($1,048+) Modesto, CA to Houston, TX Movers

Full-service moving costs from Modesto, CA to Houston, TX

For the 1,858-mile move from Modesto, California, to Houston, Texas, full-service movers cost between $1,236 and $10,751. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $325 - $2,168 (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 Modesto generally start around $314 plus $128 per hour, per mover.

Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Modesto to Houston:

• Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,236 - $5,023
• 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,359 - $7,178
• 4+ bedrooms: $6,082 - $10,751

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 Houston.

Specialty moving services from Modesto, CA to Houston, TX

Specialty needs vary by market: 60% of Modesto movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Houston, 54% of movers offer the same service.

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

All three below meet the standards set by the Southwest Movers Association, the group most Texas movers are affiliated with.

1. Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list, with flat-rate pricing that holds firm on moving day and a customer support team available around the clock.
2. American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here. With 30+ years of interstate moves behind them, AVL uses full-time in-house crews instead of the contracted labor most national carriers rely on.
3. Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, with fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan available on every long-distance move.

Moving container costs from Modesto, CA to Houston, TX

Moving containers from Modesto, California, to Houston, Texas, cost between $1,558 and $5,392. With a moving container, you load on your own schedule. U-Haul gives you 3 days to fill yours, while PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're ready, the company transports it straight to your new place. Need more time first? Storage in Modesto typically costs about $120/month.

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

• Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,558 - $2,719
• 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,995 - $4,087
• 4+ bedrooms: $2,593 - $5,392

What other costs come with moving containers?

• Access: Most major container brands operate in both Modesto, CA and Houston, TX. 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 $759 in Modesto, CA, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
• Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $81 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $163 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.

What are the best moving containers Modesto to Houston?

1. Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
2. U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
3. MovingYourself (5.0/5 stars)

Moving truck rental costs from Modesto, CA to Houston, TX

Truck rentals from Modesto, California, to Houston, Texas, range from $1,113 - $2,971 for the 1,858-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:

• Fuel for the drive: $641 - $732
• Daily insurance: $33/day
• Equipment rentals: $8 - $22
• Modesto daily rental rate: $19 - $39
• Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.79 - $1.29

These are typical moving truck rental costs from Modesto to Houston based on home size:

• Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,113 - $1,958
• 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,146 - $2,501
• 4+ bedrooms: $1,461 - $2,971

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 $81 and $379.
• Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $163.
• Gas: Expect fuel to run between $641 and $732 for the 1,858-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 $759 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 Houston?

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 Houston, TX

For larger DIY moves from Modesto, 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 Houston, Texas.

Because freight companies bill by linear footage, your total is based on how much of the trailer you occupy, not the full length. For a 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route, pricing typically falls between $1,580 and $3,046.

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

• Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,361 - $2,653
• 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,580 - $3,046
• 4+ bedrooms: $2,118 - $4,141

What other costs come with freight trailers?

• Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In Modesto, California, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $759.
• More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $81 - $163 per additional foot to your total.
• Time of year: Rates tend to climb during peak moving season (mid-May through mid-September) when trailer demand is at its highest.

What are the best freight companies from Modesto to Houston?

1. 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.
2. 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.

Cost of living: Modesto, CA vs Houston, TX

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

Cost of living index is relative to the U.S. average of 100. Figures reflect the latest available city and state data.

Our take

A move from Modesto, CA, to Houston, TX, gives you several options depending on your budget and how much you want to do yourself. Full-service movers handle everything but cost the most, ranging from $1,236 - $10,751 on the 1,858-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,558 - $5,392, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $1,113 - $2,971. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $3,359 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and round-the-clock live support.

Beyond the move itself, people who've relocated to Houston tend to point to bountiful arts and recreational activities and ample economic opportunity, though tropical storms and heat and humidity come up as common complaints. Major employers in the area include H-E-B and Houston Methodist.