($1,599+) Newark, NJ to Modesto, CA Movers

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Background image of a moving truck moving from Newark, NJ to Modesto, CA

Moving from Newark, NJ, to Modesto, CA, runs anywhere from $1,699 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $12,329 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 2,877 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 $2,680, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $12,329 or more.
  • Moving containers run $2,149 - $7,580, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,699 - $4,726.
  • Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Newark, NJ, to Modesto, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,963 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.

Compare moving options from Newark, NJ to Modesto, CA

There are 3 main ways to move from Newark to Modesto: 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 $3,963 - $8,198. 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 2,877-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 2,877-mile route from Newark to Modesto, broken down by home size:

Home size Full-service movers Moving container Rental truck Freight trailer
Studio / 1 bedroom $2,680 - $6,096 $2,149 - $4,145 $1,699 - $3,071 $1,897 - $3,623
2 - 3 bedrooms $3,963 - $8,198 $2,815 - $5,664 $1,733 - $4,042 $2,059 - $4,711
4+ bedrooms $7,230 - $12,329 $3,663 - $7,580 $2,191 - $4,726 $2,842 - $6,126

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 Newark, NJ to Modesto, CA

For the 2,877-mile move from Newark, New Jersey, to Modesto, California, full-service movers cost between $2,680 and $12,329. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $382 - $2,548 (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 Newark generally start around $260 plus $120 per hour, per mover.

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

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,680 - $6,096
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,963 - $8,198
  • 4+ bedrooms: $7,230 - $12,329

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 Newark to Modesto.

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 Newark, NJ to Modesto, CA

Specialty needs vary by market — 94% of Newark movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Modesto, 79% of movers offer the same service.

Service When you need it Typical cost
Full packingFull crew packing98% of local movers$637 - $6,370
Storage in transitNew place not ready94% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Roadway Moving $255 - $1,529/mo
Shuttle feeTruck can't reach door$382 - $3,058
Full-value protectionMore than $0.60/lb coverage53% of local movers$300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value)
Small movesUnder ~2,000 lbs38% of local movers$1,274 - $3,822
Office / commercialWorkplace relocation$3,185 - $12,740
Car shippingSecond vehicle$954 - $1,813
Antiques & fine artFragile, high-value items70% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Oz Moving & Storage, Inc.$1,274 - $3,185
PianoAny piano type87% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Roadway Moving $1,019 - $4,459
Pool tableDisassembly & re-leveling42% of local movers$382 - $1,911
Hot tubHeavy, needs disconnect31% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Oz Moving & Storage, Inc.$828 - $2,548
Wine collectionClimate-controlled transport$382 - $19,110+
Pet relocationGround, air, or concierge$382 - $4,459+

What are the best full-service movers from Newark to Modesto?

If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in California Moving & Storage Association is a good first thing to confirm.

  1. Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving offers the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing locks in your cost upfront, and 24/7 customer support is available throughout the move.
  2. American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. Operating since 1995, AVL staffs every move with full-time in-house crews trained on antiques, art, and other high-value items.
  3. Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. As one of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, real-time shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan.

Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national van lines are the smarter financial choice over local movers in Newark, NJ. 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 Newark, NJ to Modesto, CA

Moving containers from Newark, New Jersey, to Modesto, California, cost between $2,149 and $7,580. 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 Newark typically runs around $130/month.

Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Newark to Modesto:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,149 - $4,145
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,815 - $5,664
  • 4+ bedrooms: $3,663 - $7,580

What other costs come with moving containers?

  • Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $96 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $191 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 $892 in Newark, NJ, 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 Modesto, CA, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.

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 $2,149. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $2,815 - $5,664, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.

What are the best moving containers Newark to Modesto?

