($1,178+) Modesto, CA to St. Paul, MN Movers
The cost to move from Modesto, CA to St. Paul, MN ranges from $1,199 to $10,351, with an average cost of $3,900. Moves can be as low as $1,178 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 2,000 miles and usually takes 6 to 17 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.
Fact Checked by:
Compare moving options from Modesto, CA to St. Paul, MN
Moving options from Modesto to St. Paul fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,199 - $10,351 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 42% 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 2,000 miles and typically takes 6 to 17 days depending on the service you pick.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 2,000-mile route from Modesto to St. Paul, broken down by home size:
- Full-service movers: $1,199 for a studio up to $10,351 for a 4+ bedroom home.
- Moving containers: $1,623 - $5,490 depending on home size.
- Rental trucks: $1,121 - $3,182, the lowest-cost option across the board.
- Freight trailers: $1,376 - $4,709, billed by the space you actually use.
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 Modesto, CA to St. Paul, MN
Hiring full-service movers from Modesto, California, to St. Paul, Minnesota, costs between $1,199 and $10,351. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 2,000-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $331 - $2,208, depending on the size of your home. Your final cost comes down to two things: the total weight of your shipment and the distance between Modesto and St. Paul. For a rough baseline, movers based in Modesto tend to start around $314 plus $128/hour per mover on local jobs, before long-distance pricing takes over for a move this size.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Modesto to St. Paul:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,199 - $5,247
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,494 - $7,451
- 4+ bedrooms: $6,419 - $10,351
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 Modesto to St. Paul.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from California to Minnesota. 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.
Don't see your company listed?
Reach customers actively searching for trusted movers in your area. Tell us about your company and services to get your business listed on moveBuddha.
Specialty moving services from Modesto, CA to St. Paul, MN
Specialty needs vary by market: 60% of Modesto 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 packing56% of local movers | $552 - $5,520 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready60% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Grace Moving Company | $221 - $1,325/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $331 - $2,650 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage13% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs46% of local movers | $1,104 - $3,312 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,760 - $11,040 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $827 - $1,571 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items13% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Brewer Moving LLC | $1,104 - $2,760 |
| Piano | Any piano type40% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Pete's Moving Services | $883 - $3,864 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling | $331 - $1,656 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect8% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Silicon Valley Moving and Storage (CA) | $718 - $2,208 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $331 - $16,560+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $331 - $3,864+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Modesto to St. Paul?
Minnesota Transport Services Association membership is a quick way to confirm a mover is legitimate in Minnesota, on top of the picks below.
- 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 movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in Modesto, CA. 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 Modesto, CA to St. Paul, MN
Moving containers from Modesto, California, to St. Paul, Minnesota, cost between $1,623 and $5,490. The container gets dropped at your door and you load it at your own pace. U-Haul gives you 3 days to load and PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're done, the company handles all the transportation. If you need extra time, storage in Modesto runs about $120/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Modesto to St. Paul:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,623 - $3,113
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,018 - $4,153
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,709 - $5,490
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $83 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $166 per month for larger units (12 - 16 feet).
- Moving labor: Containers don't come with loading help, so many customers hire hourly movers for the job. Two movers for about 5 hours will run you around $773 in Modesto, CA, per moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Standard coverage only reimburses by weight. Full-value protection gives you more complete coverage for higher-value items and typically costs 1% - 2% of your total declared value, around $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 shipment.
- Access: National providers generally operate in both cities, but verify that a facility near your St. Paul, MN, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
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 $1,623. 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 $2,018 - $4,153.
What are the best moving containers Modesto 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 Modesto 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 Modesto:
- Big Island Movers (4.8/5), 14 years in business
- Brewer Moving LLC (4.9/5), 11 years in business
- Lunardi Moving (4.8/5), 12 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Modesto, CA to St. Paul, MN
Plan on $1,121 - $3,182 for a rental moving truck on the 2,000-mile route from Modesto, California, to St. Paul, Minnesota. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $703 - $803
- Daily insurance: $33/day
- Equipment rentals: $8 - $22
- Modesto daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.79 - $1.29
| 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 Modesto to St. Paul based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,121 - $2,316
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,288 - $2,625
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,531 - $3,182
Pro tip: A rental truck from Modesto to St. Paul looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $1,121 - $3,182. But once you factor in fuel ($703 - $803), overnight lodging ($166/night), meals, and equipment rentals, most people end up spending roughly $600 - $1,200 more on meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging. Building that into your budget upfront saves you from sticker shock at the end of the move.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Modesto, California, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $773.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $703 - $803 for the 2,000-mile drive, depending on whether your truck takes gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, auto transport trailers, and furniture pads are separate rentals. Expect to spend between $66 and $359, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $166 per night for hotel stops on the 2,000-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $331 - $497.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Modesto 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 Modesto, CA to St. Paul, MN
For larger DIY moves from Modesto, 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 St. Paul, Minnesota.
Because freight companies bill by linear footage, your total is based on how much of the trailer you occupy, not the full length. For a 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route, pricing typically falls between $1,713 and $3,322.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Modesto to St. Paul:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,376 - $2,559
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,713 - $3,322
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,279 - $4,709
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?
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In Modesto, California, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $773.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $83 - $166 per additional foot to your total.
- Time of year: Rates tend to climb during peak moving season (mid-May through mid-September) when trailer demand is at its highest.
What are the best freight companies from Modesto to St. Paul?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is our pick for best for large moves. The company is best known as a top moving container option for its hybrid model where you load and they drive, and that same model translates well to freight thanks to their 53-foot trucks and pay-by-the-foot pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Beyond their flagship container service, U-Pack also runs freight trailers with the same no-deposit, no-upfront-fee model, charging only for the linear footage you actually fill.
Pro tip: One of the biggest advantages of freight trailers is speed. For an interstate move, freight delivery is one of the fastest options you have short of driving a rental truck yourself. It's a smart choice when your timeline is firm and you'll be ready to receive your shipment. If there's any chance your new place won't be ready or you need a few weeks of storage, a moving container with built-in storage may serve you better.
Cost of living: Modesto, CA vs St. Paul, MN
Day-to-day costs in St. Paul are close to what you're used to in Modesto: cost of living index of 102 versus 116, with average rent of $1,350/mo compared to $1,800/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 48/100 and 34.24/100 in Modesto versus 60/100 and 49.14/100 in St. Paul.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our St. Paul, MN to Modesto, CA guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from California to Minnesota, 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 1,154 movers in California, so you have real options to compare for this 2,000-mile move.
Our take
A move from Modesto, CA, to St. Paul, MN, 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 $1,199 - $10,351 on the 2,000-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,623 - $5,490, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $1,121 - $3,182. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $3,494 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 Siemens and ACS Group.
FAQs: Moving from Modesto, CA, to St. Paul, MN
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Modesto, 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.
How much does it cost to move from Modesto, CA to St. Paul, MN?
Costs on this route range from around $1,178 to $10,351, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,199 and $10,351, 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 St. Paul?
St. Paul has a walkability score of 60 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 64, compared to 48 and 48 in Modesto. 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 ($703 - $803), daily insurance ($33/day), and equipment rentals ($8 - $22) on top. Overnight stops can add another $166/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
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 percentage of Modesto movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 40% of movers in Modesto handle piano moves, and 13% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.