($730+) Seattle, WA to Los Angeles, CA Movers
Moving from Seattle, WA, to Los Angeles, CA, runs anywhere from $730 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $9,272 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,136 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 $2,500, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $9,272 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,179 - $4,262, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $730 - $2,071.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Seattle, WA, to Los Angeles, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,050 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 Los Angeles, CA
There are 3 main ways to move from Seattle to Los Angeles: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service handles labor and transportation for you, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route costing $3,050 - $7,003. Moving containers run about 51% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 73% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 2 to 8 days for this 1,136-mile route, depending on which option you go with.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,136-mile route from Seattle to Los Angeles, broken down by home size:
- Full-service movers: $2,500 for a studio up to $9,272 for a 4+ bedroom home.
- Moving containers: $1,179 - $4,262 depending on home size.
- Rental trucks: $730 - $2,071, the lowest-cost option across the board.
- Freight trailers: $1,040 - $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 Seattle, WA to Los Angeles, CA
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 1,136-mile move from Seattle, Washington, to Los Angeles, California, with prices running from $2,500 - $9,272. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $479 - $3,192 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between Seattle and Los Angeles are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, Seattle movers tend to run around $260 as a base rate plus $141/hour per mover, for comparison.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Seattle to Los Angeles:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,500 - $5,244
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,050 - $7,003
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,820 - $9,272
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 Los Angeles.
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 Seattle, WA to Los Angeles, CA
Specialty needs vary by market: 57% of Seattle 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 packing69% of local movers | $798 - $7,980 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready57% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Gentle Giant Moving Company | $319 - $1,915/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $479 - $3,830 |
| 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 | $1,596 - $4,788 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,990 - $15,960 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,195 - $2,271 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items26% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Gentle Giant Moving Company | $1,596 - $3,990 |
| Piano | Any piano type32% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Gentle Giant Moving Company | $1,277 - $5,586 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling7% of local movers | $479 - $2,394 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect8% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Hansen Bros Moving and Storage | $1,037 - $3,192 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $479 - $23,940+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $479 - $5,586+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Seattle to Los Angeles?
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 carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Seattle, WA. At that distance, local movers often charge 30% - 40% more because they don't spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments the way national carriers do. If a direct route and faster delivery (averaging 2 days) are priorities, a local mover may be worth considering, but that service comes at a higher price.
Moving container costs from Seattle, WA to Los Angeles, CA
Moving containers from Seattle, Washington, to Los Angeles, California, cost between $1,179 and $4,262. 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 Los Angeles:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,179 - $2,249
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,503 - $2,977
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,075 - $4,262
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Because loading is on you with a container move, hourly labor help is a popular add-on. In Seattle, WA, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $1,117, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: After the first month, ongoing rental fees kick in. A small container (7 - 8 feet) averages about $120 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $239 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Seattle, WA, and Los Angeles, CA, but confirm a facility is within reasonable distance if you need to retrieve items while in storage.
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection provides broader coverage than the standard liability in your contract. It typically costs 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on $50,000 worth of belongings.
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 $1,179. 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 $1,503 - $2,977.
What are the best moving containers Seattle 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 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 Los Angeles, CA
A rental truck for this 1,136-mile move from Seattle, Washington, to Los Angeles, California, costs between $730 and $2,071. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $577 - $659
- 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 Los Angeles based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $730 - $1,321
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $811 - $1,571
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,010 - $2,071
Pro tip: A rental truck from Seattle to Los Angeles looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $730 - $2,071. But once you factor in fuel ($577 - $659), overnight lodging ($239/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?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $239 per night. Most long-distance moves with rental trucks require 1 - 3 overnight stops.
- Equipment: Tow dollies, auto trailers, and specialty moving equipment can add between $104 and $519 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $577 - $659 in fuel for the 1,136-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $1,117 in Seattle, Washington, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Seattle 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 Seattle, WA to Los Angeles, CA
If you're moving a larger household from Seattle, Washington, and want to stay in control of the loading process, freight trailers offer a practical middle ground between hiring movers and renting a truck yourself. A 28-foot trailer is delivered to your door, you load what you need, and the carrier handles the drive to Los Angeles, California.
Freight trailers are priced by the linear feet your belongings take up, so you only pay for the space you use. A 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route typically falls between $1,290 and $2,580.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Seattle to Los Angeles:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,040 - $2,085
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,290 - $2,580
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,593 - $3,344
Pro tip: A 4-foot ramp sounds simple, but heavy or awkward furniture can make the climb tricky. With 8 feet of height to work with, smart vertical stacking is key. Since freight companies charge by the linear foot, every extra foot you use adds to the bill.
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 $120 - $239 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Seattle, Washington, for about five hours typically runs $1,117.
What are the best freight companies from Seattle to Los Angeles?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the best for large moves pick. While it's a top moving container option for the DIY hybrid setup (you handle the loading, they handle the driving), the same approach makes it a strong freight choice for 3 to 5+ bedroom homes that need 53 feet of trailer capacity with pay-as-you-go pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer here. In addition to their popular container service, U-Pack delivers a top-tier freight trailer option that uses the same pay-by-the-foot pricing model and skips deposits and upfront fees entirely.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in Los Angeles fast. For interstate moves, freight is one of the quickest delivery methods out there. Just keep in mind that freight carriers expect you to be available to receive your shipment, so it works best when your move-in is locked in and you don't need temporary storage on either end.
Cost of living: Seattle, WA vs Los Angeles, CA
Day-to-day costs in Los Angeles are close to what you're used to in Seattle: cost of living index of 162 versus 158, with average rent of $2,960/mo compared to $1,975/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 74/100 and 49.23/100 in Seattle 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 Seattle, WA guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from Washington to California, so our pricing data reflects what movers are actually charging right now. Check our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers, the best way to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and bad actors. We track 279 movers in Washington, so you have real options to compare for this 1,136-mile move.
Our take
The 1,136-mile move from Seattle, WA, to Los Angeles, CA, costs between $2,500 and $9,272 with full-service movers, $1,179 - $4,262 with a moving container, and $730 - $2,071 for a rental truck. Your budget and how much heavy lifting you want to do are the two biggest factors in choosing the right option. If you go with full-service movers, Safeway Moving is our top recommendation, with transparent flat-rate pricing starting around $3,050 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage, and 24/7 customer 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 Seattle, WA, to Los Angeles, CA
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Seattle, WA to Los Angeles, 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.
What do local movers charge in Seattle?
Local movers based in Seattle typically start around $260 as a base rate, plus $141/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 Los Angeles run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
How long does a move from Seattle, WA to Los Angeles, 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 are the best neighborhoods in Los Angeles?
For families, Brentwood, Eagle Rock, and Mar Vista are worth a look in Los Angeles. If you're moving solo or without kids, Echo Park, Los Feliz, and Playa Del Rey tend to be popular picks instead.
What is the cheapest way to move from Seattle, WA 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 $811 - $1,571. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
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.