($875+) McKinney, TX to Fontana, CA Movers
Moving from McKinney, TX, to Fontana, CA, runs anywhere from $875 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $9,336 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,417 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 $2,148, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $9,336 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,347 - $4,588, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $875 - $2,245.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from McKinney, TX, to Fontana, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,925 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 McKinney, TX to Fontana, CA
Moving options from McKinney to Fontana fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $2,925 - $6,578 on this route, with movers handling all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 41% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 68% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This 1,417-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 1,417-mile route from McKinney to Fontana, broken down by home size:
- Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $2,148 - $4,971, container $1,347 - $2,344, rental truck $875 - $1,676, freight trailer $1,177 - $2,131.
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $2,925 - $6,578, container $1,720 - $3,273, rental truck $947 - $1,877, freight trailer $1,349 - $2,867.
- 4+ bedrooms: full-service $4,820 - $9,336, container $2,222 - $4,588, rental truck $1,122 - $2,245, freight trailer $1,759 - $3,708.
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 McKinney, TX to Fontana, CA
Hiring full-service movers from McKinney, Texas, to Fontana, California, costs between $2,148 and $9,336. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 1,417-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $344 - $2,296, 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 McKinney and Fontana. For a rough baseline, movers based in McKinney tend to start around $282 plus $89/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 McKinney to Fontana:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,148 - $4,971
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,925 - $6,578
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,820 - $9,336
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 McKinney to Fontana.
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 McKinney, TX to Fontana, CA
Specialty needs vary by market: 59% of McKinney movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Fontana, 52% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing77% of local movers | $574 - $5,740 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready59% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Firehouse Movers Inc. | $230 - $1,378/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $344 - $2,755 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage13% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs65% of local movers | $1,148 - $3,444 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,870 - $11,480 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $860 - $1,634 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items26% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $1,148 - $2,870 |
| Piano | Any piano type41% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $918 - $4,018 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling9% of local movers | $344 - $1,722 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect8% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: InNout Movers (TX) | $746 - $2,296 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $344 - $17,220+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $344 - $4,018+ |
What are the best full-service movers from McKinney to Fontana?
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 McKinney, 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 McKinney, TX to Fontana, CA
Moving containers from McKinney, Texas, to Fontana, California, cost between $1,347 and $4,588. 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 McKinney typically costs about $80/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from McKinney to Fontana:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,347 - $2,344
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,720 - $3,273
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,222 - $4,588
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 McKinney, TX, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $804, 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 $86 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $172 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both McKinney, TX, and Fontana, 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 $1,347. 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 $1,720 - $3,273.
What are the best moving containers McKinney to Fontana?
- 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 McKinney 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 McKinney:
- AB Moving (4.8/5), 26 years in business
- Fantastic Moves (4.6/5), 31 years in business
- Evolution Moving Company (4.9/5), 12 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from McKinney, TX to Fontana, CA
Renting a moving truck for the 1,417-mile move from McKinney, Texas, to Fontana, California, costs between $875 and $2,245, before these typical add-ons:
- Fuel for the drive: $518 - $592
- Daily insurance: $34/day
- Equipment rentals: $8 - $23
- McKinney 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 McKinney to Fontana based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $875 - $1,676
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $947 - $1,877
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,122 - $2,245
Pro tip: The base rate of $875 - $2,245 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from McKinney to Fontana. Fuel ($518 - $592), lodging at around $172/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?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $172 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 McKinney, Texas, usually costs about $804 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 1,417-mile drive falls between $518 and $592, 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 $57 and $344 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from McKinney to Fontana?
- 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 McKinney, TX to Fontana, CA
For larger DIY moves from McKinney, 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 Fontana, 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 $1,349 and $2,867.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from McKinney to Fontana:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,177 - $2,131
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,349 - $2,867
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,759 - $3,708
Pro tip: Loading a freight trailer is a bit different from filling a container. The 4-foot ramp can be steep with large items, and getting the most out of 8 feet of vertical clearance takes planning. Since pricing is based on linear feet used, every inch of wasted space has a 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 $86 - $172 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 McKinney, Texas, typically costs $804.
What are the best freight companies from McKinney to Fontana?
- 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.
Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from McKinney to Fontana, 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: McKinney, TX vs Fontana, CA
Good news for your budget: Fontana isn't meaningfully more or less expensive to live in than McKinney. Cost of living index runs 119 there against 112 here. Focus your planning on the move itself rather than a change in monthly expenses. For reference, walkability and safety scores are 27/100 and 78.52/100 here versus 37/100 and 68.35/100 there.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Fontana, CA to McKinney, 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 1,417-mile move.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from McKinney, TX, to Fontana, CA, comes down to your budget and how much time and work you're able to put into it. Hands-off relocations handled by full-service movers range from $2,148 - $9,336 on the 1,417-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,347 - $4,588 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $875 - $2,245 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $2,925 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and 24/7 live support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include California Steel Industries and Fontana Unified.
FAQs: Moving from McKinney, TX, to Fontana, CA
Is Fontana a safe place to live?
Fontana has a safety index of 68.35 out of 100 and a crime index of 31.65, compared to 78.52 and 21.48 in McKinney. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
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 4 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
What is the best time of year to move from McKinney, TX to Fontana, 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 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 extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($518 - $592), daily insurance ($34/day), and equipment rentals ($8 - $23) on top. Overnight stops can add another $172/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
What percentage of McKinney movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 41% of movers in McKinney handle piano moves, and 26% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.