($735+) Santa Ana, CA to Seattle, WA Movers
The cost to move from Santa Ana, CA to Seattle, WA ranges from $1,142 to $8,549, with an average cost of $3,150. Moves can be as low as $735 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 1,166 miles and usually takes 2 to 8 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.
Fact Checked by:
Compare moving options from Santa Ana, CA to Seattle, WA
Moving options from Santa Ana to Seattle fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,142 - $8,549 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $3,150, and movers handle all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 38% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 70% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This particular route covers 1,166 miles and typically takes 2 to 8 days depending on the service you pick.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,166-mile route from Santa Ana to Seattle, broken down by home size:
- A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $1,142 - $5,051 with full-service movers, $1,275 - $2,249 with a container, $713 - $1,330 with a rental truck, or $1,038 - $1,983 by freight.
- A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $2,545 - $5,874 full-service, $1,579 - $3,226 by container, $763 - $1,681 by rental truck, or $1,188 - $2,557 by freight.
- A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $4,549 - $8,549 full-service, $2,031 - $4,350 by container, $938 - $1,988 by rental truck, or $1,727 - $3,314 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 Santa Ana, CA to Seattle, WA
For the 1,166-mile move from Santa Ana, California, to Seattle, Washington, full-service movers cost between $1,142 and $8,549. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $487 - $3,244 (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 Santa Ana generally start around $185 plus $75 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Santa Ana to Seattle:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,142 - $5,051
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,545 - $5,874
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,549 - $8,549
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 Santa Ana to Seattle.
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.
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 Santa Ana, CA to Seattle, WA
Specialty needs vary by market: 54% of Santa Ana movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Seattle, 57% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing78% of local movers | $811 - $8,110 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready54% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Meathead Movers | $324 - $1,946/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $487 - $3,893 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage12% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs55% of local movers | $1,622 - $4,866 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $4,055 - $16,220 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,215 - $2,308 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items29% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: SOS Moving, LLC | $1,622 - $4,055 |
| Piano | Any piano type39% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: SOS Moving, LLC | $1,298 - $5,677 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling10% of local movers | $487 - $2,433 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect5% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Silicon Valley Moving and Storage (CA) | $1,054 - $3,244 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $487 - $24,330+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $487 - $5,677+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Santa Ana to Seattle?
Look for Washington Movers Conference membership as a baseline when comparing movers in Washington beyond this list.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is our pick for best overall value. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 support, and 30 days of free storage make Safeway the clearest value on this list.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. AVL has been moving customers since 1995 and uses full-time in-house crews trained on high-value items like art and antiques.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. One of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, 24/7 monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan against damage, loss, and breakage.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national full-service movers are almost always better priced than local movers in Santa Ana, CA. Local companies typically run 30% - 40% more at longer distances because they aren't set up to consolidate shipments the way national carriers do. The one case where a local mover might be worth the premium is if you want a dedicated direct-route truck, which averages a 2-day delivery time, but expect to pay more for that convenience.
Moving container costs from Santa Ana, CA to Seattle, WA
Moving containers from Santa Ana, California, to Seattle, Washington, cost between $1,275 and $4,350. 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 Santa Ana typically runs around $110/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Santa Ana to Seattle:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,275 - $2,249
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,579 - $3,226
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,031 - $4,350
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $122 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $243 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 $1,135 in Santa Ana, CA, 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 Seattle, WA, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
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 $1,275. 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 $1,579 - $3,226.
What are the best moving containers Santa Ana to Seattle?
