($1,083+) Tulsa, OK to Modesto, CA Movers

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Background image of a moving truck moving from Tulsa, OK to Modesto, CA

Moving from Tulsa, OK, to Modesto, CA, runs anywhere from $1,000 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $10,941 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,652 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 4 to 15 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 $2,360, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $10,941 or more.
  • Moving containers run $1,513 - $5,552, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,000 - $2,795.
  • Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Tulsa, OK, to Modesto, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,436 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.

Compare moving options from Tulsa, OK to Modesto, CA

Moving options from Tulsa to Modesto fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move on this route costs $3,436 - $7,619 and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, while rental trucks land about 60% less, though both require you to load the truck or container yourself. This route spans 1,652 miles and typically takes 4 to 15 days.

Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,652-mile route from Tulsa to Modesto, broken down by home size:

  • Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $2,360 - $5,773, container $1,513 - $2,963, rental truck $1,000 - $1,940, freight trailer $1,307 - $2,461.
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $3,436 - $7,619, container $2,033 - $3,864, rental truck $1,060 - $2,285, freight trailer $1,610 - $3,092.
  • 4+ bedrooms: full-service $5,670 - $10,941, container $2,639 - $5,552, rental truck $1,462 - $2,795, freight trailer $2,196 - $4,143.

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 Tulsa, OK to Modesto, CA

Hiring full-service movers from Tulsa, Oklahoma, to Modesto, California, costs between $2,360 and $10,941. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 1,652-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $292 - $1,948, depending on the size of your home. Your final cost comes down to two things: the total weight of your shipment and the distance between Tulsa and Modesto. For a rough baseline, movers based in Tulsa tend to start around $225 plus $90/hour per mover on local jobs, before long-distance pricing takes over for a move this size.

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

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,360 - $5,773
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,436 - $7,619
  • 4+ bedrooms: $5,670 - $10,941

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 Tulsa to Modesto.

The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Oklahoma to California. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.

Pro tip: Avoiding peak moving season dates (May - September) is one of the easiest ways to reduce costs. Off-season moves typically come with lower pricing and more room to negotiate since movers have fewer bookings.

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Specialty moving services from Tulsa, OK to Modesto, CA

Specialty needs vary by market — 88% of Tulsa 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 packing100% of local movers$487 - $4,870
Storage in transitNew place not ready88% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage$195 - $1,169/mo
Shuttle feeTruck can't reach door$292 - $2,338
Full-value protectionMore than $0.60/lb coverage38% of local movers$300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value)
Small movesUnder ~2,000 lbs50% of local movers$974 - $2,922
Office / commercialWorkplace relocation$2,435 - $9,740
Car shippingSecond vehicle$730 - $1,386
Antiques & fine artFragile, high-value items75% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage$974 - $2,435
PianoAny piano type75% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage$779 - $3,409
Pool tableDisassembly & re-leveling25% of local movers$292 - $1,461
Hot tubHeavy, needs disconnect25% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Bigger Better Movers$633 - $1,948
Wine collectionClimate-controlled transport$292 - $14,610+
Pet relocationGround, air, or concierge$292 - $3,409+

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

Look for California Moving & Storage Association membership as a baseline when comparing movers in California beyond this list.

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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 Tulsa, OK. 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 Tulsa, OK to Modesto, CA

Moving containers from Tulsa, Oklahoma, to Modesto, California, cost between $1,513 and $5,552. A container is delivered to your home and you load it on your own time. Loading windows vary by company: U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30. From there, the company takes over and transports it to Modesto. If you go over that window, storage in Tulsa adds around $55/month.

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

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,513 - $2,963
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,033 - $3,864
  • 4+ bedrooms: $2,639 - $5,552

What other costs come with moving containers?

  • Access: Most major container brands operate in both Tulsa, OK and Modesto, CA. Still, double-check that a nearby facility is available if you need to access your belongings before delivery.
  • Moving labor: Because containers are self-loaded, many customers hire hourly help. Two movers for about 5 hours typically cost around $682 in Tulsa, OK, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
  • Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $73 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $146 for larger ones (12 - 16 feet).
  • Added contents protection: For more coverage beyond the standard minimum, full-value protection is the typical upgrade, generally 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value. On a $50,000 household, that's roughly $500 - $1,000 as a one-time fee.

Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Oklahoma 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 $1,513. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $2,033 - $3,864, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.

