($1,164+) St. Louis, MO to Irvine, CA Movers

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Background image of a moving truck moving from St. Louis, MO to Irvine, CA

Moving from St. Louis, MO, to Irvine, CA, runs anywhere from $1,109 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $10,370 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,823 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 $2,399, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $10,370 or more.
  • Moving containers run $1,549 - $5,679, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,109 - $3,169.
  • Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from St. Louis, MO, to Irvine, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,180 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.

Compare moving options from St. Louis, MO to Irvine, CA

Moving options from St. Louis to Irvine fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move on this route costs $3,180 - $7,685 and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, while rental trucks land about 60% less, though both require you to load the truck or container yourself. This route spans 1,823 miles and typically takes 5 to 16 days.

Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,823-mile route from St. Louis to Irvine, broken down by home size:

Home size Full-service movers Moving container Rental truck Freight trailer
Studio / 1 bedroom $2,399 - $5,091 $1,549 - $3,077 $1,109 - $2,177 $1,494 - $2,797
2 - 3 bedrooms $3,180 - $7,685 $2,002 - $4,392 $1,175 - $2,640 $1,601 - $3,414
4+ bedrooms $5,840 - $10,370 $2,904 - $5,679 $1,573 - $3,169 $2,324 - $4,588

Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.

Professional
Safeway Moving
star star star star star 4.9 / 5
Read our full Safeway review
Best overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran-owned
Container
Unlimited storage
3 container sizes
10% discount
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
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 St. Louis, MO to Irvine, CA

Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 1,823-mile move from St. Louis, Missouri, to Irvine, California, with costs ranging from $2,399 - $10,370. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $349 - $2,328. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between St. Louis and Irvine. Local movers in St. Louis typically start around $247 as a base rate plus $145/hour per mover.

Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from St. Louis to Irvine:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,399 - $5,091
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,180 - $7,685
  • 4+ bedrooms: $5,840 - $10,370

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 St. Louis to Irvine.

The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Missouri to California. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.

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 St. Louis, MO to Irvine, CA

Specialty needs vary by market — 86% of St. Louis movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Irvine, 85% of movers offer the same service.

Service When you need it Typical cost
Full packingFull crew packing93% of local movers$582 - $5,820
Storage in transitNew place not ready86% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: ABC Quality Moving & Storage$233 - $1,397/mo
Shuttle feeTruck can't reach door$349 - $2,794
Full-value protectionMore than $0.60/lb coverage36% of local movers$300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value)
Small movesUnder ~2,000 lbs86% of local movers$1,164 - $3,492
Office / commercialWorkplace relocation$2,910 - $11,640
Car shippingSecond vehicle$872 - $1,656
Antiques & fine artFragile, high-value items36% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: ABC Quality Moving & Storage$1,164 - $2,910
PianoAny piano type64% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Arch Moving$931 - $4,074
Pool tableDisassembly & re-leveling21% of local movers$349 - $1,746
Hot tubHeavy, needs disconnect14% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: ABC Quality Moving & Storage$757 - $2,328
Wine collectionClimate-controlled transport$349 - $17,460+
Pet relocationGround, air, or concierge$349 - $4,074+

What are the best full-service movers from St. Louis to Irvine?

California Moving & Storage Association membership is a quick way to confirm a mover is legitimate in California, on top of the picks below.

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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 van lines are the smarter financial choice over local movers in St. Louis, MO. 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 St. Louis, MO to Irvine, CA

Moving containers from St. Louis, Missouri, to Irvine, California, cost between $1,549 and $5,679. 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 St. Louis costs roughly $90/month if you need it.

Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from St. Louis to Irvine:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,549 - $3,077
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,002 - $4,392
  • 4+ bedrooms: $2,904 - $5,679

What other costs come with moving containers?

  • Access: Most major container brands operate in both St. Louis, MO and Irvine, 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 $815 in St. Louis, MO, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
  • Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $87 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $175 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 Missouri 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 $1,549. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $2,002 - $4,392, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.