- 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 Santa Ana 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 Santa Ana:
- Meathead Movers (4.7/5), 24 years in business
- Best Fit Movers (4.8/5), 8 years in business
- Maison Moving (4.6/5), 18 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Santa Ana, CA to Seattle, WA
Plan on $713 - $1,988 for a rental moving truck on the 1,166-mile route from Santa Ana, California, to Seattle, Washington. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $602 - $688
- Daily insurance: $49/day
- Equipment rentals: $11 - $32
- Santa Ana daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.79 - $1.09
| 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 Santa Ana to Seattle based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $713 - $1,330
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $763 - $1,681
- 4+ bedrooms: $938 - $1,988
Pro tip: The base rate of $713 - $1,988 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Santa Ana to Seattle. Fuel ($602 - $688), lodging at around $243/night, meals, and equipment rentals are all on top of that. Factor in roughly $600 - $1,200 more for meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging to get a realistic picture of what the move will actually cost.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Santa Ana, California, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $1,135.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $602 - $688 for the 1,166-mile drive, depending on whether your truck takes gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, auto transport trailers, and furniture pads are separate rentals. Expect to spend between $97 and $527, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $243 per night for hotel stops on the 1,166-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $487 - $730.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Santa Ana to Seattle?
- 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 Santa Ana, CA to Seattle, WA
For larger DIY moves from Santa Ana, California, freight trailers give you plenty of room without putting you behind the wheel. Standard trailers are 28 feet long. You load the section you need, and the carrier transports everything to Seattle, Washington.
Because freight companies bill by linear footage, your total is based on how much of the trailer you occupy, not the full length. For a 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route, pricing typically falls between $1,188 and $2,557.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Santa Ana to Seattle:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,038 - $1,983
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,188 - $2,557
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,727 - $3,314
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?
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In Santa Ana, California, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $1,135.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $122 - $243 per additional foot to your total.
- Time of year: Rates tend to climb during peak moving season (mid-May through mid-September) when trailer demand is at its highest.
What are the best freight companies from Santa Ana to Seattle?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is our pick for best for large moves. The company is best known as a top moving container option for its hybrid model where you load and they drive, and that same model translates well to freight thanks to their 53-foot trucks and pay-by-the-foot pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Beyond their flagship container service, U-Pack also runs freight trailers with the same no-deposit, no-upfront-fee model, charging only for the linear footage you actually fill.
Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from Santa Ana to Seattle, 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: Santa Ana, CA vs Seattle, WA
There's not a big cost-of-living gap between Santa Ana and Seattle to plan around. Cost of living index: 165 vs. 158. Average rent: $2,650/mo vs. $1,975/mo. The bigger factor in your budget is the one-time cost of the move itself, covered above. Walkability: 67 vs. 74. Safety index: 45.83 vs. 49.23.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Seattle, WA to Santa Ana, CA guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from California to Washington, 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 1,154 movers licensed in California, useful context for sizing up this 1,166-mile move.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from Santa Ana, CA, to Seattle, WA, 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 $1,142 - $8,549 on the 1,166-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,275 - $4,350 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $713 - $1,988 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $2,545 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and 24/7 live support.
Beyond the move itself, people who've relocated to Seattle tend to point to beautiful nature and ample economic opportunity, though high cost of living and rainy weather come up as common complaints. Major employers in the area include Amazon.com and Starbucks.
FAQs: Moving from Santa Ana, CA, to Seattle, WA
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Santa Ana, CA to Seattle, WA?
Cutting 500 pounds from your shipment, roughly one bedroom's worth of items, saves approximately $200 - $400 on a full-service move on this route. Beyond that, staying organized matters just as much. A solid moving checklist keeps you on schedule and helps you avoid costly last-minute mistakes.
Is Seattle a safe place to live?
Seattle has a safety index of 49.23 out of 100 and a crime index of 58.88, compared to 45.83 and 54.17 in Santa Ana. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
How walkable is Seattle?
Seattle has a walkability score of 74 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 71, compared to 67 and 62 in Santa Ana. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
What are the best neighborhoods in Seattle?
For families, Greenwood, Laurelhurst, and Magnolia are worth a look in Seattle. If you're moving solo or without kids, Ballard, Capitol Hill, and Fremont tend to be popular picks instead.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Washington?
Movers operating within Washington DC city limits are subject to regulation by the Utilities and Transportation Commission, which issues operating permits to household goods moving companies.
What percentage of Santa Ana movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 39% of movers in Santa Ana handle piano moves, and 29% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.