($659+) San Jose, CA to Missoula, MT Movers

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

The cost to move from San Jose, CA to Missoula, MT ranges from $1,197 to $8,231, with an average cost of $3,150. Moves can be as low as $659 if you're wanting to DIY it.

This move covers about 1,009 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 San Jose, CA to Missoula, MT

Moving options from San Jose to Missoula fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,197 - $8,231 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $3,150, 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 1,009 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 1,009-mile route from San Jose to Missoula, broken down by home size:

Home size Full-service movers Moving container Rental truck Freight trailer
Studio / 1 bedroom $1,197 - $4,924 $1,207 - $2,336 $693 - $1,316 $1,152 - $2,020
2 - 3 bedrooms $2,723 - $6,662 $1,616 - $3,029 $734 - $1,642 $1,293 - $2,572
4+ bedrooms $4,288 - $8,231 $2,116 - $4,190 $931 - $1,922 $1,642 - $3,286

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 San Jose, CA to Missoula, MT

Hiring full-service movers from San Jose, California, to Missoula, Montana, costs between $1,197 and $8,231. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 1,009-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $551 - $3,676, 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 Jose and Missoula. For a rough baseline, movers based in San Jose tend to start around $316 plus $119/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 Jose to Missoula:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,197 - $4,924
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,723 - $6,662
  • 4+ bedrooms: $4,288 - $8,231

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 Jose 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: Demand for full-service movers surges during peak moving season from May - September, pushing prices higher. Shifting your move to a cooler month could save you a meaningful amount on your total bill.

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Specialty moving services from San Jose, CA to Missoula, MT

Specialty needs vary by market — 81% of San Jose 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 packing97% of local movers$919 - $9,190
Storage in transitNew place not ready81% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Fairprice Movers$368 - $2,206/mo
Shuttle feeTruck can't reach door$551 - $4,411
Full-value protectionMore than $0.60/lb coverage47% of local movers$300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value)
Small movesUnder ~2,000 lbs44% of local movers$1,838 - $5,514
Office / commercialWorkplace relocation$4,595 - $18,380
Car shippingSecond vehicle$1,377 - $2,615
Antiques & fine artFragile, high-value items68% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Fairprice Movers$1,838 - $4,595
PianoAny piano type77% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Fairprice Movers$1,470 - $6,433
Pool tableDisassembly & re-leveling37% of local movers$551 - $2,757
Hot tubHeavy, needs disconnect28% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Arnoni Moving Services LLC$1,195 - $3,676
Wine collectionClimate-controlled transport$551 - $27,570+
Pet relocationGround, air, or concierge$551 - $6,433+

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

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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 Jose, 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 Jose, CA to Missoula, MT

Moving containers from San Jose, California, to Missoula, Montana, cost between $1,207 and $4,190. 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 Jose typically runs around $120/month.

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

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,207 - $2,336
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,616 - $3,029
  • 4+ bedrooms: $2,116 - $4,190

What other costs come with moving containers?

  • Access: Most major container brands operate in both San Jose, CA and Missoula, MT. Still, double-check that a nearby facility is available if you need to access your belongings before delivery.
  • Moving labor: Because containers are self-loaded, many customers hire hourly help. Two movers for about 5 hours typically cost around $1,287 in San Jose, CA, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
  • Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $138 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $276 for larger ones (12 - 16 feet).
  • Added contents protection: For more coverage beyond the standard minimum, full-value protection is the typical upgrade, generally 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value. On a $50,000 household, that's roughly $500 - $1,000 as a one-time fee.

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 $1,207. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,616 - $3,029, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.

What are the best moving containers San Jose 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 San Jose 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 Jose:

  • Best California Movers (5.0/5), 7 years in business
  • College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (5.0/5), 16 years in business
  • Trek Movers (4.8/5), 10 years in business

Moving truck rental costs from San Jose, CA to Missoula, MT

A rental truck for this 1,009-mile move from San Jose, California, to Missoula, Montana, costs between $693 and $1,922. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:

  • Fuel for the drive: $590 - $674
  • Daily insurance: $55/day
  • Equipment rentals: $13 - $37
  • San Jose daily rental rate: $19 - $49
  • Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.99 - $1.19
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 San Jose to Missoula based on home size:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $693 - $1,316
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $734 - $1,642
  • 4+ bedrooms: $931 - $1,922

Pro tip: A rental truck from San Jose to Missoula looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $693 - $1,922. But once you factor in fuel ($590 - $674) , overnight lodging ($276/night), meals, and equipment rentals, most people end up spending $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate suggests. Building that into your budget upfront saves you from sticker shock at the end of the move.

