($1,055+) McAllen, TX to Long Beach, CA Movers

Easily compare and book your next move with moveBuddha
Background image of a moving truck moving from McAllen, TX to Long Beach, CA

Moving from McAllen, TX, to Long Beach, CA, runs anywhere from $955 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $10,052 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 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 $2,270, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $10,052 or more.
  • Moving containers run $1,446 - $5,295, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $955 - $2,722.
  • 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 $3,131 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.

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. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $3,131 - $7,042 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 1,600-mile route typically takes 4 to 15 days door to door.

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 $2,270 - $5,101 $1,446 - $2,858 $955 - $1,930 $1,287 - $2,648
2 - 3 bedrooms $3,131 - $7,042 $1,925 - $3,957 $1,130 - $2,249 $1,617 - $3,197
4+ bedrooms $5,679 - $10,052 $2,598 - $5,295 $1,370 - $2,722 $2,120 - $4,237

Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.

Professional
Safeway Moving
star star star star star 4.9 / 5
Read our full Safeway review
Best overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran-owned
Container
Unlimited storage
3 container sizes
10% discount
Rental Truck
Budget Truck Rental
star star star star star 4.3 / 5
Read our full Budget review
Affordable pricing
Online estimates
Several discounts
Freight
MovingYourself
star star star star star 4.5 / 5
Read our full MovingYourself review
Fast delivery
Nationwide
100+ miles moves

Full-service moving costs from McAllen, TX to Long Beach, CA

For the 1,600-mile move from McAllen, Texas, to Long Beach, California, full-service movers cost between $2,270 and $10,052. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $331 - $2,208 (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 McAllen generally start around $160 plus $80 per hour, per mover.

Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from McAllen to Long Beach:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,270 - $5,101
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,131 - $7,042
  • 4+ bedrooms: $5,679 - $10,052

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.

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.

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.

Get Started

Specialty moving services from McAllen, TX to Long Beach, CA

Specialty needs vary by market — 57% of McAllen movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Long Beach, 87% of movers offer the same service.

Service When you need it Typical cost
Full packingFull crew packing71% of local movers$552 - $5,520
Storage in transitNew place not ready57% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Jones Moving & Storage Co., Inc.$221 - $1,325/mo
Shuttle feeTruck can't reach door$331 - $2,650
Full-value protectionMore than $0.60/lb coverage$300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value)
Small movesUnder ~2,000 lbs43% of local movers$1,104 - $3,312
Office / commercialWorkplace relocation$2,760 - $11,040
Car shippingSecond vehicle$827 - $1,571
Antiques & fine artFragile, high-value items29% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Rick's Moving & Storage LLC$1,104 - $2,760
PianoAny piano type71% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Jones Moving & Storage Co., Inc.$883 - $3,864
Pool tableDisassembly & re-leveling57% of local movers$331 - $1,656
Hot tubHeavy, needs disconnect22% nationallyTop pick: $718 - $2,208
Wine collectionClimate-controlled transport$331 - $16,560+
Pet relocationGround, air, or concierge$331 - $3,864+

What are the best full-service movers from McAllen to Long Beach?

All three below meet the standards set by the California Moving & Storage Association, the group most California movers are affiliated with.

  1. Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list, with flat-rate pricing that holds firm on moving day and a customer support team available around the clock.
  2. American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here. With 30+ years of interstate moves behind them, AVL uses full-time in-house crews instead of the contracted labor most national carriers rely on.
  3. Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, with fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan available on every long-distance move.

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 $1,446 and $5,295. 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 McAllen runs about $55/month.

Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from McAllen to Long Beach:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,446 - $2,858
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,925 - $3,957
  • 4+ bedrooms: $2,598 - $5,295

What other costs come with moving containers?

  • Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $83 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $166 per month.
  • Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Long Beach, 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 $773 in McAllen, 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 $1,446. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,925 - $3,957, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.

What are the best moving containers McAllen to Long Beach?

  1. Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
  2. U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
  3. 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:

  • Groves Moving and Storage (3.5/5), 27 years in business

Moving truck rental costs from McAllen, TX to Long Beach, CA

Truck rentals from McAllen, Texas, to Long Beach, California, range from $955 - $2,722 for the 1,600-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:

  • 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 sizeTypical truck size
Studio / 1 bedroom10 - 12 ft
2 - 3 bedrooms15 - 17 ft
4+ bedrooms20 - 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: $955 - $1,930
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,130 - $2,249
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,370 - $2,722

Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $955 - $2,722 when pricing out a rental truck from McAllen to Long Beach. Fuel alone runs ($562 - $642) , and overnight lodging ($166/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend an additional $600 - $1,200 beyond the base rate by the time the move is done.

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?

  1. Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
  2. Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
  3. 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. Most long-distance moves using this method run roughly between $1,617 and $3,197.

Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from McAllen to Long Beach:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,287 - $2,648
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,617 - $3,197
  • 4+ bedrooms: $2,120 - $4,237

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 pricing is based on exactly how much of the trailer you fill. If your items take up more than expected, the added footage can increase your cost by between $83 and $166.
  • Peak season impact: Moving during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) often means higher trailer rates as demand increases across the board.
  • Moving labor: Unless you plan to load everything yourself, factor in labor costs. Two movers in McAllen, Texas, for roughly five hours typically average $773.

What are the best freight companies from McAllen to Long Beach?

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Royal Freight Lp (4.66/5 stars): Royal Freight Lp 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: One of the biggest advantages of freight trailers is speed. For an interstate move, freight delivery is one of the fastest options you have short of driving a rental truck yourself. It's a smart choice when your timeline is firm and you'll be ready to receive your shipment. If there's any chance your new place won't be ready or you need a few weeks of storage, a moving container with built-in storage may serve you better.

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 index76162
Average rent$1,350/mo$2,075/mo
Median home value$173,919$762,188
Average income$60,165/yr$83,969/yr
Unemployment rate7.9%5.2%
State income taxNoneUp to 13.3%
Walkability score41/10073/100
Safety index63.74/10041.42/100
Air qualityModerateGood

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 289 movers based in Texas, handy for sizing up options on this 1,600-mile route.

30%+
Save 30%+
moveBuddha users save an average of at least 30% by checking pricing before booking.
$1K
$1,000 in coverage
We provide added coverage and dedicated support throughout for moveBuddha Certified moves.
Dispute mediation
If anything goes wrong, we help resolve it with Certified movers.

Our take

Full-service movers on the 1,600-mile route from McAllen, TX, to Long Beach, CA, run $2,270 - $10,052 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,446 - $5,295, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $955 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,131, 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 UTi Worldwide and Molina Healthcare.

FAQs: Moving from McAllen, TX, to Long Beach, CA

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 $2,270 to $10,052, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,270 and $10,052, 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 extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?

The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($562 - $642), daily insurance ($33/day), and equipment rentals ($8 - $22) on top. Overnight stops can add another $166/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.

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 percentage of McAllen movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?

About 71% of movers in McAllen handle piano moves, and 29% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.