($675+) Riverside, CA to Denver, CO Movers
The cost to move from Riverside, CA to Denver, CO ranges from $1,188 to $8,251, with an average cost of $2,950. Moves can be as low as $675 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 982 miles and usually takes 2 to 7 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 Riverside, CA to Denver, CO
Moving options from Riverside to Denver fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,188 - $8,251 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $2,950, and movers handle all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 45% 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 982 miles and typically takes 2 to 7 days depending on the service you pick.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 982-mile route from Riverside to Denver, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,188 - $4,650 | $1,130 - $2,036 | $662 - $1,281 | $986 - $1,833 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,549 - $5,838 | $1,410 - $3,007 | $716 - $1,508 | $1,199 - $2,359 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $3,909 - $8,251 | $1,960 - $4,032 | $854 - $1,781 | $1,536 - $3,193 |
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 Riverside, CA to Denver, CO
For the 982-mile move from Riverside, California, to Denver, Colorado, full-service movers cost between $1,188 and $8,251. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $389 - $2,596 (1 - 5+ bedrooms), crews will pack your boxes. The weight of your shipment and the mileage between the two cities are what drive your final cost. For scale, local movers in Riverside generally start around $239 plus $75 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Riverside to Denver:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,188 - $4,650
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,549 - $5,838
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,909 - $8,251
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 Riverside to Denver.
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 Riverside, CA to Denver, CO
Specialty needs vary by market: 53% of Riverside 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 packing73% of local movers | $649 - $6,490 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready53% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Burgess Moving and Storage | $260 - $1,558/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $389 - $3,115 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage11% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs48% of local movers | $1,298 - $3,894 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,245 - $12,980 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $972 - $1,847 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items26% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: VIP Transport, Inc. | $1,298 - $3,245 |
| Piano | Any piano type33% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: VIP Transport, Inc. | $1,038 - $4,543 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling8% of local movers | $389 - $1,947 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect7% of local movers9% nationally | $844 - $2,596 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $389 - $19,470+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $389 - $4,543+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Riverside 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 Riverside, 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 Riverside, CA to Denver, CO
Moving containers from Riverside, California, to Denver, Colorado, cost between $1,130 and $4,032. 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 Riverside typically costs about $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Riverside to Denver:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,130 - $2,036
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,410 - $3,007
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,960 - $4,032
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $97 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $195 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 $909 in Riverside, 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 $1,130. 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 $1,410 - $3,007.
What are the best moving containers Riverside 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 Riverside 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 Riverside:
- Trek Movers (5.0/5), 11 years in business
- JFK Moving Company (4.8/5), 6 years in business
- Meathead Movers (4.7/5), 24 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Riverside, CA to Denver, CO
Plan on $662 - $1,781 for a rental moving truck on the 982-mile route from Riverside, California, to Denver, Colorado. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $406 - $464
- Daily insurance: $39/day
- Equipment rentals: $9 - $26
- Riverside 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 Riverside to Denver based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $662 - $1,281
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $716 - $1,508
- 4+ bedrooms: $854 - $1,781
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Riverside to Denver starts at $662 - $1,781, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($406 - $464), overnight lodging ($195/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?
- Equipment: Tow dollies, appliance dollies, and moving pads are not included in the base rate. These extras often total between $97 and $454.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $195.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $406 and $464 for the 982-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 $909 for 2 movers in Riverside, California, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Riverside 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 Riverside, CA to Denver, CO
If you're moving a larger household from Riverside, California, 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 Denver, Colorado.
Freight trailers are priced by the linear feet your belongings take up, so you only pay for the space you use. A 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route typically falls between $1,199 and $2,359.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Riverside to Denver:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $986 - $1,833
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,199 - $2,359
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,536 - $3,193
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?
- 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 $97 - $195 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Riverside, California, for about five hours typically runs $909.
What are the best freight companies from Riverside to Denver?
- 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.
Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Riverside to Denver. 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: Riverside, CA vs Denver, CO
Day-to-day costs in Denver are close to what you're used to in Riverside: cost of living index of 128 versus 131, with average rent of $1,900/mo compared to $2,295/mo. With an index gap that small, budgeting for this move mostly comes down to the moving costs above rather than a shift in your monthly expenses. For reference, walkability and safety scores are 43/100 and 59.76/100 in Riverside versus 95/100 and 52.16/100 in Denver.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Denver, CO to Riverside, CA guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from California to Colorado 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 1,126 movers in our California network to compare for this 982-mile move.
Our take
A move from Riverside, CA, to Denver, CO, 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 $1,188 - $8,251 on the 982-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,130 - $4,032, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $662 - $1,781. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $2,549 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 Re/max and DaVita.
FAQs: Moving from Riverside, CA, to Denver, CO
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Riverside, CA to Denver, CO?
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 Riverside, CA to Denver, CO?
Costs on this route range from around $675 to $8,251, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,188 and $8,251, 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 Denver?
Denver has a walkability score of 95 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 96, compared to 43 and 49 in Riverside. 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 ($406 - $464), daily insurance ($39/day), and equipment rentals ($9 - $26) on top. Overnight stops can add another $195/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 percentage of Riverside movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 33% of movers in Riverside handle piano moves, and 26% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.