($864+) San Antonio, TX to Irvine, CA Movers
Moving from San Antonio, TX, to Irvine, CA, runs anywhere from $864 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,941 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,349 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 $2,137, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $8,941 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,238 - $4,418, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $864 - $2,397.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from San Antonio, TX, to Irvine, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,948 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 San Antonio, TX to Irvine, CA
Moving options from San Antonio to Irvine fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move on this route costs $2,948 - $6,491 and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 44% less for the same home size, while rental trucks land about 71% less, though both require you to load the truck or container yourself. This route spans 1,349 miles and typically takes 3 to 8 days.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,349-mile route from San Antonio to Irvine, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $2,137 - $4,896 | $1,238 - $2,334 | $864 - $1,636 | $1,220 - $2,100 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,948 - $6,491 | $1,665 - $3,289 | $846 - $1,965 | $1,278 - $2,740 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,716 - $8,941 | $2,168 - $4,418 | $1,153 - $2,397 | $1,734 - $3,463 |
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated October 30, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from San Antonio, TX to Irvine, CA
Full-service movers for the 1,349-mile relocation from San Antonio, Texas, to Irvine, California, cost between $2,137 and $8,941. With a long-distance moving company, loading, transportation, and unloading are all taken care of. If you want to skip packing boxes, too, that can be added for $362 - $2,412, depending on your home size. What you pay in the end is mainly a function of how much your shipment weighs and how far it's traveling. As a point of reference, local movers in San Antonio typically charge a base rate around $192 plus $96 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from San Antonio to Irvine:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,137 - $4,896
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,948 - $6,491
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,716 - $8,941
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 San Antonio to Irvine.
Pro tip: Demand for full-service movers surges during peak moving season from May - September, pushing prices higher. Shifting your move to a cooler month could save you a meaningful amount on your total bill.
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Specialty moving services from San Antonio, TX to Irvine, CA
Specialty needs vary by market: 72% of San Antonio movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Irvine, 56% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing85% of local movers | $603 - $6,030 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready72% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: 3 Men Movers | $241 - $1,447/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $362 - $2,894 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage16% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs67% of local movers | $1,206 - $3,618 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,015 - $12,060 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $903 - $1,716 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items30% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Evolution Moving Company | $1,206 - $3,015 |
| Piano | Any piano type49% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: 3 Men Movers | $965 - $4,221 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling18% of local movers | $362 - $1,809 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect9% of local movers9% nationally | $784 - $2,412 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $362 - $18,090+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $362 - $4,221+ |
What are the best full-service movers from San Antonio to Irvine?
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 van lines are the smarter financial choice over local movers in San Antonio, TX. Local companies can run 30% - 40% more at that range since they don't consolidate shipments the way interstate carriers do. If a direct, dedicated route with an average 2-day delivery appeals to you, a local mover could be worth it, but that convenience comes at a cost.
Moving container costs from San Antonio, TX to Irvine, CA
Moving containers from San Antonio, Texas, to Irvine, California, cost between $1,238 and $4,418. You load everything on your own schedule (U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30). When you're ready, the company takes care of getting the container from point A to point B. Need more time than that? Extra storage in San Antonio typically runs around $70/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from San Antonio to Irvine:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,238 - $2,334
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,665 - $3,289
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,168 - $4,418
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 San Antonio, TX, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $844, 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 $90 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $181 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both San Antonio, TX, and Irvine, 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 $1,238. 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 $1,665 - $3,289.
What are the best moving containers San Antonio to Irvine?
- 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 San Antonio 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 San Antonio:
- 3 Men Movers (4.8/5), 41 years in business
- Evolution Moving Company (4.9/5), 10 years in business
- AB Moving (4.6/5), 26 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from San Antonio, TX to Irvine, CA
Truck rentals from San Antonio, Texas, to Irvine, California, range from $864 - $2,397 for the 1,349-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $518 - $592
- Daily insurance: $36/day
- Equipment rentals: $8 - $24
- San Antonio daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.79 - $1.19
| 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 San Antonio to Irvine based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $864 - $1,636
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $846 - $1,965
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,153 - $2,397
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from San Antonio to Irvine starts at $864 - $2,397, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($518 - $592), overnight lodging ($181/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for roughly $600 - $1,200 more on top of fuel and lodging to cover meals, equipment, and other extras.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Gas: Fuel adds $518 - $592 for the 1,349-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 San Antonio, Texas, for about 5 hours typically costs around $844.
- Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
- Lodging: The 1,349-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $181 per night, adding $362 - $543 in hotel costs total.
- Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $60 and $362.
What are the best moving truck rentals from San Antonio to Irvine?
- 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 San Antonio, TX to Irvine, 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 San Antonio, Texas, to Irvine, 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 $1,278 and $2,740.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from San Antonio to Irvine:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,220 - $2,100
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,278 - $2,740
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,734 - $3,463
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?
- Seasonal demand: Pricing tends to rise during peak moving season, particularly between mid-May and mid-September.
- Moving labor: Most customers hire loading help since freight is self-loaded. Two movers in San Antonio, Texas, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $844.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $90 and $181 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from San Antonio to Irvine?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Best known as a top moving container option thanks to its DIY hybrid model (you load, they drive), MovingYourself also doubles as a strong freight choice with their 53-foot trucks and pay-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. In addition to their well-known container service, U-Pack offers freight trailers that follow the same pay-by-the-foot model with no deposits or upfront fees, making them one of the most flexible freight options for budget-conscious moves.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in Irvine 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: San Antonio, TX vs Irvine, CA
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Irvine, side by side with San Antonio on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | San Antonio, TX | Irvine, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 91 | 165 |
| Average rent | $1,496/mo | $4,000/mo |
| Median home value | $216,453 | $1,113,305 |
| Average income | $62,917/yr | $129,647/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 3.8% | 5.4% |
| State income tax | None | Up to 13.3% |
| Walkability score | 37/100 | 43/100 |
| Safety index | 51.94/100 | 68.99/100 |
| 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 Irvine, CA to San Antonio, TX guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from Texas to California, so our pricing data stays current. Use our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and spot bad actors early. We track 803 movers licensed in Texas, useful context for sizing up this 1,349-mile move.
Our take
The 1,349-mile move from San Antonio, TX, to Irvine, CA, costs between $2,137 and $8,941 with full-service movers, $1,238 - $4,418 with a moving container, and $864 - $2,397 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 $2,948 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 Mitsubishi Digital Electronics America and Taco Bell.
FAQs: Moving from San Antonio, TX, to Irvine, CA
How much does it cost to move from San Antonio, TX to Irvine, CA?
Costs on this route range from around $864 to $8,941, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,137 and $8,941, 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 Irvine?
Irvine has a walkability score of 43 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 69, compared to 37 and 45 in San Antonio. 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 ($518 - $592), daily insurance ($36/day), and equipment rentals ($8 - $24) on top. Overnight stops can add another $181/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 is the best time of year to move from San Antonio, TX to Irvine, 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.
What percentage of San Antonio movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 49% of movers in San Antonio handle piano moves, and 30% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.