($1,027+) Santa Ana, CA to Sioux Falls, SD Movers
The cost to move from Santa Ana, CA to Sioux Falls, SD ranges from $1,291 to $10,752, with an average cost of $3,600. Moves can be as low as $1,027 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 1,636 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 Santa Ana, CA to Sioux Falls, SD
Moving options from Santa Ana to Sioux Falls fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,291 - $10,752 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $3,600, 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 1,636 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 1,636-mile route from Santa Ana to Sioux Falls, broken down by home size:
Home size makes the biggest difference in what you'll pay on this route. A studio or 1-bedroom runs $1,291 - $5,543 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($1,471 - $2,967), rental truck ($987 - $2,052), or freight trailer ($1,379 - $2,543). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $3,056 - $7,292 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $10,752.
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 Santa Ana, CA to Sioux Falls, SD
For the 1,636-mile move from Santa Ana, California, to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, full-service movers cost between $1,291 and $10,752. 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 Santa Ana generally start around $185 plus $75 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Santa Ana to Sioux Falls:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,291 - $5,543
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,056 - $7,292
- 4+ bedrooms: $6,027 - $10,752
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 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 Santa Ana, CA to Sioux Falls, SD
Specialty needs vary by market — 84% of Santa Ana 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 ready84% 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 lbs48% 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 type78% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: NorthStar Moving Company | $1,083 - $4,739 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling37% 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 Santa Ana to Sioux Falls?
Movers licensed to operate in South Dakota are typically members of the South Dakota Trucking Association, worth checking for before you book any of the three below.
- 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 carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Santa Ana, 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 Santa Ana, CA to Sioux Falls, SD
Moving containers from Santa Ana, California, to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, cost between $1,471 and $5,450. You're in charge of loading, and the timeline is yours to set. U-Haul allows 3 days while PODS gives you a full 30. After that, the company picks it up and delivers it to your new address. Running behind schedule? Storage in Santa Ana costs roughly $110/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Santa Ana to Sioux Falls:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,471 - $2,967
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,843 - $4,070
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,644 - $5,450
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Access: Most major container brands operate in both Santa Ana, CA and Sioux Falls, SD. 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 $948 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 $102 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $203 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.
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 $1,471. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,843 - $4,070, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Santa Ana 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 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:
- 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 Santa Ana, CA to Sioux Falls, SD
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 1,636 miles from Santa Ana, California, to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, running $987 - $2,929. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $705 - $806
- Daily insurance: $41/day
- Equipment rentals: $9 - $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 Sioux Falls based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $987 - $2,052
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,102 - $2,396
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,346 - $2,929
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Santa Ana to Sioux Falls starts at $987 - $2,929, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($705 - $806) , overnight lodging ($203/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?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $203 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 $88 and $440 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $705 - $806 in fuel for the 1,636-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $948 in Santa Ana, California, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Santa Ana 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 Santa Ana, CA to Sioux Falls, SD
For larger DIY moves from Santa Ana, California, freight trailers give you plenty of room without putting you behind the wheel. Standard trailers are 28 feet long. You load the section you need, and the carrier transports everything to Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Because freight companies bill by linear footage, your total is based on how much of the trailer you occupy, not the full length. For most medium-to-large moves on this route, pricing typically falls between $1,567 and $3,256.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Santa Ana to Sioux Falls:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,379 - $2,543
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,567 - $3,256
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,200 - $4,233
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 Santa Ana, 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 Santa Ana to Sioux Falls?
- 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.
- 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.
- ALL Service Handling (4.76/5 stars): ALL Service Handling 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 a great option when you need your belongings in Sioux Falls 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: Santa Ana, 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 Santa Ana on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Santa Ana, CA | Sioux Falls, SD |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 165 | 91 |
| Average rent | $2,650/mo | $1,100/mo |
| Median home value | $657,015 | $272,355 |
| Average income | $88,354/yr | $74,714/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 7.0% | 3.2% |
| State income tax | Up to 13.3% | None |
| Walkability score | 67/100 | 38/100 |
| Safety index | 45.83/100 | 57.17/100 |
| 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 Sioux Falls, SD to Santa Ana, CA guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from California to South Dakota, so our pricing data reflects what movers are actually charging right now. Check our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers, the best way to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and bad actors. We track 374 movers in California, so you have real options to compare for this 1,636-mile move.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from Santa Ana, CA, to Sioux Falls, SD, comes down to your budget and how much time and work you're able to put into it. Hands-off relocations handled by full-service movers range from $1,291 - $10,752 on the 1,636-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,471 - $5,450 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $987 - $2,929 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $3,056 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and 24/7 live support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Sanford Health and Avera Health.
FAQs: Moving from Santa Ana, CA, to Sioux Falls, SD
What is the best time of year to move from Santa Ana, CA to Sioux Falls, SD?
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.
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 extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($705 - $806), daily insurance ($41/day), and equipment rentals ($9 - $27) on top. Overnight stops can add another $203/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
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 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 Sioux Falls, SD?
Costs on this route range from around $1,291 to $10,752, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,291 and $10,752, 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 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.
