companies from Los Angeles to Denver?
- 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: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in Denver 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: Los Angeles, CA vs Denver, CO
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Denver, side by side with Los Angeles on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Los Angeles, CA | Denver, CO |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 162 | 128 |
| Average rent | $2,960/mo | $1,900/mo |
| Median home value | $878,142 | $586,595 |
| Average income | $80,366/yr | $91,681/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 10.6% | 7.1% |
| State income tax | Up to 13.3% | Up to 5.49% |
| Walkability score | 69/100 | 95/100 |
| Safety index | 46.19/100 | 52.16/100 |
| Air quality | Moderate | 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 Denver, CO to Los Angeles, CA guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from California to Colorado, 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 1,126 movers licensed in California, useful context for sizing up this 1,016-mile move.
Our take
For a move from Los Angeles, CA, to Denver, CO, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $1,154 for a studio to $7,619 for a 4+ bedroom home on the 1,016-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,105 - $4,039. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $695 - $1,817, though you'll be handling the driving and loading yourself. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with quotes starting around $2,422 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage included, and 24/7 live customer support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Re/max and DaVita.
FAQs: Moving from Los Angeles, CA, to Denver, CO
How walkable is Denver?
Denver has a walkability score of 95 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 96, compared to 69 and 59 in Los Angeles. 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 ($480 - $548), daily insurance ($45/day), and equipment rentals ($10 - $30) on top. Overnight stops can add another $223/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Colorado?
The Colorado Public Utilities Commission (COPUC) regulates local and intrastate moving service providers in Colorado.
What is the best time of year to move from Los Angeles, CA to Denver, CO?
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.
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 percentage of Los Angeles movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 40% of movers in Los Angeles handle piano moves, and 29% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.