($1,394+) Modesto, CA to Dayton, OH Movers

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Background image of a moving truck moving from Modesto, CA to Dayton, OH

The cost to move from Modesto, CA to Dayton, OH ranges from $1,292 to $12,647, with an average cost of $4,550. Moves can be as low as $1,394 if you're wanting to DIY it.

This move covers about 2,356 miles and usually takes 7 to 18 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.

Compare moving options from Modesto, CA to Dayton, OH

Moving options from Modesto to Dayton fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,292 - $12,647 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $4,550, 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 2,356 miles and typically takes 7 to 18 days depending on the service you pick.

Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 2,356-mile route from Modesto to Dayton, broken down by home size:

  • Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $1,292 - $5,797, container $1,866 - $3,323, rental truck $1,436 - $2,642, freight trailer $1,614 - $3,116.
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $3,704 - $8,019, container $2,298 - $4,765, rental truck $1,434 - $3,338, freight trailer $1,933 - $3,891.
  • 4+ bedrooms: full-service $7,102 - $12,647, container $3,159 - $6,397, rental truck $1,868 - $3,817, freight trailer $2,710 - $5,331.

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 Modesto, CA to Dayton, OH

Hiring full-service movers from Modesto, California, to Dayton, Ohio, costs between $1,292 and $12,647. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 2,356-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $305 - $2,032, 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 Modesto and Dayton. For a rough baseline, movers based in Modesto tend to start around $314 plus $128/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 Modesto to Dayton:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,292 - $5,797
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,704 - $8,019
  • 4+ bedrooms: $7,102 - $12,647

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 Modesto to Dayton.

The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from California to Ohio. 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 Modesto, CA to Dayton, OH

Specialty needs vary by market — 79% of Modesto movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Dayton, 88% of movers offer the same service.

Service When you need it Typical cost
Full packingFull crew packing100% of local movers$508 - $5,080
Storage in transitNew place not ready79% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Pete's Moving Services$203 - $1,219/mo
Shuttle feeTruck can't reach door$305 - $2,438
Full-value protectionMore than $0.60/lb coverage21% of local movers$300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value)
Small movesUnder ~2,000 lbs14% of local movers$1,016 - $3,048
Office / commercialWorkplace relocation$2,540 - $10,160
Car shippingSecond vehicle$761 - $1,446
Antiques & fine artFragile, high-value items36% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Grace Moving Company$1,016 - $2,540
PianoAny piano type71% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Grace Moving Company$813 - $3,556
Pool tableDisassembly & re-leveling7% of local movers$305 - $1,524
Hot tubHeavy, needs disconnect21% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: MidCal Moving and Storage Company$660 - $2,032
Wine collectionClimate-controlled transport$305 - $15,240+
Pet relocationGround, air, or concierge$305 - $3,556+

What are the best full-service movers from Modesto to Dayton?

Look for Ohio Association of Movers membership as a baseline when comparing movers in Ohio beyond this list.

  1. Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is our pick for best overall value. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 support, and 30 days of free storage make Safeway the clearest value on this list.
  2. American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. AVL has been moving customers since 1995 and uses full-time in-house crews trained on high-value items like art and antiques.
  3. Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. One of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, 24/7 monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan against damage, loss, and breakage.

Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in Modesto, CA. Van lines spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments, while local movers tend to charge 30% - 40% more for the same distance. A direct route with a local mover averages 2-day delivery, but that added speed typically carries a higher price tag.

Moving container costs from Modesto, CA to Dayton, OH

Moving containers from Modesto, California, to Dayton, Ohio, cost between $1,866 and $6,397. A container is delivered to your home and you load it on your own time. Loading windows vary by company: U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30. From there, the company takes over and transports it to Dayton. If you go over that window, storage in Modesto adds around $120/month.

Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Modesto to Dayton:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,866 - $3,323
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,298 - $4,765
  • 4+ bedrooms: $3,159 - $6,397

What other costs come with moving containers?

  • Moving labor: Because loading is on you with a container move, hourly labor help is a popular add-on. In Modesto, CA, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $711, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
  • Storage: After the first month, ongoing rental fees kick in. A small container (7 - 8 feet) averages about $76 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $152 per month.
  • Access: Most major container companies serve both Modesto, CA, and Dayton, OH, but confirm a facility is within reasonable distance if you need to retrieve items while in storage.
  • Added contents protection: Full-value protection provides broader coverage than the standard liability in your contract. It typically costs 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on $50,000 worth of belongings.

