($1,038+) Irvine, CA to Sioux Falls, SD Movers
The cost to move from Irvine, CA to Sioux Falls, SD ranges from $1,239 to $9,822, with an average cost of $3,750. Moves can be as low as $1,038 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 1,633 miles and usually takes 4 to 15 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 Irvine, CA to Sioux Falls, SD
Moving options from Irvine to Sioux Falls fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,239 - $9,822 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $3,750, 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 1,633 miles and typically takes 4 to 15 days depending on the service you pick.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,633-mile route from Irvine to Sioux Falls, broken down by home size:
- Full-service movers: $1,239 for a studio up to $9,822 for a 4+ bedroom home.
- Moving containers: $1,576 - $5,556 depending on home size.
- Rental trucks: $977 - $2,701, the lowest-cost option across the board.
- Freight trailers: $1,406 - $4,148, 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 Irvine, CA to Sioux Falls, SD
For the 1,633-mile move from Irvine, California, to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, full-service movers cost between $1,239 and $9,822. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $406 - $2,708 (1 - 5+ bedrooms), crews will pack your boxes. The weight of your shipment and the mileage between the two cities are what drive your final cost. For scale, local movers in Irvine generally start around $197 plus $75 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Irvine to Sioux Falls:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,239 - $5,596
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,088 - $7,581
- 4+ bedrooms: $5,795 - $9,822
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 Irvine to Sioux Falls.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from California to South Dakota. 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 Irvine, CA to Sioux Falls, SD
Specialty needs vary by market — 85% of Irvine movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Sioux Falls, 71% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $677 - $6,770 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready85% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Meathead Movers | $271 - $1,625/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $406 - $3,250 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage39% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs44% of local movers | $1,354 - $4,062 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,385 - $13,540 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,014 - $1,927 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items64% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: NorthStar Moving Company | $1,354 - $3,385 |
| Piano | Any piano type76% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: NorthStar Moving Company | $1,083 - $4,739 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling35% of local movers | $406 - $2,031 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect28% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: California Movers Local & Long Distance Moving Company | $880 - $2,708 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $406 - $20,310+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $406 - $4,739+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Irvine to Sioux Falls?
If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in South Dakota Trucking Association is a good first thing to confirm.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 full-service movers are the more cost-efficient choice. Local movers in Irvine, CA, often charge 30% - 40% more at that distance because their operations aren't built for long-haul logistics. The exception is if you want a dedicated point-to-point truck with an average 2-day delivery, though that level of service generally increases your total cost.
Moving container costs from Irvine, CA to Sioux Falls, SD
Moving containers from Irvine, California, to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, cost between $1,576 and $5,556. 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 Sioux Falls. If you go over that window, storage in Irvine adds around $110/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Irvine to Sioux Falls:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,576 - $2,854
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,843 - $3,872
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,777 - $5,556
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 $948 in Irvine, 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 $102 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $203 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 Sioux Falls, SD, destination before booking.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a California to South Dakota move in the past 90 days. Our pricing data is drawn from 1,500+ monthly data points across our vetted mover network and refreshed every month.
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 $1,576. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,843 - $3,872, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Irvine to Sioux Falls?
- 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 Irvine 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 Irvine:
- California Movers Local & Long Distance Moving Company (5.0/5), 11 years in business
- Sterling Van Lines (4.6/5), 35 years in business
- Merit Moving Systems (4.9/5), 39 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Irvine, CA to Sioux Falls, SD
Renting a moving truck for the 1,633-mile move from Irvine, California, to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, costs between $977 and $2,701, before these typical add-ons:
- Fuel for the drive: $704 - $804
- Daily insurance: $41/day
- Equipment rentals: $9 - $27
- Irvine 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 Irvine to Sioux Falls based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $977 - $1,857
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,124 - $2,349
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,388 - $2,701
Pro tip: A rental truck from Irvine to Sioux Falls looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $977 - $2,701. But once you factor in fuel ($704 - $804) , overnight lodging ($203/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?
- Gas: Fuel adds $704 - $804 for the 1,633-mile drive, depending on whether your rental truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: You'll handle the heavy lifting unless you bring in help. Two movers in Irvine, California, for about 5 hours typically costs around $948.
- Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
- Lodging: The 1,633-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $203 per night, adding $406 - $609 in hotel costs total.
- Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $68 and $406.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Irvine to Sioux Falls?
- 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 Irvine, CA to Sioux Falls, SD
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 Irvine, California, to Sioux Falls, South Dakota. 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 $1,536 and $3,098.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Irvine to Sioux Falls:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,406 - $2,467
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,536 - $3,098
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,200 - $4,148
Pro tip: A 4-foot ramp sounds simple, but heavy or awkward furniture can make the climb tricky. With 8 feet of height to work with, smart vertical stacking is key. Since freight companies charge by the linear foot, every extra foot you use adds to the bill.
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 Irvine, California, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $948.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $102 and $203 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Irvine to Sioux Falls?
- 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: 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 Sioux Falls 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: Irvine, CA vs Sioux Falls, SD
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Sioux Falls, side by side with Irvine on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Irvine, CA | Sioux Falls, SD |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 165 | 91 |
| Average rent | $4,000/mo | $1,100/mo |
| Median home value | $1,113,305 | $272,355 |
| Average income | $129,647/yr | $74,714/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 5.4% | 3.2% |
| State income tax | Up to 13.3% | None |
| Walkability score | 43/100 | 38/100 |
| Safety index | 68.99/100 | 57.17/100 |
| Air quality | Good | 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 Sioux Falls, SD to Irvine, CA guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from California to South Dakota in the past 3 months alone, keeping our pricing data current. Run your numbers through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. For context, we track 374 movers based in California, handy for sizing up options on this 1,633-mile route.
Our take
For a move from Irvine, CA, to Sioux Falls, SD, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $1,239 for a studio to $9,822 for a 4 - 5 bedroom home on the 1,633-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,576 - $5,556. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $977 - $2,701, 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 $3,088 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 Sanford Health and Avera Health.
FAQs: Moving from Irvine, CA, to Sioux Falls, SD
How do I know a mover is licensed in South Dakota?
Although a local license is not required in South Dakota, 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 are the best neighborhoods in Sioux Falls?
For families, McKennan Park, Downtown Sioux Falls, and West Sioux Falls are worth a look in Sioux Falls. If you're moving solo or without kids, Downtown Sioux Falls, East Sioux Falls, and McKennan Park tend to be popular picks instead.
How walkable is Sioux Falls?
Sioux Falls has a walkability score of 38 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 46, compared to 43 and 69 in Irvine. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
Is Sioux Falls a safe place to live?
Sioux Falls has a safety index of 57.17 out of 100 and a crime index of 42.83, compared to 68.99 and 31.01 in Irvine. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Irvine, CA to Sioux Falls, SD?
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 percentage of Irvine movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 76% of movers in Irvine handle piano moves, and 64% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
