($1,014+) Minneapolis, MN to Ontario, CA Movers

Easily compare and book your next move with moveBuddha
Background image of a moving truck moving from Minneapolis, MN to Ontario, CA

Moving from Minneapolis, MN, to Ontario, CA, runs anywhere from $1,014 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $10,368 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,817 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 $2,278, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $10,368 or more.
  • Moving containers run $1,446 - $5,250, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,014 - $2,843.
  • Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Minneapolis, MN, to Ontario, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,146 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 Ontario, CA

Moving options from Minneapolis to Ontario fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $3,146 - $7,390 for a 2-3 bedroom home and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers cost about 36% less than full-service for the same size, and rental trucks land around 63% less, with both DIY options requiring you to load yourself. Covering 1,817 miles, this route usually takes 5 to 16 days from pickup to delivery.

Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,817-mile route from Minneapolis to Ontario, broken down by home size:

  • A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $2,278 - $5,412 with full-service movers, $1,446 - $2,818 with a container, $1,014 - $1,952 with a rental truck, or $1,275 - $2,435 by freight.
  • A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $3,146 - $7,390 full-service, $2,003 - $4,103 by container, $1,177 - $2,371 by rental truck, or $1,588 - $3,062 by freight.
  • A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $6,325 - $10,368 full-service, $2,739 - $5,250 by container, $1,427 - $2,843 by rental truck, or $2,002 - $4,072 by freight.

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 Minneapolis, MN to Ontario, CA

A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 1,817-mile move from Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Ontario, California, with prices running from $2,278 - $10,368. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $335 - $2,236 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between Minneapolis and Ontario are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, Minneapolis movers tend to run around $240 as a base rate plus $109/hour per mover, for comparison.

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

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,278 - $5,412
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,146 - $7,390
  • 4+ bedrooms: $6,325 - $10,368

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 Ontario.

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.

Don't see your company listed?

Reach customers actively searching for trusted movers in your area. Tell us about your company and services to get your business listed on moveBuddha.

Get Started

Specialty moving services from Minneapolis, MN to Ontario, CA

Specialty needs vary by market: 69% of Minneapolis movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Ontario, 54% of movers offer the same service.

Service When you need it Typical cost
Full packingFull crew packing82% of local movers$559 - $5,590
Storage in transitNew place not ready69% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Matt's Moving Company$224 - $1,342/mo
Shuttle feeTruck can't reach door$335 - $2,683
Full-value protectionMore than $0.60/lb coverage12% of local movers$300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value)
Small movesUnder ~2,000 lbs60% of local movers$1,118 - $3,354
Office / commercialWorkplace relocation$2,795 - $11,180
Car shippingSecond vehicle$837 - $1,591
Antiques & fine artFragile, high-value items26% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: College Muscle Movers, LLC$1,118 - $2,795
PianoAny piano type49% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Matt's Moving Company$894 - $3,913
Pool tableDisassembly & re-leveling4% of local movers$335 - $1,677
Hot tubHeavy, needs disconnect10% of local movers9% nationally$727 - $2,236
Wine collectionClimate-controlled transport$335 - $16,770+
Pet relocationGround, air, or concierge$335 - $3,913+

What are the best full-service movers from Minneapolis to Ontario?

Look for California Moving & Storage Association membership as a baseline when comparing movers in California beyond this list.

  1. Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is our pick for best overall value. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 support, and 30 days of free storage make Safeway the clearest value on this list.
  2. American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. AVL has been moving customers since 1995 and uses full-time in-house crews trained on high-value items like art and antiques.
  3. Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. One of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, 24/7 monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan against damage, loss, and breakage.

Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national full-service movers are the more cost-efficient choice. Local movers in Minneapolis, MN, 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 Minneapolis, MN to Ontario, CA

Moving containers from Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Ontario, California, cost between $1,446 and $5,250. 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 Minneapolis adds around $70/month.

Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Minneapolis to Ontario:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,446 - $2,818
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,003 - $4,103
  • 4+ bedrooms: $2,739 - $5,250

What other costs come with moving containers?

  • Access: Most major container brands operate in both Minneapolis, MN and Ontario, CA. Still, double-check that a nearby facility is available if you need to access your belongings before delivery.
  • Moving labor: Because containers are self-loaded, many customers hire hourly help. Two movers for about 5 hours typically cost around $783 in Minneapolis, MN, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
  • Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $84 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $168 for larger ones (12 - 16 feet).
  • Added contents protection: For more coverage beyond the standard minimum, full-value protection is the typical upgrade, generally 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value. On a $50,000 household, that's roughly $500 - $1,000 as a one-time fee.

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 $1,446. 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 $2,003 - $4,103.

What are the best moving containers Minneapolis to Ontario?

  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 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:

  • College Muscle Movers, LLC (4.5/5), 19 years in business
  • Premium Moving Services (4.5/5), 9 years in business
  • TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.6/5), 27 years in business

Moving truck rental costs from Minneapolis, MN to Ontario, CA

A rental truck for this 1,817-mile move from Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Ontario, California, costs between $1,014 and $2,843. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:

  • Fuel for the drive: $646 - $739
  • Daily insurance: $34/day
  • Equipment rentals: $8 - $22
  • Minneapolis 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 Minneapolis to Ontario based on home size:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,014 - $1,952
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,177 - $2,371
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,427 - $2,843

Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $1,014 - $2,843 when pricing out a rental truck from Minneapolis to Ontario. Fuel alone runs $646 - $739, and overnight lodging ($168/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 $84 and $391.
  • Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $168.
  • Gas: Expect fuel to run between $646 and $739 for the 1,817-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 $783 for 2 movers in Minneapolis, Minnesota, for about 5 hours.
  • Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.

What are the best moving truck rentals from Minneapolis to Ontario?

  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 Minneapolis, MN 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 Minneapolis, Minnesota, 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. A 2 - 3 bedroom long-distance move using this method runs roughly between $1,588 and $3,062.

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

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,275 - $2,435
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,588 - $3,062
  • 4+ bedrooms: $2,002 - $4,072

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?

  • Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In Minneapolis, Minnesota, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $783.
  • More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $84 - $168 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 Ontario?

  1. 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.
  2. 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.

Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from Minneapolis to Ontario, 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 Ontario, CA

Minneapolis and Ontario land in a similar range on everyday costs. The cost of living index sits at 107 in Minneapolis and 119 in Ontario, and average rent is $1,484/mo vs. $2,619/mo. With an index gap that small, you likely won't need to rework your monthly budget much after this move. For reference, walkability is 71 vs 48 and safety scores are 43.94 vs 49.75.

Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Ontario, 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 151 movers in Minnesota, so you have real options to compare for this 1,817-mile move.

30%+
Save 30%+
Comparing movers helps moveBuddha users save more than 30% on average compared to booking blind.
$1K
$1,000 in coverage
Booking a moveBuddha Certified mover unlocks dedicated support throughout your move.
✓
Dispute mediation
If something goes wrong, we help resolve it with Certified movers.

Our take

For a move from Minneapolis, MN, to Ontario, CA, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $2,278 for a studio to $10,368 for a 4+ bedroom home on the 1,817-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,446 - $5,250. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $1,014 - $2,843, 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 $3,146 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 Minneapolis, MN, to Ontario, CA

What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?

The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($646 - $739), daily insurance ($34/day), and equipment rentals ($8 - $22) on top. Overnight stops can add another $168/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.

What is the cheapest way to move from Minneapolis, MN 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 $1,177 - $2,371. 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 Ontario, CA?

Costs on this route range from around $1,014 to $10,368, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,278 and $10,368, 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 4 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 Ontario 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 49% of movers in Minneapolis handle piano moves, and 26% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.