($1,192+) Los Angeles, CA to Dayton, OH Movers
The cost to move from Los Angeles, CA to Dayton, OH ranges from $1,314 to $11,187, with an average cost of $4,000. Moves can be as low as $1,192 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 $1,314 - $11,187 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $4,000, and movers handle all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 34% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 57% 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 $1,314 - $5,478 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($1,651 - $2,989), rental truck ($1,192 - $2,256), or freight trailer ($1,501 - $2,945). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $3,279 - $7,756 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $11,187.
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 Los Angeles, CA to Dayton, OH
For the 2,183-mile move from Los Angeles, California, to Dayton, Ohio, full-service movers cost between $1,314 and $11,187. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $388 - $2,584 (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 Los Angeles generally start around $200 plus $100 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Los Angeles to Dayton:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,314 - $5,478
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,279 - $7,756
- 4+ bedrooms: $6,543 - $11,187
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.
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 Los Angeles, CA to Dayton, OH
Specialty needs vary by market: 56% of Los Angeles movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Dayton, 63% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing78% of local movers | $646 - $6,460 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready56% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: SOS Moving, LLC | $258 - $1,550/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $388 - $3,101 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage14% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs53% 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 items29% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: SOS Moving, LLC | $1,292 - $3,230 |
| Piano | Any piano type40% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: SOS Moving, LLC | $1,034 - $4,522 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling10% of local movers | $388 - $1,938 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect4% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Silicon Valley Moving and Storage (CA) | $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?
Ohio Association of Movers membership is a quick way to confirm a mover is legitimate in Ohio, on top of the picks below.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 full-service movers are the more cost-efficient choice. Local movers in Los Angeles, CA, 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 Los Angeles, CA to Dayton, OH
Moving containers from Los Angeles, California, to Dayton, Ohio, cost between $1,651 and $5,973. With a moving container, you load on your own schedule. U-Haul gives you 3 days to fill yours, while PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're ready, the company transports it straight to your new place. Need more time first? Storage in Los Angeles typically costs about $110/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Los Angeles to Dayton:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,651 - $2,989
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,158 - $4,635
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,991 - $5,973
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $97 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $194 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 $904 in Los Angeles, 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 Dayton, OH, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
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 $1,651. 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 $2,158 - $4,635.
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:
- Box-N-Go, LLC (4.8/5), 19 years in business
- Rigo's Moving Company Inc (4.3/5), 12 years in business
- Best California Movers (5.0/5), 8 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Los Angeles, CA to Dayton, OH
A rental truck for this 2,183-mile move from Los Angeles, California, to Dayton, Ohio, costs between $1,192 and $3,532. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- 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: $1,192 - $2,256
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,398 - $2,713
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,764 - $3,532
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $1,192 - $3,532 does not include fuel ($897 - $1,026), lodging ($194/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Los Angeles to Dayton typically runs more than the base rate alone, with meals, equipment, and other extras adding roughly $600 - $1,200 on top of fuel and lodging.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Los Angeles, California, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $904.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $897 - $1,026 for the 2,183-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 $78 and $420, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $194 per night for hotel stops on the 2,183-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $388 - $581.
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. A 2 - 3 bedroom long-distance move using this method runs roughly between $1,760 and $3,390.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Los Angeles to Dayton:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,501 - $2,945
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,760 - $3,390
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,393 - $4,921
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 $97 and $194.
- 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 Los Angeles, California, for roughly five hours typically average $904.
What are the best freight companies from Los Angeles to Dayton?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Primarily known as a top moving container option for its DIY hybrid model where customers load and the company drives, MovingYourself also functions as a strong freight option thanks to its 53-foot trucks and pay-only-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. Best known for its container service, U-Pack also runs a top-notch freight trailer operation with the same no-deposit, pay-by-the-foot approach that keeps overall costs lower than most freight competitors.
Pro tip: One of the biggest advantages of freight trailers is speed. For an interstate move, freight delivery is one of the fastest options you have short of driving a rental truck yourself. It's a smart choice when your timeline is firm and you'll be ready to receive your shipment. If there's any chance your new place won't be ready or you need a few weeks of storage, a moving container with built-in storage may serve you better.
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 1,154 movers in our California network to compare for this 2,183-mile move.
Our take
For a move from Los Angeles, CA, to Dayton, OH, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $1,314 for a studio to $11,187 for a 4+ bedroom home on the 2,183-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,651 - $5,973. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $1,192 - $3,532, though you'll be handling the driving and loading yourself. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with quotes starting around $3,279 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage included, and 24/7 live customer 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
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Los Angeles, CA to Dayton, OH?
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 Dayton a safe place to live?
Dayton has a safety index of 40.68 out of 100 and a crime index of 4.0, compared to 46.19 and 53.81 in Los Angeles. 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 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 percentage of Los Angeles movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 40% of movers in Los Angeles handle piano moves, and 29% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.