($1,732+) Providence, RI to Modesto, CA Movers
Moving from Providence, RI, to Modesto, CA, runs anywhere from $1,784 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $12,915 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 3,074 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 $2,807, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $12,915 or more.
- Moving containers run $2,144 - $7,499, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,784 - $5,110.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Providence, RI, to Modesto, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $4,110 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 Providence, RI to Modesto, CA
There are 3 main ways to move from Providence to Modesto: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service is the most expensive but covers everything from labor to transportation, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route averaging $4,110 - $8,167. Containers cost roughly 30% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 60% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 3,074 miles, expect 7 to 21 days in transit no matter which service you choose.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 3,074-mile route from Providence to Modesto, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $2,807 - $6,706 | $2,144 - $4,225 | $1,784 - $3,394 | $1,949 - $3,654 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $4,110 - $8,167 | $2,837 - $5,716 | $1,782 - $3,961 | $2,181 - $4,387 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $8,285 - $12,915 | $3,806 - $7,499 | $2,253 - $5,110 | $2,923 - $6,504 |
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 Providence, RI to Modesto, CA
Full-service movers for the 3,074-mile relocation from Providence, Rhode Island, to Modesto, California, cost between $2,807 and $12,915. 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 $335 - $2,236, 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 Providence typically charge a base rate around $348 plus $90 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Providence to Modesto:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,807 - $6,706
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $4,110 - $8,167
- 4+ bedrooms: $8,285 - $12,915
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 Providence to Modesto.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Rhode Island 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 Providence, RI to Modesto, CA
Specialty needs vary by market — 97% of Providence 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 packing | Full crew packing97% of local movers | $559 - $5,590 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready97% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $224 - $1,342/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $335 - $2,683 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage57% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs56% of local movers | $1,118 - $3,354 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,795 - $11,180 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $837 - $1,591 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items58% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $1,118 - $2,795 |
| Piano | Any piano type84% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $894 - $3,913 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling21% of local movers | $335 - $1,677 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect19% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Marathon Moving Co. | $727 - $2,236 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $335 - $16,770+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $335 - $3,913+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Providence to Modesto?
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 movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in Providence, RI. Van lines spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments, while local movers tend to charge 30% - 40% more for the same distance. A direct route with a local mover averages 2-day delivery, but that added speed typically carries a higher price tag.
Moving container costs from Providence, RI to Modesto, CA
Moving containers from Providence, Rhode Island, to Modesto, California, cost between $2,144 and $7,499. 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 Providence typically costs about $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Providence to Modesto:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,144 - $4,225
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,837 - $5,716
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,806 - $7,499
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $84 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $168 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 $783 in Providence, RI, 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 Rhode Island 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 $2,144. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $2,837 - $5,716, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Providence to Modesto?
- 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 Providence 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 Providence:
- Correira Brothers' Moving & Storage (4.6/5), 16 years in business
- Marathon Moving Co. (4.7/5), 26 years in business
- Economy Movers & Storage Inc (4.6/5), 50 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Providence, RI to Modesto, CA
Truck rentals from Providence, Rhode Island, to Modesto, California, range from $1,784 - $5,110 for the 3,074-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $1,094 - $1,250
- Daily insurance: $34/day
- Equipment rentals: $8 - $22
- Providence daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $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 Providence to Modesto based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,784 - $3,394
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,782 - $3,961
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,253 - $5,110
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Providence to Modesto starts at $1,784 - $5,110, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($1,094 - $1,250) , overnight lodging ($168/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?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Providence, Rhode Island, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $783.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $1,094 - $1,250 for the 3,074-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 $67 and $363, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $168 per night for hotel stops on the 3,074-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $335 - $503.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Providence to Modesto?
- 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 Providence, RI to Modesto, CA
If you're moving a larger household from Providence, Rhode Island, 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 $2,181 and $4,387.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Providence to Modesto:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,949 - $3,654
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,181 - $4,387
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,923 - $6,504
Pro tip: Freight trailers offer generous space but reward good packing strategy. The 4-foot ramp can be challenging for large or heavy pieces, and using the full 8-foot height takes careful stacking. Because you're billed by the linear foot, maximizing vertical space keeps your costs lower.
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 $84 - $168 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 Providence, Rhode Island, typically costs $783.
What are the best freight companies from Providence to Modesto?
- 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.
- 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.
- Blue Sun Super Service (4.76/5 stars): Blue Sun Super Service 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: If speed matters on your move from Providence to Modesto, freight trailers are one of the fastest interstate options available, second only to renting a truck and driving it yourself. The tradeoff is that freight works best when you're ready to receive your belongings on the other end. If your timeline is tight on the receiving side or you need a short storage buffer, a moving container might be a better fit.
Cost of living: Providence, RI vs Modesto, CA
Providence and Modesto land in a similar range on everyday costs. The cost of living index sits at 109 in Providence and 116 in Modesto, and rent tracks closely too ($2,200/mo vs. $1,800/mo). You likely won't need to rework your monthly budget much after this move. Walkability (76 vs 48) and safety scores (50.16 vs 34.24) come out about the same too.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Modesto, CA to Providence, RI guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from Rhode Island to California, so our pricing data reflects what movers are actually charging right now. Check our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers, the best way to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and bad actors. We track 11 movers in Rhode Island, so you have real options to compare for this 3,074-mile move.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 3,074-mile route from Providence, RI, to Modesto, CA, run $2,807 - $12,915 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $2,144 - $7,499, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $1,784 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $4,110, 30 days of free storage, and a 24/7 support team you can actually reach.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Save Mart Supermarkets and Sutter Central Valley Hospitals.
FAQs: Moving from Providence, RI, to Modesto, CA
What is the best time of year to move from Providence, RI to Modesto, CA?
Aim for a move between October and March, when demand drops and rates tend to be lower across all service types. Peak season runs mid-May through mid-September, and weekends and month-end dates are pricier regardless of season. A midweek, mid-month date outside peak season is your best bet for saving money.
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Providence, RI to Modesto, 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.
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 50.16 and 49.84 in Providence. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
How walkable is Modesto?
Modesto has a walkability score of 48 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 48, compared to 76 and 61 in Providence. 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.
What percentage of Providence movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 84% of movers in Providence handle piano moves, and 58% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
