($599+) Boise, ID to Irvine, CA Movers
Moving from Boise, ID, to Irvine, CA, runs anywhere from $599 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $9,394 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 888 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 2 to 7 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 $2,258, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $9,394 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,096 - $3,542, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $599 - $1,601.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Boise, ID, to Irvine, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,739 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 Boise, ID to Irvine, CA
There are 3 main ways to move from Boise to Irvine: 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 $2,739 - $6,475. Moving containers run about 49% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 77% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 2 to 7 days for this 888-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 888-mile route from Boise to Irvine, broken down by home size:
- A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $2,258 - $5,331 with full-service movers, $1,096 - $2,009 with a container, $599 - $1,098 with a rental truck, or $978 - $1,879 by freight.
- A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $2,739 - $6,475 full-service, $1,396 - $2,817 by container, $621 - $1,305 by rental truck, or $1,094 - $2,253 by freight.
- A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $4,593 - $9,394 full-service, $1,821 - $3,542 by container, $779 - $1,601 by rental truck, or $1,593 - $2,980 by freight.
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 Boise, ID to Irvine, CA
For the 888-mile move from Boise, Idaho, to Irvine, California, full-service movers cost between $2,258 and $9,394. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $412 - $2,748 (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 Boise generally start around $229 plus $100 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Boise to Irvine:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,258 - $5,331
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,739 - $6,475
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,593 - $9,394
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 Boise to Irvine.
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 Boise, ID to Irvine, CA
Specialty needs vary by market: 47% of Boise movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Irvine, 56% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing66% of local movers | $687 - $6,870 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready47% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $275 - $1,649/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $412 - $3,298 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage11% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs41% of local movers | $1,374 - $4,122 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,435 - $13,740 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,029 - $1,955 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items5% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Lake Coeur d'Alene Movers (ID) | $1,374 - $3,435 |
| Piano | Any piano type24% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $1,099 - $4,809 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling5% of local movers | $412 - $2,061 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect3% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Lake Coeur d'Alene Movers (ID) | $893 - $2,748 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $412 - $20,610+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $412 - $4,809+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Boise 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 van lines are the smarter financial choice over local movers in Boise, ID. 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 Boise, ID to Irvine, CA
Moving containers from Boise, Idaho, to Irvine, California, cost between $1,096 and $3,542. 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 Irvine. If you go over that window, storage in Boise adds around $85/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Boise to Irvine:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,096 - $2,009
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,396 - $2,817
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,821 - $3,542
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $103 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $206 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 $962 in Boise, ID, 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 Idaho 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 $1,096. 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 $1,396 - $2,817.
What are the best moving containers Boise 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 Boise 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 Boise:
- 208 Moving Company (4.9/5), 13 years in business
- All My Sons Moving & Storage (4.7/5), 27 years in business
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.9/5), 6 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Boise, ID to Irvine, CA
Truck rentals from Boise, Idaho, to Irvine, California, range from $599 - $1,601 for the 888-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $388 - $444
- Daily insurance: $41/day
- Equipment rentals: $10 - $27
- Boise 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 Boise to Irvine based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $599 - $1,098
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $621 - $1,305
- 4+ bedrooms: $779 - $1,601
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Boise to Irvine starts at $599 - $1,601, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($388 - $444), overnight lodging ($206/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for roughly $600 - $1,200 more on top of fuel and lodging to cover meals, equipment, and other extras.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $206 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 $89 and $447 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $388 - $444 in fuel for the 888-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $962 in Boise, Idaho, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Boise 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 Boise, ID to Irvine, CA
For larger DIY moves from Boise, Idaho, 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 Irvine, 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 $1,094 and $2,253.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Boise to Irvine:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $978 - $1,879
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,094 - $2,253
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,593 - $2,980
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?
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In Boise, Idaho, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $962.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $103 - $206 per additional foot to your total.
- Time of year: Rates tend to climb during peak moving season (mid-May through mid-September) when trailer demand is at its highest.
What are the best freight companies from Boise to Irvine?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Best known as a top moving container option thanks to its DIY hybrid model (you load, they drive), MovingYourself also doubles as a strong freight choice with their 53-foot trucks and pay-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. In addition to their well-known container service, U-Pack offers freight trailers that follow the same pay-by-the-foot model with no deposits or upfront fees, making them one of the most flexible freight options for budget-conscious moves.
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: Boise, ID 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 Boise on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Boise, ID | Irvine, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 119 | 165 |
| Average rent | $1,495/mo | $4,000/mo |
| Median home value | $455,253 | $1,113,305 |
| Average income | $81,308/yr | $129,647/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 3.6% | 5.4% |
| State income tax | Up to 5.8% | Up to 13.3% |
| Walkability score | 88/100 | 43/100 |
| Safety index | 65.01/100 | 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 Boise, ID guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Idaho to California, so we know current pricing better than most. Checking our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates. Idaho alone has 70 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 888-mile move like this one.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from Boise, ID, to Irvine, 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 $2,258 - $9,394 on the 888-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,096 - $3,542 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $599 - $1,601 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $2,739 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 Mitsubishi Digital Electronics America and Taco Bell.
FAQs: Moving from Boise, ID, to Irvine, CA
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($388 - $444), daily insurance ($41/day), and equipment rentals ($10 - $27) on top. Overnight stops can add another $206/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
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 is the best time of year to move from Boise, ID to Irvine, 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.
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.
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 65.01 and 34.99 in Boise. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What percentage of Boise movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 24% of movers in Boise handle piano moves, and 5% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.