($546+) Irvine, CA to Salt Lake City, UT Movers
The cost to move from Irvine, CA to Salt Lake City, UT ranges from $1,197 to $8,360, with an average cost of $2,950. Moves can be as low as $546 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 685 miles and usually takes 1 to 6 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.
Compare moving options from Irvine, CA to Salt Lake City, UT
Moving options from Irvine to Salt Lake City fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,197 - $8,360 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $2,950, 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 685 miles and typically takes 1 to 6 days depending on the service you pick.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 685-mile route from Irvine to Salt Lake City, broken down by home size:
- Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $1,197 - $4,324, container $1,051 - $1,846, rental truck $536 - $1,012, freight trailer $1,004 - $1,662.
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $2,412 - $5,934, container $1,376 - $2,638, rental truck $544 - $1,168, freight trailer $1,091 - $2,218.
- 4+ bedrooms: full-service $4,133 - $8,360, container $1,805 - $3,493, rental truck $679 - $1,400, freight trailer $1,444 - $2,795.
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 Salt Lake City, UT
Hiring full-service movers from Irvine, California, to Salt Lake City, Utah, costs between $1,197 and $8,360. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 685-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $442 - $2,948, 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 Irvine and Salt Lake City. For a rough baseline, movers based in Irvine tend to start around $197 plus $75/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 Irvine to Salt Lake City:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,197 - $4,324
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,412 - $5,934
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,133 - $8,360
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 Salt Lake City.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from California to Utah. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: Peak moving season (May - September) limits truck availability and pushes up full-service moving costs. Booking during slower months can give you more scheduling room and a lower final price.
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Specialty moving services from Irvine, CA to Salt Lake City, UT
Specialty needs vary by market — 85% of Irvine movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Salt Lake City, 91% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $737 - $7,370 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready85% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Meathead Movers | $295 - $1,769/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $442 - $3,538 |
| 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 | $1,474 - $4,422 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,685 - $14,740 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,104 - $2,098 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items64% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: NorthStar Moving Company | $1,474 - $3,685 |
| Piano | Any piano type76% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: NorthStar Moving Company | $1,179 - $5,159 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling35% of local movers | $442 - $2,211 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect28% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: California Movers Local & Long Distance Moving Company | $958 - $2,948 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $442 - $22,110+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $442 - $5,159+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Irvine to Salt Lake City?
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing means no surprise charges on moving day, and their support team is consistently rated among the most responsive in the industry.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here, 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, with 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 full-service movers are almost always better priced than local movers in Irvine, CA. Local companies typically run 30% - 40% more at longer distances because they aren't set up to consolidate shipments the way national carriers do. The one case where a local mover might be worth the premium is if you want a dedicated direct-route truck, which averages a 2-day delivery time, but expect to pay more for that convenience.
Moving container costs from Irvine, CA to Salt Lake City, UT
Moving containers from Irvine, California, to Salt Lake City, Utah, cost between $1,051 and $3,493. The container gets dropped at your door and you load it at your own pace. U-Haul gives you 3 days to load and PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're done, the company handles all the transportation. If you need extra time, storage in Irvine runs about $110/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Irvine to Salt Lake City:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,051 - $1,846
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,376 - $2,638
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,805 - $3,493
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 $1,032 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 $111 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $221 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 Salt Lake City, UT, destination before booking.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a California to Utah 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 $1,051. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,376 - $2,638, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Irvine to Salt Lake City?
- 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 Salt Lake City, UT
Renting a moving truck for the 685-mile move from Irvine, California, to Salt Lake City, Utah, costs between $536 and $1,400, before these typical add-ons:
- Fuel for the drive: $321 - $367
- Daily insurance: $44/day
- Equipment rentals: $10 - $29
- 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 Salt Lake City based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $536 - $1,012
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $544 - $1,168
- 4+ bedrooms: $679 - $1,400
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $536 - $1,400 does not include fuel ($321 - $367) , lodging ($221/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Irvine to Salt Lake City typically runs $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate alone.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $221 per night if your drive requires an overnight stop. Typically, you'll make 1 - 3 overnight stops, depending on move distance.
- Moving labor: Bringing in professional loading help in Irvine, California, usually costs about $1,032 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 685-mile drive falls between $321 and $367, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, moving pads, and vehicle trailers are easy to overlook but can add between $74 and $442 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Irvine to Salt Lake City?
- 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 Salt Lake City, UT
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Irvine, California, to Salt Lake City, Utah, when you want to do the loading yourself without having to drive a massive vehicle. The trailer is delivered, you pack it up, and the carrier handles the long haul.
What sets freight trailers apart is the pay-for-what-you-use pricing model. Each additional foot of trailer space you occupy adds to the cost. Overall pricing for a move of this size and distance typically lands around $1,091 and $2,218.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Irvine to Salt Lake City:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,004 - $1,662
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,091 - $2,218
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,444 - $2,795
Pro tip: Freight trailers offer generous space but reward good packing strategy. The 4-foot ramp can be challenging for large or heavy pieces, and using the full 8-foot height takes careful stacking. Because you're billed by the linear foot, maximizing vertical space keeps your costs lower.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- More space: Freight trailers are billed by the section you fill. If you misjudge your shipment size, each extra foot of trailer space adds around $111 - $221 to your final bill.
- Peak season pricing: Expect higher rates during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) when trailer availability tightens across the country.
- Moving labor: Loading is on you unless you hire outside help. A half-day crew of two movers in Irvine, California, typically costs $1,032.
What are the best freight companies from Irvine to Salt Lake City?
- 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: If speed matters on your move from Irvine to Salt Lake City, 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: Irvine, CA vs Salt Lake City, UT
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Salt Lake City, side by side with Irvine on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Irvine, CA | Salt Lake City, UT |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 165 | 121 |
| Average rent | $4,000/mo | $1,495/mo |
| Median home value | $1,113,305 | $495,721 |
| Average income | $129,647/yr | $74,925/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 5.4% | 3.0% |
| State income tax | Up to 13.3% | Up to 4.95% |
| Walkability score | 43/100 | 59/100 |
| Safety index | 68.99/100 | 65.36/100 |
| 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 Salt Lake City, UT to Irvine, CA guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from California to Utah, 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 685-mile move.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from Irvine, CA, to Salt Lake City, UT, 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 $1,197 - $8,360 on the 685-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,051 - $3,493 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $536 - $1,400 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $2,412 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 Intermountain Healthcare and Alsco.
FAQs: Moving from Irvine, CA, to Salt Lake City, UT
How walkable is Salt Lake City?
Salt Lake City has a walkability score of 59 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 74, 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.
What are the best neighborhoods in Salt Lake City?
For families, East Bench, Greater Avenues, and Liberty Wells are worth a look in Salt Lake City. If you're moving solo or without kids, Capitol Hill, Central City, and East Bench tend to be popular picks instead.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Utah?
Although a local license is not required in Utah, 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 do local movers charge in Irvine?
Local movers based in Irvine typically start around $197 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 Salt Lake City run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
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.
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.