($1,046+) Fargo, ND to Irvine, CA Movers

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Background image of a moving truck moving from Fargo, ND to Irvine, CA

Moving from Fargo, ND, to Irvine, CA, runs anywhere from $1,046 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $12,763 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,796 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 $2,818, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $12,763 or more.
  • Moving containers run $1,573 - $5,322, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,046 - $3,048.
  • Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Fargo, ND, to Irvine, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,956 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.

Compare moving options from Fargo, ND to Irvine, CA

There are 3 main ways to move from Fargo to Irvine: 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 $3,956 - $8,261. Containers cost roughly 49% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 72% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 1,796 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 1,796-mile route from Fargo to Irvine, broken down by home size:

Home size Full-service movers Moving container Rental truck Freight trailer
Studio / 1 bedroom $2,818 - $6,125 $1,573 - $2,858 $1,046 - $2,033 $1,416 - $2,420
2 - 3 bedrooms $3,956 - $8,261 $2,014 - $4,000 $1,120 - $2,419 $1,533 - $3,232
4+ bedrooms $6,557 - $12,763 $2,698 - $5,322 $1,369 - $3,048 $2,201 - $4,427

Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated October 30, 2026.

Professional moving
Professional
Safeway Moving
star star star star star 4.9 / 5
Read our full Safeway review
Best overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran-owned
Moving container
Container
Unlimited storage
3 container sizes
10% discount
Rental truck
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 trailer
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 Fargo, ND to Irvine, CA

For the 1,796-mile move from Fargo, North Dakota, to Irvine, California, full-service movers cost between $2,818 and $12,763. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $362 - $2,412 (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 Fargo generally start around $264 plus $99 per hour, per mover.

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

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,818 - $6,125
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,956 - $8,261
  • 4+ bedrooms: $6,557 - $12,763

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 Fargo to Irvine.

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 Fargo, ND to Irvine, CA

Specialty needs vary by market: 33% of Fargo movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Irvine, 56% of movers offer the same service.

Service When you need it Typical cost
Full packingFull crew packing67% of local movers$603 - $6,030
Storage in transitNew place not ready33% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK$241 - $1,447/mo
Shuttle feeTruck can't reach door$362 - $2,894
Full-value protectionMore than $0.60/lb coverage7% of local movers$300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value)
Small movesUnder ~2,000 lbs47% of local movers$1,206 - $3,618
Office / commercialWorkplace relocation$3,015 - $12,060
Car shippingSecond vehicle$903 - $1,716
Antiques & fine artFragile, high-value items26% nationallyTop pick: Wrap & Pack Moving Company (ND)$1,206 - $3,015
PianoAny piano type27% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK$965 - $4,221
Pool tableDisassembly & re-leveling7% of local movers$362 - $1,809
Hot tubHeavy, needs disconnect7% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Jobbers Moving & Storage$784 - $2,412
Wine collectionClimate-controlled transport$362 - $18,090+
Pet relocationGround, air, or concierge$362 - $4,221+

What are the best full-service movers from Fargo to Irvine?

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 movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in Fargo, ND. 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 Fargo, ND to Irvine, CA

Moving containers from Fargo, North Dakota, to Irvine, California, cost between $1,573 and $5,322. 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 Fargo typically costs about $90/month.

Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Fargo to Irvine:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,573 - $2,858
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,014 - $4,000
  • 4+ bedrooms: $2,698 - $5,322

What other costs come with moving containers?

  • Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $90 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $181 per month for larger units (12 - 16 feet).
  • Moving labor: Containers don't come with loading help, so many customers hire hourly movers for the job. Two movers for about 5 hours will run you around $844 in Fargo, ND, per moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
  • Added contents protection: Standard coverage only reimburses by weight. Full-value protection gives you more complete coverage for higher-value items and typically costs 1% - 2% of your total declared value, around $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 shipment.
  • Access: National providers generally operate in both cities, but verify that a facility near your Irvine, CA, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.

Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a North Dakota 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 $1,573. 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 $2,014 - $4,000.

