($772+) Missoula, MT to Ontario, CA Movers

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Background image of a moving truck moving from Missoula, MT to Ontario, CA

Moving from Missoula, MT, to Ontario, CA, runs anywhere from $764 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $10,871 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,174 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 $2,534, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $10,871 or more.
  • Moving containers run $1,275 - $4,216, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $764 - $2,214.
  • Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Missoula, MT, to Ontario, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,371 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.

Compare moving options from Missoula, MT to Ontario, CA

There are 3 main ways to move from Missoula to Ontario: 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 $3,371 - $7,403. Containers cost roughly 30% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 60% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 1,174 miles, expect 2 to 8 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 1,174-mile route from Missoula to Ontario, broken down by home size:

  • Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $2,534 - $5,816, container $1,275 - $2,266, rental truck $764 - $1,454, freight trailer $1,216 - $2,081.
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $3,371 - $7,403, container $1,741 - $3,188, rental truck $818 - $1,782, freight trailer $1,286 - $2,551.
  • 4+ bedrooms: full-service $5,564 - $10,871, container $2,176 - $4,216, rental truck $1,068 - $2,214, freight trailer $1,813 - $3,619.

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 Missoula, MT to Ontario, CA

Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 1,174-mile move from Missoula, Montana, to Ontario, California, with costs ranging from $2,534 - $10,871. 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 Ontario. 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 Ontario:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,534 - $5,816
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,371 - $7,403
  • 4+ bedrooms: $5,564 - $10,871

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 Ontario.

The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Montana 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 Missoula, MT to Ontario, CA

Specialty needs vary by market — 100% of Missoula movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Ontario, 85% of movers offer the same service.

Service When you need it Typical cost
Full packingFull crew packing100% of local movers$577 - $5,770
Storage in transitNew place not ready100% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK$231 - $1,385/mo
Shuttle feeTruck can't reach door$346 - $2,770
Full-value protectionMore than $0.60/lb coverage33% of local movers$300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value)
Small movesUnder ~2,000 lbs33% of local movers$1,154 - $3,462
Office / commercialWorkplace relocation$2,885 - $11,540
Car shippingSecond vehicle$864 - $1,642
Antiques & fine artFragile, high-value items46% nationallyTop pick: $1,154 - $2,885
PianoAny piano type100% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK$923 - $4,039
Pool tableDisassembly & re-leveling67% of local movers$346 - $1,731
Hot tubHeavy, needs disconnect22% nationallyTop pick: $750 - $2,308
Wine collectionClimate-controlled transport$346 - $17,310+
Pet relocationGround, air, or concierge$346 - $4,039+

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

All three below meet the standards set by the California Moving & Storage Association, the group most California movers are affiliated with.

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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 van lines are the smarter financial choice over local movers in Missoula, MT. 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 Missoula, MT to Ontario, CA

Moving containers from Missoula, Montana, to Ontario, California, cost between $1,275 and $4,216. 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 Ontario:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,275 - $2,266
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,741 - $3,188
  • 4+ bedrooms: $2,176 - $4,216

What other costs come with moving containers?

  • Access: Most major container brands operate in both Missoula, MT 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 $808 in Missoula, MT, 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 $173 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.

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 $1,275. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,741 - $3,188, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.

What are the best moving containers Missoula 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 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:

  • TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.5/5), 9 years in business
  • All Lanes Moving & Storage (5.0/5), 26 years in business

Moving truck rental costs from Missoula, MT to Ontario, CA

Truck rentals from Missoula, Montana, to Ontario, California, range from $764 - $2,214 for the 1,174-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:

  • Fuel for the drive: $431 - $493
  • 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 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 Missoula to Ontario based on home size:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $764 - $1,454
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $818 - $1,782
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,068 - $2,214

Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $764 - $2,214 does not include fuel ($431 - $493) , lodging ($173/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Missoula to Ontario typically runs $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate alone.

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 $404.
  • Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $173.
  • Gas: Expect fuel to run between $431 and $493 for the 1,174-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 $808 for 2 movers in Missoula, Montana, for about 5 hours.
  • Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.

What are the best moving truck rentals from Missoula 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 Missoula, MT to Ontario, CA

For larger DIY moves from Missoula, Montana, 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 Ontario, 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 $1,286 and $2,551.

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

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,216 - $2,081
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,286 - $2,551
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,813 - $3,619

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?

  • Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In Missoula, Montana, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $808.
  • More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $87 - $173 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 Missoula 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.
  3. Jones Bros Trucking (4.58/5 stars): Jones Bros Trucking is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Local ownership translates to accessible support staff and facilities based in the communities they serve, giving customers more direct communication than they'd typically get from a national-only freight network.

Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Missoula to Ontario. 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 Ontario, CA

Day-to-day costs in Ontario are close to what you're used to in Missoula: cost of living index of 119 versus 113, with average rent of $2,619/mo compared to $1,322/mo. Housing, income, and taxes are all in a similar range, so budgeting for this move mostly comes down to the moving costs above rather than a shift in your monthly expenses. Walkability and safety scores are close too, at 45/100 and 66.73/100 in Missoula versus 48/100 and 49.75/100 in Ontario.

Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Ontario, CA to Missoula, MT guide.

Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:

We've processed 1 real quotes from Montana 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 11 movers in our Montana network to compare for this 1,174-mile move.

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Our take

Full-service movers on the 1,174-mile route from Missoula, MT, to Ontario, CA, run $2,534 - $10,871 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,275 - $4,216, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $764 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,371, 30 days of free storage, and a 24/7 support team you can actually reach.

Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Prime Healthcare and Niagara Bottling.

FAQs: Moving from Missoula, MT, to Ontario, CA

How walkable is Ontario?

Ontario has a walkability score of 48 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 46, compared to 45 and 60 in Missoula. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.

What are the best neighborhoods in Ontario?

For families, Creekside, Parkview, and Ontario Ranch are worth a look in Ontario. If you're moving solo or without kids, Downtown Ontario, Piemonte, and Ontario Ranch tend to be popular picks instead.

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 do local movers charge in Missoula?

Local movers based in Missoula typically start around $342 as a base rate, plus $150/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 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 3 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.

What percentage of Missoula movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?

About 100% of movers in Missoula handle piano moves, compared to 71% nationally.