What other costs come with rental trucks?

  • Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $276 per night. Most long-distance moves with rental trucks require 1 - 3 overnight stops.
  • Equipment: Tow dollies, auto trailers, and specialty moving equipment can add between $119 and $597 to your total.
  • Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
  • Gas: Plan on spending $590 - $674 in fuel for the 1,009-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
  • Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $1,287 in San Jose, California, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.

What are the best moving truck rentals from San Jose 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 San Jose, CA to Missoula, MT

If you're moving a larger household from San Jose, California, and want to stay in control of the loading process, freight trailers offer a practical middle ground between hiring movers and renting a truck yourself. A 28-foot trailer is delivered to your door, you load what you need, and the carrier handles the drive to Missoula, Montana.

Freight trailers are priced by the linear feet your belongings take up, so you only pay for the space you use. Most moves on this route fall between $1,293 and $2,572.

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

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,152 - $2,020
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,293 - $2,572
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,642 - $3,286

Pro tip: Loading a freight trailer is a bit different from filling a container. The 4-foot ramp can be steep with large items, and getting the most out of 8 feet of vertical clearance takes planning. Since pricing is based on linear feet used, every inch of wasted space has a cost.

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 Jose, California, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $1,287.
  • More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $138 and $276 per foot.

What are the best freight companies from San Jose to Missoula?

  1. MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the best for large moves pick. While it's a top moving container option for the DIY hybrid setup (you handle the loading, they handle the driving), the same approach makes it a strong freight choice for 3 to 5+ bedroom homes that need 53 feet of trailer capacity with pay-as-you-go pricing.
  2. U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer here. In addition to their popular container service, U-Pack delivers a top-tier freight trailer option that uses the same pay-by-the-foot pricing model and skips deposits and upfront fees entirely.
  3. PRO Logistics (4.54/5 stars): PRO Logistics is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Local ownership translates to accessible support staff and facilities based in the communities they serve, giving customers more direct communication than they'd typically get from a national-only freight network.

Pro tip: Freight trailers are one of the fastest ways to move your belongings interstate, often beating full-service movers on delivery time. If getting your stuff to Missoula quickly is a priority, freight is worth a hard look. That said, freight carriers typically require you to be available to receive your shipment within a set window, so if you need short-term storage or your new place won't be ready right away, a container or full-service mover may give you more flexibility.

Cost of living: San Jose, 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 San Jose on housing, income, and taxes.

Measure San Jose, CA Missoula, MT
Cost of living index231113
Average rent$3,095/mo$1,322/mo
Median home value$1,184,000$426,764
Average income$141,565/yr$65,329/yr
Unemployment rate6.6%4.4%
State income taxUp to 13.3%Up to 6.75%
Walkability score51/10045/100
Safety index52.27/10066.73/100
Air qualityModerateGood

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 San Jose, CA guide.

Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:

Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 1 real quotes from California to Montana, 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 374 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 1,009-mile move like this one.

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Our take

The 1,009-mile move from San Jose, CA, to Missoula, MT, costs between $1,197 and $8,231 with full-service movers, $1,207 - $4,190 with a moving container, and $693 - $1,922 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 $2,723 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 Walmart AT&T and Target.

FAQs: Moving from San Jose, CA, to Missoula, MT

How long does a move from San Jose, 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 are the best neighborhoods in Missoula?

For families, Lewis And Clark, Rose Park, and Miller Creek are worth a look in Missoula. If you're moving solo or without kids, Heart Of Missoula, Lewis And Clark, and Farviews And Pattee tend to be popular picks instead.

What is the cheapest way to move from San Jose, 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 $734 - $1,642. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.

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 52.27 and 47.73 in San Jose. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.

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.

What percentage of San Jose movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?

About 77% of movers in San Jose handle piano moves, and 68% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.