What are the best moving containers Tulsa 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 Tulsa 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 Tulsa:

  • TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.3/5), 32 years in business
  • 2 Fellas & A Big Vehicle Moving Company (4.3/5), 30 years in business
  • Bigger Better Movers (4.8/5), 6 years in business

Moving truck rental costs from Tulsa, OK to Modesto, CA

Truck rentals from Tulsa, Oklahoma, to Modesto, California, range from $1,000 - $2,795 for the 1,652-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:

  • Fuel for the drive: $512 - $585
  • Daily insurance: $29/day
  • Equipment rentals: $7 - $19
  • Tulsa daily rental rate: $19 - $39
  • Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.89
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 Tulsa to Modesto based on home size:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,000 - $1,940
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,060 - $2,285
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,462 - $2,795

Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Tulsa to Modesto starts at $1,000 - $2,795, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($512 - $585) , overnight lodging ($146/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?

  • Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
  • Lodging: Budget around $146 per night if your drive requires an overnight stop. Typically, you'll make 1 - 3 overnight stops, depending on move distance.
  • Moving labor: Bringing in professional loading help in Tulsa, Oklahoma, usually costs about $682 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
  • Gas: Fuel for the 1,652-mile drive falls between $512 and $585, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
  • Equipment: Appliance dollies, moving pads, and vehicle trailers are easy to overlook but can add between $49 and $292 to your total.

What are the best moving truck rentals from Tulsa 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 Tulsa, OK to Modesto, CA

If you're moving a larger household from Tulsa, Oklahoma, and want to stay in control of the loading process, freight trailers offer a practical middle ground between hiring movers and renting a truck yourself. A 28-foot trailer is delivered to your door, you load what you need, and the carrier handles the drive to Modesto, California.

Freight trailers are priced by the linear feet your belongings take up, so you only pay for the space you use. Most moves on this route fall between $1,610 and $3,092.

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

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,307 - $2,461
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,610 - $3,092
  • 4+ bedrooms: $2,196 - $4,143

Pro tip: Freight pricing rewards efficient packing. Trailers are 8 feet tall and accessed via a 4-foot ramp, so technique matters, especially for heavy pieces. Since each additional linear foot adds to your quote, packing strategically is one of the easiest ways to control costs.

What other costs come with freight trailers?

  • More space: Freight trailers are billed by the section you fill. If you misjudge your shipment size, each extra foot of trailer space adds around $73 - $146 to your final bill.
  • Peak season pricing: Expect higher rates during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) when trailer availability tightens across the country.
  • Moving labor: Loading is on you unless you hire outside help. A half-day crew of two movers in Tulsa, Oklahoma, typically costs $682.

What are the best freight companies from Tulsa to Modesto?

  1. MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the best for large moves pick. While it's a top moving container option for the DIY hybrid setup (you handle the loading, they handle the driving), the same approach makes it a strong freight choice for 3 to 5+ bedroom homes that need 53 feet of trailer capacity with pay-as-you-go pricing.
  2. U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer here. In addition to their popular container service, U-Pack delivers a top-tier freight trailer option that uses the same pay-by-the-foot pricing model and skips deposits and upfront fees entirely.
  3. Melton Truck Lines, Inc. (4.84/5 stars): Melton Truck Lines, Inc. is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Local ownership translates to accessible support staff and facilities based in the communities they serve, giving customers more direct communication than they'd typically get from a national-only freight network.

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: Tulsa, OK 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 Tulsa on housing, income, and taxes.

Measure Tulsa, OK Modesto, CA
Cost of living index85116
Average rent$1,199/mo$1,800/mo
Median home value$187,761$415,024
Average income$58,407/yr$77,899/yr
Unemployment rate4.7%8.0%
State income taxUp to 4.75%Up to 13.3%
Walkability score39/10048/100
Safety index48.06/10034.24/100
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 Tulsa, OK guide.

Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:

In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from Oklahoma 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 32 movers licensed in Oklahoma, useful context for sizing up this 1,652-mile move.

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Our take

The 1,652-mile move from Tulsa, OK, to Modesto, CA, costs between $2,360 and $10,941 with full-service movers, $1,513 - $5,552 with a moving container, and $1,000 - $2,795 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 $3,436 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 Save Mart Supermarkets and Sutter Central Valley Hospitals.

FAQs: Moving from Tulsa, OK, to Modesto, CA

How walkable is Modesto?

Modesto has a walkability score of 48 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 48, compared to 39 and 47 in Tulsa. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.

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 do I know a mover is licensed in California?

When contacting a local moving company for an estimate in California, make sure each has a “T Number” issued by the California Public Utilities Commission (CAPUC). Moving companies with valid T Numbers have met state requirements for insurance, safety, and financial stability and have passed criminal clearance checks conducted by the California Department of Justice.

What do local movers charge in Tulsa?

Local movers based in Tulsa typically start around $225 as a base rate, plus $90/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 size moving truck do I need for this route?

Rental trucks generally range from 10 to 26 feet. A 15- to 17-foot truck covers most 2-bedroom moves, while a smaller 10- to 12-foot truck works for a studio or 1-bedroom. Homes with 3 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.

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

About 75% of movers in Tulsa handle piano moves, and 75% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.