($1,565+) Arlington, VA to Santa Clarita, CA Movers
Moving from Arlington, VA, to Santa Clarita, CA, runs anywhere from $1,550 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $11,878 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 2,661 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 7 to 21 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 $2,552, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $11,878 or more.
- Moving containers run $2,024 - $7,376, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,550 - $4,211.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Arlington, VA, to Santa Clarita, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,817 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
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Compare moving options from Arlington, VA to Santa Clarita, CA
There are 3 main ways to move from Arlington to Santa Clarita: 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 $3,817 - $7,285. Moving containers run about 30% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 60% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 7 to 21 days for this 2,661-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 2,661-mile route from Arlington to Santa Clarita, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $2,552 - $6,039 | $2,024 - $3,965 | $1,550 - $3,003 | $1,803 - $3,399 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $3,817 - $7,285 | $2,521 - $5,468 | $1,762 - $3,647 | $1,977 - $4,248 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $7,321 - $11,878 | $3,686 - $7,376 | $2,121 - $4,211 | $2,808 - $5,553 |
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Arlington, VA to Santa Clarita, CA
Full-service movers for the 2,661-mile relocation from Arlington, Virginia, to Santa Clarita, California, cost between $2,552 and $11,878. With a long-distance moving company, loading, transportation, and unloading are all taken care of. If you want to skip packing boxes, too, that can be added for $490 - $3,264, depending on your home size. What you pay in the end is mainly a function of how much your shipment weighs and how far it's traveling. As a point of reference, local movers in Arlington typically charge a base rate around $200 plus $110 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Arlington to Santa Clarita:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,552 - $6,039
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,817 - $7,285
- 4+ bedrooms: $7,321 - $11,878
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 Arlington to Santa Clarita.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Virginia to California. 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 Arlington, VA to Santa Clarita, CA
Specialty needs vary by market — 94% of Arlington movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Santa Clarita, 86% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $816 - $8,160 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready94% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: BoxStar Movers | $326 - $1,958/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $490 - $3,917 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage30% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs58% of local movers | $1,632 - $4,896 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $4,080 - $16,320 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,222 - $2,322 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items56% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: BoxStar Movers | $1,632 - $4,080 |
| Piano | Any piano type71% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: BoxStar Movers | $1,306 - $5,712 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling39% of local movers | $490 - $2,448 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect28% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: BoxStar Movers | $1,061 - $3,264 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $490 - $24,480+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $490 - $5,712+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Arlington to Santa Clarita?
If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in California Moving & Storage Association 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 full-service movers are the more cost-efficient choice. Local movers in Arlington, VA, often charge 30% - 40% more at that distance because their operations aren't built for long-haul logistics. The exception is if you want a dedicated point-to-point truck with an average 2-day delivery, though that level of service generally increases your total cost.
Moving container costs from Arlington, VA to Santa Clarita, CA
Moving containers from Arlington, Virginia, to Santa Clarita, California, cost between $2,024 and $7,376. 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 Santa Clarita. If you go over that window, storage in Arlington adds around $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Arlington to Santa Clarita:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,024 - $3,965
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,521 - $5,468
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,686 - $7,376
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Access: Most major container brands operate in both Arlington, VA and Santa Clarita, CA. 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 $1,142 in Arlington, VA, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $122 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $245 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 Virginia 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 $2,024. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $2,521 - $5,468, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Arlington to Santa Clarita?
- 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 Arlington 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 Arlington:
- BoxStar Movers (5.0/5), 5 years in business
- Zip Moving And Storage, Inc. (4.9/5), 10 years in business
- My Pro Movers (5.0/5), 9 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Arlington, VA to Santa Clarita, CA
Truck rentals from Arlington, Virginia, to Santa Clarita, California, range from $1,550 - $4,211 for the 2,661-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $1,382 - $1,579
- Daily insurance: $49/day
- Equipment rentals: $11 - $33
- Arlington daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.99 - $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 Arlington to Santa Clarita based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,550 - $3,003
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,762 - $3,647
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,121 - $4,211
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $1,550 - $4,211 when pricing out a rental truck from Arlington to Santa Clarita. Fuel alone runs ($1,382 - $1,579) , and overnight lodging ($245/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend an additional $600 - $1,200 beyond the base rate by the time the move is done.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Arlington, Virginia, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $1,142.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $1,382 - $1,579 for the 2,661-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 $98 and $530, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $245 per night for hotel stops on the 2,661-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $490 - $734.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Arlington to Santa Clarita?
- 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 Arlington, VA to Santa Clarita, CA
If you're moving a larger household from Arlington, Virginia, 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 Santa Clarita, California.
Freight trailers are priced by the linear feet your belongings take up, so you only pay for the space you use. Most moves on this route fall between $1,977 and $4,248.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Arlington to Santa Clarita:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,803 - $3,399
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,977 - $4,248
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,808 - $5,553
Pro tip: A 4-foot ramp sounds simple, but heavy or awkward furniture can make the climb tricky. With 8 feet of height to work with, smart vertical stacking is key. Since freight companies charge by the linear foot, every extra foot you use adds to the bill.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In Arlington, Virginia, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $1,142.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $122 - $245 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 Arlington to Santa Clarita?
- 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.
- Terminal Transportation Services (4.7/5 stars): Terminal Transportation Services is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned and operated facilities give you direct access to support staff who know the area and can coordinate pickups and deliveries with greater flexibility than national carriers.
Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from Arlington to Santa Clarita, 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: Arlington, VA vs Santa Clarita, CA
There's not a big cost-of-living gap between Arlington and Santa Clarita to plan around. Cost of living index: 164 vs. 162. Average rent: $2,718/mo vs. $3,295/mo. The bigger factor in your budget is the one-time cost of the move itself, covered above. Walkability: 71 vs. 35. Safety index: 79.15 vs. 64.08.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Santa Clarita, CA to Arlington, VA guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from Virginia 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 104 movers licensed in Virginia, useful context for sizing up this 2,661-mile move.
Our take
The 2,661-mile move from Arlington, VA, to Santa Clarita, CA, costs between $2,552 and $11,878 with full-service movers, $2,024 - $7,376 with a moving container, and $1,550 - $4,211 for a rental truck. Your budget and how much heavy lifting you want to do are the two biggest factors in choosing the right option. If you go with full-service movers, Safeway Moving is our top recommendation, with transparent flat-rate pricing starting around $3,817 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage, and 24/7 customer support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Princess Cruises and Wesco Aircraft.
FAQs: Moving from Arlington, VA, to Santa Clarita, CA
What is the best time of year to move from Arlington, VA to Santa Clarita, CA?
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 are some tips for saving money on a move from Arlington, VA to Santa Clarita, CA?
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 Santa Clarita a safe place to live?
Santa Clarita has a safety index of 64.08 out of 100 and a crime index of 35.92, compared to 79.15 and 15.67 in Arlington. 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 Santa Clarita?
Santa Clarita has a walkability score of 35 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 33, compared to 71 and 72 in Arlington. 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 Santa Clarita?
For families, Valencia, Saugus, and Stevenson Ranch are worth a look in Santa Clarita. If you're moving solo or without kids, Valencia, Newhall, and Canyon Country tend to be popular picks instead.
What percentage of Arlington movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 71% of movers in Arlington handle piano moves, and 56% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
