($1,524+) Arlington, VA to Los Angeles, CA Movers
Moving from Arlington, VA, to Los Angeles, CA, runs anywhere from $1,524 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $11,451 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 2,665 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 $2,271, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $11,451 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,876 - $6,764, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,524 - $4,229.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Arlington, VA, to Los Angeles, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,751 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 Los Angeles, CA
There are 3 main ways to move from Arlington to Los Angeles: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service is the most expensive but covers everything from labor to transportation, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route averaging $3,751 - $7,100. Containers cost roughly 38% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 59% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 2,665 miles, expect 7 to 21 days in transit no matter which service you choose.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 2,665-mile route from Arlington to Los Angeles, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $2,271 - $5,487 | $1,876 - $3,604 | $1,524 - $2,896 | $1,721 - $3,212 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $3,751 - $7,100 | $2,334 - $5,068 | $1,538 - $3,311 | $1,848 - $4,217 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $6,649 - $11,451 | $3,451 - $6,764 | $2,126 - $4,229 | $2,761 - $5,742 |
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated October 30, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Arlington, VA to Los Angeles, CA
Hiring full-service movers from Arlington, Virginia, to Los Angeles, California, costs between $2,271 and $11,451. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 2,665-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $490 - $3,264, 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 Los Angeles. 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 Los Angeles:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,271 - $5,487
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,751 - $7,100
- 4+ bedrooms: $6,649 - $11,451
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 Los Angeles.
Pro tip: Peak moving season (May - September) limits truck availability and pushes up full-service moving costs. Booking during slower months can give you more scheduling room and a lower final price.
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Specialty moving services from Arlington, VA to Los Angeles, CA
Specialty needs vary by market: 70% of Arlington movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Los Angeles, 56% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing80% of local movers | $816 - $8,160 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready70% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: 495 Movers, Inc | $326 - $1,958/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $490 - $3,917 |
| 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 | $1,632 - $4,896 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $4,080 - $16,320 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,222 - $2,322 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items34% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: 495 Movers, Inc | $1,632 - $4,080 |
| Piano | Any piano type42% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: 495 Movers, Inc | $1,306 - $5,712 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling9% of local movers | $490 - $2,448 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect8% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $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 Los Angeles?
All three below meet the standards set by the California Moving & Storage Association, the group most California 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 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 Los Angeles, CA
Moving containers from Arlington, Virginia, to Los Angeles, California, cost between $1,876 and $6,764. 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 Arlington runs about $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Arlington to Los Angeles:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,876 - $3,604
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,334 - $5,068
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,451 - $6,764
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Access: Most major container brands operate in both Arlington, VA and Los Angeles, 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 $1,876. 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 $2,334 - $5,068.
What are the best moving containers Arlington to Los Angeles?
- 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 Los Angeles, CA
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 2,665 miles from Arlington, Virginia, to Los Angeles, California, running $1,524 - $4,229. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $1,384 - $1,582
- 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 Los Angeles based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,524 - $2,896
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,538 - $3,311
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,126 - $4,229
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Arlington to Los Angeles starts at $1,524 - $4,229, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($1,384 - $1,582), overnight lodging ($245/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for roughly $600 - $1,200 more on top of fuel and lodging to cover meals, equipment, and other extras.
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 $1,384 - $1,582 for the 2,665-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 2,665-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $490 - $734.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Arlington to Los Angeles?
- 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 Los Angeles, CA
For larger DIY moves from Arlington, Virginia, freight trailers give you plenty of room without putting you behind the wheel. Standard trailers are 28 feet long. You load the section you need, and the carrier transports everything to Los Angeles, California.
Because freight companies bill by linear footage, your total is based on how much of the trailer you occupy, not the full length. For a 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route, pricing typically falls between $1,848 and $4,217.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Arlington to Los Angeles:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,721 - $3,212
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,848 - $4,217
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,761 - $5,742
Pro tip: Freight trailers come with a 4-foot loading ramp, which can be a challenge with bulky furniture. With 8 feet of vertical space available, stacking efficiently often requires a ladder and a plan. Since you're billed per linear foot, packing tight can make a real difference in your final cost.
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 Los Angeles?
- 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: If speed matters on your move from Arlington to Los Angeles, 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 Los Angeles, CA
Day-to-day costs in Los Angeles are close to what you're used to in Arlington: cost of living index of 162 versus 164, with average rent of $2,960/mo compared to $2,718/mo. With an index gap that small, budgeting for this move mostly comes down to the moving costs above rather than a shift in your monthly expenses. For reference, walkability and safety scores are 71/100 and 79.15/100 in Arlington versus 69/100 and 46.19/100 in Los Angeles.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Los Angeles, 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 262 movers licensed in Virginia, useful context for sizing up this 2,665-mile move.
Our take
A move from Arlington, VA, to Los Angeles, CA, 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 $2,271 - $11,451 on the 2,665-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,876 - $6,764, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $1,524 - $4,229. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $3,751 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 County of Los Angeles and Los Angeles Unified School District.
FAQs: Moving from Arlington, VA, to Los Angeles, CA
How long does a move from Arlington, VA to Los Angeles, CA 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 extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($1,384 - $1,582), daily insurance ($49/day), and equipment rentals ($11 - $33) on top. Overnight stops can add another $245/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
What is the cheapest way to move from Arlington, VA to Los Angeles, CA?
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 $1,538 - $3,311. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
How much does it cost to move from Arlington, VA to Los Angeles, CA?
Costs on this route range from around $1,524 to $11,451, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,271 and $11,451, while DIY options like rental trucks and containers come in lower. Moving during peak season (May - September) tends to push prices higher across the board.
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 4 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 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 40% and 26% nationally.