($1,484+) Newark, NJ to Riverside, CA Movers
Moving from Newark, NJ, to Riverside, CA, runs anywhere from $1,484 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $11,608 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 2,731 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 $2,244, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $11,608 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,941 - $7,232, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,484 - $4,371.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Newark, NJ, to Riverside, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,472 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 Newark, NJ to Riverside, CA
There are 3 main ways to move from Newark 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 $3,472 - $7,132. Moving containers run about 32% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 55% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 7 to 21 days for this 2,731-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 2,731-mile route from Newark to Riverside, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $2,244 - $5,571 | $1,941 - $3,592 | $1,484 - $3,020 | $1,680 - $3,428 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $3,472 - $7,132 | $2,371 - $4,999 | $1,575 - $3,285 | $1,897 - $3,877 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $6,732 - $11,608 | $3,404 - $7,232 | $2,031 - $4,371 | $2,562 - $5,619 |
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated November 2, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Newark, NJ to Riverside, CA
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 2,731-mile move from Newark, New Jersey, to Riverside, California, with costs ranging from $2,244 - $11,608. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $400 - $2,668. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Newark and Riverside. Local movers in Newark typically start around $260 as a base rate plus $120/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Newark to Riverside:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,244 - $5,571
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,472 - $7,132
- 4+ bedrooms: $6,732 - $11,608
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 Riverside.
Pro tip: Demand for full-service movers surges during peak moving season from May - September, pushing prices higher. Shifting your move to a cooler month could save you a meaningful amount on your total bill.
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Specialty moving services from Newark, NJ to Riverside, CA
Specialty needs vary by market: 62% of Newark movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Riverside, 52% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing72% of local movers | $667 - $6,670 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready62% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: White Glove Moving & Storage | $267 - $1,601/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $400 - $3,202 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage12% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs47% of local movers | $1,334 - $4,002 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,335 - $13,340 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $999 - $1,898 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items31% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: White Glove Moving & Storage | $1,334 - $3,335 |
| Piano | Any piano type39% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: White Glove Moving & Storage | $1,067 - $4,669 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling9% of local movers | $400 - $2,001 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect3% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (NJ) | $867 - $2,668 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $400 - $20,010+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $400 - $4,669+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Newark to Riverside?
If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in California Moving & Storage Association is a good first thing to confirm.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 full-service movers are the more cost-efficient choice. Local movers in Newark, NJ, 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 Newark, NJ to Riverside, CA
Moving containers from Newark, New Jersey, to Riverside, California, cost between $1,941 and $7,232. 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 Newark typically costs about $130/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Newark to Riverside:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,941 - $3,592
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,371 - $4,999
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,404 - $7,232
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $100 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $200 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Riverside, CA, if you need to retrieve anything while items are still in storage.
- Moving labor: Since you're responsible for loading the container yourself, many customers bring in hourly help. Based on moveBuddha data, hiring 2 movers for approximately 5 hours costs about $934 in Newark, NJ. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection goes beyond the standard minimum and covers repair, replacement, or reimbursement at declared value. Pricing is typically 1% - 2% of your total shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 move.
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 $1,941. 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 $2,371 - $4,999.
What are the best moving containers Newark 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 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:
- Piece of Cake Moving & Storage (4.8/5), 8 years in business
- Moishe's Moving Systems (4.5/5), 33 years in business
- Big G Movers Inc (4.9/5), 13 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Newark, NJ to Riverside, CA
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 2,731 miles from Newark, New Jersey, to Riverside, California, running $1,484 - $4,371. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $1,159 - $1,325
- Daily insurance: $40/day
- Equipment rentals: $9 - $27
- Newark 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 Newark to Riverside based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,484 - $3,020
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,575 - $3,285
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,031 - $4,371
Pro tip: A rental truck from Newark to Riverside looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $1,484 - $4,371. But once you factor in fuel ($1,159 - $1,325), overnight lodging ($200/night), meals, and equipment rentals, most people end up spending roughly $600 - $1,200 more on meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging. Building that into your budget upfront saves you from sticker shock at the end of the move.
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 $100 and $467.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $200.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $1,159 and $1,325 for the 2,731-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 $934 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 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 Newark, 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 Newark, 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. A 2 - 3 bedroom long-distance move using this method runs roughly between $1,897 and $3,877.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Newark to Riverside:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,680 - $3,428
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,897 - $3,877
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,562 - $5,619
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 $100 - $200 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Newark, New Jersey, for about five hours typically runs $934.
What are the best freight companies from Newark to Riverside?
- 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.
- 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: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Newark 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: Newark, NJ vs Riverside, CA
There's not a big cost-of-living gap between Newark and Riverside to plan around. Cost of living index: 135 vs. 131. Average rent: $2,300/mo vs. $2,295/mo. The bigger factor in your budget is the one-time cost of the move itself, covered above. Walkability: 76 vs. 43. Safety index: 24.76 vs. 59.76.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Riverside, CA to Newark, NJ guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from New Jersey to California in the past 3 months alone, keeping our pricing data current. Run your numbers through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. For context, we track 315 movers based in New Jersey, handy for sizing up options on this 2,731-mile route.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from Newark, NJ, to Riverside, 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 $2,244 - $11,608 on the 2,731-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,941 - $7,232 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $1,484 - $4,371 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $3,472 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 Bourns and California Baptist University.
FAQs: Moving from Newark, NJ, to Riverside, CA
How long does a move from Newark, NJ to Riverside, CA take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 7 to 21 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 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 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 Newark, NJ 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.
How much does it cost to move from Newark, NJ to Riverside, CA?
Costs on this route range from around $1,484 to $11,608, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,244 and $11,608, while DIY options like rental trucks and containers come in lower. Moving during peak season (May - September) tends to push prices higher across the board.
How walkable is Riverside?
Riverside has a walkability score of 43 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 49, compared to 76 and 51 in Newark. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
What percentage of Newark movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 39% of movers in Newark handle piano moves, and 31% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.