($753+) Riverside, CA to Missoula, MT Movers
The cost to move from Riverside, CA to Missoula, MT ranges from $1,263 to $9,325, with an average cost of $3,350. Moves can be as low as $753 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 1,176 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.
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Compare moving options from Riverside, CA to Missoula, MT
Moving options from Riverside to Missoula fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,263 - $9,325 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $3,350, 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 1,176 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 1,176-mile route from Riverside to Missoula, broken down by home size:
- Full-service movers: $1,263 for a studio up to $9,325 for a 4+ bedroom home.
- Moving containers: $1,363 - $4,395 depending on home size.
- Rental trucks: $815 - $2,210, the lowest-cost option across the board.
- Freight trailers: $1,180 - $3,587, 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 September 16, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Riverside, CA to Missoula, MT
Hiring full-service movers from Riverside, California, to Missoula, Montana, costs between $1,263 and $9,325. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 1,176-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $371 - $2,476, 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 Riverside and Missoula. For a rough baseline, movers based in Riverside tend to start around $239 plus $75/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 Riverside to Missoula:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,263 - $5,007
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,720 - $6,854
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,979 - $9,325
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 Riverside 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: 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 Riverside, CA to Missoula, MT
Specialty needs vary by market — 84% of Riverside 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 packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $619 - $6,190 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready84% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: VIP Transport, Inc. | $248 - $1,486/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $371 - $2,971 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage42% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs33% of local movers | $1,238 - $3,714 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,095 - $12,380 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $927 - $1,762 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items62% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: VIP Transport, Inc. | $1,238 - $3,095 |
| Piano | Any piano type75% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: VIP Transport, Inc. | $990 - $4,333 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling38% of local movers | $371 - $1,857 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect27% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: JFK Moving Company | $805 - $2,476 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $371 - $18,570+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $371 - $4,333+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Riverside to Missoula?
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Riverside, CA. At that distance, local movers often charge 30% - 40% more because they don't spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments the way national carriers do. If a direct route and faster delivery (averaging 2 days) are priorities, a local mover may be worth considering, but that service comes at a higher price.
Moving container costs from Riverside, CA to Missoula, MT
Moving containers from Riverside, California, to Missoula, Montana, cost between $1,363 and $4,395. 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 Riverside costs roughly $100/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Riverside to Missoula:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,363 - $2,504
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,706 - $3,186
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,377 - $4,395
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $93 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $186 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 $867 in Riverside, 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 Missoula, MT, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
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 $1,363. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,706 - $3,186, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Riverside to Missoula?
- 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 Riverside 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 Riverside:
- JFK Moving Company (4.8/5), 6 years in business
- Burgess Moving and Storage (4.7/5), 80 years in business
- Alex Moving and Storage (3.6/5), 24 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Riverside, CA to Missoula, MT
A rental truck for this 1,176-mile move from Riverside, California, to Missoula, Montana, costs between $815 and $2,210. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $463 - $529
- Daily insurance: $37/day
- Equipment rentals: $9 - $25
- Riverside 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 Riverside to Missoula based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $815 - $1,524
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $856 - $1,831
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,108 - $2,210
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $815 - $2,210 when pricing out a rental truck from Riverside to Missoula. Fuel alone runs ($463 - $529) , and overnight lodging ($186/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend an additional $600 - $1,200 beyond the base rate by the time the move is done.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $186 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 Riverside, California, usually costs about $867 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 1,176-mile drive falls between $463 and $529, 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 $62 and $371 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Riverside to Missoula?
- 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 Riverside, CA to Missoula, MT
For larger DIY moves from Riverside, 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 $1,338 and $2,684.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Riverside to Missoula:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,180 - $2,058
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,338 - $2,684
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,847 - $3,587
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?
- 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 $93 - $186 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Riverside, California, for about five hours typically runs $867.
What are the best freight companies from Riverside to Missoula?
- 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.
- ALL Service Handling (4.76/5 stars): ALL Service Handling 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: If speed matters on your move from Riverside to Missoula, freight trailers are one of the fastest interstate options available, second only to renting a truck and driving it yourself. The tradeoff is that freight works best when you're ready to receive your belongings on the other end. If your timeline is tight on the receiving side or you need a short storage buffer, a moving container might be a better fit.
Cost of living: Riverside, 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 Riverside on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Riverside, CA | Missoula, MT |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 131 | 113 |
| Average rent | $2,295/mo | $1,322/mo |
| Median home value | $539,898 | $426,764 |
| Average income | $88,575/yr | $65,329/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 7.1% | 4.4% |
| State income tax | Up to 13.3% | Up to 6.75% |
| Walkability score | 43/100 | 45/100 |
| Safety index | 59.76/100 | 66.73/100 |
| 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 Missoula, MT to Riverside, CA guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 1 real quotes from California to Montana, so our pricing data stays current. Use our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and spot bad actors early. We track 374 movers licensed in California, useful context for sizing up this 1,176-mile move.
Our take
For a move from Riverside, CA, to Missoula, MT, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $1,263 for a studio to $9,325 for a 4 - 5 bedroom home on the 1,176-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,363 - $4,395. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $815 - $2,210, though you'll be handling the driving and loading yourself. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with quotes starting around $2,720 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage included, and 24/7 live customer support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Walmart AT&T and Target.
FAQs: Moving from Riverside, CA, to Missoula, MT
How do I know a mover is licensed in Montana?
In Montana, local and intrastate movers need to have a valid Public Service Commission (PSC) number issued by the Montana Department of Transportation (MDOT).
What is the best time of year to move from Riverside, 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 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.
Is Missoula a safe place to live?
Missoula has a safety index of 66.73 out of 100 and a crime index of 33.27, compared to 59.76 and 40.24 in Riverside. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What is the cheapest way to move from Riverside, 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 $856 - $1,831. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What percentage of Riverside movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 75% of movers in Riverside handle piano moves, and 62% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
