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If you're moving from Santa Ana to Colorado, you're leaving one of California's priciest real estate markets for a state where your dollar goes further and the mountains are right there. That's a genuinely good trade for a lot of people. But a 1,014-mile cross-country haul still requires a reliable mover, a realistic budget, and some prep on what's actually different about life on the other end.
I've reviewed 93 Santa Ana movers capable of handling state-to-state moves. Below are the five I'd point you toward for this route, along with real cost data and what you need to know before you sign anything.
Out of all the movers I evaluated, here are the top five for this specific long-distance route:
2430 South Grand Avenue, Santa Ana, CA 92705
Meathead Movers earns its top ranking through consistency: out of 596 customer feedback entries, 76.7% were positive — well above what I see from most carriers on this route. The praise centers on professional, polite crews who move efficiently and communicate clearly throughout the job. The negatives that do show up involve furniture damage, surprise charges, and occasional late arrivals. Worth discussing upfront, but not deal-breakers given the overall track record.
State license: 189849 | DOT: 921143 | In business: 27 years
Services: Local and interstate moves, packing, unpacking, offices, storage. Cash and credit card accepted.
15 Hubble, Irvine, CA 92591
With 1,177 reviews and 98%+ positive feedback, Best California Movers is hard to argue with. Customers point to quick, careful moves, crews that show up on time, and pricing that matches the estimate — that last part matters a lot on a long interstate move. The 1% negative feedback involves item damage and slow claims handling, which is industry-standard risk, but worth noting if you're shipping anything fragile or valuable.
State license: T0192283 | DOT: 3489907 | In business: 6 years | Rate: ~$109/hr
Services: Local and interstate moves, packing, unpacking, offices, crating, storage. Credit card accepted. Deposit required.
300 Spectrum Center Dr Ste 400, Irvine, CA 92618
Thirty years in business, and NorthStar's reputation reflects it. Out of 68 detailed customer responses, 94% were positive — crews get praised for being organized, efficient, and willing to handle unplanned complications without drama. Transparent pricing and reliable scheduling come up repeatedly. The 4% of negatives mostly involve difficulty reaching reps and occasional timing issues — minor compared to what I see at similar companies. NorthStar is particularly solid for last-minute relocations and long-distance hauls.
State license: 0182466 | DOT: 1836576 | In business: 30 years
Services: Local, interstate, and international moves, packing, unpacking, offices, pianos, art, antiques, crating, full-valuation coverage, storage. Cash and credit card accepted.
1371 Santa Fe Dr., Tustin, CA 92780
Maison Moving earns consistently strong marks for efficiency and communication — 84% positive out of 293 reviews, with customers repeatedly noting timely arrivals and careful handling. The 14% negative feedback is higher than I'd like, though. Complaints center on damaged or missing items and a sluggish claims process. If you go with Maison, document everything before loading and clarify the claims procedure in writing before you sign.
State license: 0190726 | DOT: 76628 | In business: 17 years
Also operates as: Orange County Movers Inc, College Boys Moving and Storage of Orange County, Affordable Moving and Storage of Orange County
Services: Local, interstate, and international moves, packing, unpacking, offices, pianos, art, antiques, crating, storage. Credit card accepted.
1921 Wright Circle, Anaheim, CA 92806
Best Moving Service has 32 years on this and shows it. Across 389 customer experiences, 90% are positive — speed, careful handling, and friendly crews are the consistent themes. Customers regularly recommend specific team members by name, which tells you more than a star rating. The negatives include some damage reports and professionalism lapses from select staff, plus occasional late arrivals. If you have high-value or fragile items, set expectations clearly before they show up.
State license: 176151 | DOT: 1706316 | In business: 32 years
Also operates as: US Household Movers Inc, American Pride Moving, Best Moving & Storage
Services: Local, interstate, and international moves, packing, unpacking, offices, storage. Credit card accepted.
Here's a snapshot of specialty service availability across the Santa Ana mover pool:
| Service | Movers offering | % of total |
|---|---|---|
| Interstate moves | 87 | 93.55% |
| Small moves | 44 | 47.31% |
| Antiques | 60 | 64.52% |
| Art | 58 | 62.37% |
| Pianos | 73 | 78.49% |
| Fragile-only packing | 27 | 29.03% |
These are the typical cost ranges for a 1,014-mile move from Santa Ana to Colorado, broken down by home size and moving method. Use the moving cost calculator to plug in your specific load and get a sharper number.
| Move size | Moving company | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,122 – $4,476 | $819 – $1,880 | $649 – $1,161 |
| 2–3 bedrooms | $2,475 – $5,941 | $1,483 – $2,725 | $647 – $1,436 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,056 – $7,407 | $2,020 – $3,622 | $812 – $1,730 |
Estimates based on pricing data compiled as of January 2026. Your total will vary with load size, extra services, parking or access conditions, fuel prices, and move date. Get multiple quotes before committing.
A studio or one-bedroom move runs $1,122 to $4,476 with a full-service mover. Two- or three-bedroom homes typically land between $2,475 and $5,941. For a large household — four bedrooms or more — budget $4,056 to $7,407.
Those ranges look wide because long-distance movers price on weight, distance, and add-ons, and the variables compound quickly on a cross-country job. I'd get at least three quotes and compare the weight estimates carefully, not just the headline price. Safe Ship Moving is one carrier worth including in your quote mix — they handle interstate runs like this one and have a solid track record.
Moving containers let you pack on your own schedule while the carrier handles the driving — a solid middle ground for most people. A small move (studio or one-bedroom) runs $819 to $1,880. Two or three bedrooms land between $1,483 and $2,725. Four or more bedrooms will cost $2,020 to $3,622.
A rental truck is almost always the cheapest option, but on a 1,014-mile haul, "cheap" means you're doing all the packing, loading, driving, and unloading yourself. For a small move, expect $649 to $1,161. Mid-size moves run $647 to $1,436, and large moves land between $812 and $1,730. Fuel costs are already factored into these estimates.
Three things will move your final number more than anything else:
The financial case for this move is pretty clear-cut. Here's the data.
| Santa Ana, CA | Colorado | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent | $2,650 | $1,594 |
| Average home cost | $843,858 | $541,072 |
| Per capita income | $77,283 | $87,598 |
| Cost of living index | 165 | 91 |
| Unemployment rate | 7.0% | 4.1% |
| State income tax | 13.3% | 5.49% |
Santa Ana sources: World Population Review, Zillow, US Census Bureau, US BLS, Tax Foundation. Colorado sources: Zumper, Zillow, Numbeo.
| Santa Ana, CA | Colorado | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 310,227 | 5,877,610 |
| Political leaning | Democratic (49.8–48.3) | Democrat (54–46) |
| Summer high | 82°F | 86°F |
| Winter low | 47°F | 13°F |
| Annual rainfall | 13″ | 16″ |
| Annual snowfall | 0″ | 63″ |
| Crime index | 54.17 | 36.4 |
Sources: US Census Bureau, 270TOWIN, NeighborhoodScout, BestPlaces, Wikipedia.
Once you land and unpack, there's plenty waiting for you.
