($823+) Riverside, CA to San Antonio, TX Movers
The cost to move from Riverside, CA to San Antonio, TX ranges from $1,191 to $8,874, with an average cost of $3,200. Moves can be as low as $823 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 1,298 miles and usually takes 3 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 Riverside, CA to San Antonio, TX
Moving options from Riverside to San Antonio fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,191 - $8,874 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $3,200, 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 1,298 miles and typically takes 3 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 1,298-mile route from Riverside to San Antonio, broken down by home size:
- A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $1,191 - $5,222 with full-service movers, $1,347 - $2,363 with a container, $791 - $1,539 with a rental truck, or $1,154 - $2,148 by freight.
- A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $2,764 - $6,681 full-service, $1,637 - $3,361 by container, $872 - $1,723 by rental truck, or $1,323 - $2,583 by freight.
- A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $4,750 - $8,874 full-service, $2,354 - $4,418 by container, $1,118 - $2,101 by rental truck, or $1,865 - $3,605 by freight.
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 Riverside, CA to San Antonio, TX
For the 1,298-mile move from Riverside, California, to San Antonio, Texas, full-service movers cost between $1,191 and $8,874. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $345 - $2,300 (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 Riverside generally start around $239 plus $75 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Riverside to San Antonio:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,191 - $5,222
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,764 - $6,681
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,750 - $8,874
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 Riverside to San Antonio.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from California to Texas. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: Avoiding peak moving season dates (May - September) is one of the easiest ways to reduce costs. Off-season moves typically come with lower pricing and more room to negotiate since movers have fewer bookings.
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Specialty moving services from Riverside, CA to San Antonio, TX
Specialty needs vary by market — 82% of Riverside movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In San Antonio, 90% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $575 - $5,750 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready82% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Burgess Moving and Storage | $230 - $1,380/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $345 - $2,760 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage43% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs34% of local movers | $1,150 - $3,450 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,875 - $11,500 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $861 - $1,636 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items61% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: VIP Transport, Inc. | $1,150 - $2,875 |
| Piano | Any piano type75% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Burgess Moving and Storage | $920 - $4,025 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling38% of local movers | $345 - $1,725 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect27% of local movers21% nationallyTop pick: Trek Movers | $748 - $2,300 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $345 - $17,250+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $345 - $4,025+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Riverside to San Antonio?
All three below meet the standards set by the Southwest Movers Association, the group most Texas movers are affiliated with.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Riverside, 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 Riverside, CA to San Antonio, TX
Moving containers from Riverside, California, to San Antonio, Texas, cost between $1,347 and $4,418. 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 Riverside costs roughly $100/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Riverside to San Antonio:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,347 - $2,363
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,637 - $3,361
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,354 - $4,418
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $86 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $173 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in San Antonio, TX, if you need to retrieve anything while items are still in storage.
- Moving labor: Since you're responsible for loading the container yourself, many customers bring in hourly help. Based on moveBuddha data, hiring 2 movers for approximately 5 hours costs about $805 in Riverside, CA. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection goes beyond the standard minimum and covers repair, replacement, or reimbursement at declared value. Pricing is typically 1% - 2% of your total shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 move.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a California to Texas 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 $1,347. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,637 - $3,361, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Riverside to San Antonio?
- 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 Riverside 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 Riverside:
- Burgess Moving and Storage (4.7/5), 80 years in business
- Trek Movers (5.0/5), 10 years in business
- JFK Moving Company (4.8/5), 6 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Riverside, CA to San Antonio, TX
Plan on $791 - $2,101 for a rental moving truck on the 1,298-mile route from Riverside, California, to San Antonio, Texas. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $475 - $543
- Daily insurance: $35/day
- Equipment rentals: $8 - $23
- Riverside 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 Riverside to San Antonio based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $791 - $1,539
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $872 - $1,723
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,118 - $2,101
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Riverside to San Antonio starts at $791 - $2,101, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($475 - $543) , overnight lodging ($173/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 $173 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 $75 and $374 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $475 - $543 in fuel for the 1,298-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $805 in Riverside, California, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Riverside to San Antonio?
- 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 Riverside, CA to San Antonio, TX
If you're moving a larger household from Riverside, 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 San Antonio, Texas.
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 $1,323 and $2,583.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Riverside to San Antonio:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,154 - $2,148
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,323 - $2,583
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,865 - $3,605
Pro tip: Freight pricing rewards efficient packing. Trailers are 8 feet tall and accessed via a 4-foot ramp, so technique matters, especially for heavy pieces. Since each additional linear foot adds to your quote, packing strategically is one of the easiest ways to control costs.
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 Riverside, California, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $805.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $86 and $173 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Riverside to San Antonio?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is our pick for best for large moves. The company is best known as a top moving container option for its hybrid model where you load and they drive, and that same model translates well to freight thanks to their 53-foot trucks and pay-by-the-foot pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Beyond their flagship container service, U-Pack also runs freight trailers with the same no-deposit, no-upfront-fee model, charging only for the linear footage you actually fill.
- ALL Service Handling (4.76/5 stars): ALL Service Handling is our pick for best locally owned freight company. Their locally owned and operated facilities mean you work with support staff who know the route and the area, giving you more responsive scheduling than national-only carriers typically offer.
Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from Riverside to San Antonio, freight trailers are one of the fastest interstate options available, second only to renting a truck and driving it yourself. The tradeoff is that freight works best when you're ready to receive your belongings on the other end. If your timeline is tight on the receiving side or you need a short storage buffer, a moving container might be a better fit.
Cost of living: Riverside, CA vs San Antonio, TX
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in San Antonio, side by side with Riverside on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Riverside, CA | San Antonio, TX |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 131 | 91 |
| Average rent | $2,295/mo | $1,496/mo |
| Median home value | $539,898 | $216,453 |
| Average income | $88,575/yr | $62,917/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 7.1% | 3.8% |
| State income tax | Up to 13.3% | None |
| Walkability score | 43/100 | 37/100 |
| Safety index | 59.76/100 | 51.94/100 |
| Air quality | Moderate | Moderate |
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 San Antonio, TX to Riverside, CA guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from California to Texas 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 1,298-mile move.
Our take
A move from Riverside, CA, to San Antonio, 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 $1,191 - $8,874 on the 1,298-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,347 - $4,418, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $791 - $2,101. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $2,764 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 San Antonio tend to point to diversity and sight-seeing, though abundant stray pets and brutal summers come up as common complaints. Major employers in the area include Joint Base San Antonio (Three Military Bases) and H-E-B.
FAQs: Moving from Riverside, CA, to San Antonio, TX
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($475 - $543), daily insurance ($35/day), and equipment rentals ($8 - $23) on top. Overnight stops can add another $173/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How walkable is San Antonio?
San Antonio has a walkability score of 37 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 45, compared to 43 and 49 in Riverside. 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 Riverside, CA to San Antonio, TX?
Costs on this route range from around $1,191 to $8,874, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,191 and $8,874, 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 Riverside, CA to San Antonio, TX?
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 Riverside?
Local movers based in Riverside typically start around $239 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 San Antonio run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
What percentage of Riverside movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 75% of movers in Riverside handle piano moves, and 61% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.