($787+) Fort Collins, CO to Modesto, CA Movers
Moving from Fort Collins, CO, to Modesto, CA, runs anywhere from $764 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,524 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,170 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 $2,196, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $8,524 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,313 - $4,348, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $764 - $2,044.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Fort Collins, CO, to Modesto, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,779 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 Fort Collins, CO to Modesto, CA
There are 3 main ways to move from Fort Collins to Modesto: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service handles labor and transportation for you, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route costing $2,779 - $6,617. Moving containers run about 30% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 60% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 2 to 8 days for this 1,170-mile route, depending on which option you go with.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,170-mile route from Fort Collins to Modesto, broken down by home size:
- A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $2,196 - $5,145 with full-service movers, $1,313 - $2,266 with a container, $764 - $1,454 with a rental truck, or $1,112 - $2,145 by freight.
- A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $2,779 - $6,617 full-service, $1,708 - $3,421 by container, $851 - $1,764 by rental truck, or $1,366 - $2,711 by freight.
- A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $4,727 - $8,524 full-service, $2,153 - $4,348 by container, $1,079 - $2,044 by rental truck, or $1,741 - $3,373 by freight.
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 Fort Collins, CO to Modesto, CA
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 1,170-mile move from Fort Collins, Colorado, to Modesto, California, with prices running from $2,196 - $8,524. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $348 - $2,320 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between Fort Collins and Modesto are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, Fort Collins movers tend to run around $301 as a base rate plus $120/hour per mover, for comparison.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Fort Collins to Modesto:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,196 - $5,145
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,779 - $6,617
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,727 - $8,524
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 Fort Collins to Modesto.
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 Fort Collins, CO to Modesto, CA
Specialty needs vary by market — 89% of Fort Collins movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Modesto, 79% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $580 - $5,800 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready89% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Exodus Moving and Storage | $232 - $1,392/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $348 - $2,784 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage21% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs53% of local movers | $1,160 - $3,480 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,900 - $11,600 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $869 - $1,651 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items26% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $1,160 - $2,900 |
| Piano | Any piano type79% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Exodus Moving and Storage | $928 - $4,060 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling21% of local movers | $348 - $1,740 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect5% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Little Guys Movers | $754 - $2,320 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $348 - $17,400+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $348 - $4,060+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Fort Collins to Modesto?
Movers licensed to operate in California are typically members of the California Moving & Storage Association, worth checking for before you book any of the three below.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 customer support, and 30 days of free storage are included with every move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list, 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, combining 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 the more cost-efficient choice. Local movers in Fort Collins, CO, often charge 30% - 40% more at that distance because their operations aren't built for long-haul logistics. The exception is if you want a dedicated point-to-point truck with an average 2-day delivery, though that level of service generally increases your total cost.
Moving container costs from Fort Collins, CO to Modesto, CA
Moving containers from Fort Collins, Colorado, to Modesto, California, cost between $1,313 and $4,348. 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 Fort Collins costs roughly $80/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Fort Collins to Modesto:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,313 - $2,266
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,708 - $3,421
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,153 - $4,348
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $87 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $174 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 $812 in Fort Collins, 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 $1,313. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,708 - $3,421, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Fort Collins 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 Fort Collins 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 Fort Collins:
- Exodus Moving and Storage (4.6/5), 26 years in business
- Johnson Storage & Moving (4.7/5), 126 years in business
- Choice Moving Company (4.9/5), 7 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Fort Collins, CO to Modesto, CA
Plan on $764 - $2,044 for a rental moving truck on the 1,170-mile route from Fort Collins, Colorado, to Modesto, California. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $432 - $494
- Daily insurance: $35/day
- Equipment rentals: $8 - $23
- Fort Collins 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 Fort Collins to Modesto based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $764 - $1,454
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $851 - $1,764
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,079 - $2,044
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Fort Collins to Modesto starts at $764 - $2,044, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($432 - $494) , overnight lodging ($174/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?
- Gas: Fuel adds $432 - $494 for the 1,170-mile drive, depending on whether your rental truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: You'll handle the heavy lifting unless you bring in help. Two movers in Fort Collins, Colorado, for about 5 hours typically costs around $812.
- Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
- Lodging: The 1,170-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $174 per night, adding $348 - $522 in hotel costs total.
- Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $58 and $348.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Fort Collins 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 Fort Collins, CO to Modesto, CA
For larger DIY moves from Fort Collins, 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 most medium-to-large moves on this route, pricing typically falls between $1,366 and $2,711.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Fort Collins to Modesto:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,112 - $2,145
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,366 - $2,711
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,741 - $3,373
Pro tip: Loading a freight trailer is a bit different from filling a container. The 4-foot ramp can be steep with large items, and getting the most out of 8 feet of vertical clearance takes planning. Since pricing is based on linear feet used, every inch of wasted space has a 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 $87 - $174 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Fort Collins, Colorado, for about five hours typically runs $812.
What are the best freight companies from Fort Collins 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.
- Sutherland Trucking (4.34/5 stars): Sutherland Trucking 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: Freight trailers are one of the fastest ways to move your belongings interstate, often beating full-service movers on delivery time. If getting your stuff to Modesto quickly is a priority, freight is worth a hard look. That said, freight carriers typically require you to be available to receive your shipment within a set window, so if you need short-term storage or your new place won't be ready right away, a container or full-service mover may give you more flexibility.
Cost of living: Fort Collins, CO vs Modesto, CA
Fort Collins and Modesto land in a similar range on everyday costs. The cost of living index sits at 116 in Fort Collins and 116 in Modesto, and rent tracks closely too ($1,750/mo vs. $1,800/mo). You likely won't need to rework your monthly budget much after this move. Walkability (37 vs 48) and safety scores (72.86 vs 34.24) come out about the same too.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Modesto, CA to Fort Collins, CO guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from Colorado to California 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 81 movers in our Colorado network to compare for this 1,170-mile move.
Our take
For a move from Fort Collins, CO, to Modesto, CA, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $2,196 for a studio to $8,524 for a 4 - 5 bedroom home on the 1,170-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,313 - $4,348. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $764 - $2,044, 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 $2,779 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 Save Mart Supermarkets and Sutter Central Valley Hospitals.
FAQs: Moving from Fort Collins, CO, to Modesto, CA
What is the cheapest way to move from Fort Collins, CO to Modesto, 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 $851 - $1,764. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What are the best neighborhoods in Modesto?
For families, Del Rio, Dutch Hollow, and La Loma are worth a look in Modesto. If you're moving solo or without kids, Downtown Modesto, College Area, and McHenry Village tend to be popular picks instead.
How long does a move from Fort Collins, CO to Modesto, 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 do local movers charge in Fort Collins?
Local movers based in Fort Collins typically start around $301 as a base rate, plus $120/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 Modesto run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Fort Collins, CO to Modesto, CA?
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 percentage of Fort Collins movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 79% of movers in Fort Collins handle piano moves, and 26% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
