($737+) San Francisco, CA to Billings, MT Movers
The cost to move from San Francisco, CA to Billings, MT ranges from $1,156 to $8,064, with an average cost of $3,200. Moves can be as low as $737 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 1,164 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.
Fact Checked by:
Compare moving options from San Francisco, CA to Billings, MT
Moving options from San Francisco to Billings fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,156 - $8,064 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $3,200, and movers handle all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 43% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 71% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This particular route covers 1,164 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 1,164-mile route from San Francisco to Billings, broken down by home size:
- A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $1,156 - $4,817 with full-service movers, $1,229 - $2,322 with a container, $737 - $1,458 with a rental truck, or $1,105 - $2,048 by freight.
- A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $2,708 - $6,195 full-service, $1,551 - $3,329 by container, $788 - $1,734 by rental truck, or $1,304 - $2,486 by freight.
- A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $4,336 - $8,064 full-service, $2,227 - $4,276 by container, $1,040 - $1,951 by rental truck, or $1,748 - $3,421 by freight.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated October 30, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from San Francisco, CA to Billings, MT
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 1,164-mile move from San Francisco, California, to Billings, Montana, with prices running from $1,156 - $8,064. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $555 - $3,700 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between San Francisco and Billings are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, San Francisco movers tend to run around $284 as a base rate plus $150/hour per mover, for comparison.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from San Francisco to Billings:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,156 - $4,817
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,708 - $6,195
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,336 - $8,064
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 Billings.
Pro tip: Peak moving season (May - September) limits truck availability and pushes up full-service moving costs. Booking during slower months can give you more scheduling room and a lower final price.
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 Billings, MT
Specialty needs vary by market: 54% of San Francisco movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Billings, 67% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing76% of local movers | $925 - $9,250 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready54% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: NorthStar Moving Company | $370 - $2,220/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $555 - $4,440 |
| 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 | $1,850 - $5,550 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $4,625 - $18,500 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,386 - $2,633 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items29% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: NorthStar Moving Company | $1,850 - $4,625 |
| Piano | Any piano type38% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: NorthStar Moving Company | $1,480 - $6,475 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling4% of local movers | $555 - $2,775 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect5% of local movers9% nationally | $1,203 - $3,700 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $555 - $27,750+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $555 - $6,475+ |
What are the best full-service movers from San Francisco to Billings?
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing means no surprise charges on moving day, and their support team is consistently rated among the most responsive in the industry.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here, with 30+ years in business since 1995. AVL is one of the few national carriers that uses full-time in-house crews instead of contracted labor.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, with fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan that covers damage, loss, and breakage.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in San Francisco, 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 San Francisco, CA to Billings, MT
Moving containers from San Francisco, California, to Billings, Montana, cost between $1,229 and $4,276. The container gets dropped at your door and you load it at your own pace. U-Haul gives you 3 days to load and PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're done, the company handles all the transportation. If you need extra time, storage in San Francisco runs about $120/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from San Francisco to Billings:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,229 - $2,322
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,551 - $3,329
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,227 - $4,276
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Containers are self-loaded, so many people hire hourly help for the heavy lifting. moveBuddha data shows two movers for about five hours runs around $1,295 in San Francisco, CA. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: If you want stronger coverage than the default liability, full-value protection is the upgrade to consider. Most providers charge 1% - 2% of your shipment value, roughly $500 - $1,000 for $50,000 in contents.
- Storage: After the first month, rental fees average $139 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $278 per month for a larger 12- to 16-foot unit.
- Access: If you anticipate needing to access items while in storage, confirm there's a facility conveniently located near your Billings, MT, destination before booking.
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 $1,229. 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 $1,551 - $3,329.
What are the best moving containers San Francisco to Billings?
- 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 Billings, MT
Truck rentals from San Francisco, California, to Billings, Montana, range from $737 - $1,951 for the 1,164-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $685 - $783
- Daily insurance: $56/day
- Equipment rentals: $13 - $37
- 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 Billings based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $737 - $1,458
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $788 - $1,734
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,040 - $1,951
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from San Francisco to Billings starts at $737 - $1,951, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($685 - $783), overnight lodging ($278/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for roughly $600 - $1,200 more on top of fuel and lodging to cover meals, equipment, and other extras.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $278 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 $1,295 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 1,164-mile drive falls between $685 and $783, 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 $93 and $555 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from San Francisco to Billings?
- 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 Billings, MT
Freight trailers are a good fit for medium-to-large moves where you need more space than a container but don't want to drive a rental truck from San Francisco, California, to Billings, Montana. The trailer is delivered to your address, you load it, and the carrier takes it the rest of the way.
Unlike truck rentals with flat rates, freight trailers scale with your shipment. Every additional section of trailer space you fill increases your total. A 2 - 3 bedroom long-distance move using this method runs roughly between $1,304 and $2,486.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from San Francisco to Billings:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,105 - $2,048
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,304 - $2,486
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,748 - $3,421
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?
- 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 $139 - $278 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in San Francisco, California, for about five hours typically runs $1,295.
What are the best freight companies from San Francisco to Billings?
- 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.
- 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.
Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from San Francisco to Billings, 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: San Francisco, CA vs Billings, MT
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Billings, side by side with San Francisco on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | San Francisco, CA | Billings, MT |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 245 | 95 |
| Average rent | $3,250/mo | $1,300/mo |
| Median home value | $1,374,773 | $310,937 |
| Average income | $141,446/yr | $71,855/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 5.4% | 4.1% |
| State income tax | Up to 13.3% | Up to 6.75% |
| Walkability score | 99/100 | 35/100 |
| Safety index | 38.59/100 | 50.37/100 |
| 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 Billings, MT to San Francisco, CA guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 1 real quote from California to Montana over the past 3 months, giving us some of the most up-to-date pricing data around. Running your move through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. There are 1,126 movers in our California network to compare for this 1,164-mile move.
Our take
For a move from San Francisco, CA, to Billings, MT, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $1,156 for a studio to $8,064 for a 4+ bedroom home on the 1,164-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,229 - $4,276. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $737 - $1,951, 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 $2,708 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 Billings Clinic and First Interstate BancSystem.
FAQs: Moving from San Francisco, CA, to Billings, MT
How long does a move from San Francisco, CA to Billings, MT take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 2 to 8 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 extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($685 - $783), daily insurance ($56/day), and equipment rentals ($13 - $37) on top. Overnight stops can add another $278/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
What is the cheapest way to move from San Francisco, CA to Billings, 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 $788 - $1,734. 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 Billings, MT?
Costs on this route range from around $737 to $8,064, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,156 and $8,064, 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 4 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
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 40% and 26% nationally.