($687+) Tacoma, WA to Ontario, CA Movers
Moving from Tacoma, WA, to Ontario, CA, runs anywhere from $687 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $9,550 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,139 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 $2,476, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $9,550 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,204 - $4,262, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $687 - $1,933.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Tacoma, WA, to Ontario, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,079 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 Tacoma, WA to Ontario, CA
Moving options from Tacoma to Ontario fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $3,079 - $7,211 on this route, with movers handling all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 51% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 76% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This 1,139-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 1,139-mile route from Tacoma to Ontario, broken down by home size:
- Full-service movers: $2,476 for a studio up to $9,550 for a 4+ bedroom home.
- Moving containers: $1,204 - $4,262 depending on home size.
- Rental trucks: $687 - $1,933, the lowest-cost option across the board.
- Freight trailers: $1,105 - $3,344, billed by the space you actually use.
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 Tacoma, WA to Ontario, CA
Full-service movers for the 1,139-mile relocation from Tacoma, Washington, to Ontario, California, cost between $2,476 and $9,550. With a long-distance moving company, loading, transportation, and unloading are all taken care of. If you want to skip packing boxes, too, that can be added for $364 - $2,428, depending on your home size. What you pay in the end is mainly a function of how much your shipment weighs and how far it's traveling. As a point of reference, local movers in Tacoma typically charge a base rate around $316 plus $133 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Tacoma to Ontario:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,476 - $5,626
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,079 - $7,211
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,771 - $9,550
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 Tacoma to Ontario.
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 Tacoma, WA to Ontario, CA
Specialty needs vary by market: 57% of Tacoma movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Ontario, 54% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing68% of local movers | $607 - $6,070 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready57% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Mountain Moving & Storage | $243 - $1,457/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $364 - $2,914 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage11% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs49% of local movers | $1,214 - $3,642 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,035 - $12,140 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $909 - $1,728 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items27% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Mountain Moving & Storage | $1,214 - $3,035 |
| Piano | Any piano type33% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Mountain Moving & Storage | $971 - $4,249 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling7% of local movers | $364 - $1,821 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect9% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Mountain Moving & Storage | $789 - $2,428 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $364 - $18,210+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $364 - $4,249+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Tacoma to Ontario?
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 movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in Tacoma, WA. 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 Tacoma, WA to Ontario, CA
Moving containers from Tacoma, Washington, to Ontario, California, cost between $1,204 and $4,262. 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 Tacoma costs roughly $110/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Tacoma to Ontario:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,204 - $2,338
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,519 - $3,039
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,201 - $4,262
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 $850 in Tacoma, 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 $91 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $182 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 Ontario, 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 $1,204. 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 $1,519 - $3,039.
What are the best moving containers Tacoma to Ontario?
- 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 Tacoma 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 Tacoma:
- All Ready Moving & Storage (5.0/5), 22 years in business
- A2B Moving & Storage, LLC (4.5/5), 16 years in business
- Mountain Moving & Storage (4.6/5), 63 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Tacoma, WA to Ontario, CA
Renting a moving truck for the 1,139-mile move from Tacoma, Washington, to Ontario, California, costs between $687 and $1,933, before these typical add-ons:
- Fuel for the drive: $440 - $503
- Daily insurance: $36/day
- Equipment rentals: $8 - $24
- Tacoma daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $1.09 - $1.89
| 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 Tacoma to Ontario based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $687 - $1,321
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $750 - $1,587
- 4+ bedrooms: $952 - $1,933
Pro tip: The base rate of $687 - $1,933 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Tacoma to Ontario. Fuel ($440 - $503), lodging at around $182/night, meals, and equipment rentals are all on top of that. Factor in roughly $600 - $1,200 more for meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging to get a realistic picture of what the move will actually cost.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $182 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 Tacoma, Washington, usually costs about $850 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 1,139-mile drive falls between $440 and $503, 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 $61 and $364 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Tacoma to Ontario?
- 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 Tacoma, WA to Ontario, CA
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Tacoma, Washington, to Ontario, California, when you want to do the loading yourself without having to drive a massive vehicle. The trailer is delivered, you pack it up, and the carrier handles the long haul.
What sets freight trailers apart is the pay-for-what-you-use pricing model. Each additional foot of trailer space you occupy adds to the cost. Pricing for a 2 - 3 bedroom move of this distance typically lands between $1,265 and $2,555.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Tacoma to Ontario:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,105 - $2,105
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,265 - $2,555
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,660 - $3,344
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?
- Demand cycles: Trailer costs climb during peak moving season, especially from mid-May through mid-September when demand is at its highest.
- More space: You're billed only for the linear feet you use, but underestimating your inventory means paying for extra space, typically around $91 - $182 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Tacoma, Washington, for about five hours typically runs $850.
What are the best freight companies from Tacoma to Ontario?
- 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: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Tacoma to Ontario. If you have a hard move-in date and want your stuff there as soon as possible, freight is hard to beat. It's worth noting that freight works best when you're ready to receive your delivery, so if your move-in date is still up in the air or you'll need short-term storage, a moving container is likely the more practical choice.
Cost of living: Tacoma, WA vs Ontario, CA
Tacoma and Ontario land in a similar range on everyday costs. The cost of living index sits at 123 in Tacoma and 119 in Ontario, and average rent is $1,650/mo vs. $2,619/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 54 vs 48 and safety scores are 44.45 vs 49.75.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Ontario, CA to Tacoma, WA guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Washington to California in the past 3 months alone, keeping our pricing data current. Run your numbers through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. For context, we track 279 movers based in Washington, handy for sizing up options on this 1,139-mile route.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 1,139-mile route from Tacoma, WA, to Ontario, CA, run $2,476 - $9,550 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,204 - $4,262, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $687 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,079, 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 Prime Healthcare and Niagara Bottling.
FAQs: Moving from Tacoma, WA, to Ontario, 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.
Is Ontario a safe place to live?
Ontario has a safety index of 49.75 out of 100 and a crime index of 50.25, compared to 44.45 and 55.55 in Tacoma. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What is the cheapest way to move from Tacoma, WA to Ontario, 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 $750 - $1,587. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What are the best neighborhoods in Ontario?
For families, Creekside, Parkview, and Ontario Ranch are worth a look in Ontario. If you're moving solo or without kids, Downtown Ontario, Piemonte, and Ontario Ranch tend to be popular picks instead.
How long does a move from Tacoma, WA to Ontario, CA take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 2 to 8 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 percentage of Tacoma movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 33% of movers in Tacoma handle piano moves, and 27% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.