($693+) Riverside, CA to Fort Collins, CO Movers
The cost to move from Riverside, CA to Fort Collins, CO ranges from $1,249 to $8,647, with an average cost of $3,050. Moves can be as low as $693 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 1,042 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.
Compare moving options from Riverside, CA to Fort Collins, CO
Moving options from Riverside to Fort Collins fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,249 - $8,647 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $3,050, and movers handle all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 60% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This particular route covers 1,042 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 1,042-mile route from Riverside to Fort Collins, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,249 - $4,987 | $1,181 - $2,359 | $685 - $1,301 | $1,163 - $2,123 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,533 - $6,444 | $1,521 - $3,187 | $802 - $1,548 | $1,267 - $2,423 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,611 - $8,647 | $2,202 - $3,989 | $958 - $1,882 | $1,641 - $3,457 |
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 Riverside, CA to Fort Collins, CO
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 1,042-mile move from Riverside, California, to Fort Collins, Colorado, with costs ranging from $1,249 - $8,647. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $375 - $2,500. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Riverside and Fort Collins. Local movers in Riverside typically start around $239 as a base rate plus $75/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Riverside to Fort Collins:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,249 - $4,987
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,533 - $6,444
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,611 - $8,647
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 Fort Collins.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from California to Colorado. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: Moving company rates climb during peak moving season (May –-September) when demand peaks. Scheduling your move outside of that window can lead to noticeably lower costs and better availability.
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Specialty moving services from Riverside, CA to Fort Collins, CO
Specialty needs vary by market — 84% of Riverside movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Fort Collins, 89% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $625 - $6,250 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready84% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: VIP Transport, Inc. | $250 - $1,500/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $375 - $3,000 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage42% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs33% of local movers | $1,250 - $3,750 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,125 - $12,500 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $936 - $1,779 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items62% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: VIP Transport, Inc. | $1,250 - $3,125 |
| Piano | Any piano type75% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: VIP Transport, Inc. | $1,000 - $4,375 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling38% of local movers | $375 - $1,875 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect27% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: JFK Moving Company | $813 - $2,500 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $375 - $18,750+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $375 - $4,375+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Riverside to Fort Collins?
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing means no surprise charges on moving day, and their support team is consistently rated among the most responsive in the industry.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here, 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, with 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 Riverside, CA. 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 Riverside, CA to Fort Collins, CO
Moving containers from Riverside, California, to Fort Collins, Colorado, cost between $1,181 and $3,989. 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 Fort Collins. If you go over that window, storage in Riverside adds around $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Riverside to Fort Collins:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,181 - $2,359
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,521 - $3,187
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,202 - $3,989
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $94 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $188 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Fort Collins, 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 $875 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 $1,181. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,521 - $3,187, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Riverside to Fort Collins?
- 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:
- JFK Moving Company (4.8/5), 6 years in business
- Burgess Moving and Storage (4.7/5), 80 years in business
- Alex Moving and Storage (3.6/5), 24 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Riverside, CA to Fort Collins, CO
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 1,042 miles from Riverside, California, to Fort Collins, Colorado, running $685 - $1,882. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $414 - $474
- Daily insurance: $38/day
- Equipment rentals: $9 - $25
- 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 Fort Collins based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $685 - $1,301
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $802 - $1,548
- 4+ bedrooms: $958 - $1,882
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $685 - $1,882 when pricing out a rental truck from Riverside to Fort Collins. Fuel alone runs ($414 - $474) , and overnight lodging ($188/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend an additional $600 - $1,200 beyond the base rate by the time the move is done.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Gas: Fuel adds $414 - $474 for the 1,042-mile drive, depending on whether your rental truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: You'll handle the heavy lifting unless you bring in help. Two movers in Riverside, California, for about 5 hours typically costs around $875.
- Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
- Lodging: The 1,042-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $188 per night, adding $375 - $563 in hotel costs total.
- Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $63 and $375.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Riverside to Fort Collins?
- 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 Fort Collins, CO
For larger DIY moves from Riverside, California, freight trailers give you plenty of room without putting you behind the wheel. Standard trailers are 28 feet long. You load the section you need, and the carrier transports everything to Fort Collins, Colorado.
Because freight companies bill by linear footage, your total is based on how much of the trailer you occupy, not the full length. For most medium-to-large moves on this route, pricing typically falls between $1,267 and $2,423.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Riverside to Fort Collins:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,163 - $2,123
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,267 - $2,423
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,641 - $3,457
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?
- 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 Riverside, California, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $875.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $94 and $188 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Riverside to Fort Collins?
- 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.
- ALL Service Handling (4.76/5 stars): ALL Service Handling is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Local ownership translates to accessible support staff and facilities based in the communities they serve, giving customers more direct communication than they'd typically get from a national-only freight network.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in Fort Collins 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: Riverside, CA vs Fort Collins, CO
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Fort Collins, side by side with Riverside on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Riverside, CA | Fort Collins, CO |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 131 | 116 |
| Average rent | $2,295/mo | $1,750/mo |
| Median home value | $539,898 | $544,203 |
| Average income | $88,575/yr | $83,598/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 7.1% | 5.6% |
| State income tax | Up to 13.3% | Up to 5.49% |
| Walkability score | 43/100 | 37/100 |
| Safety index | 59.76/100 | 72.86/100 |
| Air quality | Moderate | 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 Fort Collins, CO to Riverside, CA guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from California to Colorado, 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 374 movers in California, so you have real options to compare for this 1,042-mile move.
Our take
The 1,042-mile move from Riverside, CA, to Fort Collins, CO, costs between $1,249 and $8,647 with full-service movers, $1,181 - $3,989 with a moving container, and $685 - $1,882 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 $2,533 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 Advanced Energy Industries and RIMROCK.
FAQs: Moving from Riverside, CA, to Fort Collins, CO
What is the cheapest way to move from Riverside, CA to Fort Collins, CO?
Renting a moving truck is almost always the most affordable option, since you handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself. A 2-bedroom rental truck move on this route averages $802 - $1,548. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What are the best neighborhoods in Fort Collins?
For families, Old Town, City Park, and Huntington Hills are worth a look in Fort Collins. If you're moving solo or without kids, Old Town, City Park, and Ram's Village tend to be popular picks instead.
How long does a move from Riverside, CA to Fort Collins, CO take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 5 - 7 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are usually the fastest option outside of driving yourself, with deliveries in 3 - 5 days, though you'll need to be ready to receive your shipment on arrival. Driving a rental truck yourself puts the schedule entirely in your hands.
What do local movers charge in Riverside?
Local movers based in Riverside typically start around $239 as a base rate, plus $75/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 Fort Collins run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Riverside, CA to Fort Collins, 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.
What percentage of Riverside movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 75% of movers in Riverside handle piano moves, and 62% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.