($762+) Seattle, WA to Irvine, CA Movers
Moving from Seattle, WA, to Irvine, CA, runs anywhere from $762 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $9,161 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,179 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 $2,513, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $9,161 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,212 - $4,397, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $762 - $2,146.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Seattle, WA, to Irvine, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,071 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 Seattle, WA to Irvine, CA
Moving options from Seattle to Irvine fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move on this route costs $3,071 - $7,218 and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 49% less for the same home size, while rental trucks land about 73% less, though both require you to load the truck or container yourself. This route spans 1,179 miles and typically takes 2 to 8 days.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,179-mile route from Seattle to Irvine, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $2,513 - $5,325 | $1,212 - $2,225 | $762 - $1,466 | $1,069 - $1,982 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $3,071 - $7,218 | $1,562 - $3,290 | $831 - $1,626 | $1,199 - $2,557 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $5,093 - $9,161 | $2,178 - $4,397 | $1,045 - $2,146 | $1,623 - $3,517 |
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 Seattle, WA to Irvine, CA
Hiring full-service movers from Seattle, Washington, to Irvine, California, costs between $2,513 and $9,161. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 1,179-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $482 - $3,216, 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 Seattle and Irvine. For a rough baseline, movers based in Seattle tend to start around $260 plus $141/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 Seattle to Irvine:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,513 - $5,325
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,071 - $7,218
- 4+ bedrooms: $5,093 - $9,161
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 Seattle to Irvine.
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 Seattle, WA to Irvine, CA
Specialty needs vary by market: 57% of Seattle movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Irvine, 56% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing69% of local movers | $804 - $8,040 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready57% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Gentle Giant Moving Company | $322 - $1,930/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $482 - $3,859 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage10% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs51% of local movers | $1,608 - $4,824 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $4,020 - $16,080 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,204 - $2,288 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items26% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Gentle Giant Moving Company | $1,608 - $4,020 |
| Piano | Any piano type32% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Gentle Giant Moving Company | $1,286 - $5,628 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling7% of local movers | $482 - $2,412 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect8% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Hansen Bros Moving and Storage | $1,045 - $3,216 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $482 - $24,120+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $482 - $5,628+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Seattle to Irvine?
If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in California Moving & Storage Association is a good first thing to confirm.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving offers the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing locks in your cost upfront, and 24/7 customer support is available throughout the move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. Operating since 1995, AVL staffs every move with full-time in-house crews trained on antiques, art, and other high-value items.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. As one of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, real-time shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national van lines are the smarter financial choice over local movers in Seattle, WA. Local companies can run 30% - 40% more at that range since they don't consolidate shipments the way interstate carriers do. If a direct, dedicated route with an average 2-day delivery appeals to you, a local mover could be worth it, but that convenience comes at a cost.
Moving container costs from Seattle, WA to Irvine, CA
Moving containers from Seattle, Washington, to Irvine, California, cost between $1,212 and $4,397. You load everything on your own schedule (U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30). When you're ready, the company takes care of getting the container from point A to point B. Need more time than that? Extra storage in Seattle typically runs around $120/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Seattle to Irvine:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,212 - $2,225
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,562 - $3,290
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,178 - $4,397
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Containers are self-loaded, so many people hire hourly help for the heavy lifting. moveBuddha data shows two movers for about five hours runs around $1,126 in Seattle, WA. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: If you want stronger coverage than the default liability, full-value protection is the upgrade to consider. Most providers charge 1% - 2% of your shipment value, roughly $500 - $1,000 for $50,000 in contents.
- Storage: After the first month, rental fees average $121 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $241 per month for a larger 12- to 16-foot unit.
- Access: If you anticipate needing to access items while in storage, confirm there's a facility conveniently located near your Irvine, CA, destination before booking.
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 $1,212. 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 $1,562 - $3,290.
What are the best moving containers Seattle to Irvine?
- 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 Seattle 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 Seattle:
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.9/5), 8 years in business
- Eco Movers Moving & Storage (4.8/5), 17 years in business
- On The Go Moving and Storage (4.8/5), 15 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Seattle, WA to Irvine, CA
Truck rentals from Seattle, Washington, to Irvine, California, range from $762 - $2,146 for the 1,179-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $603 - $689
- Daily insurance: $48/day
- Equipment rentals: $11 - $32
- Seattle daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $1.19 - $1.39
| 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 Seattle to Irvine based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $762 - $1,466
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $831 - $1,626
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,045 - $2,146
Pro tip: A rental truck from Seattle to Irvine looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $762 - $2,146. But once you factor in fuel ($603 - $689), overnight lodging ($241/night), meals, and equipment rentals, most people end up spending roughly $600 - $1,200 more on meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging. Building that into your budget upfront saves you from sticker shock at the end of the move.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Gas: Fuel adds $603 - $689 for the 1,179-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 Seattle, Washington, for about 5 hours typically costs around $1,126.
- Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
- Lodging: The 1,179-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $241 per night, adding $482 - $724 in hotel costs total.
- Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $80 and $482.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Seattle to Irvine?
- 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 Seattle, WA to Irvine, CA
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 Seattle, Washington, to Irvine, California. 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 $1,199 and $2,557.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Seattle to Irvine:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,069 - $1,982
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,199 - $2,557
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,623 - $3,517
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 $121 - $241 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 Seattle, Washington, typically costs $1,126.
What are the best freight companies from Seattle to Irvine?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the pick for best for large moves. The company is well-regarded as a top moving container option for its load-it-yourself, we-drive-it model, and that same model makes it a strong freight option for larger homes that benefit from the company's 53-foot trucks and footage-based pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Alongside their flagship container service, U-Pack provides a top-notch freight trailer option that follows the same model: no deposits, no upfront fees, and pricing based on the linear footage you actually use.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are one of the fastest ways to move your belongings interstate, often beating full-service movers on delivery time. If getting your stuff to Irvine quickly is a priority, freight is worth a hard look. That said, freight carriers typically require you to be available to receive your shipment within a set window, so if you need short-term storage or your new place won't be ready right away, a container or full-service mover may give you more flexibility.
Cost of living: Seattle, WA vs Irvine, CA
Seattle and Irvine land in a similar range on everyday costs. The cost of living index sits at 158 in Seattle and 165 in Irvine, and average rent is $1,975/mo vs. $4,000/mo. With an index gap that small, you likely won't need to rework your monthly budget much after this move. For reference, walkability is 74 vs 43 and safety scores are 49.23 vs 68.99.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Irvine, CA to Seattle, WA guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Washington to California, so we know current pricing better than most. Checking our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates. Washington alone has 279 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 1,179-mile move like this one.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from Seattle, WA, to Irvine, CA, 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 $2,513 - $9,161 on the 1,179-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,212 - $4,397 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $762 - $2,146 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $3,071 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 Mitsubishi Digital Electronics America and Taco Bell.
FAQs: Moving from Seattle, WA, to Irvine, CA
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Seattle, WA to Irvine, CA?
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 Irvine a safe place to live?
Irvine has a safety index of 68.99 out of 100 and a crime index of 31.01, compared to 49.23 and 58.88 in Seattle. 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 Irvine?
Irvine has a walkability score of 43 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 69, compared to 74 and 71 in Seattle. 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 Irvine?
For families, Westpark II, Turtle Rock, and Woodbridge are worth a look in Irvine. If you're moving solo or without kids, Westpark, Westpark II, and Oak Creek tend to be popular picks instead.
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 percentage of Seattle movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 32% of movers in Seattle handle piano moves, and 26% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.