($1,013+) Fargo, ND to Riverside, CA Movers
Moving from Fargo, ND, to Riverside, CA, runs anywhere from $1,013 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $11,943 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,762 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 $2,698, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $11,943 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,428 - $5,540, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,013 - $2,924.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Fargo, ND, to Riverside, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,593 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 Fargo, ND to Riverside, CA
Moving options from Fargo to Riverside fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $3,593 - $8,720 on this route, with movers handling all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 45% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 68% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This 1,762-mile route typically takes 5 to 16 days door to door.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,762-mile route from Fargo to Riverside, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $2,698 - $6,173 | $1,428 - $2,948 | $1,013 - $2,007 | $1,378 - $2,527 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $3,593 - $8,720 | $1,960 - $3,930 | $1,152 - $2,365 | $1,537 - $3,112 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $6,769 - $11,943 | $2,520 - $5,540 | $1,439 - $2,924 | $2,058 - $4,390 |
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated October 30, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Fargo, ND to Riverside, CA
Full-service movers for the 1,762-mile relocation from Fargo, North Dakota, to Riverside, California, cost between $2,698 and $11,943. With a long-distance moving company, loading, transportation, and unloading are all taken care of. If you want to skip packing boxes, too, that can be added for $321 - $2,140, depending on your home size. What you pay in the end is mainly a function of how much your shipment weighs and how far it's traveling. As a point of reference, local movers in Fargo typically charge a base rate around $264 plus $99 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Fargo to Riverside:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,698 - $6,173
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,593 - $8,720
- 4+ bedrooms: $6,769 - $11,943
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 Riverside.
Pro tip: Peak moving season (May - September) limits truck availability and pushes up full-service moving costs. Booking during slower months can give you more scheduling room and a lower final price.
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Specialty moving services from Fargo, ND to Riverside, CA
Specialty needs vary by market: 33% of Fargo movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Riverside, 53% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing67% of local movers | $535 - $5,350 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready33% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $214 - $1,284/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $321 - $2,568 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage7% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs47% of local movers | $1,070 - $3,210 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,675 - $10,700 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $801 - $1,523 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items26% nationallyTop pick: Wrap & Pack Moving Company (ND) | $1,070 - $2,675 |
| Piano | Any piano type27% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $856 - $3,745 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling7% of local movers | $321 - $1,605 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect7% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Jobbers Moving & Storage | $696 - $2,140 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $321 - $16,050+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $321 - $3,745+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Fargo to Riverside?
California Moving & Storage Association membership is a quick way to confirm a mover is legitimate in California, on top of the picks below.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 full-service movers are the more cost-efficient choice. Local movers in Fargo, ND, 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 Fargo, ND to Riverside, CA
Moving containers from Fargo, North Dakota, to Riverside, California, cost between $1,428 and $5,540. 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 Fargo costs roughly $90/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Fargo to Riverside:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,428 - $2,948
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,960 - $3,930
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,520 - $5,540
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $80 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $161 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 $749 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 Riverside, 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 $1,428. 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 $1,960 - $3,930.
What are the best moving containers Fargo 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 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 Riverside, CA
Truck rentals from Fargo, North Dakota, to Riverside, California, range from $1,013 - $2,924 for the 1,762-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $600 - $686
- Daily insurance: $32/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $21
- Fargo daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.59 - $0.79
| 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 Fargo to Riverside based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,013 - $2,007
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,152 - $2,365
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,439 - $2,924
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $1,013 - $2,924 does not include fuel ($600 - $686), lodging ($161/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Fargo 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?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Fargo, North Dakota, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $749.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $600 - $686 for the 1,762-mile drive, depending on whether your truck takes gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, auto transport trailers, and furniture pads are separate rentals. Expect to spend between $64 and $348, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $161 per night for hotel stops on the 1,762-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $321 - $482.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Fargo 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 Fargo, ND to Riverside, CA
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Fargo, North Dakota, to Riverside, 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 $1,537 and $3,112.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Fargo to Riverside:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,378 - $2,527
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,537 - $3,112
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,058 - $4,390
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 $80 - $161 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Fargo, North Dakota, for about five hours typically runs $749.
What are the best freight companies from Fargo to Riverside?
- 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 are one of the fastest ways to move your belongings interstate, often beating full-service movers on delivery time. If getting your stuff to Riverside quickly is a priority, freight is worth a hard look. That said, freight carriers typically require you to be available to receive your shipment within a set window, so if you need short-term storage or your new place won't be ready right away, a container or full-service mover may give you more flexibility.
Cost of living: Fargo, ND 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 Fargo on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Fargo, ND | Riverside, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 91 | 131 |
| Average rent | $1,055/mo | $2,295/mo |
| Median home value | $269,827 | $539,898 |
| Average income | $66,029/yr | $88,575/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 3.6% | 7.1% |
| State income tax | Up to 2.9% | Up to 13.3% |
| Walkability score | 45/100 | 43/100 |
| Safety index | 56.17/100 | 59.76/100 |
| Air quality | Good | 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 Fargo, ND guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from North Dakota to California, so our pricing data stays current. Use our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and spot bad actors early. We track 21 movers licensed in North Dakota, useful context for sizing up this 1,762-mile move.
Our take
A move from Fargo, ND, 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 $2,698 - $11,943 on the 1,762-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,428 - $5,540, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $1,013 - $2,924. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $3,593 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 Fargo, ND, to Riverside, CA
What is the cheapest way to move from Fargo, ND 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 - $2,365. 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.
How long does a move from Fargo, ND to Riverside, CA take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 5 to 16 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 do local movers charge in Fargo?
Local movers based in Fargo typically start around $264 as a base rate, plus $99/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 Riverside run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Fargo, ND to Riverside, 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 Fargo movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 27% of movers in Fargo handle piano moves, compared to 40% nationally.