($497+) Sacramento, CA to Tacoma, WA Movers
The cost to move from Sacramento, CA to Tacoma, WA ranges from $1,132 to $8,043, with an average cost of $2,750. Moves can be as low as $497 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 722 miles and usually takes 1 to 6 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.
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Compare moving options from Sacramento, CA to Tacoma, WA
Moving options from Sacramento to Tacoma fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,132 - $8,043 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $2,750, and movers handle all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 43% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 76% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This particular route covers 722 miles and typically takes 1 to 6 days depending on the service you pick.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 722-mile route from Sacramento to Tacoma, broken down by home size:
- A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $1,132 - $4,213 with full-service movers, $1,012 - $1,762 with a container, $492 - $962 with a rental truck, or $939 - $1,636 by freight.
- A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $2,321 - $5,802 full-service, $1,312 - $2,596 by container, $547 - $1,119 by rental truck, or $1,092 - $2,035 by freight.
- A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $3,688 - $8,043 full-service, $1,740 - $3,306 by container, $664 - $1,438 by rental truck, or $1,378 - $2,537 by freight.
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 Sacramento, CA to Tacoma, WA
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 722-mile move from Sacramento, California, to Tacoma, Washington, with prices running from $1,132 - $8,043. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $376 - $2,508 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between Sacramento and Tacoma are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, Sacramento movers tend to run around $287 as a base rate plus $130/hour per mover, for comparison.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Sacramento to Tacoma:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,132 - $4,213
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,321 - $5,802
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,688 - $8,043
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 Sacramento to Tacoma.
Pro tip: The summer months (May - September) are the busiest time of year for movers during peak moving season, which drives up prices and limits scheduling options. If you can move in the fall or winter, you'll likely find better rates and more flexibility.
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Specialty moving services from Sacramento, CA to Tacoma, WA
Specialty needs vary by market: 63% of Sacramento movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Tacoma, 57% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing78% of local movers | $627 - $6,270 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready63% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Two Men and a Truck Moving | $251 - $1,505/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $376 - $3,010 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage18% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs52% of local movers | $1,254 - $3,762 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,135 - $12,540 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $939 - $1,784 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items24% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Fuller Moving Services | $1,254 - $3,135 |
| Piano | Any piano type39% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Two Men and a Truck Moving | $1,003 - $4,389 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling8% of local movers | $376 - $1,881 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect8% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: A Better Moving | $815 - $2,508 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $376 - $18,810+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $376 - $4,389+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Sacramento to Tacoma?
If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in Washington Movers Conference 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 Sacramento, CA. 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 Sacramento, CA to Tacoma, WA
Moving containers from Sacramento, California, to Tacoma, Washington, cost between $1,012 and $3,306. 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 Sacramento runs about $120/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Sacramento to Tacoma:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,012 - $1,762
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,312 - $2,596
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,740 - $3,306
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Access: Most major container brands operate in both Sacramento, CA and Tacoma, WA. Still, double-check that a nearby facility is available if you need to access your belongings before delivery.
- Moving labor: Because containers are self-loaded, many customers hire hourly help. Two movers for about 5 hours typically cost around $878 in Sacramento, CA, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $94 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $188 for larger ones (12 - 16 feet).
- Added contents protection: For more coverage beyond the standard minimum, full-value protection is the typical upgrade, generally 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value. On a $50,000 household, that's roughly $500 - $1,000 as a one-time fee.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a California to Washington 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 $1,012. 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 $1,312 - $2,596.
What are the best moving containers Sacramento to Tacoma?
- 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 Sacramento 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 Sacramento:
- Two Men and a Truck Moving (4.6/5), 21 years in business
- Premium Movers Inc. (4.6/5), 19 years in business
- House to Home Moving (4.8/5), 16 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Sacramento, CA to Tacoma, WA
A rental truck for this 722-mile move from Sacramento, California, to Tacoma, Washington, costs between $492 and $1,438. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $288 - $329
- Daily insurance: $38/day
- Equipment rentals: $9 - $25
- Sacramento daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $1.09 - $0.89
| 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 Sacramento to Tacoma based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $492 - $962
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $547 - $1,119
- 4+ bedrooms: $664 - $1,438
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $492 - $1,438 when pricing out a rental truck from Sacramento to Tacoma. Fuel alone runs $288 - $329, and overnight lodging ($188/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend roughly $600 - $1,200 more on meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging 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 $188 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 Sacramento, California, usually costs about $878 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 722-mile drive falls between $288 and $329, 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 $63 and $376 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Sacramento to Tacoma?
- 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 Sacramento, CA to Tacoma, WA
Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from Sacramento, California, to Tacoma, Washington. Standard trailers run 28 feet long, and you're only charged for the portion you actually fill. The carrier drops the trailer off, you load it at your own pace, and they handle the drive to your new city.
Pricing is based entirely on the linear footage your shipment occupies, not the full trailer length. Most long-distance freight moves land somewhere between $1,129 and $2,035.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Sacramento to Tacoma:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $939 - $1,636
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,092 - $2,035
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,378 - $2,537
Pro tip: Freight trailers offer generous space but reward good packing strategy. The 4-foot ramp can be challenging for large or heavy pieces, and using the full 8-foot height takes careful stacking. Because you're billed by the linear foot, maximizing vertical space keeps your costs lower.
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 Sacramento, California, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $878.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $94 and $188 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Sacramento to Tacoma?
- 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: If speed matters on your move from Sacramento to Tacoma, 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: Sacramento, CA vs Tacoma, WA
There's not a big cost-of-living gap between Sacramento and Tacoma to plan around. Cost of living index: 127 vs. 123. Average rent: $1,899/mo vs. $1,650/mo. The bigger factor in your budget is the one-time cost of the move itself, covered above. Walkability: 49 vs. 54. Safety index: 50.79 vs. 44.45.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Tacoma, WA to Sacramento, CA guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from California to Washington over the past 3 months, giving us some of the most up-to-date pricing data around. Running your move through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. There are 1,154 movers in our California network to compare for this 722-mile move.
Our take
For a move from Sacramento, CA, to Tacoma, WA, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $1,132 for a studio to $8,043 for a 4+ bedroom home on the 722-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,012 - $3,306. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $492 - $1,438, though you'll be handling the driving and loading yourself. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with quotes starting around $2,321 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage included, and 24/7 live customer support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Joint Base Lewis-McChord and MultiCare Health System.
FAQs: Moving from Sacramento, CA, to Tacoma, WA
What do local movers charge in Sacramento?
Local movers based in Sacramento typically start around $287 as a base rate, plus $130/hour per mover. That's a useful baseline if you're hiring help just to load a rental truck or container rather than booking a full long-distance move. Rates in Tacoma run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
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.
How much does it cost to move from Sacramento, CA to Tacoma, WA?
Costs on this route range from around $497 to $8,043, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,132 and $8,043, 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.
What is the cheapest way to move from Sacramento, CA to Tacoma, WA?
Renting a moving truck is almost always the most affordable option, since you handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself. A 2-bedroom rental truck move on this route averages $547 - $1,119. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($288 - $329), daily insurance ($38/day), and equipment rentals ($9 - $25) on top. Overnight stops can add another $188/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
What percentage of Sacramento movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 39% of movers in Sacramento handle piano moves, and 24% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.