($1,211+) San Francisco, CA to Minneapolis, MN Movers

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The cost to move from San Francisco, CA to Minneapolis, MN ranges from $1,296 to $11,471, with an average cost of $4,250. Moves can be as low as $1,211 if you're wanting to DIY it.

This move covers about 1,980 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.

Compare moving options from San Francisco, CA to Minneapolis, MN

Moving options from San Francisco to Minneapolis fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,296 - $11,471 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $4,250, 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 1,980 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 1,980-mile route from San Francisco to Minneapolis, broken down by home size:

Home size Full-service movers Moving container Rental truck Freight trailer
Studio / 1 bedroom $1,296 - $5,662 $1,626 - $3,244 $1,235 - $2,360 $1,449 - $2,721
2 - 3 bedrooms $3,468 - $7,479 $2,254 - $4,591 $1,285 - $2,615 $1,701 - $3,637
4+ bedrooms $6,350 - $11,471 $3,087 - $5,716 $1,556 - $3,506 $2,281 - $4,620

Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 23, 2026.

Professional moving
Professional
Safeway Moving
star star star star star 4.9 / 5
Read our full Safeway review
Best overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran-owned
Moving container
Container
Unlimited storage
3 container sizes
10% discount
Rental truck
Rental Truck
Budget Truck Rental
star star star star star 4.3 / 5
Read our full Budget review
Affordable pricing
Online estimates
Several discounts
Freight trailer
Freight
MovingYourself
star star star star star 4.5 / 5
Read our full MovingYourself review
Fast delivery
Nationwide
100+ miles moves

Full-service moving costs from San Francisco, CA to Minneapolis, MN

Full-service movers for the 1,980-mile relocation from San Francisco, California, to Minneapolis, Minnesota, cost between $1,296 and $11,471. 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 $569 - $3,796, 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 San Francisco typically charge a base rate around $284 plus $150 per hour, per mover.

Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from San Francisco to Minneapolis:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,296 - $5,662
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,468 - $7,479
  • 4+ bedrooms: $6,350 - $11,471

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 San Francisco to Minneapolis.

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: 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 San Francisco, CA to Minneapolis, MN

Specialty needs vary by market — 87% of San Francisco movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Minneapolis, 91% of movers offer the same service.

Service When you need it Typical cost
Full packingFull crew packing100% of local movers$949 - $9,490
Storage in transitNew place not ready87% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Eagle Moving & Storage, Inc.$380 - $2,278/mo
Shuttle feeTruck can't reach door$569 - $4,555
Full-value protectionMore than $0.60/lb coverage56% of local movers$300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value)
Small movesUnder ~2,000 lbs49% of local movers$1,898 - $5,694
Office / commercialWorkplace relocation$4,745 - $18,980
Car shippingSecond vehicle$1,422 - $2,701
Antiques & fine artFragile, high-value items70% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Eagle Moving & Storage, Inc.$1,898 - $4,745
PianoAny piano type79% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Eagle Moving & Storage, Inc.$1,518 - $6,643
Pool tableDisassembly & re-leveling39% of local movers$569 - $2,847
Hot tubHeavy, needs disconnect27% of local movers21% nationallyTop pick: Luigy's Moving & Storage$1,234 - $3,796
Wine collectionClimate-controlled transport$569 - $28,470+
Pet relocationGround, air, or concierge$569 - $6,643+

What are the best full-service movers from San Francisco to Minneapolis?

If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in Minnesota Transport Services Association is a good first thing to confirm.

  1. Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving offers the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing locks in your cost upfront, and 24/7 customer support is available throughout the move.
  2. American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. Operating since 1995, AVL staffs every move with full-time in-house crews trained on antiques, art, and other high-value items.
  3. Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. As one of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, real-time shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan.

Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national full-service movers are almost always better priced than local movers in San Francisco, CA. Local companies typically run 30% - 40% more at longer distances because they aren't set up to consolidate shipments the way national carriers do. The one case where a local mover might be worth the premium is if you want a dedicated direct-route truck, which averages a 2-day delivery time, but expect to pay more for that convenience.

Moving container costs from San Francisco, CA to Minneapolis, MN

Moving containers from San Francisco, California, to Minneapolis, Minnesota, cost between $1,626 and $5,716. 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 San Francisco typically costs about $120/month.

Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from San Francisco to Minneapolis:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,626 - $3,244
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,254 - $4,591
  • 4+ bedrooms: $3,087 - $5,716

What other costs come with moving containers?

  • Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $142 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $285 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 $1,329 in San Francisco, 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 Minneapolis, 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 $1,626. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $2,254 - $4,591, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.

What are the best moving containers San Francisco to Minneapolis?

  1. Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
  2. U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
  3. 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 San Francisco 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 San Francisco:

  • Good Green Moving (4.7/5), 13 years in business
  • Dependable Movers, LLC (4.9/5), 8 years in business
  • Johnson & Daly Moving and Storage (4.9/5), 47 years in business

Moving truck rental costs from San Francisco, CA to Minneapolis, MN

Renting a moving truck for the 1,980-mile move from San Francisco, California, to Minneapolis, Minnesota, costs between $1,235 and $3,506, before these typical add-ons:

  • Fuel for the drive: $1,196 - $1,367
  • Daily insurance: $57/day
  • Equipment rentals: $13 - $38
  • San Francisco daily rental rate: $19 - $39
  • Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.79 - $1.59
Home sizeTypical truck size
Studio / 1 bedroom10 - 12 ft
2 - 3 bedrooms15 - 17 ft
4+ bedrooms20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel)

These are typical moving truck rental costs from San Francisco to Minneapolis based on home size:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,235 - $2,360
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,285 - $2,615
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,556 - $3,506

Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $1,235 - $3,506 does not include fuel ($1,196 - $1,367) , lodging ($285/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from San Francisco to Minneapolis typically runs $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate alone.

What other costs come with rental trucks?

  • Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
  • Lodging: Budget around $285 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 San Francisco, California, usually costs about $1,329 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
  • Gas: Fuel for the 1,980-mile drive falls between $1,196 and $1,367, 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 $95 and $569 to your total.

What are the best moving truck rentals from San Francisco to Minneapolis?

  1. Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
  2. Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
  3. 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 San Francisco, CA to Minneapolis, MN

For larger DIY moves from San Francisco, 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 Minneapolis, 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 most medium-to-large moves on this route, pricing typically falls between $1,701 and $3,637.

Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from San Francisco to Minneapolis:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,449 - $2,721
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,701 - $3,637
  • 4+ bedrooms: $2,281 - $4,620

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?

  • 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 $142 - $285 more per foot.
  • Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in San Francisco, California, for about five hours typically runs $1,329.

What are the best freight companies from San Francisco to Minneapolis?

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. PRO Logistics (4.54/5 stars): PRO Logistics is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned facilities and accessible live support staff make scheduling and route coordination easier on local-area routes than what most national freight providers can offer.

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: San Francisco, CA vs Minneapolis, MN

The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Minneapolis, side by side with San Francisco on housing, income, and taxes.

Measure San Francisco, CA Minneapolis, MN
Cost of living index245107
Average rent$3,250/mo$1,484/mo
Median home value$1,374,773$345,294
Average income$141,446/yr$80,269/yr
Unemployment rate5.4%4.5%
State income taxUp to 13.3%Up to 9.85%
Walkability score99/10071/100
Safety index38.59/10043.94/100
Air qualityModerateGood

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 Minneapolis, MN to San Francisco, 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 375 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 1,980-mile move like this one.

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Our take

Full-service movers on the 1,980-mile route from San Francisco, CA, to Minneapolis, MN, run $1,296 - $11,471 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,626 - $5,716, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $1,235 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,468, 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 Aeon and Target.

FAQs: Moving from San Francisco, CA, to Minneapolis, MN

What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?

The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($1,196 - $1,367), daily insurance ($57/day), and equipment rentals ($13 - $38) on top. Overnight stops can add another $285/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.

What is the cheapest way to move from San Francisco, CA to Minneapolis, MN?

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 $1,285 - $2,615. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.

How much does it cost to move from San Francisco, CA to Minneapolis, MN?

Costs on this route range from around $1,296 to $11,471, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,296 and $11,471, 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 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 3 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.

What do local movers charge in San Francisco?

Local movers based in San Francisco typically start around $284 as a base rate, plus $150/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 Minneapolis run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.

What percentage of San Francisco movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?

About 79% of movers in San Francisco handle piano moves, and 70% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.