($673+) Denver, CO to Irvine, CA Movers
Moving from Denver, CO, to Irvine, CA, runs anywhere from $728 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,817 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,014 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 2 to 8 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.
- Full-service moves for smaller spaces (studio apartments and 1-bedrooms) start around $2,163, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $8,817 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,170 - $4,190, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $728 - $1,999.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Denver, CO, to Irvine, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,587 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
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Compare moving options from Denver, CO to Irvine, CA
Moving options from Denver to Irvine fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $2,587 - $6,664 for a 2-3 bedroom home and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers cost about 30% less than full-service for the same size, and rental trucks land around 60% less, with both DIY options requiring you to load yourself. Covering 1,014 miles, this route usually takes 2 to 8 days from pickup to delivery.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,014-mile route from Denver to Irvine, broken down by home size:
- Full-service movers: $2,163 for a studio up to $8,817 for a 4+ bedroom home.
- Moving containers: $1,170 - $4,190 depending on home size.
- Rental trucks: $728 - $1,999, the lowest-cost option across the board.
- Freight trailers: $1,152 - $3,154, 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 Denver, CO to Irvine, CA
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 1,014-mile move from Denver, Colorado, to Irvine, California, with costs ranging from $2,163 - $8,817. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $428 - $2,856. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Denver and Irvine. Local movers in Denver typically start around $262 as a base rate plus $115/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Denver to Irvine:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,163 - $5,434
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,587 - $6,664
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,505 - $8,817
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 Denver to Irvine.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Colorado to California. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: Demand for full-service movers surges during peak moving season from May - September, pushing prices higher. Shifting your move to a cooler month could save you a meaningful amount on your total bill.
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Specialty moving services from Denver, CO to Irvine, CA
Specialty needs vary by market — 87% of Denver movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Irvine, 85% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $714 - $7,140 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready87% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Skyline Moving Company | $286 - $1,714/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $428 - $3,427 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage37% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs54% of local movers | $1,428 - $4,284 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,570 - $14,280 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,070 - $2,032 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items52% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Homegrown Moving Company, LLC | $1,428 - $3,570 |
| Piano | Any piano type67% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Homegrown Moving Company, LLC | $1,142 - $4,998 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling30% of local movers | $428 - $2,142 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect22% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Moving Proz | $928 - $2,856 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $428 - $21,420+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $428 - $4,998+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Denver to Irvine?
All three below meet the standards set by the California Moving & Storage Association, the group most California 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 van lines are the smarter financial choice over local movers in Denver, CO. Local companies can run 30% - 40% more at that range since they don't consolidate shipments the way interstate carriers do. If a direct, dedicated route with an average 2-day delivery appeals to you, a local mover could be worth it, but that convenience comes at a cost.
Moving container costs from Denver, CO to Irvine, CA
Moving containers from Denver, Colorado, to Irvine, California, cost between $1,170 and $4,190. 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 Irvine. If you go over that window, storage in Denver adds around $80/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Denver to Irvine:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,170 - $2,133
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,585 - $3,216
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,074 - $4,190
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Because loading is on you with a container move, hourly labor help is a popular add-on. In Denver, CO, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $1,000, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: After the first month, ongoing rental fees kick in. A small container (7 - 8 feet) averages about $107 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $214 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Denver, CO, and Irvine, CA, but confirm a facility is within reasonable distance if you need to retrieve items while in storage.
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection provides broader coverage than the standard liability in your contract. It typically costs 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on $50,000 worth of belongings.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Colorado to California 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 $1,170. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,585 - $3,216, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Denver to Irvine?
- 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 Denver 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 Denver:
- Skyline Moving Company (4.9/5), 10 years in business
- Local Moving LLC (4.9/5), 14 years in business
- Moving Proz (4.8/5), 13 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Denver, CO to Irvine, CA
A rental truck for this 1,014-mile move from Denver, Colorado, to Irvine, California, costs between $728 and $1,999. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $461 - $527
- Daily insurance: $43/day
- Equipment rentals: $10 - $29
- Denver daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.59 - $0.79
| 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 Denver to Irvine based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $728 - $1,277
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $711 - $1,579
- 4+ bedrooms: $894 - $1,999
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $728 - $1,999 when pricing out a rental truck from Denver to Irvine. Fuel alone runs ($461 - $527) , and overnight lodging ($214/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend an additional $600 - $1,200 beyond the base rate by the time the move is done.
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 $107 and $500.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $214.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $461 and $527 for the 1,014-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 $1,000 for 2 movers in Denver, Colorado, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Denver to Irvine?
- 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 Denver, CO to Irvine, CA
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 Denver, Colorado, to Irvine, California. 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 $1,217 and $2,398.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Denver to Irvine:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,152 - $1,940
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,217 - $2,398
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,659 - $3,154
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?
- 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 Denver, Colorado, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $1,000.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $107 and $214 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Denver to Irvine?
- 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.
- Apex Transportation, Inc. (4.8/5 stars): Apex Transportation, Inc. 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 a great option when you need your belongings in Irvine 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: Denver, CO vs Irvine, CA
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Irvine, side by side with Denver on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Denver, CO | Irvine, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 128 | 165 |
| Average rent | $1,900/mo | $4,000/mo |
| Median home value | $586,595 | $1,113,305 |
| Average income | $91,681/yr | $129,647/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 7.1% | 5.4% |
| State income tax | Up to 5.49% | Up to 13.3% |
| Walkability score | 95/100 | 43/100 |
| Safety index | 52.16/100 | 68.99/100 |
| 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 Irvine, CA to Denver, CO guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Colorado to California 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 81 movers based in Colorado, handy for sizing up options on this 1,014-mile route.
Our take
For a move from Denver, CO, to Irvine, CA, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $2,163 for a studio to $8,817 for a 4 - 5 bedroom home on the 1,014-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,170 - $4,190. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $728 - $1,999, 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 $2,587 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 Mitsubishi Digital Electronics America and Taco Bell.
FAQs: Moving from Denver, CO, to Irvine, CA
How long does a move from Denver, CO to Irvine, CA take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 5 - 7 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are usually the fastest option outside of driving yourself, with deliveries in 3 - 5 days, though you'll need to be ready to receive your shipment on arrival. Driving a rental truck yourself puts the schedule entirely in your hands.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($461 - $527), daily insurance ($43/day), and equipment rentals ($10 - $29) on top. Overnight stops can add another $214/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
What is the cheapest way to move from Denver, CO to Irvine, CA?
Renting a moving truck is almost always the most affordable option, since you handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself. A 2-bedroom rental truck move on this route averages $711 - $1,579. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
How much does it cost to move from Denver, CO to Irvine, CA?
Costs on this route range from around $2,163 to $8,817, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,163 and $8,817, 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 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 Denver movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 67% of movers in Denver handle piano moves, and 52% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