What are the best moving containers Fargo 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 Fargo 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 Fargo:

  • TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.8/5), 24 years in business
  • 5 Star Moving (4.3/5), 23 years in business
  • His Workmanship - Fargo

Moving truck rental costs from Fargo, ND to Irvine, CA

Plan on $1,046 - $3,048 for a rental moving truck on the 1,796-mile route from Fargo, North Dakota, to Irvine, California. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:

  • Fuel for the drive: $689 - $788
  • Daily insurance: $36/day
  • Equipment rentals: $8 - $24
  • Fargo daily rental rate: $19 - $39
  • Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.59 - $0.79
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 Fargo to Irvine based on home size:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,046 - $2,033
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,120 - $2,419
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,369 - $3,048

Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $1,046 - $3,048 does not include fuel ($689 - $788), lodging ($181/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Fargo to Irvine 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 $90 and $422.
  • Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $181.
  • Gas: Expect fuel to run between $689 and $788 for the 1,796-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 $844 for 2 movers in Fargo, North Dakota, for about 5 hours.
  • Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.

What are the best moving truck rentals from Fargo 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 Fargo, ND to Irvine, CA

Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Fargo, North Dakota, to Irvine, California, when you want to do the loading yourself without having to drive a massive vehicle. The trailer is delivered, you pack it up, and the carrier handles the long haul.

What sets freight trailers apart is the pay-for-what-you-use pricing model. Each additional foot of trailer space you occupy adds to the cost. Pricing for a 2 - 3 bedroom move of this distance typically lands between $1,533 and $3,232.

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

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,416 - $2,420
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,533 - $3,232
  • 4+ bedrooms: $2,201 - $4,427

Pro tip: Freight trailers come with a 4-foot loading ramp, which can be a challenge with bulky furniture. With 8 feet of vertical space available, stacking efficiently often requires a ladder and a plan. Since you're billed per linear foot, packing tight can make a real difference in your final cost.

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 $90 - $181 more per foot.
  • Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Fargo, North Dakota, for about five hours typically runs $844.

What are the best freight companies from Fargo to Irvine?

  1. MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is our pick for best for large moves. The company is best known as a top moving container option for its hybrid model where you load and they drive, and that same model translates well to freight thanks to their 53-foot trucks and pay-by-the-foot pricing.
  2. U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Beyond their flagship container service, U-Pack also runs freight trailers with the same no-deposit, no-upfront-fee model, charging only for the linear footage you actually fill.

Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from Fargo to Irvine, 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: Fargo, ND 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 Fargo on housing, income, and taxes.

Measure Fargo, ND Irvine, CA
Cost of living index91165
Average rent$1,055/mo$4,000/mo
Median home value$269,827$1,113,305
Average income$66,029/yr$129,647/yr
Unemployment rate3.6%5.4%
State income taxUp to 2.9%Up to 13.3%
Walkability score45/10043/100
Safety index56.17/10068.99/100
Air qualityGoodGood

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 Fargo, ND guide.

Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:

We've processed 10 real quotes from North Dakota 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 21 movers in our North Dakota network to compare for this 1,796-mile move.

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Our take

The 1,796-mile move from Fargo, ND, to Irvine, CA, costs between $2,818 and $12,763 with full-service movers, $1,573 - $5,322 with a moving container, and $1,046 - $3,048 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 $3,956 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 Mitsubishi Digital Electronics America and Taco Bell.

FAQs: Moving from Fargo, ND, to Irvine, CA

What are the best neighborhoods in Irvine?

For families, Westpark II, Turtle Rock, and Woodbridge are worth a look in Irvine. If you're moving solo or without kids, Westpark, Westpark II, and Oak Creek tend to be popular picks instead.

How walkable is Irvine?

Irvine has a walkability score of 43 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 69, compared to 45 and 49 in Fargo. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.

Is Irvine a safe place to live?

Irvine has a safety index of 68.99 out of 100 and a crime index of 31.01, compared to 56.17 and 8.0 in Fargo. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.

What are some tips for saving money on a move from Fargo, ND 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 is the best time of year to move from Fargo, ND to Irvine, 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 percentage of Fargo movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?

About 27% of movers in Fargo handle piano moves, compared to 40% nationally.