($1,076+) Minneapolis, MN to Oakland, CA Movers
Moving from Minneapolis, MN, to Oakland, CA, runs anywhere from $1,121 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $11,638 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,970 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 5 to 16 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 $2,389, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $11,638 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,542 - $5,356, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,121 - $3,309.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Minneapolis, MN, to Oakland, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,419 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
Compare moving options from Minneapolis, MN to Oakland, CA
There are 3 main ways to move from Minneapolis to Oakland: 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 $3,419 - $7,614. 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 1,970 miles, expect 5 to 16 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 1,970-mile route from Minneapolis to Oakland, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $2,389 - $5,605 | $1,542 - $3,014 | $1,121 - $2,074 | $1,360 - $2,659 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $3,419 - $7,614 | $1,995 - $3,973 | $1,275 - $2,676 | $1,547 - $3,312 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $6,243 - $11,638 | $2,703 - $5,356 | $1,500 - $3,309 | $2,252 - $4,420 |
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 Minneapolis, MN to Oakland, CA
For the 1,970-mile move from Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Oakland, California, full-service movers cost between $2,389 and $11,638. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $428 - $2,852 (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 Minneapolis generally start around $240 plus $109 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Minneapolis to Oakland:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,389 - $5,605
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,419 - $7,614
- 4+ bedrooms: $6,243 - $11,638
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 Minneapolis to Oakland.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Minnesota to California. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: Peak moving season (May - September) limits truck availability and pushes up full-service moving costs. Booking during slower months can give you more scheduling room and a lower final price.
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Specialty moving services from Minneapolis, MN to Oakland, CA
Specialty needs vary by market — 91% of Minneapolis movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Oakland, 84% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $713 - $7,130 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready91% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Matt's Moving Company | $285 - $1,711/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $428 - $3,422 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage29% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs59% of local movers | $1,426 - $4,278 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,565 - $14,260 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,068 - $2,029 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items41% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: College Muscle Movers, LLC | $1,426 - $3,565 |
| Piano | Any piano type76% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Matt's Moving Company | $1,141 - $4,991 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling21% of local movers | $428 - $2,139 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect12% of local movers21% nationallyTop pick: College Muscle Movers, LLC | $927 - $2,852 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $428 - $21,390+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $428 - $4,991+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Minneapolis to Oakland?
California Moving & Storage Association membership is a quick way to confirm a mover is legitimate in California, on top of the picks below.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing means no surprise charges on moving day, and their support team is consistently rated among the most responsive in the industry.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here, 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, with 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 full-service movers are almost always better priced than local movers in Minneapolis, MN. Local companies typically run 30% - 40% more at longer distances because they aren't set up to consolidate shipments the way national carriers do. The one case where a local mover might be worth the premium is if you want a dedicated direct-route truck, which averages a 2-day delivery time, but expect to pay more for that convenience.
Moving container costs from Minneapolis, MN to Oakland, CA
Moving containers from Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Oakland, California, cost between $1,542 and $5,356. 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 Minneapolis runs about $70/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Minneapolis to Oakland:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,542 - $3,014
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,995 - $3,973
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,703 - $5,356
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $107 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $214 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 $998 in Minneapolis, MN, 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 Oakland, CA, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Minnesota 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 $1,542. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,995 - $3,973, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Minneapolis to Oakland?
- 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 Minneapolis 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 Minneapolis:
- AAA Movers (4.4/5), 38 years in business
- College Muscle Movers, LLC (4.5/5), 19 years in business
- Good Stuff Moving (4.8/5), 26 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Minneapolis, MN to Oakland, CA
Plan on $1,121 - $3,309 for a rental moving truck on the 1,970-mile route from Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Oakland, California. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $894 - $1,022
- Daily insurance: $43/day
- Equipment rentals: $10 - $29
- Minneapolis 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 Minneapolis to Oakland based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,121 - $2,074
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,275 - $2,676
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,500 - $3,309
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Minneapolis to Oakland starts at $1,121 - $3,309, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($894 - $1,022) , overnight lodging ($214/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for an additional $600 - $1,200 on top of your base rate to cover those costs.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $214 per night if your drive requires an overnight stop. Typically, you'll make 1 - 3 overnight stops, depending on move distance.
- Moving labor: Bringing in professional loading help in Minneapolis, Minnesota, usually costs about $998 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 1,970-mile drive falls between $894 and $1,022, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, moving pads, and vehicle trailers are easy to overlook but can add between $71 and $428 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Minneapolis to Oakland?
- 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 Minneapolis, MN to Oakland, CA
Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Oakland, 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 $1,283 and $3,312.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Minneapolis to Oakland:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,360 - $2,659
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,547 - $3,312
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,252 - $4,420
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 Minneapolis, Minnesota, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $998.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $107 - $214 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 Minneapolis to Oakland?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the best for large moves pick. While it's a top moving container option for the DIY hybrid setup (you handle the loading, they handle the driving), the same approach makes it a strong freight choice for 3 to 5+ bedroom homes that need 53 feet of trailer capacity with pay-as-you-go pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer here. In addition to their popular container service, U-Pack delivers a top-tier freight trailer option that uses the same pay-by-the-foot pricing model and skips deposits and upfront fees entirely.
- T.A. Dedicated, Inc. (4.84/5 stars): T.A. Dedicated, Inc. is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Local ownership translates to accessible support staff and facilities based in the communities they serve, giving customers more direct communication than they'd typically get from a national-only freight network.
Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from Minneapolis to Oakland, freight trailers are one of the fastest interstate options available, second only to renting a truck and driving it yourself. The tradeoff is that freight works best when you're ready to receive your belongings on the other end. If your timeline is tight on the receiving side or you need a short storage buffer, a moving container might be a better fit.
Cost of living: Minneapolis, MN vs Oakland, CA
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Oakland, side by side with Minneapolis on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Minneapolis, MN | Oakland, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 107 | 196 |
| Average rent | $1,484/mo | $2,200/mo |
| Median home value | $345,294 | $925,411 |
| Average income | $80,269/yr | $97,369/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 4.5% | 4.5% |
| State income tax | Up to 9.85% | Up to 13.3% |
| Walkability score | 71/100 | 75/100 |
| Safety index | 43.94/100 | 31.38/100 |
| 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 Oakland, CA to Minneapolis, MN guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from Minnesota 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 49 movers in Minnesota, so you have real options to compare for this 1,970-mile move.
Our take
A move from Minneapolis, MN, to Oakland, CA, gives you several options depending on your budget and how much you want to do yourself. Full-service movers handle everything but cost the most, ranging from $2,389 - $11,638 on the 1,970-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,542 - $5,356, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $1,121 - $3,309. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $3,419 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and round-the-clock live support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Kaiser Permanente and Dreyer's.
FAQs: Moving from Minneapolis, MN, to Oakland, CA
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($894 - $1,022), daily insurance ($43/day), and equipment rentals ($10 - $29) on top. Overnight stops can add another $214/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
What is the cheapest way to move from Minneapolis, MN to Oakland, 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 $1,275 - $2,676. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
How much does it cost to move from Minneapolis, MN to Oakland, CA?
Costs on this route range from around $2,389 to $11,638, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,389 and $11,638, 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 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 3 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 Minneapolis?
Local movers based in Minneapolis typically start around $240 as a base rate, plus $109/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 Oakland run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
What percentage of Minneapolis movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 76% of movers in Minneapolis handle piano moves, and 41% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.