($906+) Dallas, TX to Riverside, CA Movers
Moving from Dallas, TX, to Riverside, CA, runs anywhere from $888 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $9,434 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,383 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 $2,318, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $9,434 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,431 - $4,673, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $888 - $2,542.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Dallas, TX, to Riverside, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,898 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 Dallas, TX to Riverside, CA
There are 3 main ways to move from Dallas 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 $2,898 - $6,664. Moving containers run about 30% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 60% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 3 to 8 days for this 1,383-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 1,383-mile route from Dallas to Riverside, broken down by home size:
- Full-service movers: $2,318 for a studio up to $9,434 for a 4+ bedroom home.
- Moving containers: $1,431 - $4,673 depending on home size.
- Rental trucks: $888 - $2,542, the lowest-cost option across the board.
- Freight trailers: $1,250 - $3,854, billed by the space you actually use.
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 Dallas, TX to Riverside, CA
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 1,383-mile move from Dallas, Texas, to Riverside, California, with costs ranging from $2,318 - $9,434. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $337 - $2,248. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Dallas and Riverside. Local movers in Dallas typically start around $179 as a base rate plus $60/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Dallas to Riverside:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,318 - $5,364
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,898 - $6,664
- 4+ bedrooms: $5,211 - $9,434
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 Dallas to Riverside.
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: 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 Dallas, TX to Riverside, CA
Specialty needs vary by market — 94% of Dallas movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Riverside, 84% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing99% of local movers | $562 - $5,620 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready94% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: AB Moving | $225 - $1,349/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $337 - $2,698 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage26% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs69% of local movers | $1,124 - $3,372 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,810 - $11,240 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $842 - $1,599 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items50% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: AB Moving | $1,124 - $2,810 |
| Piano | Any piano type64% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: AB Moving | $899 - $3,934 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling36% of local movers | $337 - $1,686 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect23% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: AB Moving | $731 - $2,248 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $337 - $16,860+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $337 - $3,934+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Dallas 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 Dallas, 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 Dallas, TX to Riverside, CA
Moving containers from Dallas, Texas, to Riverside, California, cost between $1,431 and $4,673. You're in charge of loading, and the timeline is yours to set. U-Haul allows 3 days while PODS gives you a full 30. After that, the company picks it up and delivers it to your new address. Running behind schedule? Storage in Dallas costs roughly $80/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Dallas to Riverside:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,431 - $2,592
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,720 - $3,438
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,433 - $4,673
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $84 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $169 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 $787 in Dallas, TX. 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 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 $1,431. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,720 - $3,438, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Dallas 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 Dallas 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 Dallas:
- AB Moving (4.5/5), 26 years in business
- AM Moving Company LLC (4.4/5), 11 years in business
- 3 Men Movers (4.8/5), 41 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Dallas, TX to Riverside, CA
Truck rentals from Dallas, Texas, to Riverside, California, range from $888 - $2,542 for the 1,383-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $495 - $565
- Daily insurance: $34/day
- Equipment rentals: $8 - $22
- Dallas daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.59 - $0.79
| 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 Dallas to Riverside based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $888 - $1,614
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $998 - $2,102
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,161 - $2,542
Pro tip: A rental truck from Dallas to Riverside looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $888 - $2,542. But once you factor in fuel ($495 - $565) , overnight lodging ($169/night), meals, and equipment rentals, most people end up spending $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate suggests. Building that into your budget upfront saves you from sticker shock at the end of the move.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Gas: Fuel adds $495 - $565 for the 1,383-mile drive, depending on whether your rental truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: You'll handle the heavy lifting unless you bring in help. Two movers in Dallas, Texas, for about 5 hours typically costs around $787.
- Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
- Lodging: The 1,383-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $169 per night, adding $337 - $506 in hotel costs total.
- Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $56 and $337.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Dallas 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 Dallas, TX to Riverside, CA
For larger DIY moves from Dallas, 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 most medium-to-large moves on this route, pricing typically falls between $1,461 and $2,751.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Dallas to Riverside:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,250 - $2,287
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,461 - $2,751
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,024 - $3,854
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 $84 - $169 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Dallas, Texas, for about five hours typically runs $787.
What are the best freight companies from Dallas to Riverside?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the pick for best for large moves. The company is well-regarded as a top moving container option for its load-it-yourself, we-drive-it model, and that same model makes it a strong freight option for larger homes that benefit from the company's 53-foot trucks and footage-based pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Alongside their flagship container service, U-Pack provides a top-notch freight trailer option that follows the same model: no deposits, no upfront fees, and pricing based on the linear footage you actually use.
- Hazel's Expedited Freight (4.62/5 stars): Hazel's Expedited Freight is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned and based facilities mean accessible support staff and area-specific scheduling flexibility that national-only freight carriers typically don't match.
Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Dallas 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: Dallas, TX vs Riverside, CA
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Riverside, side by side with Dallas on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Dallas, TX | Riverside, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 100 | 131 |
| Average rent | $1,774/mo | $2,295/mo |
| Median home value | $303,018 | $539,898 |
| Average income | $67,760/yr | $88,575/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 3.6% | 7.1% |
| State income tax | None | Up to 13.3% |
| Walkability score | 46/100 | 43/100 |
| Safety index | 48.6/100 | 59.76/100 |
| 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 Riverside, CA to Dallas, TX guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 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 1,383-mile move.
Our take
A move from Dallas, TX, to Riverside, CA, gives you several options depending on your budget and how much you want to do yourself. Full-service movers handle everything but cost the most, ranging from $2,318 - $9,434 on the 1,383-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,431 - $4,673, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $888 - $2,542. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $2,898 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and round-the-clock live support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Bourns and California Baptist University.
FAQs: Moving from Dallas, TX, to Riverside, CA
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Dallas, 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 do local movers charge in Dallas?
Local movers based in Dallas typically start around $179 as a base rate, plus $60/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.
How long does a move from Dallas, TX to Riverside, CA take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 5 - 7 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are usually the fastest option outside of driving yourself, with deliveries in 3 - 5 days, 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 are the best neighborhoods in Riverside?
For families, Orangecrest, Mission Grove, and Canyon Crest are worth a look in Riverside. If you're moving solo or without kids, Canyon Crest, Victoria, and Downtown tend to be popular picks instead.
What is the cheapest way to move from Dallas, 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 $998 - $2,102. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What percentage of Dallas movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 64% of movers in Dallas handle piano moves, and 50% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
