($1,610+) New Haven, CT to Irvine, CA Movers
Moving from New Haven, CT, to Irvine, CA, runs anywhere from $1,626 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $12,245 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 2,865 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 7 to 21 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 $2,557, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $12,245 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,922 - $7,481, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,626 - $4,430.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from New Haven, CT, to Irvine, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,746 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 New Haven, CT to Irvine, CA
There are 3 main ways to move from New Haven to Irvine: 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 $3,746 - $7,599. Containers cost roughly 30% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 60% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 2,865 miles, expect 7 to 21 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 2,865-mile route from New Haven to Irvine, broken down by home size:
Home size makes the biggest difference in what you'll pay on this route. A studio or 1-bedroom runs $2,557 - $5,533 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($1,922 - $3,896), rental truck ($1,626 - $3,001), or freight trailer ($1,783 - $3,370). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $3,746 - $7,599 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $12,245.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated October 6, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from New Haven, CT to Irvine, CA
For the 2,865-mile move from New Haven, Connecticut, to Irvine, California, full-service movers cost between $2,557 and $12,245. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $394 - $2,628 (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 New Haven generally start around $324 plus $180 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from New Haven to Irvine:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,557 - $5,533
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,746 - $7,599
- 4+ bedrooms: $7,121 - $12,245
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 New Haven to Irvine.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Connecticut to California. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: The summer months (May - September) are the busiest time of year for movers during peak moving season, which drives up prices and limits scheduling options. If you can move in the fall or winter, you'll likely find better rates and more flexibility.
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Specialty moving services from New Haven, CT to Irvine, CA
Specialty needs vary by market — 95% of New Haven movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Irvine, 84% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $657 - $6,570 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready95% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: First Class Movers, LLC | $263 - $1,577/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $394 - $3,154 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage40% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs40% of local movers | $1,314 - $3,942 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,285 - $13,140 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $984 - $1,870 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items54% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: First Class Movers, LLC | $1,314 - $3,285 |
| Piano | Any piano type77% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: First Class Movers, LLC | $1,051 - $4,599 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling26% of local movers | $394 - $1,971 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect16% of local movers21% nationallyTop pick: Collegian Movers | $854 - $2,628 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $394 - $19,710+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $394 - $4,599+ |
What are the best full-service movers from New Haven to Irvine?
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 movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in New Haven, CT. 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 New Haven, CT to Irvine, CA
Moving containers from New Haven, Connecticut, to Irvine, California, cost between $1,922 and $7,481. The container gets dropped at your door and you load it at your own pace. U-Haul gives you 3 days to load and PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're done, the company handles all the transportation. If you need extra time, storage in New Haven runs about $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from New Haven to Irvine:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,922 - $3,896
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,518 - $5,055
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,477 - $7,481
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $99 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $197 per month for larger units (12 - 16 feet).
- Moving labor: Containers don't come with loading help, so many customers hire hourly movers for the job. Two movers for about 5 hours will run you around $920 in New Haven, CT, per moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Standard coverage only reimburses by weight. Full-value protection gives you more complete coverage for higher-value items and typically costs 1% - 2% of your total declared value, around $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 shipment.
- Access: National providers generally operate in both cities, but verify that a facility near your Irvine, CA, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Connecticut 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 $1,922. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $2,518 - $5,055, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers New Haven 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 New Haven 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 New Haven:
- RT Relocation (4.8/5), 15 years in business
- Collegian Movers (5.0/5), 37 years in business
- A Plus Moving, LLC (4.8/5), 9 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from New Haven, CT to Irvine, CA
Plan on $1,626 - $4,430 for a rental moving truck on the 2,865-mile route from New Haven, Connecticut, to Irvine, California. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $1,198 - $1,369
- Daily insurance: $39/day
- Equipment rentals: $9 - $26
- New Haven daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.59 - $0.99
| 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 New Haven to Irvine based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,626 - $3,001
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,676 - $3,791
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,140 - $4,430
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $1,626 - $4,430 does not include fuel ($1,198 - $1,369) , lodging ($197/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from New Haven to Irvine typically runs $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate alone.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in New Haven, Connecticut, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $920.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $1,198 - $1,369 for the 2,865-mile drive, depending on whether your truck takes gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, auto transport trailers, and furniture pads are separate rentals. Expect to spend between $79 and $427, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $197 per night for hotel stops on the 2,865-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $394 - $591.
What are the best moving truck rentals from New Haven 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 New Haven, CT to Irvine, CA
Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from New Haven, Connecticut, to Irvine, California. Standard trailers run 28 feet long, and you're only charged for the portion you actually fill. The carrier drops the trailer off, you load it at your own pace, and they handle the drive to your new city.
Pricing is based entirely on the linear footage your shipment occupies, not the full trailer length. Most long-distance freight moves land somewhere between $1,183 and $4,087.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from New Haven to Irvine:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,783 - $3,370
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,137 - $4,087
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,810 - $5,521
Pro tip: A 4-foot ramp sounds simple, but heavy or awkward furniture can make the climb tricky. With 8 feet of height to work with, smart vertical stacking is key. Since freight companies charge by the linear foot, every extra foot you use adds to the bill.
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 New Haven, Connecticut, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $920.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $99 and $197 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from New Haven to Irvine?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the pick for best for large moves. The company is well-regarded as a top moving container option for its load-it-yourself, we-drive-it model, and that same model makes it a strong freight option for larger homes that benefit from the company's 53-foot trucks and footage-based pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Alongside their flagship container service, U-Pack provides a top-notch freight trailer option that follows the same model: no deposits, no upfront fees, and pricing based on the linear footage you actually use.
- Kay's Trucking, Inc. (4.42/5 stars): Kay's Trucking, Inc. is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned and based facilities mean accessible support staff and area-specific scheduling flexibility that national-only freight carriers typically don't match.
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: New Haven, CT 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 New Haven on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | New Haven, CT | Irvine, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 109 | 165 |
| Average rent | $2,375/mo | $4,000/mo |
| Median home value | $248,886 | $1,113,305 |
| Average income | $53,771/yr | $129,647/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 9.7% | 5.4% |
| State income tax | Up to 3.0% | Up to 13.3% |
| Walkability score | 68/100 | 43/100 |
| Safety index | 41.8/100 | 68.99/100 |
| Air quality | Good | 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 New Haven, CT guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from Connecticut 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 55 movers in Connecticut, so you have real options to compare for this 2,865-mile move.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 2,865-mile route from New Haven, CT, to Irvine, CA, run $2,557 - $12,245 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,922 - $7,481, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $1,626 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,746, 30 days of free storage, and a 24/7 support team you can actually reach.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Mitsubishi Digital Electronics America and Taco Bell.
FAQs: Moving from New Haven, CT, to Irvine, CA
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 Irvine?
For families, Westpark II, Turtle Rock, and Woodbridge are worth a look in Irvine. If you're moving solo or without kids, Westpark, Westpark II, and Oak Creek tend to be popular picks instead.
How walkable is Irvine?
Irvine has a walkability score of 43 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 69, compared to 68 and 66 in New Haven. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
Is Irvine a safe place to live?
Irvine has a safety index of 68.99 out of 100 and a crime index of 31.01, compared to 41.8 and 58.2 in New Haven. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What are some tips for saving money on a move from New Haven, CT to Irvine, 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 New Haven movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 77% of movers in New Haven handle piano moves, and 54% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.