($693+) Fort Collins, CO to Ontario, CA Movers
Moving from Fort Collins, CO, to Ontario, CA, runs anywhere from $693 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,235 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,040 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 $2,025, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $8,235 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,126 - $4,037, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $693 - $1,757.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Fort Collins, CO, to Ontario, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,589 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 Ontario, CA
Moving options from Fort Collins to Ontario fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move on this route costs $2,589 - $6,197 and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 42% less for the same home size, while rental trucks land about 74% less, though both require you to load the truck or container yourself. This route spans 1,040 miles and typically takes 2 to 8 days.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,040-mile route from Fort Collins to Ontario, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $2,025 - $4,698 | $1,126 - $2,118 | $693 - $1,290 | $1,055 - $1,849 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,589 - $6,197 | $1,509 - $2,917 | $684 - $1,460 | $1,207 - $2,357 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,349 - $8,235 | $1,996 - $4,037 | $913 - $1,757 | $1,597 - $3,104 |
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 Fort Collins, CO to Ontario, CA
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 1,040-mile move from Fort Collins, Colorado, to Ontario, California, with prices running from $2,025 - $8,235. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $352 - $2,344 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between Fort Collins and Ontario 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 Ontario:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,025 - $4,698
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,589 - $6,197
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,349 - $8,235
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 Ontario.
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 Ontario, CA
Specialty needs vary by market: 57% of Fort Collins movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Ontario, 54% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing74% of local movers | $586 - $5,860 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready57% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $234 - $1,406/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $352 - $2,813 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage16% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs56% of local movers | $1,172 - $3,516 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,930 - $11,720 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $878 - $1,668 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items31% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $1,172 - $2,930 |
| Piano | Any piano type52% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $938 - $4,102 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling4% of local movers | $352 - $1,758 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect9% of local movers9% nationally | $762 - $2,344 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $352 - $17,580+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $352 - $4,102+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Fort Collins to Ontario?
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 van lines are the smarter financial choice over local movers in Fort Collins, 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 Fort Collins, CO to Ontario, CA
Moving containers from Fort Collins, Colorado, to Ontario, California, cost between $1,126 and $4,037. You load everything on your own schedule (U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30). When you're ready, the company takes care of getting the container from point A to point B. Need more time than that? Extra storage in Fort Collins typically runs around $80/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Fort Collins to Ontario:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,126 - $2,118
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,509 - $2,917
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,996 - $4,037
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Access: Most major container brands operate in both Fort Collins, CO and Ontario, CA. Still, double-check that a nearby facility is available if you need to access your belongings before delivery.
- Moving labor: Because containers are self-loaded, many customers hire hourly help. Two movers for about 5 hours typically cost around $820 in Fort Collins, CO, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $88 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $176 for larger ones (12 - 16 feet).
- Added contents protection: For more coverage beyond the standard minimum, full-value protection is the typical upgrade, generally 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value. On a $50,000 household, that's roughly $500 - $1,000 as a one-time fee.
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 $1,126. 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 $1,509 - $2,917.
What are the best moving containers Fort Collins to Ontario?
- 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:
- Little Guys Movers (4.9/5), 34 years in business
- Choice Moving Company (4.9/5), 11 years in business
- Two College Movers (4.8/5), 13 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Fort Collins, CO to Ontario, CA
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 1,040 miles from Fort Collins, Colorado, to Ontario, California, running $693 - $1,757. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $388 - $443
- 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 Ontario based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $693 - $1,290
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $684 - $1,460
- 4+ bedrooms: $913 - $1,757
Pro tip: A rental truck from Fort Collins to Ontario looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $693 - $1,757. But once you factor in fuel ($388 - $443), overnight lodging ($176/night), meals, and equipment rentals, most people end up spending roughly $600 - $1,200 more on meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging. Building that into your budget upfront saves you from sticker shock at the end of the move.
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 $88 and $410.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $176.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $388 and $443 for the 1,040-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 $820 for 2 movers in Fort Collins, Colorado, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Fort Collins to Ontario?
- 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 Ontario, CA
If you're moving a larger household from Fort Collins, Colorado, 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 Ontario, California.
Freight trailers are priced by the linear feet your belongings take up, so you only pay for the space you use. A 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route typically falls between $1,207 and $2,357.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Fort Collins to Ontario:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,055 - $1,849
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,207 - $2,357
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,597 - $3,104
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 Fort Collins, Colorado, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $820.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $88 and $176 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Fort Collins to Ontario?
- 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.
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 Ontario 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 Ontario, CA
Fort Collins and Ontario land in a similar range on everyday costs. The cost of living index sits at 116 in Fort Collins and 119 in Ontario, and average rent is $1,750/mo vs. $2,619/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 37 vs 48 and safety scores are 72.86 vs 49.75.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Ontario, CA to Fort Collins, 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 1,040-mile move.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from Fort Collins, CO, to Ontario, CA, 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 $2,025 - $8,235 on the 1,040-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,126 - $4,037 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $693 - $1,757 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $2,589 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 Prime Healthcare and Niagara Bottling.
FAQs: Moving from Fort Collins, CO, to Ontario, CA
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 4 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
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 Ontario run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
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 are the best neighborhoods in Ontario?
For families, Creekside, Parkview, and Ontario Ranch are worth a look in Ontario. If you're moving solo or without kids, Downtown Ontario, Piemonte, and Ontario Ranch tend to be popular picks instead.
How walkable is Ontario?
Ontario has a walkability score of 48 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 46, compared to 37 and 78 in Fort Collins. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
What percentage of Fort Collins movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 52% of movers in Fort Collins handle piano moves, and 31% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.