($1,151) Movers From Irvine to Modesto

Ryan Carrigan

Last Updated: May 1, 2025 • 5 min read

Fact Checked by: Hilary Snow

Quick answer: The average cost to move 351 miles from Irvine to Modesto, California, ranges from $436 to $5,447. Your exact costs will depend on the size, distance and date of your move, as well as whether you hire pro movers or take a DIY approach.

Hiring the best California movers will cost more than renting a truck or using a moving container. While those DIY options will certainly save you some money, keep in mind they will also require you to do a lot more of the work

Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Moving from Modesto to Irvine guide.

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Each year, 400,000+ people trust our moving recommendations. Here are a few reasons why:

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The best Irvine to Modesto moving companies

Moving between two of California's major cities requires expert hands. Irvine to Modesto moves have unique challenges due to the distance and urban logistics.

Here are the best moving companies who can get the job done right:

Safeway Moving: 4.85 out of 5 stars
Mayzlin Relocation: 4.9 out of 5 stars
American Van Lines: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Allied Van Lines: 4.75 out of 5 stars
North American Van Lines: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Licensed

Insured

Price

4.85 / 5

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(855) 650-0657

At A Glance

GPS tracking en route
Veteran-owned
Dedicated move coordinator
Flat-rate pricing
Donates a portion of moves to charity

read our full review

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(855) 650-0657

Licensed

Insured

Price

4.9 / 5

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(980) 217-6841

At A Glance

Family-owned, with locations covering the East Coast
Full refund if you cancel within 7 days of your move
Hands-on customer service
24/7 support
Price-matching policy

read our full review

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(980) 217-6841

Licensed

Insured

Price

4.5 / 5

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(866) 825-0554

At A Glance

Experienced & fully trained moving crews
Specializes in moving art & antiques
Competitive pricing
Can handle last-minute moves
Climate-controlled storage

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(866) 825-0554

Licensed

Insured

Price

4.75 / 5

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(866) 935-3437

At A Glance

Fragile packing
Storage options
24/7 shipment tracking
Quick & efficient
Accurate quotes

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(866) 935-3437

Licensed

Insured

Price

4.5 / 5

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(844) 950-2963

At A Glance

Custom crates for electronics & art
Satellite shipment tracking
1,500 local agents covering all 50 states
Self-packing option
No deposit required

read our full review

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(844) 950-2963

Best local Irvine-to-Modesto movers

If you prefer to work with local companies, we've compiled the best Irvine movers and the best Modesto movers.

Best California Movers: 4.9 out of 5 stars
Meathead Movers: 4.86 out of 5 stars
Terry Moving and Storage Inc.: 4.8 out of 5 stars

Best California Movers

15 Hubble, Irvine, CA 92591

Customer Praise

Efficient service (41%)
Professional and polite staff (37%)
Good communication (36%)

Customer Complaints

Damage to items (18%)
Delayed arrival or delivery (14%)
Unexpected charges (10%)

Review Analysis

Moving perfection is rare, but Best California Movers comes close. Out of 1,177 pieces of customer feedback, over 98% are positive. Customers highlight the company's efficient service, careful handling, quick moving process, professional staff, and great communication. Moves are completed swiftly without sacrificing care, and teams are consistently polite and attentive. Transparent pricing and quick response times also set this company apart from many others. On the flip side, a small number of people mention issues like item damage, inaccurate estimates leading to unexpected costs, and slow resolution to complaints. While most customers found pricing and final charges accurate, those few negative experiences reflect the main risks found in the industry—miscommunication, claim delays, and the rare mishandling of belongings. Compared to typical movers, Best California Movers receives far fewer complaints about property damage and shows higher reliability and responsiveness. The feedback shows why so many recommend them for hassle-free, well-managed moves.

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Company Info

State license #: T0192283

Pricing: $109/hr

Years in Business: 6

DOT #: 3489907

Alternate Names: Best California Movers & Storage, An Moving Forward

Services Offered

Local moves
Interstate moves
Packing
Unpacking
Offices
Crating
Storage
Pay by credit card
Deposit Required

Meathead Movers

2430 South Grand Avenue, Santa Ana, CA 92705 US

Customer Praise

Efficient service (24%)
Professional and polite staff (21%)
Careful handling (19%)

Customer Complaints

Damage to items (25%)
Delayed arrival or delivery (18%)
Unexpected charges (16%)

Review Analysis

Meathead Movers stands out for hustle, professionalism, and customer care. Out of 596 feedback entries, 76.7% reflected positive experiences, far surpassing most moving services. Customers consistently mention the professional and polite attitude of staff, quick and efficient moves, careful handling of belongings, and clear communication throughout the process. On the other hand, some input details damage to furniture or property, unexpected costs, and occasional delays with arrival or delivery. Still, the frequency of efficient and careful service notably outweighs these issues. Based on customer input, Meathead Movers sets a higher standard for moving companies by maintaining reliable service, though attention to damage prevention and transparent pricing could be further improved to match their strong reputation.

