($1,589+) Jersey City, NJ to Riverside, CA Movers
Moving from Jersey City, NJ, to Riverside, CA, runs anywhere from $1,542 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $12,189 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 2,739 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 7 to 21 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 $2,404, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $12,189 or more.
- Moving containers run $2,058 - $7,594, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,542 - $4,454.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Jersey City, NJ, to Riverside, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,757 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 Jersey City, NJ to Riverside, CA
There are 3 main ways to move from Jersey City to Riverside: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service handles labor and transportation for you, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route costing $3,757 - $7,256. Moving containers run about 30% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 60% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 7 to 21 days for this 2,739-mile route, depending on which option you go with.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 2,739-mile route from Jersey City to Riverside, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $2,404 - $5,617 | $2,058 - $3,654 | $1,542 - $2,956 | $1,817 - $3,392 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $3,757 - $7,256 | $2,488 - $5,679 | $1,652 - $3,849 | $2,115 - $4,284 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $6,995 - $12,189 | $3,502 - $7,594 | $2,067 - $4,454 | $2,973 - $6,017 |
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Jersey City, NJ to Riverside, CA
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 2,739-mile move from Jersey City, New Jersey, to Riverside, California, with prices running from $2,404 - $12,189. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $409 - $2,728 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between Jersey City and Riverside are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, Jersey City movers tend to run around $256 as a base rate plus $139/hour per mover, for comparison.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Jersey City to Riverside:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,404 - $5,617
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,757 - $7,256
- 4+ bedrooms: $6,995 - $12,189
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 Jersey City to Riverside.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from New Jersey to California. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
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 Jersey City, NJ to Riverside, CA
Specialty needs vary by market — 93% of Jersey City movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Riverside, 84% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing98% of local movers | $682 - $6,820 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready93% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Roadway Moving | $273 - $1,637/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $409 - $3,274 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage54% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs37% of local movers | $1,364 - $4,092 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,410 - $13,640 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,022 - $1,941 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items71% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Great Movers | $1,364 - $3,410 |
| Piano | Any piano type88% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Roadway Moving | $1,091 - $4,774 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling43% of local movers | $409 - $2,046 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect30% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Zeromax Moving and Storage | $887 - $2,728 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $409 - $20,460+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $409 - $4,774+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Jersey City to Riverside?
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 carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Jersey City, NJ. At that distance, local movers often charge 30% - 40% more because they don't spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments the way national carriers do. If a direct route and faster delivery (averaging 2 days) are priorities, a local mover may be worth considering, but that service comes at a higher price.
Moving container costs from Jersey City, NJ to Riverside, CA
Moving containers from Jersey City, New Jersey, to Riverside, California, cost between $2,058 and $7,594. 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 Jersey City typically costs about $130/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Jersey City to Riverside:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,058 - $3,654
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,488 - $5,679
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,502 - $7,594
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Because loading is on you with a container move, hourly labor help is a popular add-on. In Jersey City, NJ, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $955, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: After the first month, ongoing rental fees kick in. A small container (7 - 8 feet) averages about $102 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $205 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Jersey City, NJ, and Riverside, CA, but confirm a facility is within reasonable distance if you need to retrieve items while in storage.
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection provides broader coverage than the standard liability in your contract. It typically costs 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on $50,000 worth of belongings.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a New Jersey 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 $2,058. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $2,488 - $5,679, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Jersey City 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 Jersey City 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 Jersey City:
- Roadway Moving (4.9/5), 18 years in business
- Ample Moving (4.8/5), 8 years in business
- Dumbo Moving and Storage (4.5/5), 19 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Jersey City, NJ to Riverside, CA
Truck rentals from Jersey City, New Jersey, to Riverside, California, range from $1,542 - $4,454 for the 2,739-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $1,189 - $1,359
- Daily insurance: $41/day
- Equipment rentals: $10 - $27
- Jersey City daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.99 - $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 Jersey City to Riverside based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,542 - $2,956
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,652 - $3,849
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,067 - $4,454
Pro tip: The base rate of $1,542 - $4,454 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Jersey City to Riverside. Fuel ($1,189 - $1,359) , lodging at around $205/night, meals, and equipment rentals are all on top of that. Factor in an extra $600 - $1,200 to get a realistic picture of what the move will actually cost.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Gas: Fuel adds $1,189 - $1,359 for the 2,739-mile drive, depending on whether your rental truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: You'll handle the heavy lifting unless you bring in help. Two movers in Jersey City, New Jersey, for about 5 hours typically costs around $955.
- Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
- Lodging: The 2,739-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $205 per night, adding $409 - $614 in hotel costs total.
- Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $68 and $409.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Jersey City 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 Jersey City, NJ to Riverside, 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 Jersey City, New Jersey, to Riverside, 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. Most long-distance moves using this method run roughly between $2,115 and $4,284.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Jersey City to Riverside:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,817 - $3,392
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,115 - $4,284
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,973 - $6,017
Pro tip: A 4-foot ramp sounds simple, but heavy or awkward furniture can make the climb tricky. With 8 feet of height to work with, smart vertical stacking is key. Since freight companies charge by the linear foot, every extra foot you use adds to the bill.
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 $102 - $205 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Jersey City, New Jersey, for about five hours typically runs $955.
What are the best freight companies from Jersey City 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.
- Freehold Cartage, Inc. (4.84/5 stars): Freehold Cartage, Inc. is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned and based facilities mean accessible support staff and area-specific scheduling flexibility that national-only freight carriers typically don't match.
Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Jersey City to Riverside. 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: Jersey City, NJ vs Riverside, CA
Good news for your budget: Riverside isn't meaningfully more or less expensive to live in than Jersey City. Cost of living index runs 131 there against 140 here, and rent, income, and tax rates all fall in a comparable band. Focus your planning on the move itself rather than a change in monthly expenses. Walkability and safety scores land in a similar range too - 87/100 and 56.79/100 here versus 43/100 and 59.76/100 there.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Riverside, CA to Jersey City, NJ guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from New Jersey 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. New Jersey alone has 89 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 2,739-mile move like this one.
Our take
The 2,739-mile move from Jersey City, NJ, to Riverside, CA, costs between $2,404 and $12,189 with full-service movers, $2,058 - $7,594 with a moving container, and $1,542 - $4,454 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 $3,757 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 Bourns and California Baptist University.
FAQs: Moving from Jersey City, NJ, to Riverside, CA
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 56.79 and 43.21 in Jersey City. 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 Jersey City, NJ 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 $1,652 - $3,849. 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 Jersey City, NJ to Riverside, CA take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 5 - 7 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are usually the fastest option outside of driving yourself, with deliveries in 3 - 5 days, 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 Jersey City?
Local movers based in Jersey City typically start around $256 as a base rate, plus $139/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 percentage of Jersey City movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 88% of movers in Jersey City handle piano moves, and 71% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
