($536+) Modesto, CA to Olympia, WA Movers

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The cost to move from Modesto, CA to Olympia, WA ranges from $1,265 to $8,369, with an average cost of $2,850. Moves can be as low as $536 if you're wanting to DIY it.

This move covers about 768 miles and usually takes 2 to 7 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.

Compare moving options from Modesto, CA to Olympia, WA

Moving options from Modesto to Olympia fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,265 - $8,369 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $2,850, and movers handle all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 60% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This particular route covers 768 miles and typically takes 2 to 7 days depending on the service you pick.

Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 768-mile route from Modesto to Olympia, broken down by home size:

Home size Full-service movers Moving container Rental truck Freight trailer
Studio / 1 bedroom $1,265 - $4,623 $1,063 - $1,972 $575 - $1,113 $1,016 - $1,884
2 - 3 bedrooms $2,346 - $6,118 $1,379 - $2,736 $608 - $1,322 $1,160 - $2,277
4+ bedrooms $4,281 - $8,369 $1,848 - $3,525 $770 - $1,481 $1,555 - $2,966

Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.

Professional
Safeway Moving
star star star star star 4.9 / 5
Read our full Safeway review
Best overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran-owned
Container
Unlimited storage
3 container sizes
10% discount
Rental Truck
Budget Truck Rental
star star star star star 4.3 / 5
Read our full Budget review
Affordable pricing
Online estimates
Several discounts
Freight
MovingYourself
star star star star star 4.5 / 5
Read our full MovingYourself review
Fast delivery
Nationwide
100+ miles moves

Full-service moving costs from Modesto, CA to Olympia, WA

For the 768-mile move from Modesto, California, to Olympia, Washington, full-service movers cost between $1,265 and $8,369. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $343 - $2,288 (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 Modesto generally start around $314 plus $128 per hour, per mover.

Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Modesto to Olympia:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,265 - $4,623
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,346 - $6,118
  • 4+ bedrooms: $4,281 - $8,369

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 Modesto to Olympia.

The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from California to Washington. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.

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.

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Specialty moving services from Modesto, CA to Olympia, WA

Specialty needs vary by market — 79% of Modesto movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Olympia, 97% of movers offer the same service.

Service When you need it Typical cost
Full packingFull crew packing100% of local movers$572 - $5,720
Storage in transitNew place not ready79% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Pete's Moving Services$229 - $1,373/mo
Shuttle feeTruck can't reach door$343 - $2,746
Full-value protectionMore than $0.60/lb coverage21% of local movers$300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value)
Small movesUnder ~2,000 lbs14% of local movers$1,144 - $3,432
Office / commercialWorkplace relocation$2,860 - $11,440
Car shippingSecond vehicle$857 - $1,628
Antiques & fine artFragile, high-value items36% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Grace Moving Company$1,144 - $2,860
PianoAny piano type71% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Grace Moving Company$915 - $4,004
Pool tableDisassembly & re-leveling7% of local movers$343 - $1,716
Hot tubHeavy, needs disconnect21% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: MidCal Moving and Storage Company$744 - $2,288
Wine collectionClimate-controlled transport$343 - $17,160+
Pet relocationGround, air, or concierge$343 - $4,004+

What are the best full-service movers from Modesto to Olympia?

Washington Movers Conference membership is a quick way to confirm a mover is legitimate in Washington, on top of the picks below.

  1. Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing means no surprise charges on moving day, and their support team is consistently rated among the most responsive in the industry.
  2. American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here, 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.
  3. Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, with 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 Modesto, CA. 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 Modesto, CA to Olympia, WA

Moving containers from Modesto, California, to Olympia, Washington, cost between $1,063 and $3,525. 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 Modesto runs about $120/month.

Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Modesto to Olympia:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,063 - $1,972
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,379 - $2,736
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,848 - $3,525

What other costs come with moving containers?

  • Moving labor: Containers are self-loaded, so many people hire hourly help for the heavy lifting. moveBuddha data shows two movers for about five hours runs around $801 in Modesto, CA. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
  • Added contents protection: If you want stronger coverage than the default liability, full-value protection is the upgrade to consider. Most providers charge 1% - 2% of your shipment value, roughly $500 - $1,000 for $50,000 in contents.
  • Storage: After the first month, rental fees average $86 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $172 per month for a larger 12- to 16-foot unit.
  • Access: If you anticipate needing to access items while in storage, confirm there's a facility conveniently located near your Olympia, WA, destination before booking.

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 $1,063. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,379 - $2,736, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.

What are the best moving containers Modesto to Olympia?

