($821+) Irvine, CA to Missoula, MT Movers

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Background image of a moving truck moving from Irvine, CA to Missoula, MT

The cost to move from Irvine, CA to Missoula, MT ranges from $1,253 to $9,410, with an average cost of $3,400. Moves can be as low as $821 if you're wanting to DIY it.

This move covers about 1,207 miles and usually takes 2 to 8 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.

Compare moving options from Irvine, CA to Missoula, MT

Moving options from Irvine to Missoula fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,253 - $9,410 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $3,400, 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 1,207 miles and typically takes 2 to 8 days depending on the service you pick.

Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,207-mile route from Irvine to Missoula, broken down by home size:

Home size Full-service movers Moving container Rental truck Freight trailer
Studio / 1 bedroom $1,253 - $5,277 $1,349 - $2,503 $781 - $1,581 $1,179 - $2,275
2 - 3 bedrooms $2,968 - $6,824 $1,755 - $3,387 $906 - $1,735 $1,391 - $2,655
4+ bedrooms $5,040 - $9,410 $2,354 - $4,666 $1,137 - $2,271 $1,829 - $3,409

Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.

Professional
Safeway Moving
star star star star star 4.9 / 5
Read our full Safeway review
Best overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran-owned
Container
Unlimited storage
3 container sizes
10% discount
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
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 Irvine, CA to Missoula, MT

Full-service movers for the 1,207-mile relocation from Irvine, California, to Missoula, Montana, cost between $1,253 and $9,410. 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 $433 - $2,884, 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 Irvine typically charge a base rate around $197 plus $75 per hour, per mover.

Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Irvine to Missoula:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,253 - $5,277
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,968 - $6,824
  • 4+ bedrooms: $5,040 - $9,410

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 Missoula.

The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from California to Montana. 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.

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Specialty moving services from Irvine, CA to Missoula, MT

Specialty needs vary by market — 85% of Irvine movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Missoula, 100% of movers offer the same service.

Service When you need it Typical cost
Full packingFull crew packing100% of local movers$721 - $7,210
Storage in transitNew place not ready85% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Meathead Movers$288 - $1,730/mo
Shuttle feeTruck can't reach door$433 - $3,461
Full-value protectionMore than $0.60/lb coverage39% of local movers$300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value)
Small movesUnder ~2,000 lbs44% of local movers$1,442 - $4,326
Office / commercialWorkplace relocation$3,605 - $14,420
Car shippingSecond vehicle$1,080 - $2,052
Antiques & fine artFragile, high-value items64% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: NorthStar Moving Company $1,442 - $3,605
PianoAny piano type76% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: NorthStar Moving Company $1,154 - $5,047
Pool tableDisassembly & re-leveling35% of local movers$433 - $2,163
Hot tubHeavy, needs disconnect28% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: California Movers Local & Long Distance Moving Company$937 - $2,884
Wine collectionClimate-controlled transport$433 - $21,630+
Pet relocationGround, air, or concierge$433 - $5,047+

What are the best full-service movers from Irvine to Missoula?

  1. Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list, with flat-rate pricing that holds firm on moving day and a customer support team available around the clock.
  2. American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here. With 30+ years of interstate moves behind them, AVL uses full-time in-house crews instead of the contracted labor most national carriers rely on.
  3. Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, with fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan available on every long-distance move.

Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national van lines are the smarter financial choice over local movers in Irvine, 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 Irvine, CA to Missoula, MT

Moving containers from Irvine, California, to Missoula, Montana, cost between $1,349 and $4,666. 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 Irvine costs roughly $110/month if you need it.

Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Irvine to Missoula:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,349 - $2,503
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,755 - $3,387
  • 4+ bedrooms: $2,354 - $4,666

What other costs come with moving containers?

  • Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $108 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $216 per month.
  • Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Missoula, MT, 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 $1,009 in Irvine, 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.

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 $1,349. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,755 - $3,387, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.

What are the best moving containers Irvine to Missoula?

