($1,085+) Minneapolis, MN to Santa Ana, CA Movers
Moving from Minneapolis, MN, to Santa Ana, CA, runs anywhere from $1,085 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $10,864 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,925 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 $2,425, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $10,864 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,497 - $5,691, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,085 - $3,171.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Minneapolis, MN, to Santa Ana, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,560 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 Minneapolis, MN to Santa Ana, CA
There are 3 main ways to move from Minneapolis to Santa Ana: 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 $3,560 - $7,414. Moving containers run about 46% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 66% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 5 to 16 days for this 1,925-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 1,925-mile route from Minneapolis to Santa Ana, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $2,425 - $5,525 | $1,497 - $2,927 | $1,085 - $2,154 | $1,445 - $2,714 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $3,560 - $7,414 | $1,917 - $4,101 | $1,198 - $2,590 | $1,534 - $3,151 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $6,177 - $10,864 | $2,652 - $5,691 | $1,557 - $3,171 | $2,099 - $4,332 |
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 Minneapolis, MN to Santa Ana, CA
For the 1,925-mile move from Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Santa Ana, California, full-service movers cost between $2,425 and $10,864. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $391 - $2,604 (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 Santa Ana:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,425 - $5,525
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,560 - $7,414
- 4+ bedrooms: $6,177 - $10,864
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 Santa Ana.
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 Minneapolis, MN to Santa Ana, CA
Specialty needs vary by market: 69% of Minneapolis movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Santa Ana, 54% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing82% of local movers | $651 - $6,510 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready69% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Matt's Moving Company | $260 - $1,562/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $391 - $3,125 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage12% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs60% of local movers | $1,302 - $3,906 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,255 - $13,020 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $975 - $1,853 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items26% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: College Muscle Movers, LLC | $1,302 - $3,255 |
| Piano | Any piano type49% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Matt's Moving Company | $1,042 - $4,557 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling4% of local movers | $391 - $1,953 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect10% of local movers9% nationally | $846 - $2,604 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $391 - $19,530+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $391 - $4,557+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Minneapolis to Santa Ana?
All three below meet the standards set by the California Moving & Storage Association, the group most California movers are affiliated with.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list, with flat-rate pricing that holds firm on moving day and a customer support team available around the clock.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here. With 30+ years of interstate moves behind them, AVL uses full-time in-house crews instead of the contracted labor most national carriers rely on.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, with fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan available on every long-distance move.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in Minneapolis, MN. 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 Minneapolis, MN to Santa Ana, CA
Moving containers from Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Santa Ana, California, cost between $1,497 and $5,691. You're in charge of loading, and the timeline is yours to set. U-Haul allows 3 days while PODS gives you a full 30. After that, the company picks it up and delivers it to your new address. Running behind schedule? Storage in Minneapolis costs roughly $70/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Minneapolis to Santa Ana:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,497 - $2,927
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,917 - $4,101
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,652 - $5,691
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $98 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $195 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Santa Ana, CA, if you need to retrieve anything while items are still in storage.
- Moving labor: Since you're responsible for loading the container yourself, many customers bring in hourly help. Based on moveBuddha data, hiring 2 movers for approximately 5 hours costs about $911 in Minneapolis, MN. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection goes beyond the standard minimum and covers repair, replacement, or reimbursement at declared value. Pricing is typically 1% - 2% of your total shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 move.
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 $1,497. 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 $1,917 - $4,101.
What are the best moving containers Minneapolis to Santa Ana?
- 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:
- 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 Santa Ana, CA
Truck rentals from Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Santa Ana, California, range from $1,085 - $3,171 for the 1,925-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $797 - $911
- Daily insurance: $39/day
- Equipment rentals: $9 - $26
- 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 Santa Ana based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,085 - $2,154
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,198 - $2,590
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,557 - $3,171
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $1,085 - $3,171 when pricing out a rental truck from Minneapolis to Santa Ana. Fuel alone runs $797 - $911, and overnight lodging ($195/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?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $195 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 $85 and $423 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $797 - $911 in fuel for the 1,925-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $911 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Minneapolis to Santa Ana?
- 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 Santa Ana, CA
If you're moving a larger household from Minneapolis, Minnesota, and want to stay in control of the loading process, freight trailers offer a practical middle ground between hiring movers and renting a truck yourself. A 28-foot trailer is delivered to your door, you load what you need, and the carrier handles the drive to Santa Ana, California.
Freight trailers are priced by the linear feet your belongings take up, so you only pay for the space you use. A 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route typically falls between $1,534 and $3,151.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Minneapolis to Santa Ana:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,445 - $2,714
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,534 - $3,151
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,099 - $4,332
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?
- 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 $98 - $195 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Minneapolis, Minnesota, for about five hours typically runs $911.
What are the best freight companies from Minneapolis to Santa Ana?
- 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.
Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from Minneapolis to Santa Ana, 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 Santa Ana, CA
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Santa Ana, side by side with Minneapolis on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Minneapolis, MN | Santa Ana, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 107 | 165 |
| Average rent | $1,484/mo | $2,650/mo |
| Median home value | $345,294 | $657,015 |
| Average income | $80,269/yr | $88,354/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 4.5% | 7.0% |
| State income tax | Up to 9.85% | Up to 13.3% |
| Walkability score | 71/100 | 67/100 |
| Safety index | 43.94/100 | 45.83/100 |
| Air quality | Good | Moderate |
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 Santa Ana, CA to Minneapolis, MN guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from Minnesota to California 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 151 movers in our Minnesota network to compare for this 1,925-mile move.
Our take
A move from Minneapolis, MN, to Santa Ana, 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 $2,425 - $10,864 on the 1,925-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,497 - $5,691, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $1,085 - $3,171. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $3,560 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 Allied Universal and First American Financial.
FAQs: Moving from Minneapolis, MN, to Santa Ana, CA
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Minneapolis, MN to Santa Ana, 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.
How much does it cost to move from Minneapolis, MN to Santa Ana, CA?
Costs on this route range from around $1,085 to $10,864, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,425 and $10,864, 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.
How walkable is Santa Ana?
Santa Ana has a walkability score of 67 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 62, compared to 71 and 83 in Minneapolis. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($797 - $911), daily insurance ($39/day), and equipment rentals ($9 - $26) on top. Overnight stops can add another $195/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 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.