Get a Quote (949) 485-7883

Company Info

State license #: 189849

Years in Business: 27

DOT #: 921143

Alternate Names: Meat Head Movers Inc, Meathead Movers Inc

Meathead Movers, a reputable moving company serving Santa Ana, CA, has been a trusted local residential mover since 1998. Renowned for their exceptional customer service, they boast an average Yelp rating of 4.1 from 378 reviews and a Google rating of 4.3 from 150 reviews, along with an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. Unlike many nearby competitors, they offer comprehensive packing and unpacking services without requiring a deposit. Meathead Movers’ commitment to quality and reliability sets them apart in the local moving industry.

Services Offered

Local moves
Interstate moves
Packing
Unpacking
Offices
Storage
Pay by cash
Pay by credit card

Terry Moving and Storage Inc.

25958 Commercentre Dr, Lake Forest, CA 92630

Customer Praise

Efficient service (29%)
Professional and polite staff (27%)
Careful handling (24%)

Customer Complaints

Unexpected charges (18%)
Damage to items (16%)
Delayed arrival or delivery (15%)

Review Analysis

Word travels fast when a moving company stands out, and Terry Moving and Storage Inc. has built a strong reputation with feedback from 419 customers—nearly 94% of whom share positive input. Customers consistently praise the speed and efficiency of service, the professionalism and courtesy of the moving team, and especially their careful handling of valuable items. Staff members receive high marks for their great communication, making the moving process less stressful. Common negatives reported include occasional damage to belongings, unexpected fees or pricing differences, and some gaps in communication during problem situations. While some reviewers faced issues with lost items or claims handling, these incidents are much less frequent than is typical for the industry. Compared to most moving companies, Terry Moving and Storage Inc. is viewed as more reliable and responsive, with a reputation for organization and genuinely helpful crews. The significant volume of positive input confirms this company sets a high bar for moving and storage providers.

Get a Quote (949) 587-9490

Company Info

State license #: 189603

Years in Business: 28

DOT #: 649215

Alternate Names: Terry Moving and Storage Inc, Richards Moving Company, Orange County Storage Movers

Terry Moving and Storage Inc., located in Lake Forest, CA, has been a trusted name in local residential moving services since 1997. With outstanding consumer reviews—235 on Yelp with an average rating of 4.7 and 141 on Google My Business with an average rating of 4.9, plus an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau—they’re a standout choice among local movers. Unlike many competitors, they offer a comprehensive range of services, including packing, unpacking, and the specialized handling of fragile items, as well as piano and pool table moving. No deposit is required and they accept credit cards, simplifying the moving process for their clients.

Services Offered

Local moves
Interstate moves
Packing
Unpacking
Offices
Pianos
Pool Tables
Storage
Fragile-only packing
Pay by credit card

How we chose the best moving companies in California

moveBuddha’s expert team analyzed moving rates from 281 California movers and listed the top movers based on customer satisfaction, reviews, and cost.

Customer satisfaction (40%): The company consistently delivers services in a timely matter with good communication and within the estimated cost.

Dispute resolution (20%): Mistakes cannot be avoided in the moving industry. We look for companies that own their mistakes and make genuine efforts to fix any issues that arise during a move.

Industry reputation (15%): The company is well-regarded within the moving industry and participates in industry conferences and organizations.

Online reputation (15%): The company maintains a professional website with accurate information. The company promptly and professionally responds to online customer inquiries.

Service options (10%): We look for companies with a deep breadth of services including full packing, storage, specialty item handling, and expedited delivery.

Here is our full moving company rating methodology.

How much does it cost to move from Irvine to Modesto?

