($1,085+) Irvine, CA to St. Paul, MN Movers
The cost to move from Irvine, CA to St. Paul, MN ranges from $1,256 to $10,987, with an average cost of $3,900. Moves can be as low as $1,085 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 1,926 miles and usually takes 5 to 16 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 Irvine, CA to St. Paul, MN
Moving options from Irvine to St. Paul fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,256 - $10,987 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $3,900, and movers handle all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 44% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 63% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This particular route covers 1,926 miles and typically takes 5 to 16 days depending on the service you pick.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,926-mile route from Irvine to St. Paul, broken down by home size:
- A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $1,256 - $5,056 with full-service movers, $1,606 - $2,840 with a container, $1,107 - $2,218 with a rental truck, or $1,459 - $2,714 by freight.
- A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $3,393 - $7,567 full-service, $1,897 - $4,019 by container, $1,246 - $2,590 by rental truck, or $1,614 - $3,118 by freight.
- A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $6,373 - $10,987 full-service, $2,597 - $5,691 by container, $1,587 - $3,233 by rental truck, or $2,252 - $4,553 by freight.
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 Irvine, CA to St. Paul, MN
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 1,926-mile move from Irvine, California, to St. Paul, Minnesota, with costs ranging from $1,256 - $10,987. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $419 - $2,796. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Irvine and St. Paul. Local movers in Irvine typically start around $197 as a base rate plus $75/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Irvine to St. Paul:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,256 - $5,056
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,393 - $7,567
- 4+ bedrooms: $6,373 - $10,987
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 Irvine to St. Paul.
Pro tip: Demand for full-service movers surges during peak moving season from May - September, pushing prices higher. Shifting your move to a cooler month could save you a meaningful amount on your total bill.
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Specialty moving services from Irvine, CA to St. Paul, MN
Specialty needs vary by market: 56% of Irvine movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In St. Paul, 69% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing77% of local movers | $699 - $6,990 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready56% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: NorthStar Moving Company | $280 - $1,678/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $419 - $3,355 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage12% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs53% of local movers | $1,398 - $4,194 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,495 - $13,980 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,047 - $1,989 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items29% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: NorthStar Moving Company | $1,398 - $3,495 |
| Piano | Any piano type38% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: NorthStar Moving Company | $1,118 - $4,893 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling10% of local movers | $419 - $2,097 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect5% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Silicon Valley Moving and Storage (CA) | $909 - $2,796 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $419 - $20,970+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $419 - $4,893+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Irvine to St. Paul?
Look for Minnesota Transport Services Association membership as a baseline when comparing movers in Minnesota 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 carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Irvine, CA. At that distance, local movers often charge 30% - 40% more because they don't spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments the way national carriers do. If a direct route and faster delivery (averaging 2 days) are priorities, a local mover may be worth considering, but that service comes at a higher price.
Moving container costs from Irvine, CA to St. Paul, MN
Moving containers from Irvine, California, to St. Paul, Minnesota, cost between $1,606 and $5,691. You load everything on your own schedule (U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30). When you're ready, the company takes care of getting the container from point A to point B. Need more time than that? Extra storage in Irvine typically runs around $110/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Irvine to St. Paul:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,606 - $2,840
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,897 - $4,019
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,597 - $5,691
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Access: Most major container brands operate in both Irvine, CA and St. Paul, MN. Still, double-check that a nearby facility is available if you need to access your belongings before delivery.
- Moving labor: Because containers are self-loaded, many customers hire hourly help. Two movers for about 5 hours typically cost around $979 in Irvine, CA, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $105 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $210 for larger ones (12 - 16 feet).
- Added contents protection: For more coverage beyond the standard minimum, full-value protection is the typical upgrade, generally 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value. On a $50,000 household, that's roughly $500 - $1,000 as a one-time fee.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a California to Minnesota 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 $1,606. 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 $1,897 - $4,019.
What are the best moving containers Irvine to St. Paul?
- 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 Irvine 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 Irvine:
- Meathead Movers (4.7/5), 24 years in business
- Best Fit Movers (4.8/5), 8 years in business
- Maison Moving (4.6/5), 18 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Irvine, CA to St. Paul, MN
Truck rentals from Irvine, California, to St. Paul, Minnesota, range from $1,107 - $3,233 for the 1,926-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $857 - $979
- Daily insurance: $42/day
- Equipment rentals: $10 - $28
- Irvine 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 Irvine to St. Paul based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,107 - $2,218
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,246 - $2,590
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,587 - $3,233
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $1,107 - $3,233 does not include fuel ($857 - $979), lodging ($210/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Irvine to St. Paul typically runs more than the base rate alone, with meals, equipment, and other extras adding roughly $600 - $1,200 on top of fuel and lodging.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $210 per night if your drive requires an overnight stop. Typically, you'll make 1 - 3 overnight stops, depending on move distance.
- Moving labor: Bringing in professional loading help in Irvine, California, usually costs about $979 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 1,926-mile drive falls between $857 and $979, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, moving pads, and vehicle trailers are easy to overlook but can add between $70 and $419 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Irvine to St. Paul?
- 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 Irvine, CA to St. Paul, MN
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Irvine, California, to St. Paul, Minnesota, 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 $1,614 and $3,118.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Irvine to St. Paul:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,459 - $2,714
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,614 - $3,118
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,252 - $4,553
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?
- 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 Irvine, California, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $979.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $105 and $210 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Irvine to St. Paul?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Primarily known as a top moving container option for its DIY hybrid model where customers load and the company drives, MovingYourself also functions as a strong freight option thanks to its 53-foot trucks and pay-only-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. Best known for its container service, U-Pack also runs a top-notch freight trailer operation with the same no-deposit, pay-by-the-foot approach that keeps overall costs lower than most freight competitors.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in St. Paul 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: Irvine, CA vs St. Paul, MN
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in St. Paul, side by side with Irvine on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Irvine, CA | St. Paul, MN |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 165 | 102 |
| Average rent | $4,000/mo | $1,350/mo |
| Median home value | $1,113,305 | $279,535 |
| Average income | $129,647/yr | $73,055/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 5.4% | 4.9% |
| State income tax | Up to 13.3% | Up to 9.85% |
| Walkability score | 43/100 | 60/100 |
| Safety index | 68.99/100 | 49.14/100 |
| 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 St. Paul, MN to Irvine, CA guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from California to Minnesota, so we know current pricing better than most. Checking our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates. California alone has 1,154 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 1,926-mile move like this one.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 1,926-mile route from Irvine, CA, to St. Paul, MN, run $1,256 - $10,987 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,606 - $5,691, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $1,107 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,393, 30 days of free storage, and a 24/7 support team you can actually reach.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Siemens and ACS Group.
FAQs: Moving from Irvine, CA, to St. Paul, MN
How do I know a mover is licensed in Minnesota?
To operate legally within the state, Minnesota household goods movers must have a current permit from the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT). Before being granted operating authority, each moving company must file a public tariff, provide proof of insurance and submit a Certificate of Compliance to MnDOT.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($857 - $979), daily insurance ($42/day), and equipment rentals ($10 - $28) on top. Overnight stops can add another $210/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How walkable is St. Paul?
St. Paul has a walkability score of 60 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 64, compared to 43 and 69 in Irvine. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
How much does it cost to move from Irvine, CA to St. Paul, MN?
Costs on this route range from around $1,085 to $10,987, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,256 and $10,987, 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 are some tips for saving money on a move from Irvine, CA to St. Paul, MN?
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 Irvine movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 38% of movers in Irvine handle piano moves, and 29% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.