  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 Newark 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 Newark:

  • Roadway Moving (4.9/5), 18 years in business
  • Oz Moving & Storage, Inc. (4.8/5), 33 years in business
  • Ample Moving (4.8/5), 8 years in business

Moving truck rental costs from Newark, NJ to Modesto, CA

Truck rentals from Newark, New Jersey, to Modesto, California, range from $1,699 - $4,726 for the 2,877-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:

  • Fuel for the drive: $1,166 - $1,333
  • Daily insurance: $38/day
  • Equipment rentals: $9 - $25
  • Newark daily rental rate: $19 - $39
  • Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.99 - $0.99
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 Newark to Modesto based on home size:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,699 - $3,071
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,733 - $4,042
  • 4+ bedrooms: $2,191 - $4,726

Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Newark to Modesto starts at $1,699 - $4,726, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($1,166 - $1,333) , overnight lodging ($191/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for an additional $600 - $1,200 on top of your base rate to cover those costs.

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 $96 and $446.
  • Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $191.
  • Gas: Expect fuel to run between $1,166 and $1,333 for the 2,877-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 $892 for 2 movers in Newark, New Jersey, for about 5 hours.
  • Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.

What are the best moving truck rentals from Newark to Modesto?

  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 Newark, NJ to Modesto, CA

Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from Newark, New Jersey, to Modesto, California. Standard trailers run 28 feet long, and you're only charged for the portion you actually fill. The carrier drops the trailer off, you load it at your own pace, and they handle the drive to your new city.

Pricing is based entirely on the linear footage your shipment occupies, not the full trailer length. Most long-distance freight moves land somewhere between $1,147 and $4,711.

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

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,897 - $3,623
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,059 - $4,711
  • 4+ bedrooms: $2,842 - $6,126

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?

  • More space: Freight pricing is based on exactly how much of the trailer you fill. If your items take up more than expected, the added footage can increase your cost by between $96 and $191.
  • Peak season impact: Moving during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) often means higher trailer rates as demand increases across the board.
  • Moving labor: Unless you plan to load everything yourself, factor in labor costs. Two movers in Newark, New Jersey, for roughly five hours typically average $892.

What are the best freight companies from Newark to Modesto?

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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 are one of the fastest ways to move your belongings interstate, often beating full-service movers on delivery time. If getting your stuff to Modesto 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: Newark, NJ vs Modesto, CA

The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Modesto, side by side with Newark on housing, income, and taxes.

Measure Newark, NJ Modesto, CA
Cost of living index135116
Average rent$2,300/mo$1,800/mo
Median home value$335,418$415,024
Average income$48,416/yr$77,899/yr
Unemployment rate13.0%8.0%
State income taxUp to 10.7%Up to 13.3%
Walkability score76/10048/100
Safety index24.76/10034.24/100
Air qualityGoodModerate

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 Modesto, CA to Newark, NJ guide.

Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:

In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from New Jersey 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 89 movers licensed in New Jersey, useful context for sizing up this 2,877-mile move.

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Our take

How you handle your interstate move from Newark, NJ, to Modesto, CA, comes down to your budget and how much time and work you're able to put into it. Hands-off relocations handled by full-service movers range from $2,680 - $12,329 on the 2,877-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $2,149 - $7,580 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $1,699 - $4,726 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $3,963 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and 24/7 live support.

Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Save Mart Supermarkets and Sutter Central Valley Hospitals.

FAQs: Moving from Newark, NJ, to Modesto, CA

Is Modesto a safe place to live?

Modesto has a safety index of 34.24 out of 100 and a crime index of 65.76, compared to 24.76 and 75.24 in Newark. 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 Newark, NJ to Modesto, 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 $1,733 - $4,042. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.

What are the best neighborhoods in Modesto?

For families, Del Rio, Dutch Hollow, and La Loma are worth a look in Modesto. If you're moving solo or without kids, Downtown Modesto, College Area, and McHenry Village tend to be popular picks instead.

How long does a move from Newark, NJ to Modesto, 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 Newark?

Local movers based in Newark typically start around $260 as a base rate, plus $120/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 Modesto run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.

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

About 87% of movers in Newark handle piano moves, and 70% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.