  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 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:

  • California Movers Local & Long Distance Moving Company (5.0/5), 11 years in business
  • Sterling Van Lines (4.6/5), 35 years in business
  • Merit Moving Systems (4.9/5), 39 years in business

Moving truck rental costs from Irvine, CA to Missoula, MT

Truck rentals from Irvine, California, to Missoula, Montana, range from $781 - $2,271 for the 1,207-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:

  • Fuel for the drive: $554 - $633
  • Daily insurance: $43/day
  • Equipment rentals: $10 - $29
  • Irvine daily rental rate: $19 - $39
  • Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.79 - $1.09
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 Irvine to Missoula based on home size:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $781 - $1,581
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $906 - $1,735
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,137 - $2,271

Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Irvine to Missoula starts at $781 - $2,271, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($554 - $633) , overnight lodging ($216/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for an additional $600 - $1,200 on top of your base rate to cover those costs.

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 $108 and $505.
  • Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $216.
  • Gas: Expect fuel to run between $554 and $633 for the 1,207-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 $1,009 for 2 movers in Irvine, California, for about 5 hours.
  • Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.

What are the best moving truck rentals from Irvine to Missoula?

  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 Irvine, CA to Missoula, MT

For larger DIY moves from Irvine, 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 Missoula, Montana.

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 $1,391 and $2,655.

Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Irvine to Missoula:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,179 - $2,275
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,391 - $2,655
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,829 - $3,409

Pro tip: Freight trailers offer generous space but reward good packing strategy. The 4-foot ramp can be challenging for large or heavy pieces, and using the full 8-foot height takes careful stacking. Because you're billed by the linear foot, maximizing vertical space keeps your costs lower.

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 $1,009.
  • More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $108 and $216 per foot.

What are the best freight companies from Irvine to Missoula?

  1. MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the pick for best for large moves. The company is well-regarded as a top moving container option for its load-it-yourself, we-drive-it model, and that same model makes it a strong freight option for larger homes that benefit from the company's 53-foot trucks and footage-based pricing.
  2. U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Alongside their flagship container service, U-Pack provides a top-notch freight trailer option that follows the same model: no deposits, no upfront fees, and pricing based on the linear footage you actually use.
  3. ALL Service Handling (4.76/5 stars): ALL Service Handling is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned and based facilities mean accessible support staff and area-specific scheduling flexibility that national-only freight carriers typically don't match.

Pro tip: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in Missoula 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 Missoula, MT

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

Measure Irvine, CA Missoula, MT
Cost of living index165113
Average rent$4,000/mo$1,322/mo
Median home value$1,113,305$426,764
Average income$129,647/yr$65,329/yr
Unemployment rate5.4%4.4%
State income taxUp to 13.3%Up to 6.75%
Walkability score43/10045/100
Safety index68.99/10066.73/100
Air qualityGoodGood

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 Missoula, MT to Irvine, CA guide.

Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:

In the past 3 months we've processed 1 quotes from California to Montana, 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 374 movers in California, so you have real options to compare for this 1,207-mile move.

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Our take

How you handle your interstate move from Irvine, CA, to Missoula, MT, 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 $1,253 - $9,410 on the 1,207-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,349 - $4,666 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $781 - $2,271 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $2,968 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 Walmart AT&T and Target.

FAQs: Moving from Irvine, CA, to Missoula, MT

What is the cheapest way to move from Irvine, CA to Missoula, MT?

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 $906 - $1,735. 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 ($554 - $633), daily insurance ($43/day), and equipment rentals ($10 - $29) on top. Overnight stops can add another $216/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.

How long does a move from Irvine, CA to Missoula, MT take?

Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 5 - 7 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are usually the fastest option outside of driving yourself, with deliveries in 3 - 5 days, 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 Irvine, CA to Missoula, MT?

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 are some tips for saving money on a move from Irvine, CA to Missoula, MT?

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 76% of movers in Irvine handle piano moves, and 64% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.