  1. Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
  2. U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
  3. 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 Modesto 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 Modesto:

  • Brewer Moving LLC (4.9/5), 11 years in business
  • MidCal Moving and Storage Company (4.6/5), 170 years in business
  • Pack it up Movers (4.9/5), 8 years in business

Moving truck rental costs from Modesto, CA to Olympia, WA

Renting a moving truck for the 768-mile move from Modesto, California, to Olympia, Washington, costs between $575 and $1,481, before these typical add-ons:

  • Fuel for the drive: $280 - $319
  • Daily insurance: $34/day
  • Equipment rentals: $8 - $23
  • Modesto daily rental rate: $19 - $39
  • Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.79 - $1.29
Home sizeTypical truck size
Studio / 1 bedroom10 - 12 ft
2 - 3 bedrooms15 - 17 ft
4+ bedrooms20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel)

These are typical moving truck rental costs from Modesto to Olympia based on home size:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $575 - $1,113
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $608 - $1,322
  • 4+ bedrooms: $770 - $1,481

Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Modesto to Olympia starts at $575 - $1,481, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($280 - $319) , overnight lodging ($172/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for an additional $600 - $1,200 on top of your base rate to cover those costs.

What other costs come with rental trucks?

  • Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $172 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 $74 and $372 to your total.
  • Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
  • Gas: Plan on spending $280 - $319 in fuel for the 768-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
  • Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $801 in Modesto, California, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.

What are the best moving truck rentals from Modesto to Olympia?

  1. Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
  2. Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
  3. 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 Modesto, CA to Olympia, WA

Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Modesto, California, to Olympia, Washington, when you want to do the loading yourself without having to drive a massive vehicle. The trailer is delivered, you pack it up, and the carrier handles the long haul.

What sets freight trailers apart is the pay-for-what-you-use pricing model. Each additional foot of trailer space you occupy adds to the cost. Overall pricing for a move of this size and distance typically lands around $1,160 and $2,277.

Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Modesto to Olympia:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,016 - $1,884
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,160 - $2,277
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,555 - $2,966

Pro tip: Freight pricing rewards efficient packing. Trailers are 8 feet tall and accessed via a 4-foot ramp, so technique matters, especially for heavy pieces. Since each additional linear foot adds to your quote, packing strategically is one of the easiest ways to control costs.

What other costs come with freight trailers?

  • More space: Freight pricing is based on exactly how much of the trailer you fill. If your items take up more than expected, the added footage can increase your cost by between $86 and $172.
  • Peak season impact: Moving during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) often means higher trailer rates as demand increases across the board.
  • Moving labor: Unless you plan to load everything yourself, factor in labor costs. Two movers in Modesto, California, for roughly five hours typically average $801.

What are the best freight companies from Modesto to Olympia?

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Speed Intermodal (4.7/5 stars): Speed Intermodal is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned and based facilities mean accessible support staff and area-specific scheduling flexibility that national-only freight carriers typically don't match.

Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Modesto to Olympia. If you have a hard move-in date and want your stuff there as soon as possible, freight is hard to beat. It's worth noting that freight works best when you're ready to receive your delivery, so if your move-in date is still up in the air or you'll need short-term storage, a moving container is likely the more practical choice.

Cost of living: Modesto, CA vs Olympia, WA

Modesto and Olympia land in a similar range on everyday costs. The cost of living index sits at 116 in Modesto and 112 in Olympia, and rent tracks closely too ($1,800/mo vs. $1,895/mo). You likely won't need to rework your monthly budget much after this move. Walkability (48 vs 39) and safety scores (34.24 vs 62.25) come out about the same too.

Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Olympia, WA to Modesto, CA guide.

Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:

In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from California to Washington, so our pricing data reflects what movers are actually charging right now. Check our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers, the best way to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and bad actors. We track 374 movers in California, so you have real options to compare for this 768-mile move.

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Our take

How you handle your interstate move from Modesto, CA, to Olympia, 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 $1,265 - $8,369 on the 768-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,063 - $3,525 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $575 - $1,481 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $2,346 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 Washington State ESD and The Evergreen State College.

FAQs: Moving from Modesto, CA, to Olympia, WA

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 is the best time of year to move from Modesto, CA to Olympia, WA?

Aim for a move between October and March, when demand drops and rates tend to be lower across all service types. Peak season runs mid-May through mid-September, and weekends and month-end dates are pricier regardless of season. A midweek, mid-month date outside peak season is your best bet for saving money.

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 3 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.

Is Olympia a safe place to live?

Olympia has a safety index of 62.25 out of 100 and a crime index of 27.95, compared to 34.24 and 65.76 in Modesto. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.

What is the cheapest way to move from Modesto, CA to Olympia, 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 $608 - $1,322. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.

What percentage of Modesto movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?

About 71% of movers in Modesto handle piano moves, and 36% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.