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 $1,866. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $2,298 - $4,765, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.

What are the best moving containers Modesto to Dayton?

  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 Modesto 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 Modesto:

  • Brewer Moving LLC (4.9/5), 11 years in business
  • MidCal Moving and Storage Company (4.6/5), 170 years in business
  • Pack it up Movers (4.9/5), 8 years in business

Moving truck rental costs from Modesto, CA to Dayton, OH

A rental truck for this 2,356-mile move from Modesto, California, to Dayton, Ohio, costs between $1,436 and $3,817. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:

  • Fuel for the drive: $762 - $870
  • Daily insurance: $30/day
  • Equipment rentals: $7 - $20
  • Modesto daily rental rate: $19 - $39
  • Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.79 - $1.29
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 Modesto to Dayton based on home size:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,436 - $2,642
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,434 - $3,338
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,868 - $3,817

Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $1,436 - $3,817 when pricing out a rental truck from Modesto to Dayton. Fuel alone runs ($762 - $870) , and overnight lodging ($152/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?

  • Equipment: Tow dollies, appliance dollies, and moving pads are not included in the base rate. These extras often total between $76 and $356.
  • Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $152.
  • Gas: Expect fuel to run between $762 and $870 for the 2,356-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 $711 for 2 movers in Modesto, California, for about 5 hours.
  • Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.

What are the best moving truck rentals from Modesto to Dayton?

  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 Modesto, CA to Dayton, OH

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 Modesto, California, to Dayton, Ohio. 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. Most long-distance moves using this method run roughly between $1,933 and $3,891.

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

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,614 - $3,116
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,933 - $3,891
  • 4+ bedrooms: $2,710 - $5,331

Pro tip: Freight trailers come with a 4-foot loading ramp, which can be a challenge with bulky furniture. With 8 feet of vertical space available, stacking efficiently often requires a ladder and a plan. Since you're billed per linear foot, packing tight can make a real difference in your final cost.

What other costs come with freight trailers?

  • More space: Freight pricing is based on exactly how much of the trailer you fill. If your items take up more than expected, the added footage can increase your cost by between $76 and $152.
  • Peak season impact: Moving during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) often means higher trailer rates as demand increases across the board.
  • Moving labor: Unless you plan to load everything yourself, factor in labor costs. Two movers in Modesto, California, for roughly five hours typically average $711.

What are the best freight companies from Modesto to Dayton?

  1. MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Best known as a top moving container option thanks to its DIY hybrid model (you load, they drive), MovingYourself also doubles as a strong freight choice with their 53-foot trucks and pay-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
  2. U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. In addition to their well-known container service, U-Pack offers freight trailers that follow the same pay-by-the-foot model with no deposits or upfront fees, making them one of the most flexible freight options for budget-conscious moves.
  3. Speed Intermodal (4.7/5 stars): Speed Intermodal is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned and operated facilities give you direct access to support staff who know the area and can coordinate pickups and deliveries with greater flexibility than national carriers.

Pro tip: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in Dayton 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: Modesto, CA vs Dayton, OH

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

Measure Modesto, CA Dayton, OH
Cost of living index11680
Average rent$1,800/mo$925/mo
Median home value$415,024$94,536
Average income$77,899/yr$43,454/yr
Unemployment rate8.0%6.8%
State income taxUp to 13.3%Up to 3.5%
Walkability score48/10045/100
Safety index34.24/10040.68/100
Air qualityModerateModerate

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 Dayton, OH to Modesto, CA guide.

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Our take

The 2,356-mile move from Modesto, CA, to Dayton, OH, costs between $1,292 and $12,647 with full-service movers, $1,866 - $6,397 with a moving container, and $1,436 - $3,817 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 $3,704 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 Morgan Linen & Uniform Services and Premier Physicians.

FAQs: Moving from Modesto, CA, to Dayton, OH

What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?

The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($762 - $870), daily insurance ($30/day), and equipment rentals ($7 - $20) on top. Overnight stops can add another $152/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.

How do I know a mover is licensed in Ohio?

Although a local license is not required in Ohio, make sure the moving company you’ll be hiring is registered with U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). To verify if you’re dealing with a legal and licensed mover, you may ask them their USDOT registration number.

What is the best time of year to move from Modesto, CA to Dayton, OH?

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 Dayton a safe place to live?

Dayton has a safety index of 40.68 out of 100 and a crime index of 4.0, compared to 34.24 and 65.76 in Modesto. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.

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

About 71% of movers in Modesto handle piano moves, and 36% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.