($741+) Denver, CO to Modesto, CA Movers
Moving from Denver, CO, to Modesto, CA, runs anywhere from $741 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,349 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,234 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 $2,218, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $8,349 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,259 - $4,319, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $741 - $2,030.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Denver, CO, to Modesto, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,631 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 Modesto, CA
There are 3 main ways to move from Denver to Modesto: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service is the most expensive but covers everything from labor to transportation, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route averaging $2,631 - $6,533. Containers cost roughly 38% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 68% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 1,234 miles, expect 2 to 8 days in transit no matter which service you choose.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,234-mile route from Denver to Modesto, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $2,218 - $5,237 | $1,259 - $2,245 | $741 - $1,429 | $1,144 - $2,021 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,631 - $6,533 | $1,621 - $3,097 | $842 - $1,821 | $1,323 - $2,684 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,579 - $8,349 | $2,088 - $4,319 | $1,091 - $2,030 | $1,671 - $3,386 |
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated November 2, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Denver, CO to Modesto, CA
For the 1,234-mile move from Denver, Colorado, to Modesto, California, full-service movers cost between $2,218 and $8,349. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $370 - $2,464 (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 Denver generally start around $262 plus $115 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Denver to Modesto:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,218 - $5,237
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,631 - $6,533
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,579 - $8,349
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 Modesto.
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 Denver, CO to Modesto, CA
Specialty needs vary by market: 48% of Denver movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Modesto, 60% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing70% of local movers | $616 - $6,160 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready48% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Moving Brothers LLC | $246 - $1,478/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $370 - $2,957 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage15% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs53% of local movers | $1,232 - $3,696 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,080 - $12,320 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $923 - $1,753 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items19% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Moving Brothers LLC | $1,232 - $3,080 |
| Piano | Any piano type39% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Moving Brothers LLC | $986 - $4,312 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling10% of local movers | $370 - $1,848 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect8% of local movers9% nationally | $801 - $2,464 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $370 - $18,480+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $370 - $4,312+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Denver to Modesto?
Look for California Moving & Storage Association membership as a baseline when comparing movers in California beyond this list.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is our pick for best overall value. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 support, and 30 days of free storage make Safeway the clearest value on this list.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. AVL has been moving customers since 1995 and uses full-time in-house crews trained on high-value items like art and antiques.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. One of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, 24/7 monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan against damage, loss, and breakage.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in Denver, CO. Van lines spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments, while local movers tend to charge 30% - 40% more for the same distance. A direct route with a local mover averages 2-day delivery, but that added speed typically carries a higher price tag.
Moving container costs from Denver, CO to Modesto, CA
Moving containers from Denver, Colorado, to Modesto, California, cost between $1,259 and $4,319. 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 Denver typically costs about $80/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Denver to Modesto:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,259 - $2,245
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,621 - $3,097
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,088 - $4,319
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $92 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $185 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Modesto, CA, 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 $862 in Denver, CO. 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 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 $1,259. Underestimating how much you have and needing an extra container means paying for another one, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise. For reference, a 2 - 3 bedroom home typically runs $1,621 - $3,097.
What are the best moving containers Denver to Modesto?
- 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
- Moving Brothers LLC (4.9/5), 13 years in business
- Moving Proz (4.8/5), 13 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Denver, CO to Modesto, CA
Plan on $741 - $2,030 for a rental moving truck on the 1,234-mile route from Denver, Colorado, to Modesto, California. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $484 - $553
- Daily insurance: $37/day
- Equipment rentals: $9 - $25
- 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 Modesto based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $741 - $1,429
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $842 - $1,821
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,091 - $2,030
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $741 - $2,030 does not include fuel ($484 - $553), lodging ($185/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Denver to Modesto typically runs more than the base rate alone, with meals, equipment, and other extras adding roughly $600 - $1,200 on top of fuel and lodging.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $185 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 $80 and $400 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $484 - $553 in fuel for the 1,234-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $862 in Denver, Colorado, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Denver to Modesto?
- 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 Modesto, CA
For larger DIY moves from Denver, Colorado, 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 Modesto, California.
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 $1,323 and $2,684.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Denver to Modesto:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,144 - $2,021
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,323 - $2,684
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,671 - $3,386
Pro tip: Freight trailers come with a 4-foot loading ramp, which can be a challenge with bulky furniture. With 8 feet of vertical space available, stacking efficiently often requires a ladder and a plan. Since you're billed per linear foot, packing tight can make a real difference in your final cost.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Demand cycles: Trailer costs climb during peak moving season, especially from mid-May through mid-September when demand is at its highest.
- More space: You're billed only for the linear feet you use, but underestimating your inventory means paying for extra space, typically around $92 - $185 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Denver, Colorado, for about five hours typically runs $862.
What are the best freight companies from Denver to Modesto?
- 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.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in Modesto 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 Modesto, CA
Denver and Modesto land in a similar range on everyday costs. The cost of living index sits at 128 in Denver and 116 in Modesto, and average rent is $1,900/mo vs. $1,800/mo. With an index gap that small, you likely won't need to rework your monthly budget much after this move. For reference, walkability is 95 vs 48 and safety scores are 52.16 vs 34.24.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Modesto, CA to Denver, CO guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from Colorado to California, 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 278 movers in Colorado, so you have real options to compare for this 1,234-mile move.
Our take
A move from Denver, CO, to Modesto, CA, 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 $2,218 - $8,349 on the 1,234-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,259 - $4,319, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $741 - $2,030. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $2,631 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and round-the-clock live support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Save Mart Supermarkets and Sutter Central Valley Hospitals.
FAQs: Moving from Denver, CO, to Modesto, CA
What is the best time of year to move from Denver, CO to Modesto, CA?
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 California?
When contacting a local moving company for an estimate in California, make sure each has a “T Number” issued by the California Public Utilities Commission (CAPUC). Moving companies with valid T Numbers have met state requirements for insurance, safety, and financial stability and have passed criminal clearance checks conducted by the California Department of Justice.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($484 - $553), daily insurance ($37/day), and equipment rentals ($9 - $25) on top. Overnight stops can add another $185/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How walkable is Modesto?
Modesto has a walkability score of 48 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 48, compared to 95 and 96 in Denver. 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 Denver, CO to Modesto, CA?
Costs on this route range from around $741 to $8,349, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,218 and $8,349, 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 Denver movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 39% of movers in Denver handle piano moves, and 19% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.