($1,178+) San Francisco, CA to St. Paul, MN Movers
The cost to move from San Francisco, CA to St. Paul, MN ranges from $1,212 to $11,332, 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 2,015 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 San Francisco, CA to St. Paul, MN
Moving options from San Francisco to St. Paul fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,212 - $11,332 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 39% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 62% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This particular route covers 2,015 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 2,015-mile route from San Francisco to St. Paul, broken down by home size:
Home size makes the biggest difference in what you'll pay on this route. A studio or 1-bedroom runs $1,212 - $5,090 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($1,560 - $3,113), rental truck ($1,201 - $2,227), or freight trailer ($1,362 - $2,829). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $3,259 - $7,524 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $11,332.
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 San Francisco, CA to St. Paul, MN
Hiring full-service movers from San Francisco, California, to St. Paul, Minnesota, costs between $1,212 and $11,332. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 2,015-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $563 - $3,756, 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 San Francisco and St. Paul. For a rough baseline, movers based in San Francisco tend to start around $284 plus $150/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 San Francisco to St. Paul:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,212 - $5,090
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,259 - $7,524
- 4+ bedrooms: $6,042 - $11,332
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 St. Paul.
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.
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 San Francisco, CA to St. Paul, MN
Specialty needs vary by market: 54% of San Francisco 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 packing76% of local movers | $939 - $9,390 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready54% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Pure Moving Company | $376 - $2,254/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $563 - $4,507 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage15% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs51% of local movers | $1,878 - $5,634 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $4,695 - $18,780 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,407 - $2,672 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items29% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Pure Moving Company | $1,878 - $4,695 |
| Piano | Any piano type38% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Got2Move | $1,502 - $6,573 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling4% of local movers | $563 - $2,817 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect5% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Silicon Valley Moving and Storage (CA) | $1,221 - $3,756 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $563 - $28,170+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $563 - $6,573+ |
What are the best full-service movers from San Francisco to St. Paul?
If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in Minnesota Transport Services Association is a good first thing to confirm.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 van lines are the smarter financial choice over local movers in San Francisco, 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 San Francisco, CA to St. Paul, MN
Moving containers from San Francisco, California, to St. Paul, Minnesota, cost between $1,560 and $5,716. 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 San Francisco typically runs around $120/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from San Francisco to St. Paul:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,560 - $3,113
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,998 - $4,069
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,709 - $5,716
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Because loading is on you with a container move, hourly labor help is a popular add-on. In San Francisco, CA, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $1,315, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: After the first month, ongoing rental fees kick in. A small container (7 - 8 feet) averages about $141 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $282 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both San Francisco, CA, and St. Paul, MN, but confirm a facility is within reasonable distance if you need to retrieve items while in storage.
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection provides broader coverage than the standard liability in your contract. It typically costs 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on $50,000 worth of belongings.
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 $1,560. 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 $1,998 - $4,069.
What are the best moving containers San Francisco 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 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:
- Got2Move (4.8/5), 19 years in business
- Sweet Lemon Moving Services (5.0/5), 9 years in business
- 680 Movers (4.8/5), 9 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from San Francisco, CA to St. Paul, MN
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 2,015 miles from San Francisco, California, to St. Paul, Minnesota, running $1,201 - $3,375. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $1,204 - $1,376
- Daily insurance: $56/day
- Equipment rentals: $13 - $38
- San Francisco daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.79 - $1.59
| 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 San Francisco to St. Paul based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,201 - $2,227
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,226 - $2,625
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,578 - $3,375
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $1,201 - $3,375 does not include fuel ($1,204 - $1,376), lodging ($282/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from San Francisco 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?
- Equipment: Tow dollies, appliance dollies, and moving pads are not included in the base rate. These extras often total between $141 and $657.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $282.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $1,204 and $1,376 for the 2,015-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 $1,315 for 2 movers in San Francisco, California, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from San Francisco 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 San Francisco, CA to St. Paul, 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 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 $1,567 and $3,221.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from San Francisco to St. Paul:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,362 - $2,829
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,567 - $3,221
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,257 - $4,754
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 San Francisco, California, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $1,315.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $141 and $282 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from San Francisco 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: San Francisco, 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 San Francisco on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | San Francisco, CA | St. Paul, MN |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 245 | 102 |
| Average rent | $3,250/mo | $1,350/mo |
| Median home value | $1,374,773 | $279,535 |
| Average income | $141,446/yr | $73,055/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 5.4% | 4.9% |
| State income tax | Up to 13.3% | Up to 9.85% |
| Walkability score | 99/100 | 60/100 |
| Safety index | 38.59/100 | 49.14/100 |
| 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 St. Paul, 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 1,154 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 2,015-mile move like this one.
Our take
The 2,015-mile move from San Francisco, CA, to St. Paul, MN, costs between $1,212 and $11,332 with full-service movers, $1,560 - $5,716 with a moving container, and $1,201 - $3,375 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 $3,259 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 Siemens and ACS Group.
FAQs: Moving from San Francisco, CA, to St. Paul, MN
How much does it cost to move from San Francisco, CA to St. Paul, MN?
Costs on this route range from around $1,178 to $11,332, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,212 and $11,332, 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 is the cheapest way to move from San Francisco, CA to St. Paul, 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 $1,226 - $2,625. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($1,204 - $1,376), daily insurance ($56/day), and equipment rentals ($13 - $38) on top. Overnight stops can add another $282/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How long does a move from San Francisco, CA to St. Paul, MN take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 6 to 17 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are often one of the faster options outside of driving yourself, 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 is the best time of year to move from San Francisco, CA to St. Paul, MN?
Aim for a move between October and March, when demand drops and rates tend to be lower across all service types. Peak season runs mid-May through mid-September, and weekends and month-end dates are pricier regardless of season. A midweek, mid-month date outside peak season is your best bet for saving money.
What percentage of San Francisco movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 38% of movers in San Francisco handle piano moves, and 29% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.