($733+) Olympia, WA to San Diego, CA Movers
Moving from Olympia, WA, to San Diego, CA, runs anywhere from $733 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $9,175 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,195 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 2 to 8 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 $2,373, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $9,175 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,301 - $4,153, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $733 - $2,006.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Olympia, WA, to San Diego, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,988 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 Olympia, WA to San Diego, CA
Moving options from Olympia to San Diego fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $2,988 - $6,951 on this route, with movers handling all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 47% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 72% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This 1,195-mile route typically takes 2 to 8 days door to door.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,195-mile route from Olympia to San Diego, broken down by home size:
- A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $2,373 - $5,667 with full-service movers, $1,301 - $2,183 with a container, $733 - $1,412 with a rental truck, or $1,138 - $2,171 by freight.
- A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $2,988 - $6,951 full-service, $1,581 - $3,105 by container, $849 - $1,612 by rental truck, or $1,290 - $2,562 by freight.
- A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $5,154 - $9,175 full-service, $2,053 - $4,153 by container, $1,038 - $2,006 by rental truck, or $1,642 - $3,255 by freight.
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 Olympia, WA to San Diego, CA
Hiring full-service movers from Olympia, Washington, to San Diego, California, costs between $2,373 and $9,175. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 1,195-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 Olympia and San Diego. For a rough baseline, movers based in Olympia tend to start around $296 plus $133/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 Olympia to San Diego:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,373 - $5,667
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,988 - $6,951
- 4+ bedrooms: $5,154 - $9,175
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 Olympia to San Diego.
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 Olympia, WA to San Diego, CA
Specialty needs vary by market: 65% of Olympia movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In San Diego, 69% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing74% of local movers | $646 - $6,460 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready65% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: All Ready Moving & Storage | $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 lbs56% 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: Morgan Transfer | $1,292 - $3,230 |
| Piano | Any piano type41% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $1,034 - $4,522 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling8% of local movers | $388 - $1,938 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect12% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $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 Olympia to San Diego?
Movers licensed to operate in California are typically members of the California Moving & Storage Association, worth checking for before you book any of the three below.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 customer support, and 30 days of free storage are included with every move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list, 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, combining 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 almost always better priced than local movers in Olympia, WA. 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 Olympia, WA to San Diego, CA
Moving containers from Olympia, Washington, to San Diego, California, cost between $1,301 and $4,153. 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 Olympia runs about $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Olympia to San Diego:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,301 - $2,183
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,581 - $3,105
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,053 - $4,153
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 Olympia, WA, 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 San Diego, CA, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Washington 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 $1,301. 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 $1,581 - $3,105.
What are the best moving containers Olympia to San Diego?
- 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 Olympia 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 Olympia:
- All Ready Moving & Storage (4.8/5), 22 years in business
- Olympic Moving & Storage Inc. (4.7/5), 123 years in business
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.8/5), 8 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Olympia, WA to San Diego, CA
Renting a moving truck for the 1,195-mile move from Olympia, Washington, to San Diego, California, costs between $733 and $2,006, before these typical add-ons:
- Fuel for the drive: $491 - $561
- Daily insurance: $39/day
- Equipment rentals: $9 - $26
- Olympia daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $1.09 - $1.59
| 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 Olympia to San Diego based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $733 - $1,412
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $849 - $1,612
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,038 - $2,006
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $733 - $2,006 does not include fuel ($491 - $561), lodging ($194/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Olympia to San Diego 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?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $194 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 Olympia, Washington, usually costs about $904 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 1,195-mile drive falls between $491 and $561, 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 $65 and $388 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Olympia to San Diego?
- 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 Olympia, WA to San Diego, CA
For larger DIY moves from Olympia, Washington, 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 San Diego, 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 $1,290 and $2,562.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Olympia to San Diego:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,138 - $2,171
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,290 - $2,562
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,642 - $3,255
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 Olympia, Washington, typically costs $904.
What are the best freight companies from Olympia to San Diego?
- 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: Olympia, WA vs San Diego, CA
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in San Diego, side by side with Olympia on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Olympia, WA | San Diego, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 112 | 155 |
| Average rent | $1,895/mo | $2,881/mo |
| Median home value | $457,660 | $847,715 |
| Average income | $76,930/yr | $104,321/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 5.6% | 6.6% |
| State income tax | None | Up to 13.3% |
| Walkability score | 39/100 | 53/100 |
| Safety index | 62.25/100 | 60.17/100 |
| Air quality | Good | 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 San Diego, CA to Olympia, WA guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from Washington to California 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 265 movers in our Washington network to compare for this 1,195-mile move.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 1,195-mile route from Olympia, WA, to San Diego, CA, run $2,373 - $9,175 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,301 - $4,153, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $733 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,988, 30 days of free storage, and a 24/7 support team you can actually reach.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include United States Navy and University of California, San Diego.
FAQs: Moving from Olympia, WA, to San Diego, CA
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 do local movers charge in Olympia?
Local movers based in Olympia typically start around $296 as a base rate, plus $133/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 San Diego run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
How do I know a mover is licensed in California?
When contacting a local moving company for an estimate in California, make sure each has a “T Number” issued by the California Public Utilities Commission (CAPUC). Moving companies with valid T Numbers have met state requirements for insurance, safety, and financial stability and have passed criminal clearance checks conducted by the California Department of Justice.
What are the best neighborhoods in San Diego?
For families, Carmel Valley, Del Mar Heights, and Loma Portal are worth a look in San Diego. If you're moving solo or without kids, Gaslamp Quarter, Hillcrest, and North Park tend to be popular picks instead.
How walkable is San Diego?
San Diego has a walkability score of 53 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 43, compared to 39 and 59 in Olympia. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
What percentage of Olympia movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 41% of movers in Olympia handle piano moves, and 29% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.