($796+) Santa Ana, CA to Billings, MT Movers
The cost to move from Santa Ana, CA to Billings, MT ranges from $1,222 to $8,632, with an average cost of $3,350. Moves can be as low as $796 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 1,232 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 Santa Ana, CA to Billings, MT
Moving options from Santa Ana to Billings fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,222 - $8,632 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 1,232 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 1,232-mile route from Santa Ana to Billings, broken down by home size:
- Full-service movers: $1,222 for a studio up to $8,632 for a 4+ bedroom home.
- Moving containers: $1,274 - $4,284 depending on home size.
- Rental trucks: $788 - $2,076, the lowest-cost option across the board.
- Freight trailers: $1,101 - $3,427, 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 October 6, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Santa Ana, CA to Billings, MT
Full-service movers for the 1,232-mile relocation from Santa Ana, California, to Billings, Montana, cost between $1,222 and $8,632. 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 $411 - $2,740, 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 Santa Ana typically charge a base rate around $185 plus $75 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Santa Ana to Billings:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,222 - $4,703
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,829 - $6,040
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,777 - $8,632
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 Billings.
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 Santa Ana, CA to Billings, MT
Specialty needs vary by market — 83% of Santa Ana movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Billings, 60% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $685 - $6,850 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready83% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Meathead Movers | $274 - $1,644/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $411 - $3,288 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage40% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs49% of local movers | $1,370 - $4,110 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,425 - $13,700 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,026 - $1,950 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items64% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Best Fit Movers | $1,370 - $3,425 |
| Piano | Any piano type78% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Best Fit Movers | $1,096 - $4,795 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling36% of local movers | $411 - $2,055 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect28% of local movers21% nationallyTop pick: Best Fit Movers | $891 - $2,740 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $411 - $20,550+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $411 - $4,795+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Santa Ana to Billings?
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 customer support, and 30 days of free storage are included with every move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list, 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, combining 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 van lines are the smarter financial choice over local movers in Santa Ana, 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 Santa Ana, CA to Billings, MT
Moving containers from Santa Ana, California, to Billings, Montana, cost between $1,274 and $4,284. 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 Santa Ana typically runs around $110/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Santa Ana to Billings:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,274 - $2,366
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,673 - $3,330
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,224 - $4,284
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Access: Most major container brands operate in both Santa Ana, CA and Billings, 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 $959 in Santa Ana, CA, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $103 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $206 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 $1,274. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,673 - $3,330, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Santa Ana 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 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:
- Best Fit Movers (4.8/5), 8 years in business
- Merit Moving Systems (4.9/5), 39 years in business
- Sterling Van Lines (4.6/5), 35 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Santa Ana, CA to Billings, MT
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 1,232 miles from Santa Ana, California, to Billings, Montana, running $788 - $2,076. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $537 - $614
- Daily insurance: $41/day
- Equipment rentals: $10 - $27
- 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 Billings based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $788 - $1,550
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $811 - $1,737
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,073 - $2,076
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Santa Ana to Billings starts at $788 - $2,076, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($537 - $614) , overnight lodging ($206/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?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $206 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 Santa Ana, California, usually costs about $959 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 1,232-mile drive falls between $537 and $614, 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 $69 and $411 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Santa Ana 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 Santa Ana, CA to Billings, MT
If you're moving a larger household from Santa Ana, 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 Billings, 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 $1,260 and $2,716.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Santa Ana to Billings:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,101 - $2,151
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,260 - $2,716
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,850 - $3,427
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 $103 - $206 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Santa Ana, California, for about five hours typically runs $959.
What are the best freight companies from Santa Ana 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.
- 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 one of the fastest ways to move your belongings interstate, often beating full-service movers on delivery time. If getting your stuff to Billings 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: Santa Ana, 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 Santa Ana on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Santa Ana, CA | Billings, MT |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 165 | 95 |
| Average rent | $2,650/mo | $1,300/mo |
| Median home value | $657,015 | $310,937 |
| Average income | $88,354/yr | $71,855/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 7.0% | 4.1% |
| State income tax | Up to 13.3% | Up to 6.75% |
| Walkability score | 67/100 | 35/100 |
| Safety index | 45.83/100 | 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 Santa Ana, CA guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 1 real quotes 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 377 movers in our California network to compare for this 1,232-mile move.
Our take
The 1,232-mile move from Santa Ana, CA, to Billings, MT, costs between $1,222 and $8,632 with full-service movers, $1,274 - $4,284 with a moving container, and $788 - $2,076 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 $2,829 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 Billings Clinic and First Interstate BancSystem.
FAQs: Moving from Santa Ana, CA, to Billings, MT
How walkable is Billings?
Billings has a walkability score of 35 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 47, 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 Billings, MT?
Costs on this route range from around $1,222 to $8,632, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,222 and $8,632, 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 are some tips for saving money on a move from Santa Ana, CA to Billings, 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 do local movers charge in Santa Ana?
Local movers based in Santa Ana typically start around $185 as a base rate, plus $75/hour per mover. That's a useful baseline if you're hiring help just to load a rental truck or container rather than booking a full long-distance move. Rates in Billings run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
How long does a move from Santa Ana, CA to Billings, 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 percentage of Santa Ana movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 78% of movers in Santa Ana handle piano moves, and 64% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
