($1,139+) Santa Ana, CA to Minneapolis, MN Movers
The cost to move from Santa Ana, CA to Minneapolis, MN ranges from $1,229 to $10,802, with an average cost of $3,850. Moves can be as low as $1,139 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 1,923 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 Santa Ana, CA to Minneapolis, MN
Moving options from Santa Ana to Minneapolis fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,229 - $10,802 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $3,850, and movers handle all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 41% 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 1,923 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 1,923-mile route from Santa Ana to Minneapolis, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,229 - $5,045 | $1,457 - $2,934 | $1,117 - $2,130 | $1,310 - $2,562 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $3,207 - $7,317 | $1,884 - $4,192 | $1,196 - $2,609 | $1,570 - $3,321 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $6,316 - $10,802 | $2,605 - $5,701 | $1,450 - $3,042 | $2,170 - $4,386 |
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 Santa Ana, CA to Minneapolis, MN
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 1,923-mile move from Santa Ana, California, to Minneapolis, Minnesota, with costs ranging from $1,229 - $10,802. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $425 - $2,836. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Santa Ana and Minneapolis. Local movers in Santa Ana typically start around $185 as a base rate plus $75/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Santa Ana to Minneapolis:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,229 - $5,045
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,207 - $7,317
- 4+ bedrooms: $6,316 - $10,802
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 Santa Ana to Minneapolis.
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 Santa Ana, CA to Minneapolis, MN
Specialty needs vary by market: 54% of Santa Ana movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Minneapolis, 69% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing78% of local movers | $709 - $7,090 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready54% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Meathead Movers | $284 - $1,702/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $425 - $3,403 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage12% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs55% of local movers | $1,418 - $4,254 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,545 - $14,180 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,062 - $2,018 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items29% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: SOS Moving, LLC | $1,418 - $3,545 |
| Piano | Any piano type39% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: SOS Moving, LLC | $1,134 - $4,963 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling10% of local movers | $425 - $2,127 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect5% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Silicon Valley Moving and Storage (CA) | $922 - $2,836 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $425 - $21,270+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $425 - $4,963+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Santa Ana to Minneapolis?
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 full-service movers are the more cost-efficient choice. Local movers in Santa Ana, CA, often charge 30% - 40% more at that distance because their operations aren't built for long-haul logistics. The exception is if you want a dedicated point-to-point truck with an average 2-day delivery, though that level of service generally increases your total cost.
Moving container costs from Santa Ana, CA to Minneapolis, MN
Moving containers from Santa Ana, California, to Minneapolis, Minnesota, cost between $1,457 and $5,701. You're in charge of loading, and the timeline is yours to set. U-Haul allows 3 days while PODS gives you a full 30. After that, the company picks it up and delivers it to your new address. Running behind schedule? Storage in Santa Ana costs roughly $110/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Santa Ana to Minneapolis:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,457 - $2,934
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,884 - $4,192
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,605 - $5,701
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $106 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $213 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Minneapolis, MN, 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 $993 in Santa Ana, 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 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 $1,457. 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 $1,884 - $4,192.
What are the best moving containers Santa Ana to Minneapolis?
- 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 Santa Ana 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 Santa Ana:
- 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 Santa Ana, CA to Minneapolis, MN
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 1,923 miles from Santa Ana, California, to Minneapolis, Minnesota, running $1,117 - $3,042. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $868 - $992
- Daily insurance: $43/day
- Equipment rentals: $10 - $28
- Santa Ana 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 Santa Ana to Minneapolis based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,117 - $2,130
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,196 - $2,609
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,450 - $3,042
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $1,117 - $3,042 when pricing out a rental truck from Santa Ana to Minneapolis. Fuel alone runs $868 - $992, and overnight lodging ($213/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend roughly $600 - $1,200 more on meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging by the time the move is done.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Gas: Fuel adds $868 - $992 for the 1,923-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 Santa Ana, California, for about 5 hours typically costs around $993.
- Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
- Lodging: The 1,923-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $213 per night, adding $425 - $638 in hotel costs total.
- Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $71 and $425.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Santa Ana to Minneapolis?
- 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 Santa Ana, CA to Minneapolis, MN
For larger DIY moves from Santa Ana, 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 a 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route, pricing typically falls between $1,570 and $3,321.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Santa Ana to Minneapolis:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,310 - $2,562
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,570 - $3,321
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,170 - $4,386
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?
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In Santa Ana, California, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $993.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $106 - $213 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 Santa Ana to Minneapolis?
- 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: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Santa Ana to Minneapolis. If you have a hard move-in date and want your stuff there as soon as possible, freight is hard to beat. It's worth noting that freight works best when you're ready to receive your delivery, so if your move-in date is still up in the air or you'll need short-term storage, a moving container is likely the more practical choice.
Cost of living: Santa Ana, 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 Santa Ana on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Santa Ana, CA | Minneapolis, MN |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 165 | 107 |
| Average rent | $2,650/mo | $1,484/mo |
| Median home value | $657,015 | $345,294 |
| Average income | $88,354/yr | $80,269/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 7.0% | 4.5% |
| State income tax | Up to 13.3% | Up to 9.85% |
| Walkability score | 67/100 | 71/100 |
| Safety index | 45.83/100 | 43.94/100 |
| 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 Minneapolis, MN to Santa Ana, CA guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from California to Minnesota in the past 3 months alone, keeping our pricing data current. Run your numbers through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. For context, we track 1,154 movers based in California, handy for sizing up options on this 1,923-mile route.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from Santa Ana, CA, to Minneapolis, MN, comes down to your budget and how much time and work you're able to put into it. Hands-off relocations handled by full-service movers range from $1,229 - $10,802 on the 1,923-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,457 - $5,701 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $1,117 - $3,042 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $3,207 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and 24/7 live support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Aeon and Target.
FAQs: Moving from Santa Ana, CA, to Minneapolis, MN
What is the best time of year to move from Santa Ana, CA to Minneapolis, 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.
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 ($868 - $992), daily insurance ($43/day), and equipment rentals ($10 - $28) on top. Overnight stops can add another $213/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How walkable is Minneapolis?
Minneapolis has a walkability score of 71 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 83, compared to 67 and 62 in Santa Ana. 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 Santa Ana, CA to Minneapolis, MN?
Costs on this route range from around $1,139 to $10,802, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,229 and $10,802, 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 percentage of Santa Ana movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 39% of movers in Santa Ana handle piano moves, and 29% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.