($982+) St. Louis, MO to Riverside, CA Movers
Moving from St. Louis, MO, to Riverside, CA, runs anywhere from $982 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $10,409 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,791 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 $2,230, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $10,409 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,406 - $5,364, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $982 - $3,012.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from St. Louis, MO, to Riverside, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,196 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 St. Louis, MO to Riverside, CA
There are 3 main ways to move from St. Louis to Riverside: 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 $3,196 - $7,214. Containers cost roughly 41% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 64% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 1,791 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 1,791-mile route from St. Louis to Riverside, broken down by home size:
- Full-service movers: $2,230 for a studio up to $10,409 for a 4+ bedroom home.
- Moving containers: $1,406 - $5,364 depending on home size.
- Rental trucks: $982 - $3,012, the lowest-cost option across the board.
- Freight trailers: $1,359 - $4,038, billed by the space you actually use.
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 St. Louis, MO to Riverside, CA
For the 1,791-mile move from St. Louis, Missouri, to Riverside, California, full-service movers cost between $2,230 and $10,409. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $308 - $2,056 (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 St. Louis generally start around $247 plus $145 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from St. Louis to Riverside:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,230 - $5,043
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,196 - $7,214
- 4+ bedrooms: $5,569 - $10,409
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 Riverside.
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 St. Louis, MO to Riverside, CA
Specialty needs vary by market: 68% of St. Louis movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Riverside, 52% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing71% of local movers | $514 - $5,140 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready68% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $206 - $1,234/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $308 - $2,467 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage13% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs67% of local movers | $1,028 - $3,084 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,570 - $10,280 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $770 - $1,463 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items31% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: McGuire Moving and Storage | $1,028 - $2,570 |
| Piano | Any piano type52% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $822 - $3,598 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling16% of local movers | $308 - $1,542 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect22% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: ABC Quality Moving & Storage | $668 - $2,056 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $308 - $15,420+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $308 - $3,598+ |
What are the best full-service movers from St. Louis to Riverside?
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 St. Louis, MO. 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 St. Louis, MO to Riverside, CA
Moving containers from St. Louis, Missouri, to Riverside, California, cost between $1,406 and $5,364. With a moving container, you load on your own schedule. U-Haul gives you 3 days to fill yours, while PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're ready, the company transports it straight to your new place. Need more time first? Storage in St. Louis typically costs about $90/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from St. Louis to Riverside:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,406 - $2,656
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,875 - $3,718
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,614 - $5,364
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $77 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $154 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Riverside, 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 $720 in St. Louis, MO. 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 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 $1,406. 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 $1,875 - $3,718.
What are the best moving containers St. Louis to Riverside?
- 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 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:
- Simple Moves (4.7/5), 25 years in business
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.8/5), 32 years in business
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.9/5), 14 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from St. Louis, MO to Riverside, CA
Plan on $982 - $3,012 for a rental moving truck on the 1,791-mile route from St. Louis, Missouri, to Riverside, California. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $586 - $670
- Daily insurance: $31/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $21
- St. Louis daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.99
| 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 St. Louis to Riverside based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $982 - $2,088
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,152 - $2,390
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,480 - $3,012
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $982 - $3,012 does not include fuel ($586 - $670), lodging ($154/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from St. Louis to Riverside typically runs more than the base rate alone, with meals, equipment, and other extras adding roughly $600 - $1,200 on top of fuel and lodging.
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 $77 and $360.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $154.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $586 and $670 for the 1,791-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 $720 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 Riverside?
- 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 St. Louis, MO to Riverside, CA
If you're moving a larger household from St. Louis, Missouri, 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 Riverside, 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 $1,485 and $3,068.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from St. Louis to Riverside:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,359 - $2,416
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,485 - $3,068
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,049 - $4,038
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?
- More space: Freight trailers are billed by the section you fill. If you misjudge your shipment size, each extra foot of trailer space adds around $77 - $154 to your final bill.
- Peak season pricing: Expect higher rates during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) when trailer availability tightens across the country.
- Moving labor: Loading is on you unless you hire outside help. A half-day crew of two movers in St. Louis, Missouri, typically costs $720.
What are the best freight companies from St. Louis to Riverside?
- 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: One of the biggest advantages of freight trailers is speed. For an interstate move, freight delivery is one of the fastest options you have short of driving a rental truck yourself. It's a smart choice when your timeline is firm and you'll be ready to receive your shipment. If there's any chance your new place won't be ready or you need a few weeks of storage, a moving container with built-in storage may serve you better.
Cost of living: St. Louis, MO vs Riverside, CA
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Riverside, side by side with St. Louis on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | St. Louis, MO | Riverside, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 84 | 131 |
| Average rent | $1,250/mo | $2,295/mo |
| Median home value | $180,206 | $539,898 |
| Average income | $55,279/yr | $88,575/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 6.3% | 7.1% |
| State income tax | Up to 4.8% | Up to 13.3% |
| Walkability score | 66/100 | 43/100 |
| Safety index | 30.35/100 | 59.76/100 |
| Air quality | Moderate | 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 Riverside, CA to St. Louis, MO guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Missouri to California, so we know current pricing better than most. Checking our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates. Missouri alone has 138 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 1,791-mile move like this one.
Our take
A move from St. Louis, MO, to Riverside, 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 $2,230 - $10,409 on the 1,791-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,406 - $5,364, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $982 - $3,012. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $3,196 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 Bourns and California Baptist University.
FAQs: Moving from St. Louis, MO, to Riverside, CA
What is the best time of year to move from St. Louis, MO to Riverside, CA?
Aim for a move between October and March, when demand drops and rates tend to be lower across all service types. Peak season runs mid-May through mid-September, and weekends and month-end dates are pricier regardless of season. A midweek, mid-month date outside peak season is your best bet for saving money.
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.
Is Riverside a safe place to live?
Riverside has a safety index of 59.76 out of 100 and a crime index of 40.24, compared to 30.35 and 69.65 in St. Louis. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What is the cheapest way to move from St. Louis, MO to Riverside, 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 $1,152 - $2,390. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What are the best neighborhoods in Riverside?
For families, Orangecrest, Mission Grove, and Canyon Crest are worth a look in Riverside. If you're moving solo or without kids, Canyon Crest, Victoria, and Downtown tend to be popular picks instead.
What percentage of St. Louis movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 52% of movers in St. Louis handle piano moves, and 31% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.