What are the best moving containers St. Louis to Irvine?

  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 St. Louis 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 St. Louis:

  • Arch Moving (4.7/5), 23 years in business
  • ABC Quality Moving & Storage (4.6/5), 37 years in business
  • Simple Moves (4.7/5), 25 years in business

Moving truck rental costs from St. Louis, MO to Irvine, CA

A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 1,823 miles from St. Louis, Missouri, to Irvine, California, running $1,109 - $3,169. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:

  • Fuel for the drive: $675 - $772
  • Daily insurance: $35/day
  • Equipment rentals: $8 - $23
  • St. Louis daily rental rate: $19 - $39
  • Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.99
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 St. Louis to Irvine based on home size:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,109 - $2,177
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,175 - $2,640
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,573 - $3,169

Pro tip: A rental truck from St. Louis to Irvine looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $1,109 - $3,169. But once you factor in fuel ($675 - $772) , overnight lodging ($175/night), meals, and equipment rentals, most people end up spending $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate suggests. Building that into your budget upfront saves you from sticker shock at the end of the move.

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 $87 and $407.
  • Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $175.
  • Gas: Expect fuel to run between $675 and $772 for the 1,823-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 $815 for 2 movers in St. Louis, Missouri, for about 5 hours.
  • Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.

What are the best moving truck rentals from St. Louis to Irvine?

  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 St. Louis, MO to Irvine, CA

For larger DIY moves from St. Louis, Missouri, 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 most medium-to-large moves on this route, pricing typically falls between $1,601 and $3,414.

Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from St. Louis to Irvine:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,494 - $2,797
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,601 - $3,414
  • 4+ bedrooms: $2,324 - $4,588

Pro tip: Freight trailers offer generous space but reward good packing strategy. The 4-foot ramp can be challenging for large or heavy pieces, and using the full 8-foot height takes careful stacking. Because you're billed by the linear foot, maximizing vertical space keeps your costs lower.

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 $87 - $175 more per foot.
  • Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in St. Louis, Missouri, for about five hours typically runs $815.

What are the best freight companies from St. Louis to Irvine?

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Flanagan-White Delivery, Inc. (4.42/5 stars): Flanagan-White Delivery, Inc. is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned and based facilities mean accessible support staff and area-specific scheduling flexibility that national-only freight carriers typically don't match.

Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from St. Louis to Irvine. 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: St. Louis, MO 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 St. Louis on housing, income, and taxes.

Measure St. Louis, MO Irvine, CA
Cost of living index84165
Average rent$1,250/mo$4,000/mo
Median home value$180,206$1,113,305
Average income$55,279/yr$129,647/yr
Unemployment rate6.3%5.4%
State income taxUp to 4.8%Up to 13.3%
Walkability score66/10043/100
Safety index30.35/10068.99/100
Air qualityModerateGood

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 St. Louis, MO guide.

Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:

We've processed 10 real quotes from Missouri 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 54 movers in our Missouri network to compare for this 1,823-mile move.

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Our take

For a move from St. Louis, MO, to Irvine, CA, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $2,399 for a studio to $10,370 for a 4 - 5 bedroom home on the 1,823-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,549 - $5,679. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $1,109 - $3,169, 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 $3,180 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 Mitsubishi Digital Electronics America and Taco Bell.

FAQs: Moving from St. Louis, MO, to Irvine, CA

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 extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?

The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($675 - $772), daily insurance ($35/day), and equipment rentals ($8 - $23) on top. Overnight stops can add another $175/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.

How walkable is Irvine?

Irvine has a walkability score of 43 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 69, compared to 66 and 58 in St. Louis. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.

How much does it cost to move from St. Louis, MO to Irvine, CA?

Costs on this route range from around $2,399 to $10,370, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,399 and $10,370, 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 are some tips for saving money on a move from St. Louis, MO to Irvine, 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.

What percentage of St. Louis movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?

About 64% of movers in St. Louis handle piano moves, and 36% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.