($1,493+) Arlington, VA to Tacoma, WA Movers
Moving from Arlington, VA, to Tacoma, WA, runs anywhere from $1,493 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $11,189 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 2,785 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 $2,385, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $11,189 or more.
- Moving containers run $2,002 - $6,691, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,493 - $4,229.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Arlington, VA, to Tacoma, WA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,670 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 Tacoma, WA
Moving options from Arlington to Tacoma fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $3,670 - $7,221 for a 2-3 bedroom home and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers cost about 30% less than full-service for the same size, and rental trucks land around 55% less, with both DIY options requiring you to load yourself. Covering 2,785 miles, this route usually takes 7 to 21 days from pickup to delivery.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 2,785-mile route from Arlington to Tacoma, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $2,385 - $5,812 | $2,002 - $3,819 | $1,493 - $3,101 | $1,647 - $3,304 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $3,670 - $7,221 | $2,571 - $5,163 | $1,666 - $3,691 | $1,919 - $4,007 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $7,043 - $11,189 | $3,274 - $6,691 | $2,148 - $4,229 | $2,838 - $5,917 |
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 Arlington, VA to Tacoma, WA
Hiring full-service movers from Arlington, Virginia, to Tacoma, Washington, costs between $2,385 and $11,189. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 2,785-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $443 - $2,952, depending on the size of your home. Your final cost comes down to two things: the total weight of your shipment and the distance between Arlington and Tacoma. For a rough baseline, movers based in Arlington tend to start around $200 plus $110/hour per mover on local jobs, before long-distance pricing takes over for a move this size.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Arlington to Tacoma:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,385 - $5,812
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,670 - $7,221
- 4+ bedrooms: $7,043 - $11,189
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 Tacoma.
Pro tip: Moving company rates climb during peak moving season (May –-September) when demand peaks. Scheduling your move outside of that window can lead to noticeably lower costs and better availability.
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Specialty moving services from Arlington, VA to Tacoma, WA
Specialty needs vary by market: 70% of Arlington 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 packing80% of local movers | $738 - $7,380 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready70% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: 495 Movers, Inc | $295 - $1,771/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $443 - $3,542 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage13% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs54% of local movers | $1,476 - $4,428 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,690 - $14,760 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,106 - $2,100 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items34% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: 495 Movers, Inc | $1,476 - $3,690 |
| Piano | Any piano type42% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: 495 Movers, Inc | $1,181 - $5,166 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling9% of local movers | $443 - $2,214 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect8% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Olympia Moving & Storage | $959 - $2,952 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $443 - $22,140+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $443 - $5,166+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Arlington to Tacoma?
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 movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in Arlington, VA. 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 Arlington, VA to Tacoma, WA
Moving containers from Arlington, Virginia, to Tacoma, Washington, cost between $2,002 and $6,691. 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 Tacoma. 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 Tacoma:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,002 - $3,819
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,571 - $5,163
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,274 - $6,691
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Access: Most major container brands operate in both Arlington, VA 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 $1,033 in Arlington, VA, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $111 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $221 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 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 $2,002. 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 $2,571 - $5,163.
What are the best moving containers Arlington 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 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:
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.9/5), 0 years in business
- BoxStar Movers (5.0/5), 5 years in business
- Zip Moving And Storage, Inc. (4.9/5), 11 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Arlington, VA to Tacoma, WA
A rental truck for this 2,785-mile move from Arlington, Virginia, to Tacoma, Washington, costs between $1,493 and $4,229. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $1,308 - $1,495
- Daily insurance: $44/day
- Equipment rentals: $10 - $30
- 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 Tacoma based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,493 - $3,101
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,666 - $3,691
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,148 - $4,229
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $1,493 - $4,229 when pricing out a rental truck from Arlington to Tacoma. Fuel alone runs $1,308 - $1,495, and overnight lodging ($221/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 $221 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 Arlington, Virginia, usually costs about $1,033 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 2,785-mile drive falls between $1,308 and $1,495, 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 $74 and $443 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Arlington 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 Arlington, VA to Tacoma, WA
Freight trailers are a good fit for medium-to-large moves where you need more space than a container but don't want to drive a rental truck from Arlington, Virginia, to Tacoma, Washington. The trailer is delivered to your address, you load it, and the carrier takes it the rest of the way.
Unlike truck rentals with flat rates, freight trailers scale with your shipment. Every additional section of trailer space you fill increases your total. A 2 - 3 bedroom long-distance move using this method runs roughly between $1,919 and $4,007.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Arlington to Tacoma:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,647 - $3,304
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,919 - $4,007
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,838 - $5,917
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 $111 and $221.
- 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 Arlington, Virginia, for roughly five hours typically average $1,033.
What are the best freight companies from Arlington to Tacoma?
- 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: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in Tacoma 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: Arlington, VA vs Tacoma, WA
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Tacoma, side by side with Arlington on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Arlington, VA | Tacoma, WA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 164 | 123 |
| Average rent | $2,718/mo | $1,650/mo |
| Median home value | $866,334 | $454,577 |
| Average income | $140,160/yr | $83,857/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 4.0% | 7.3% |
| State income tax | Up to 5.75% | None |
| Walkability score | 71/100 | 54/100 |
| Safety index | 79.15/100 | 44.45/100 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
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 Tacoma, WA 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 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 304 movers licensed in Virginia, useful context for sizing up this 2,785-mile move.
Our take
A move from Arlington, VA, to Tacoma, WA, gives you several options depending on your budget and how much you want to do yourself. Full-service movers handle everything but cost the most, ranging from $2,385 - $11,189 on the 2,785-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $2,002 - $6,691, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $1,493 - $4,229. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $3,670 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and round-the-clock live support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Joint Base Lewis-McChord and MultiCare Health System.
FAQs: Moving from Arlington, VA, to Tacoma, WA
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Arlington, VA to Tacoma, 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.
What do local movers charge in Arlington?
Local movers based in Arlington typically start around $200 as a base rate, plus $110/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.
How long does a move from Arlington, VA to Tacoma, WA take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 7 to 21 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are often one of the faster options outside of driving yourself, though you'll need to be ready to receive your shipment on arrival. Driving a rental truck yourself puts the schedule entirely in your hands.
What are the best neighborhoods in Tacoma?
For families, North End and West End are worth a look in Tacoma. If you're moving solo or without kids, Central, Eastside-Enact, and North End tend to be popular picks instead.
What is the cheapest way to move from Arlington, VA 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 $1,666 - $3,691. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What percentage of Arlington movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 42% of movers in Arlington handle piano moves, and 34% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.