($792+) Detroit, MI to Denver, CO Movers

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Background image of a moving truck moving from Detroit, MI to Denver, CO

Moving from Detroit, MI, to Denver, CO, runs anywhere from $792 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $9,389 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,268 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 3 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 $2,266, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $9,389 or more.
  • Moving containers run $1,219 - $4,537, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $792 - $2,129.
  • Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Detroit, MI, to Denver, CO. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,901 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.

Compare moving options from Detroit, MI to Denver, CO

There are 3 main ways to move from Detroit to Denver: 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 $2,901 - $6,366. Moving containers run about 44% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 70% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 3 to 8 days for this 1,268-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 1,268-mile route from Detroit to Denver, broken down by home size:

Home size Full-service movers Moving container Rental truck Freight trailer
Studio / 1 bedroom $2,266 - $4,943 $1,219 - $2,266 $792 - $1,453 $1,154 - $2,039
2 - 3 bedrooms $2,901 - $6,366 $1,620 - $3,322 $873 - $1,833 $1,334 - $2,684
4+ bedrooms $4,917 - $9,389 $2,195 - $4,537 $1,098 - $2,129 $1,686 - $3,594

Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated November 2, 2026.

Professional moving
Professional
Safeway Moving
star star star star star 4.9 / 5
Read our full Safeway review
Best overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran-owned
Moving container
Container
Unlimited storage
3 container sizes
10% discount
Rental truck
Rental Truck
Budget Truck Rental
star star star star star 4.3 / 5
Read our full Budget review
Affordable pricing
Online estimates
Several discounts
Freight trailer
Freight
MovingYourself
star star star star star 4.5 / 5
Read our full MovingYourself review
Fast delivery
Nationwide
100+ miles moves

Full-service moving costs from Detroit, MI to Denver, CO

For the 1,268-mile move from Detroit, Michigan, to Denver, Colorado, full-service movers cost between $2,266 and $9,389. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $319 - $2,128 (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 Detroit generally start around $248 plus $100 per hour, per mover.

Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Detroit to Denver:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,266 - $4,943
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,901 - $6,366
  • 4+ bedrooms: $4,917 - $9,389

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 Detroit to Denver.

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 Detroit, MI to Denver, CO

Specialty needs vary by market: 59% of Detroit movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Denver, 48% of movers offer the same service.

Service When you need it Typical cost
Full packingFull crew packing82% of local movers$532 - $5,320
Storage in transitNew place not ready59% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Grosse Pointe Moving & Storage$213 - $1,277/mo
Shuttle feeTruck can't reach door$319 - $2,554
Full-value protectionMore than $0.60/lb coverage5% of local movers$300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value)
Small movesUnder ~2,000 lbs58% of local movers$1,064 - $3,192
Office / commercialWorkplace relocation$2,660 - $10,640
Car shippingSecond vehicle$797 - $1,514
Antiques & fine artFragile, high-value items19% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Handle With Care Moving$1,064 - $2,660
PianoAny piano type42% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Men on the Move$851 - $3,724
Pool tableDisassembly & re-leveling9% of local movers$319 - $1,596
Hot tubHeavy, needs disconnect15% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving$692 - $2,128
Wine collectionClimate-controlled transport$319 - $15,960+
Pet relocationGround, air, or concierge$319 - $3,724+

What are the best full-service movers from Detroit to Denver?

  1. Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving offers the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing locks in your cost upfront, and 24/7 customer support is available throughout the move.
  2. American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. Operating since 1995, AVL staffs every move with full-time in-house crews trained on antiques, art, and other high-value items.
  3. Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. As one of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, real-time shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan.

Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national full-service movers are the more cost-efficient choice. Local movers in Detroit, MI, 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 Detroit, MI to Denver, CO

Moving containers from Detroit, Michigan, to Denver, Colorado, cost between $1,219 and $4,537. 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 Detroit typically runs around $85/month.

Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Detroit to Denver:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,219 - $2,266
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,620 - $3,322
  • 4+ bedrooms: $2,195 - $4,537

What other costs come with moving containers?

  • Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $80 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $160 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 $745 in Detroit, MI, 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 Denver, CO, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.

Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Michigan to Colorado 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 $1,219. 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 $1,620 - $3,322.

What are the best moving containers Detroit to Denver?

