($822+) Austin, TX to Riverside, CA Movers
Moving from Austin, TX, to Riverside, CA, runs anywhere from $822 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $9,099 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,327 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 $2,155, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $9,099 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,275 - $4,633, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $822 - $2,346.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Austin, TX, to Riverside, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,885 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 Austin, TX to Riverside, CA
There are 3 main ways to move from Austin to Riverside: 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 $2,885 - $6,542. Containers cost roughly 41% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 69% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 1,327 miles, expect 3 to 8 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 1,327-mile route from Austin to Riverside, broken down by home size:
- Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $2,155 - $5,183, container $1,275 - $2,426, rental truck $822 - $1,586, freight trailer $1,136 - $2,075.
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $2,885 - $6,542, container $1,695 - $3,183, rental truck $889 - $1,812, freight trailer $1,290 - $2,815.
- 4+ bedrooms: full-service $4,852 - $9,099, container $2,210 - $4,633, rental truck $1,073 - $2,346, freight trailer $1,876 - $3,386.
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 Austin, TX to Riverside, CA
For the 1,327-mile move from Austin, Texas, to Riverside, California, full-service movers cost between $2,155 and $9,099. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $389 - $2,596 (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 Austin generally start around $191 plus $90 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Austin to Riverside:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,155 - $5,183
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,885 - $6,542
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,852 - $9,099
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 Austin to Riverside.
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.
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Specialty moving services from Austin, TX to Riverside, CA
Specialty needs vary by market: 62% of Austin 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 packing78% of local movers | $649 - $6,490 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready62% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Square Cow | $260 - $1,558/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $389 - $3,115 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage11% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs69% of local movers | $1,298 - $3,894 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,245 - $12,980 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $972 - $1,847 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items35% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: NorthStar Moving Company | $1,298 - $3,245 |
| Piano | Any piano type43% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: 3 Men Movers | $1,038 - $4,543 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling15% of local movers | $389 - $1,947 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect7% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $844 - $2,596 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $389 - $19,470+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $389 - $4,543+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Austin to Riverside?
Movers licensed to operate in California are typically members of the California Moving & Storage Association, worth checking for before you book any of the three below.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 customer support, and 30 days of free storage are included with every move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list, with 30+ years in business since 1995. AVL is one of the few national carriers that uses full-time in-house crews instead of contracted labor.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, combining fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan that covers damage, loss, and breakage.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Austin, TX. 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 Austin, TX to Riverside, CA
Moving containers from Austin, Texas, to Riverside, California, cost between $1,275 and $4,633. 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 Austin typically costs about $80/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Austin to Riverside:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,275 - $2,426
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,695 - $3,183
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,210 - $4,633
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $97 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $195 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 $909 in Austin, TX, 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 Riverside, CA, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Texas 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 $1,275. 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 $1,695 - $3,183.
What are the best moving containers Austin 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 Austin 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 Austin:
- Square Cow (4.8/5), 18 years in business
- 3 Men Movers (4.9/5), 41 years in business
- Firefighting's Finest Moving & Storage (4.8/5), 24 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Austin, TX to Riverside, CA
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 1,327 miles from Austin, Texas, to Riverside, California, running $822 - $2,346. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $548 - $626
- Daily insurance: $39/day
- Equipment rentals: $9 - $26
- Austin 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 Austin to Riverside based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $822 - $1,586
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $889 - $1,812
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,073 - $2,346
Pro tip: The base rate of $822 - $2,346 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Austin to Riverside. Fuel ($548 - $626), lodging at around $195/night, meals, and equipment rentals are all on top of that. Factor in roughly $600 - $1,200 more for meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging to get a realistic picture of what the move will actually cost.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Austin, Texas, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $909.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $548 - $626 for the 1,327-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 $78 and $422, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $195 per night for hotel stops on the 1,327-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $389 - $584.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Austin 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 Austin, TX to Riverside, CA
For larger DIY moves from Austin, Texas, freight trailers give you plenty of room without putting you behind the wheel. Standard trailers are 28 feet long. You load the section you need, and the carrier transports everything to Riverside, California.
Because freight companies bill by linear footage, your total is based on how much of the trailer you occupy, not the full length. For a 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route, pricing typically falls between $1,290 and $2,815.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Austin to Riverside:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,136 - $2,075
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,290 - $2,815
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,876 - $3,386
Pro tip: Freight trailers come with a 4-foot loading ramp, which can be a challenge with bulky furniture. With 8 feet of vertical space available, stacking efficiently often requires a ladder and a plan. Since you're billed per linear foot, packing tight can make a real difference in your final cost.
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 $97 - $195 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 Austin, Texas, typically costs $909.
What are the best freight companies from Austin to Riverside?
- 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.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in Riverside fast. For interstate moves, freight is one of the quickest delivery methods out there. Just keep in mind that freight carriers expect you to be available to receive your shipment, so it works best when your move-in is locked in and you don't need temporary storage on either end.
Cost of living: Austin, TX vs Riverside, CA
Good news for your budget: Riverside isn't meaningfully more or less expensive to live in than Austin. Cost of living index runs 131 there against 129 here. Focus your planning on the move itself rather than a change in monthly expenses. For reference, walkability and safety scores are 42/100 and 59.87/100 here versus 43/100 and 59.76/100 there.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Riverside, CA to Austin, TX guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from Texas 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 843 movers in Texas, so you have real options to compare for this 1,327-mile move.
Our take
The 1,327-mile move from Austin, TX, to Riverside, CA, costs between $2,155 and $9,099 with full-service movers, $1,275 - $4,633 with a moving container, and $822 - $2,346 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 $2,885 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 Bourns and California Baptist University.
FAQs: Moving from Austin, TX, to Riverside, CA
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Austin, TX 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.
What is the best time of year to move from Austin, TX to Riverside, 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.
How long does a move from Austin, TX to Riverside, CA take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 3 to 8 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 extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($548 - $626), daily insurance ($39/day), and equipment rentals ($9 - $26) on top. Overnight stops can add another $195/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
What is the cheapest way to move from Austin, TX to Riverside, 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 $889 - $1,812. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What percentage of Austin movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 43% of movers in Austin handle piano moves, and 35% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.