($1,303+) Los Angeles, CA to Dayton, OH Movers
The cost to move from Los Angeles, CA to Dayton, OH ranges from $1,272 to $12,580, with an average cost of $4,250. Moves can be as low as $1,303 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 2,183 miles and usually takes 6 to 17 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.
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Compare moving options from Los Angeles, CA to Dayton, OH
Moving options from Los Angeles to Dayton fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,272 - $12,580 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $4,250, 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 2,183 miles and typically takes 6 to 17 days depending on the service you pick.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 2,183-mile route from Los Angeles to Dayton, broken down by home size:
Home size makes the biggest difference in what you'll pay on this route. A studio or 1-bedroom runs $1,272 - $5,982 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($1,663 - $3,503), rental truck ($1,277 - $2,618), or freight trailer ($1,622 - $2,852). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $3,660 - $7,753 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $12,580.
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 Los Angeles, CA to Dayton, OH
Hiring full-service movers from Los Angeles, California, to Dayton, Ohio, costs between $1,272 and $12,580. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 2,183-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $388 - $2,584, 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 Los Angeles and Dayton. For a rough baseline, movers based in Los Angeles tend to start around $200 plus $100/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 Los Angeles to Dayton:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,272 - $5,982
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,660 - $7,753
- 4+ bedrooms: $6,662 - $12,580
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 Los Angeles to Dayton.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from California to Ohio. 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 Los Angeles, CA to Dayton, OH
Specialty needs vary by market — 88% of Los Angeles movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Dayton, 88% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $646 - $6,460 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready88% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Sterling Van Lines | $258 - $1,550/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $388 - $3,101 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage41% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs55% of local movers | $1,292 - $3,876 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,230 - $12,920 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $968 - $1,839 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items68% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Sterling Van Lines | $1,292 - $3,230 |
| Piano | Any piano type79% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Sterling Van Lines | $1,034 - $4,522 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling43% of local movers | $388 - $1,938 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect30% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Sterling Van Lines | $840 - $2,584 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $388 - $19,380+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $388 - $4,522+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Los Angeles to Dayton?
All three below meet the standards set by the Ohio Association of Movers, the group most Ohio movers are affiliated with.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list, with flat-rate pricing that holds firm on moving day and a customer support team available around the clock.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here. With 30+ years of interstate moves behind them, AVL uses full-time in-house crews instead of the contracted labor most national carriers rely on.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, with fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan available on every long-distance move.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national full-service movers are almost always better priced than local movers in Los Angeles, 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 Los Angeles, CA to Dayton, OH
Moving containers from Los Angeles, California, to Dayton, Ohio, cost between $1,663 and $6,522. You're in charge of loading, and the timeline is yours to set. U-Haul allows 3 days while PODS gives you a full 30. After that, the company picks it up and delivers it to your new address. Running behind schedule? Storage in Los Angeles costs roughly $110/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Los Angeles to Dayton:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,663 - $3,503
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,265 - $4,680
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,202 - $6,522
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Because loading is on you with a container move, hourly labor help is a popular add-on. In Los Angeles, CA, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $904, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: After the first month, ongoing rental fees kick in. A small container (7 - 8 feet) averages about $97 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $194 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Los Angeles, CA, and Dayton, OH, but confirm a facility is within reasonable distance if you need to retrieve items while in storage.
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection provides broader coverage than the standard liability in your contract. It typically costs 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on $50,000 worth of belongings.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a California to Ohio 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 $1,663. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $2,265 - $4,680, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Los Angeles to Dayton?
- 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 Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles:
- Sterling Van Lines (4.6/5), 35 years in business
- Rigo's Moving Company Inc (4.3/5), 12 years in business
- Box-N-Go, LLC (4.8/5), 19 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Los Angeles, CA to Dayton, OH
Plan on $1,277 - $3,708 for a rental moving truck on the 2,183-mile route from Los Angeles, California, to Dayton, Ohio. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $897 - $1,026
- Daily insurance: $39/day
- Equipment rentals: $9 - $26
- Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles to Dayton based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,277 - $2,618
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,454 - $3,116
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,870 - $3,708
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $1,277 - $3,708 when pricing out a rental truck from Los Angeles to Dayton. Fuel alone runs ($897 - $1,026) , and overnight lodging ($194/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?
- Gas: Fuel adds $897 - $1,026 for the 2,183-mile drive, depending on whether your rental truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: You'll handle the heavy lifting unless you bring in help. Two movers in Los Angeles, California, for about 5 hours typically costs around $904.
- Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
- Lodging: The 2,183-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $194 per night, adding $388 - $581 in hotel costs total.
- Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $65 and $388.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Los Angeles to Dayton?
- 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 Los Angeles, CA to Dayton, OH
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 Los Angeles, California, to Dayton, Ohio. 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. Most long-distance moves using this method run roughly between $1,903 and $3,894.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Los Angeles to Dayton:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,622 - $2,852
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,903 - $3,894
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,363 - $5,217
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 trailers are billed by the section you fill. If you misjudge your shipment size, each extra foot of trailer space adds around $97 - $194 to your final bill.
- Peak season pricing: Expect higher rates during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) when trailer availability tightens across the country.
- Moving labor: Loading is on you unless you hire outside help. A half-day crew of two movers in Los Angeles, California, typically costs $904.
What are the best freight companies from Los Angeles to Dayton?
- 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.
- Sea-Logix, LLC (4.76/5 stars): Sea-Logix, LLC is our pick for best locally owned freight company. Their locally owned and operated facilities mean you work with support staff who know the route and the area, giving you more responsive scheduling than national-only carriers typically offer.
Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from Los Angeles to Dayton, 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: Los Angeles, CA vs Dayton, OH
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Dayton, side by side with Los Angeles on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Los Angeles, CA | Dayton, OH |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 162 | 80 |
| Average rent | $2,960/mo | $925/mo |
| Median home value | $878,142 | $94,536 |
| Average income | $80,366/yr | $43,454/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 10.6% | 6.8% |
| State income tax | Up to 13.3% | Up to 3.5% |
| Walkability score | 69/100 | 45/100 |
| Safety index | 46.19/100 | 40.68/100 |
| 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 Dayton, OH to Los Angeles, CA guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from California to Ohio over the past 3 months, giving us some of the most up-to-date pricing data around. Running your move through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. There are 374 movers in our California network to compare for this 2,183-mile move.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from Los Angeles, CA, to Dayton, OH, 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 $1,272 - $12,580 on the 2,183-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,663 - $6,522 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $1,277 - $3,708 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $3,660 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 Morgan Linen & Uniform Services and Premier Physicians.
FAQs: Moving from Los Angeles, CA, to Dayton, OH
How walkable is Dayton?
Dayton has a walkability score of 45 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 47, compared to 69 and 59 in Los Angeles. 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 Dayton?
For families, Downtown, Webster Station, and South Park are worth a look in Dayton. If you're moving solo or without kids, Oakwood, Centerville, and Springboro tend to be popular picks instead.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Ohio?
Although a local license is not required in Ohio, make sure the moving company you’ll be hiring is registered with U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). To verify if you’re dealing with a legal and licensed mover, you may ask them their USDOT registration number.
What do local movers charge in Los Angeles?
Local movers based in Los Angeles typically start around $200 as a base rate, plus $100/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 Dayton run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
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.
What percentage of Los Angeles movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 79% of movers in Los Angeles handle piano moves, and 68% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
