($862+) Amarillo, TX to Modesto, CA Movers
Moving from Amarillo, TX, to Modesto, CA, runs anywhere from $820 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $9,481 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,289 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 3 to 8 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 $2,364, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $9,481 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,303 - $4,397, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $820 - $2,410.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Amarillo, TX, to Modesto, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,011 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
Compare moving options from Amarillo, TX to Modesto, CA
Moving options from Amarillo to Modesto fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $3,011 - $7,067 on this route, with movers handling all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 60% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This 1,289-mile route typically takes 3 to 8 days door to door.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,289-mile route from Amarillo to Modesto, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $2,364 - $5,001 | $1,303 - $2,500 | $820 - $1,580 | $1,149 - $2,363 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $3,011 - $7,067 | $1,698 - $3,452 | $887 - $1,900 | $1,414 - $2,901 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,727 - $9,481 | $2,325 - $4,397 | $1,103 - $2,410 | $1,973 - $3,777 |
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 Amarillo, TX to Modesto, CA
Hiring full-service movers from Amarillo, Texas, to Modesto, California, costs between $2,364 and $9,481. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 1,289-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $272 - $1,816, 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 Amarillo and Modesto. For a rough baseline, movers based in Amarillo tend to start around $400 plus $224/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 Amarillo to Modesto:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,364 - $5,001
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,011 - $7,067
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,727 - $9,481
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 Amarillo to Modesto.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Texas to California. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: Peak moving season (May - September) limits truck availability and pushes up full-service moving costs. Booking during slower months can give you more scheduling room and a lower final price.
Don't see your company listed?
Reach customers actively searching for trusted movers in your area. Tell us about your company and services to get your business listed on moveBuddha.
Specialty moving services from Amarillo, TX to Modesto, CA
Specialty needs vary by market — 83% of Amarillo 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 packing67% of local movers | $454 - $4,540 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready83% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Bomb City Movers LLC | $182 - $1,090/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $272 - $2,179 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage17% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs50% of local movers | $908 - $2,724 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,270 - $9,080 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $680 - $1,292 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items17% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Bomb City Movers LLC | $908 - $2,270 |
| Piano | Any piano type83% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Bomb City Movers LLC | $726 - $3,178 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling17% of local movers | $272 - $1,362 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect33% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Bomb City Movers LLC | $590 - $1,816 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $272 - $13,620+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $272 - $3,178+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Amarillo 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.
- 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 movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in Amarillo, TX. 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 Amarillo, TX to Modesto, CA
Moving containers from Amarillo, Texas, to Modesto, California, cost between $1,303 and $4,397. The container gets dropped at your door and you load it at your own pace. U-Haul gives you 3 days to load and PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're done, the company handles all the transportation. If you need extra time, storage in Amarillo runs about $65/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Amarillo to Modesto:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,303 - $2,500
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,698 - $3,452
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,325 - $4,397
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Containers are self-loaded, so many people hire hourly help for the heavy lifting. moveBuddha data shows two movers for about five hours runs around $636 in Amarillo, TX. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: If you want stronger coverage than the default liability, full-value protection is the upgrade to consider. Most providers charge 1% - 2% of your shipment value, roughly $500 - $1,000 for $50,000 in contents.
- Storage: After the first month, rental fees average $68 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $136 per month for a larger 12- to 16-foot unit.
- Access: If you anticipate needing to access items while in storage, confirm there's a facility conveniently located near your Modesto, CA, destination before booking.
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 $1,303. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,698 - $3,452, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Amarillo 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 Amarillo 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 Amarillo:
- Bomb City Movers LLC (4.9/5), 5 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Amarillo, TX to Modesto, CA
Truck rentals from Amarillo, Texas, to Modesto, California, range from $820 - $2,410 for the 1,289-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $372 - $426
- Daily insurance: $27/day
- Equipment rentals: $6 - $18
- Amarillo 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 Amarillo to Modesto based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $820 - $1,580
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $887 - $1,900
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,103 - $2,410
Pro tip: The base rate of $820 - $2,410 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Amarillo to Modesto. Fuel ($372 - $426) , lodging at around $136/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?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $136 per night. Most long-distance moves with rental trucks require 1 - 3 overnight stops.
- Equipment: Tow dollies, auto trailers, and specialty moving equipment can add between $59 and $295 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $372 - $426 in fuel for the 1,289-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $636 in Amarillo, Texas, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Amarillo 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 Amarillo, TX to Modesto, 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 Amarillo, Texas, to Modesto, 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 $1,414 and $2,901.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Amarillo to Modesto:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,149 - $2,363
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,414 - $2,901
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,973 - $3,777
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?
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In Amarillo, Texas, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $636.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $68 - $136 per additional foot to your total.
- Time of year: Rates tend to climb during peak moving season (mid-May through mid-September) when trailer demand is at its highest.
What are the best freight companies from Amarillo to Modesto?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Primarily known as a top moving container option for its DIY hybrid model where customers load and the company drives, MovingYourself also functions as a strong freight option thanks to its 53-foot trucks and pay-only-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. Best known for its container service, U-Pack also runs a top-notch freight trailer operation with the same no-deposit, pay-by-the-foot approach that keeps overall costs lower than most freight competitors.
- Dedicated Express, LLC (4.26/5 stars): Dedicated Express, LLC is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned facilities and accessible live support staff make scheduling and route coordination easier on local-area routes than what most national freight providers can offer.
Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from Amarillo 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: Amarillo, TX 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 Amarillo on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Amarillo, TX | Modesto, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 74 | 116 |
| Average rent | $1,200/mo | $1,800/mo |
| Median home value | $185,247 | $415,024 |
| Average income | $62,469/yr | $77,899/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 4.9% | 8.0% |
| State income tax | None | Up to 13.3% |
| Walkability score | 40/100 | 48/100 |
| Safety index | 74.69/100 | 34.24/100 |
| Air quality | Good | Moderate |
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 Amarillo, TX guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 3 real quotes from Texas to California over the past 3 months, giving us some of the most up-to-date pricing data around. Running your move through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. There are 289 movers in our Texas network to compare for this 1,289-mile move.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 1,289-mile route from Amarillo, TX, to Modesto, CA, run $2,364 - $9,481 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,303 - $4,397, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $820 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,011, 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 Amarillo, TX, to Modesto, CA
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 is the best time of year to move from Amarillo, TX 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 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.
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 74.69 and 25.31 in Amarillo. 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 Amarillo, TX 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 $887 - $1,900. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What percentage of Amarillo movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 83% of movers in Amarillo handle piano moves, and 17% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.