  1. Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
  2. U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
  3. 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 Detroit 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 Detroit:

  • College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.9/5), 15 years in business
  • O'Sullivan Moving & Storage CO. (4.3/5), 44 years in business
  • Men on the Move (4.6/5), 34 years in business

Moving truck rental costs from Detroit, MI to Denver, CO

Plan on $792 - $2,129 for a rental moving truck on the 1,268-mile route from Detroit, Michigan, to Denver, Colorado. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:

  • Fuel for the drive: $429 - $491
  • Daily insurance: $32/day
  • Equipment rentals: $7 - $21
  • Detroit daily rental rate: $19 - $39
  • Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.59 - $0.79
Home sizeTypical truck size
Studio / 1 bedroom10 - 12 ft
2 - 3 bedrooms15 - 17 ft
4+ bedrooms20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel)

These are typical moving truck rental costs from Detroit to Denver based on home size:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $792 - $1,453
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $873 - $1,833
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,098 - $2,129

Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $792 - $2,129 when pricing out a rental truck from Detroit to Denver. Fuel alone runs $429 - $491, and overnight lodging ($160/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend roughly $600 - $1,200 more on meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging by the time the move is done.

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 $80 and $372.
  • Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $160.
  • Gas: Expect fuel to run between $429 and $491 for the 1,268-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 $745 for 2 movers in Detroit, Michigan, for about 5 hours.
  • Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.

What are the best moving truck rentals from Detroit to Denver?

  1. Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
  2. Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
  3. 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 Detroit, MI to Denver, CO

For larger DIY moves from Detroit, Michigan, 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 Denver, Colorado.

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 $1,334 and $2,684.

Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Detroit to Denver:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,154 - $2,039
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,334 - $2,684
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,686 - $3,594

Pro tip: Freight trailers come with a 4-foot loading ramp, which can be a challenge with bulky furniture. With 8 feet of vertical space available, stacking efficiently often requires a ladder and a plan. Since you're billed per linear foot, packing tight can make a real difference in your final 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 $80 - $160 more per foot.
  • Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Detroit, Michigan, for about five hours typically runs $745.

What are the best freight companies from Detroit to Denver?

  1. 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.
  2. 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 move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Detroit to Denver. If you have a hard move-in date and want your stuff there as soon as possible, freight is hard to beat. It's worth noting that freight works best when you're ready to receive your delivery, so if your move-in date is still up in the air or you'll need short-term storage, a moving container is likely the more practical choice.

Cost of living: Detroit, MI vs Denver, CO

The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Denver, side by side with Detroit on housing, income, and taxes.

Measure Detroit, MI Denver, CO
Cost of living index92128
Average rent$1,250/mo$1,900/mo
Median home value$79,675$586,595
Average income$39,575/yr$91,681/yr
Unemployment rate9.06%7.1%
State income taxUp to 4.25%Up to 5.49%
Walkability score51/10095/100
Safety index27.08/10052.16/100
Air qualityGoodModerate

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 Denver, CO to Detroit, MI guide.

Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:

We've processed 10 real quotes from Michigan to Colorado 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 173 movers in our Michigan network to compare for this 1,268-mile move.

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Our take

The 1,268-mile move from Detroit, MI, to Denver, CO, costs between $2,266 and $9,389 with full-service movers, $1,219 - $4,537 with a moving container, and $792 - $2,129 for a rental truck. Your budget and how much heavy lifting you want to do are the two biggest factors in choosing the right option. If you go with full-service movers, Safeway Moving is our top recommendation, with transparent flat-rate pricing starting around $2,901 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage, and 24/7 customer support.

Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Re/max and DaVita.

FAQs: Moving from Detroit, MI, to Denver, CO

How do I know a mover is licensed in Colorado?

The Colorado Public Utilities Commission (COPUC) regulates local and intrastate moving service providers in Colorado.

What do local movers charge in Detroit?

Local movers based in Detroit typically start around $248 as a base rate, plus $100/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 Denver run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.

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.

How much does it cost to move from Detroit, MI to Denver, CO?

Costs on this route range from around $792 to $9,389, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,266 and $9,389, while DIY options like rental trucks and containers come in lower. Moving during peak season (May - September) tends to push prices higher across the board.

What is the cheapest way to move from Detroit, MI to Denver, CO?

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 $873 - $1,833. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.

What percentage of Detroit movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?

About 42% of movers in Detroit handle piano moves, and 19% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.