($750+) Missoula, MT to Fontana, CA Movers
Moving from Missoula, MT, to Fontana, CA, runs anywhere from $750 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $9,667 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,164 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 2 to 8 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 $2,440, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $9,667 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,214 - $4,184, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $750 - $1,927.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Missoula, MT, to Fontana, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,179 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 Missoula, MT to Fontana, CA
Moving options from Missoula to Fontana 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 $3,179 - $6,910 and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 53% less for the same home size, while rental trucks land about 74% less, though both require you to load the truck or container yourself. This route spans 1,164 miles and typically takes 2 to 8 days.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,164-mile route from Missoula to Fontana, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $2,440 - $5,714 | $1,214 - $2,159 | $750 - $1,455 | $1,092 - $2,084 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $3,179 - $6,910 | $1,486 - $2,976 | $818 - $1,664 | $1,263 - $2,632 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,988 - $9,667 | $2,052 - $4,184 | $988 - $1,927 | $1,659 - $3,182 |
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 Missoula, MT to Fontana, CA
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 1,164-mile move from Missoula, Montana, to Fontana, California, with costs ranging from $2,440 - $9,667. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $346 - $2,308. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Missoula and Fontana. Local movers in Missoula typically start around $342 as a base rate plus $150/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Missoula to Fontana:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,440 - $5,714
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,179 - $6,910
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,988 - $9,667
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 Missoula to Fontana.
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 Missoula, MT to Fontana, CA
Specialty needs vary by market: 50% of Missoula movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Fontana, 52% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing75% of local movers | $577 - $5,770 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready50% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $231 - $1,385/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $346 - $2,770 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs50% of local movers | $1,154 - $3,462 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,885 - $11,540 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $864 - $1,642 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items25% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Moving On Up LLC | $1,154 - $2,885 |
| Piano | Any piano type25% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Moving On Up LLC | $923 - $4,039 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling25% of local movers | $346 - $1,731 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect25% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Moving On Up LLC | $750 - $2,308 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $346 - $17,310+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $346 - $4,039+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Missoula to Fontana?
Look for California Moving & Storage Association membership as a baseline when comparing movers in California beyond this list.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Missoula, MT, 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 Missoula, MT to Fontana, CA
Moving containers from Missoula, Montana, to Fontana, California, cost between $1,214 and $4,184. You load everything on your own schedule (U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30). When you're ready, the company takes care of getting the container from point A to point B. Need more time than that? Extra storage in Missoula typically runs around $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Missoula to Fontana:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,214 - $2,159
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,486 - $2,976
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,052 - $4,184
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $87 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $173 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Fontana, 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 $808 in Missoula, MT. 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 Montana 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 $1,214. 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 $1,486 - $2,976.
What are the best moving containers Missoula to Fontana?
- 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 Missoula 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 Missoula:
Moving truck rental costs from Missoula, MT to Fontana, CA
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 1,164 miles from Missoula, Montana, to Fontana, California, running $750 - $1,927. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $427 - $488
- Daily insurance: $35/day
- Equipment rentals: $8 - $23
- Missoula daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.99 - $1.09
| 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 Missoula to Fontana based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $750 - $1,455
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $818 - $1,664
- 4+ bedrooms: $988 - $1,927
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Missoula to Fontana starts at $750 - $1,927, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($427 - $488), overnight lodging ($173/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for roughly $600 - $1,200 more on top of fuel and lodging to cover meals, equipment, and other extras.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $173 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 $75 and $375 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $427 - $488 in fuel for the 1,164-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $808 in Missoula, Montana, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Missoula to Fontana?
- 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 Missoula, MT to Fontana, 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 Missoula, Montana, to Fontana, 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 $1,263 and $2,632.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Missoula to Fontana:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,092 - $2,084
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,263 - $2,632
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,659 - $3,182
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?
- Seasonal demand: Pricing tends to rise during peak moving season, particularly between mid-May and mid-September.
- Moving labor: Most customers hire loading help since freight is self-loaded. Two movers in Missoula, Montana, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $808.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $87 and $173 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Missoula to Fontana?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Primarily known as a top moving container option for its DIY hybrid model where customers load and the company drives, MovingYourself also functions as a strong freight option thanks to its 53-foot trucks and pay-only-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. Best known for its container service, U-Pack also runs a top-notch freight trailer operation with the same no-deposit, pay-by-the-foot approach that keeps overall costs lower than most freight competitors.
Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Missoula to Fontana. 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: Missoula, MT vs Fontana, CA
Missoula and Fontana land in a similar range on everyday costs. The cost of living index sits at 113 in Missoula and 119 in Fontana, and average rent is $1,322/mo vs. $3,000/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 45 vs 37 and safety scores are 66.73 vs 68.35.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Fontana, CA to Missoula, MT guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 1 quote from Montana 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 25 movers in Montana, so you have real options to compare for this 1,164-mile move.
Our take
The 1,164-mile move from Missoula, MT, to Fontana, CA, costs between $2,440 and $9,667 with full-service movers, $1,214 - $4,184 with a moving container, and $750 - $1,927 for a rental truck. Your budget and how much heavy lifting you want to do are the two biggest factors in choosing the right option. If you go with full-service movers, Safeway Moving is our top recommendation, with transparent flat-rate pricing starting around $3,179 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage, and 24/7 customer support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include California Steel Industries and Fontana Unified.
FAQs: Moving from Missoula, MT, to Fontana, CA
What is the best time of year to move from Missoula, MT to Fontana, 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.
How long does a move from Missoula, MT to Fontana, CA take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 2 to 8 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are often one of the faster options outside of driving yourself, though you'll need to be ready to receive your shipment on arrival. Driving a rental truck yourself puts the schedule entirely in your hands.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($427 - $488), daily insurance ($35/day), and equipment rentals ($8 - $23) on top. Overnight stops can add another $173/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
What is the cheapest way to move from Missoula, MT to Fontana, 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 $818 - $1,664. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
How much does it cost to move from Missoula, MT to Fontana, CA?
Costs on this route range from around $750 to $9,667, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,440 and $9,667, 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 percentage of Missoula movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 25% of movers in Missoula handle piano moves, and 25% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.