($976+) McAllen, TX to Long Beach, CA Movers
Moving from McAllen, TX, to Long Beach, CA, runs anywhere from $976 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $9,577 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,600 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 $2,319, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $9,577 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,406 - $4,747, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $976 - $2,541.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from McAllen, TX, to Long Beach, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,983 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
Fact Checked by:
Compare moving options from McAllen, TX to Long Beach, CA
Moving options from McAllen to Long Beach fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $2,983 - $7,048 for a 2-3 bedroom home and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers cost about 36% less than full-service for the same size, and rental trucks land around 65% less, with both DIY options requiring you to load yourself. Covering 1,600 miles, this route usually takes 4 to 15 days from pickup to delivery.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,600-mile route from McAllen to Long Beach, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $2,319 - $5,267 | $1,406 - $2,511 | $976 - $1,911 | $1,328 - $2,450 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,983 - $7,048 | $1,906 - $3,880 | $1,046 - $2,078 | $1,511 - $3,075 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $5,411 - $9,577 | $2,574 - $4,747 | $1,331 - $2,541 | $2,059 - $3,759 |
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 McAllen, TX to Long Beach, CA
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 1,600-mile move from McAllen, Texas, to Long Beach, California, with prices running from $2,319 - $9,577. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $331 - $2,208 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between McAllen and Long Beach are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, McAllen movers tend to run around $160 as a base rate plus $80/hour per mover, for comparison.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from McAllen to Long Beach:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,319 - $5,267
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,983 - $7,048
- 4+ bedrooms: $5,411 - $9,577
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 McAllen to Long Beach.
Pro tip: Moving company rates climb during peak moving season (May –-September) when demand peaks. Scheduling your move outside of that window can lead to noticeably lower costs and better availability.
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 McAllen, TX to Long Beach, CA
Specialty needs vary by market: 63% of McAllen movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Long Beach, 55% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing50% of local movers | $552 - $5,520 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready63% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: PODS Moving & Storage | $221 - $1,325/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $331 - $2,650 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs13% of local movers | $1,104 - $3,312 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,760 - $11,040 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $827 - $1,571 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items13% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Rick's Moving & Storage LLC | $1,104 - $2,760 |
| Piano | Any piano type38% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Rick's Moving & Storage LLC | $883 - $3,864 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling13% of local movers | $331 - $1,656 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect9% nationallyTop pick: InNout Movers (TX) | $718 - $2,208 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $331 - $16,560+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $331 - $3,864+ |
What are the best full-service movers from McAllen to Long Beach?
California Moving & Storage Association membership is a quick way to confirm a mover is legitimate in California, on top of the picks below.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing means no surprise charges on moving day, and their support team is consistently rated among the most responsive in the industry.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here, 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, with 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 movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in McAllen, 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 McAllen, TX to Long Beach, CA
Moving containers from McAllen, Texas, to Long Beach, California, cost between $1,406 and $4,747. 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 Long Beach. If you go over that window, storage in McAllen adds around $55/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from McAllen to Long Beach:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,406 - $2,511
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,906 - $3,880
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,574 - $4,747
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Because loading is on you with a container move, hourly labor help is a popular add-on. In McAllen, TX, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $773, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: After the first month, ongoing rental fees kick in. A small container (7 - 8 feet) averages about $83 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $166 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both McAllen, TX, and Long Beach, CA, but confirm a facility is within reasonable distance if you need to retrieve items while in storage.
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection provides broader coverage than the standard liability in your contract. It typically costs 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on $50,000 worth of belongings.
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 $1,406. 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 $1,906 - $3,880.
What are the best moving containers McAllen to Long Beach?
- 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 McAllen 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 McAllen:
- PODS Moving & Storage (3.7/5), 27 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from McAllen, TX to Long Beach, CA
Renting a moving truck for the 1,600-mile move from McAllen, Texas, to Long Beach, California, costs between $976 and $2,541, before these typical add-ons:
- Fuel for the drive: $562 - $642
- Daily insurance: $33/day
- Equipment rentals: $8 - $22
- McAllen daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.69
| 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 McAllen to Long Beach based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $976 - $1,911
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,046 - $2,078
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,331 - $2,541
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $976 - $2,541 does not include fuel ($562 - $642), lodging ($166/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from McAllen to Long Beach typically runs more than the base rate alone, with meals, equipment, and other extras adding roughly $600 - $1,200 on top of fuel and lodging.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $166 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 McAllen, Texas, usually costs about $773 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 1,600-mile drive falls between $562 and $642, 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 $55 and $331 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from McAllen to Long Beach?
- 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 McAllen, TX to Long Beach, 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 McAllen, Texas, to Long Beach, 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. A 2 - 3 bedroom long-distance move using this method runs roughly between $1,511 and $3,075.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from McAllen to Long Beach:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,328 - $2,450
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,511 - $3,075
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,059 - $3,759
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 $83 - $166 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 McAllen, Texas, typically costs $773.
What are the best freight companies from McAllen to Long Beach?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is our pick for best for large moves. The company is best known as a top moving container option for its hybrid model where you load and they drive, and that same model translates well to freight thanks to their 53-foot trucks and pay-by-the-foot pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Beyond their flagship container service, U-Pack also runs freight trailers with the same no-deposit, no-upfront-fee model, charging only for the linear footage you actually fill.
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 Long Beach 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: McAllen, TX vs Long Beach, CA
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Long Beach, side by side with McAllen on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | McAllen, TX | Long Beach, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 76 | 162 |
| Average rent | $1,350/mo | $2,075/mo |
| Median home value | $173,919 | $762,188 |
| Average income | $60,165/yr | $83,969/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 7.9% | 5.2% |
| State income tax | None | Up to 13.3% |
| Walkability score | 41/100 | 73/100 |
| Safety index | 63.74/100 | 41.42/100 |
| Air quality | Moderate | Good |
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 Long Beach, CA to McAllen, TX guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Texas to California in the past 3 months alone, keeping our pricing data current. Run your numbers through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. For context, we track 843 movers based in Texas, handy for sizing up options on this 1,600-mile route.
Our take
For a move from McAllen, TX, to Long Beach, CA, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $2,319 for a studio to $9,577 for a 4+ bedroom home on the 1,600-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,406 - $4,747. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $976 - $2,541, though you'll be handling the driving and loading yourself. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with quotes starting around $2,983 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage included, and 24/7 live customer support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include UTi Worldwide and Molina Healthcare.
FAQs: Moving from McAllen, TX, to Long Beach, CA
How long does a move from McAllen, TX to Long Beach, CA take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 4 to 15 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 do local movers charge in McAllen?
Local movers based in McAllen typically start around $160 as a base rate, plus $80/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 Long Beach run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
What are some tips for saving money on a move from McAllen, TX to Long Beach, 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.
How much does it cost to move from McAllen, TX to Long Beach, CA?
Costs on this route range from around $976 to $9,577, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,319 and $9,577, while DIY options like rental trucks and containers come in lower. Moving during peak season (May - September) tends to push prices higher across the board.
How walkable is Long Beach?
Long Beach has a walkability score of 73 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 70, compared to 41 and 46 in McAllen. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
What percentage of McAllen movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 38% of movers in McAllen handle piano moves, and 13% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.