Even though you're staying inside of California, this is still considered a long-distance move by many moving companies. Here are average prices to hire a moving company, rent a moving container, or rent a moving truck:

Move Size	Moving Company	Moving Container	Rental Truck
Studio / 1 Bedroom	$1,151 - $3,655	$728 - $1,777	$389 - $777
2 - 3 bedrooms	$2,025 - $5,447	$1,319 - $2,517	$436 - $878
4+ bedrooms	$3,378 - $8,397	$1,781 - $3,435	$545 - $1,007

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*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 351 miles and historical averages. The actual size of your move, additional services required, truck parking access, market conditions, and availability can greatly affect the final cost of your move.

Considerations when moving from Irvine to Modesto

Cost of living: Irvine vs. Modesto

	Irvine	Modesto
Average rent cost	$4,000	$1,800
Average home value	$1,561,760	$442,362
Average income (per capita)	$114,027	$67,011
Cost of living (single person)	$9,167	$2,312
Cost of living (family of 4)	$18,000	$5,946
Unemployment rate	5.4%	8.0%

source: Zumper, Zillow, Numbeo

Rent prices in Modesto are 55% lower than in Irvine.
Home prices in Modesto are 71.7% lower than in Irvine.
Income in Modesto is 41.2% lower than in Irvine.
The cost of living for a single person in Modesto is 74.8% lower than in Irvine.
The cost of living for a family in Modesto is 67.0% lower than in Irvine.
The unemployment rate in Modesto is 48.15% higher than in Irvine.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $756.63 in Modesto to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Irvine.

How life is different in Irvine vs. Modesto

	Modesto	Irvine
Population	218,464	307,670
Political leaning	Democratic 49.8-48.3	Democratic 49.8-48.3
Summer high	94ºF	82ºF
Winter low	39ºF	46ºF
Annual rain	13"	13"
Annual snow	0"	0"
Crime index	65.76	31.01

Irvine sources: US Census Bureau, 270TOWIN, BestPlaces
Modesto sources: Wikipedia, AllTransit, Walk Score, NeighborhoodScout, AirNow

The population of Modesto is approximately 29% lower than the population of Irvine.
In the last presidential election, Modesto voted Democratic and Irvine voted Democratic.
The average high in the summertime in Modesto is 94ºF and in Irvine, it’s 82ºF.
During the coldest part of the year, Modesto reaches the temperature of 39ºF and Irvine gets down to 46ºF.
You can expect about 13 inches of annual rainfall in Modesto vs 13 inches of rainfall in Irvine.
In Modesto, it snows about 0 inches annually vs 0 inches of snow in Irvine.
Modesto has a higher crime rate than Irvine with a crime index of 65.76 vs 31.01.

Things to do in Modesto

Whether you prefer to be in the great outdoors, soak up some culture, or catch a live game, Modesto has plenty to offer:

Museums in Modesto

Great Valley Museum
McHenry Museum
Mistlin Gallery

Parks in Modesto

Tuolumne River Trail

Sports Teams in Modesto

Modesto Nuts (California League)

Universities in Modesto

Modesto Junior College
Community Business College

FAQ

How much does it cost to hire a professional moving company from Irvine to Modesto?

To ship furniture from Irvine to Modesto with a mover will cost between $1,151 and $3,655. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home will range from $2,025–$5,447, and a four-bedroom move or bigger move from Irvine to Modesto will cost from $3,378–$8,397.

How much are moving container companies from Irvine to Modesto?

Moving containers from Irvine to Modesto will cost you $728 to $1,777 for a studio or one-bedroom home. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,319 to $2,517. A larger home will cost $1,781 to $3,435.

How much is a moving truck from Irvine to Modesto?

Renting a moving truck is usually the cheapest option, but it requires you to do all of the driving and labor; these estimates include the estimated fuel cost:

Moving a studio or one-bedroom apartment in a rental truck will cost around $389 to $777. A larger move will cost $436 to $878, and a four-bedroom or larger move from Irvine to Modesto costs from $545 to $1,007.

How far in advance should I book Irvine-to-Modesto movers?

Ideally, you should book your move from Irvine to Modesto at least two months in advance. If you’re moving during the busy summer months, it’s best to book your movers at least three months ahead of your move. The sooner you reserve your Irvine-to-Modesto movers, the better the chance you’ll get the most affordable rates and secure the exact moving date you need. Some movers even offer early-bird discounts for advance reservations.

What time of year is the cheapest to move to Modesto?

The cheapest time of year to move to Modesto is between early October and late April. This period of time is outside of the moving industry’s peak season (May–September), which means demand — and therefore pricing — will typically be lower. A majority of all U.S. moves happen between May and August, so staying outside the busy summer months will help you save money.