($826+) San Antonio, TX to Los Angeles, CA Movers
Moving from San Antonio, TX, to Los Angeles, CA, runs anywhere from $826 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,554 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,352 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 $2,181, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $8,554 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,273 - $4,319, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $826 - $2,246.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from San Antonio, TX, to Los Angeles, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,936 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
Fact Checked by:
Compare moving options from San Antonio, TX to Los Angeles, CA
There are 3 main ways to move from San Antonio to Los Angeles: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service handles labor and transportation for you, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route costing $2,936 - $6,382. Moving containers run about 44% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 70% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 3 to 8 days for this 1,352-mile route, depending on which option you go with.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,352-mile route from San Antonio to Los Angeles, broken down by home size:
- A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $2,181 - $4,800 with full-service movers, $1,273 - $2,472 with a container, $826 - $1,563 with a rental truck, or $1,146 - $2,182 by freight.
- A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $2,936 - $6,382 full-service, $1,642 - $3,282 by container, $883 - $1,840 by rental truck, or $1,300 - $2,814 by freight.
- A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $4,957 - $8,554 full-service, $2,161 - $4,319 by container, $1,168 - $2,246 by rental truck, or $1,766 - $3,780 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 San Antonio, TX to Los Angeles, CA
For the 1,352-mile move from San Antonio, Texas, to Los Angeles, California, full-service movers cost between $2,181 and $8,554. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $358 - $2,388 (1 - 5+ bedrooms), crews will pack your boxes. The weight of your shipment and the mileage between the two cities are what drive your final cost. For scale, local movers in San Antonio generally start around $192 plus $96 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from San Antonio to Los Angeles:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,181 - $4,800
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,936 - $6,382
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,957 - $8,554
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 Los Angeles.
Pro tip: Avoiding peak moving season dates (May - September) is one of the easiest ways to reduce costs. Off-season moves typically come with lower pricing and more room to negotiate since movers have fewer bookings.
Don't see your company listed?
Reach customers actively searching for trusted movers in your area. Tell us about your company and services to get your business listed on moveBuddha.
Specialty moving services from San Antonio, TX to Los Angeles, CA
Specialty needs vary by market: 70% of San Antonio movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Los Angeles, 56% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing84% of local movers | $597 - $5,970 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready70% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: 3 Men Movers | $239 - $1,433/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $358 - $2,866 |
| 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 | $1,194 - $3,582 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,985 - $11,940 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $894 - $1,699 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items30% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Move Logistics Inc. | $1,194 - $2,985 |
| Piano | Any piano type48% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: 3 Men Movers | $955 - $4,179 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling18% of local movers | $358 - $1,791 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect9% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: InNout Movers (TX) | $776 - $2,388 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $358 - $17,910+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $358 - $4,179+ |
What are the best full-service movers from San Antonio to Los Angeles?
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 carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in San Antonio, TX. At that distance, local movers often charge 30% - 40% more because they don't spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments the way national carriers do. If a direct route and faster delivery (averaging 2 days) are priorities, a local mover may be worth considering, but that service comes at a higher price.
Moving container costs from San Antonio, TX to Los Angeles, CA
Moving containers from San Antonio, Texas, to Los Angeles, California, cost between $1,273 and $4,319. A container is delivered to your home and you load it on your own time. Loading windows vary by company: U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30. From there, the company takes over and transports it to Los Angeles. If you go over that window, storage in San Antonio adds around $70/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from San Antonio to Los Angeles:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,273 - $2,472
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,642 - $3,282
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,161 - $4,319
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $90 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $179 per month for larger units (12 - 16 feet).
- Moving labor: Containers don't come with loading help, so many customers hire hourly movers for the job. Two movers for about 5 hours will run you around $836 in San Antonio, TX, per moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Standard coverage only reimburses by weight. Full-value protection gives you more complete coverage for higher-value items and typically costs 1% - 2% of your total declared value, around $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 shipment.
- Access: National providers generally operate in both cities, but verify that a facility near your Los Angeles, CA, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
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 $1,273. 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 $1,642 - $3,282.
What are the best moving containers San Antonio to Los Angeles?
- 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 Los Angeles, CA
Plan on $826 - $2,246 for a rental moving truck on the 1,352-mile route from San Antonio, Texas, to Los Angeles, California. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $514 - $587
- 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 Los Angeles based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $826 - $1,563
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $883 - $1,840
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,168 - $2,246
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $826 - $2,246 when pricing out a rental truck from San Antonio to Los Angeles. Fuel alone runs $514 - $587, and overnight lodging ($179/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?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $179 per night. Most long-distance moves with rental trucks require 1 - 3 overnight stops.
- Equipment: Tow dollies, auto trailers, and specialty moving equipment can add between $78 and $388 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $514 - $587 in fuel for the 1,352-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $836 in San Antonio, Texas, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from San Antonio to Los Angeles?
- 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 Los Angeles, CA
If you're moving a larger household from San Antonio, Texas, and want to stay in control of the loading process, freight trailers offer a practical middle ground between hiring movers and renting a truck yourself. A 28-foot trailer is delivered to your door, you load what you need, and the carrier handles the drive to Los Angeles, California.
Freight trailers are priced by the linear feet your belongings take up, so you only pay for the space you use. A 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route typically falls between $1,300 and $2,814.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from San Antonio to Los Angeles:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,146 - $2,182
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,300 - $2,814
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,766 - $3,780
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?
- 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 $836.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $90 and $179 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from San Antonio to Los Angeles?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the pick for best for large moves. The company is well-regarded as a top moving container option for its load-it-yourself, we-drive-it model, and that same model makes it a strong freight option for larger homes that benefit from the company's 53-foot trucks and footage-based pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Alongside their flagship container service, U-Pack provides a top-notch freight trailer option that follows the same model: no deposits, no upfront fees, and pricing based on the linear footage you actually use.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles, CA
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Los Angeles, side by side with San Antonio on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | San Antonio, TX | Los Angeles, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 91 | 162 |
| Average rent | $1,496/mo | $2,960/mo |
| Median home value | $216,453 | $878,142 |
| Average income | $62,917/yr | $80,366/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 3.8% | 10.6% |
| State income tax | None | Up to 13.3% |
| Walkability score | 37/100 | 69/100 |
| Safety index | 51.94/100 | 46.19/100 |
| Air quality | Moderate | Moderate |
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 Los Angeles, 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 843 movers licensed in Texas, useful context for sizing up this 1,352-mile move.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from San Antonio, TX, to Los Angeles, 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 $2,181 - $8,554 on the 1,352-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,273 - $4,319 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $826 - $2,246 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $2,936 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 County of Los Angeles and Los Angeles Unified School District.
FAQs: Moving from San Antonio, TX, to Los Angeles, CA
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($514 - $587), daily insurance ($36/day), and equipment rentals ($8 - $24) on top. Overnight stops can add another $179/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
What is the cheapest way to move from San Antonio, TX to Los Angeles, CA?
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 $883 - $1,840. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
How much does it cost to move from San Antonio, TX to Los Angeles, CA?
Costs on this route range from around $826 to $8,554, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,181 and $8,554, 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 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 do local movers charge in San Antonio?
Local movers based in San Antonio typically start around $192 as a base rate, plus $96/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 Los Angeles run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
What percentage of San Antonio movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 48% of movers in San Antonio handle piano moves, and 30% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.