($735+) Fort Collins, CO to Ontario, CA Movers
Moving from Fort Collins, CO, to Ontario, CA, runs anywhere from $721 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,560 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 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 $2,147, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $8,560 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,267 - $4,363, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $721 - $1,940.
- 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 $2,582 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. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $2,582 - $6,765 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 1,040 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 1,040-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 | $2,147 - $4,929 | $1,267 - $2,291 | $721 - $1,355 | $1,086 - $2,144 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,582 - $6,765 | $1,584 - $3,187 | $794 - $1,516 | $1,280 - $2,574 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,388 - $8,560 | $2,095 - $4,363 | $958 - $1,940 | $1,795 - $3,257 |
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 Ontario, CA
For the 1,040-mile move from Fort Collins, Colorado, to Ontario, California, full-service movers cost between $2,147 and $8,560. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $352 - $2,344 (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 Fort Collins generally start around $301 plus $120 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Fort Collins to Ontario:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,147 - $4,929
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,582 - $6,765
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,388 - $8,560
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: Moving company rates climb during peak moving season (May –-September) when demand peaks. Scheduling your move outside of that window can lead to noticeably lower costs and better availability.
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Specialty moving services from Fort Collins, CO to Ontario, CA
Specialty needs vary by market — 89% of Fort Collins movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Ontario, 85% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $586 - $5,860 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready89% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Exodus Moving and Storage | $234 - $1,406/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $352 - $2,813 |
| 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 | $1,172 - $3,516 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,930 - $11,720 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $878 - $1,668 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items26% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $1,172 - $2,930 |
| Piano | Any piano type79% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Exodus Moving and Storage | $938 - $4,102 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling21% of local movers | $352 - $1,758 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect5% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Little Guys Movers | $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?
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 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 Ontario, CA
Moving containers from Fort Collins, Colorado, to Ontario, California, cost between $1,267 and $4,363. 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 Ontario. If you go over that window, storage in Fort Collins adds around $80/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Fort Collins to Ontario:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,267 - $2,291
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,584 - $3,187
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,095 - $4,363
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 Fort Collins, CO, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $820, 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 $88 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $176 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Fort Collins, CO, and Ontario, 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 $1,267. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,584 - $3,187, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
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:
- 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 Ontario, CA
A rental truck for this 1,040-mile move from Fort Collins, Colorado, to Ontario, California, costs between $721 and $1,940. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- 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: $721 - $1,355
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $794 - $1,516
- 4+ bedrooms: $958 - $1,940
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $721 - $1,940 when pricing out a rental truck from Fort Collins to Ontario. Fuel alone runs ($388 - $443) , and overnight lodging ($176/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?
- Gas: Fuel adds $388 - $443 for the 1,040-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 $820.
- Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
- Lodging: The 1,040-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $176 per night, adding $352 - $527 in hotel costs total.
- Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $59 and $352.
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
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 Fort Collins, Colorado, to Ontario, 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 $1,280 and $2,574.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Fort Collins to Ontario:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,086 - $2,144
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,280 - $2,574
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,795 - $3,257
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?
- More space: Freight pricing is based on exactly how much of the trailer you fill. If your items take up more than expected, the added footage can increase your cost by between $88 and $176.
- Peak season impact: Moving during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) often means higher trailer rates as demand increases across the board.
- Moving labor: Unless you plan to load everything yourself, factor in labor costs. Two movers in Fort Collins, Colorado, for roughly five hours typically average $820.
What are the best freight companies from Fort Collins to Ontario?
- 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 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
Day-to-day costs in Ontario are close to what you're used to in Fort Collins: cost of living index of 119 versus 116, with average rent of $2,619/mo compared to $1,750/mo. Housing, income, and taxes are all in a similar range, so budgeting for this move mostly comes down to the moving costs above rather than a shift in your monthly expenses. Walkability and safety scores are close too, at 37/100 and 72.86/100 in Fort Collins versus 48/100 and 49.75/100 in Ontario.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Ontario, 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 1,040-mile move.
Our take
For a move from Fort Collins, CO, to Ontario, CA, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $2,147 for a studio to $8,560 for a 4 - 5 bedroom home on the 1,040-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,267 - $4,363. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $721 - $1,940, 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 $2,582 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 Prime Healthcare and Niagara Bottling.
FAQs: Moving from Fort Collins, CO, to Ontario, CA
What is the cheapest way to move from Fort Collins, CO to Ontario, 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 $794 - $1,516. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
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 long does a move from Fort Collins, CO to Ontario, 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 Ontario 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 Ontario, 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.
