($1,342+) San Antonio, TX to Tacoma, WA Movers
Moving from San Antonio, TX, to Tacoma, WA, runs anywhere from $1,355 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $12,278 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 2,165 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 6 to 17 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 $2,715, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $12,278 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,652 - $6,034, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,355 - $3,489.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from San Antonio, TX, to Tacoma, WA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,464 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
Compare moving options from San Antonio, TX to Tacoma, WA
There are 3 main ways to move from San Antonio to Tacoma: 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 $3,464 - $8,133. Containers cost roughly 30% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 60% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 2,165 miles, expect 6 to 17 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 2,165-mile route from San Antonio to Tacoma, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $2,715 - $5,542 | $1,652 - $3,312 | $1,355 - $2,616 | $1,627 - $2,892 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $3,464 - $8,133 | $2,363 - $4,787 | $1,369 - $2,966 | $1,764 - $3,830 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $6,499 - $12,278 | $2,964 - $6,034 | $1,764 - $3,489 | $2,544 - $5,129 |
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from San Antonio, TX to Tacoma, WA
Full-service movers for the 2,165-mile relocation from San Antonio, Texas, to Tacoma, Washington, cost between $2,715 and $12,278. 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 $311 - $2,076, 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 San Antonio typically charge a base rate around $192 plus $96 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from San Antonio to Tacoma:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,715 - $5,542
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,464 - $8,133
- 4+ bedrooms: $6,499 - $12,278
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 San Antonio to Tacoma.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Texas to Washington. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: The summer months (May - September) are the busiest time of year for movers during peak moving season, which drives up prices and limits scheduling options. If you can move in the fall or winter, you'll likely find better rates and more flexibility.
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Specialty moving services from San Antonio, TX to Tacoma, WA
Specialty needs vary by market — 90% of San Antonio movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Tacoma, 97% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $519 - $5,190 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready90% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: 3 Men Movers | $208 - $1,246/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $311 - $2,491 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage26% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs48% of local movers | $1,038 - $3,114 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,595 - $10,380 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $777 - $1,477 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items42% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Swift Movers LLC | $1,038 - $2,595 |
| Piano | Any piano type65% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: 3 Men Movers | $830 - $3,633 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling45% of local movers | $311 - $1,557 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect26% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Swift Movers LLC | $675 - $2,076 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $311 - $15,570+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $311 - $3,633+ |
What are the best full-service movers from San Antonio to Tacoma?
All three below meet the standards set by the Washington Movers Conference, the group most Washington 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 San Antonio, TX. 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 San Antonio, TX to Tacoma, WA
Moving containers from San Antonio, Texas, to Tacoma, Washington, cost between $1,652 and $6,034. 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 San Antonio costs roughly $70/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from San Antonio to Tacoma:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,652 - $3,312
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,363 - $4,787
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,964 - $6,034
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Access: Most major container brands operate in both San Antonio, TX and Tacoma, WA. 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 $727 in San Antonio, TX, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $78 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $156 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 Texas to Washington 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 $1,652. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $2,363 - $4,787, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers San Antonio to Tacoma?
- 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 San Antonio 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 San Antonio:
- 3 Men Movers (4.8/5), 41 years in business
- Swift Movers LLC (4.8/5), 15 years in business
- AB Moving (4.6/5), 26 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from San Antonio, TX to Tacoma, WA
Truck rentals from San Antonio, Texas, to Tacoma, Washington, range from $1,355 - $3,489 for the 2,165-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $715 - $817
- Daily insurance: $31/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $21
- San Antonio daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.79 - $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 San Antonio to Tacoma based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,355 - $2,616
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,369 - $2,966
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,764 - $3,489
Pro tip: A rental truck from San Antonio to Tacoma looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $1,355 - $3,489. But once you factor in fuel ($715 - $817) , overnight lodging ($156/night), meals, and equipment rentals, most people end up spending $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate suggests. Building that into your budget upfront saves you from sticker shock at the end of the move.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Equipment: Tow dollies, appliance dollies, and moving pads are not included in the base rate. These extras often total between $78 and $363.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $156.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $715 and $817 for the 2,165-mile drive, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: If you'd rather not do all the heavy lifting, budget around $727 for 2 movers in San Antonio, Texas, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from San Antonio to Tacoma?
- 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 San Antonio, TX to Tacoma, WA
If you're moving a larger household from San Antonio, Texas, 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 Tacoma, Washington.
Freight trailers are priced by the linear feet your belongings take up, so you only pay for the space you use. Most moves on this route fall between $1,764 and $3,830.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from San Antonio to Tacoma:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,627 - $2,892
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,764 - $3,830
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,544 - $5,129
Pro tip: Freight trailers offer generous space but reward good packing strategy. The 4-foot ramp can be challenging for large or heavy pieces, and using the full 8-foot height takes careful stacking. Because you're billed by the linear foot, maximizing vertical space keeps your costs lower.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In San Antonio, Texas, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $727.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $78 - $156 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 San Antonio to Tacoma?
- 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.
- Parkway Transport, Inc. (4.76/5 stars): Parkway Transport, Inc. is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned facilities and accessible live support staff make scheduling and route coordination easier on local-area routes than what most national freight providers can offer.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in Tacoma 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: San Antonio, TX vs Tacoma, WA
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Tacoma, side by side with San Antonio on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | San Antonio, TX | Tacoma, WA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 91 | 123 |
| Average rent | $1,496/mo | $1,650/mo |
| Median home value | $216,453 | $454,577 |
| Average income | $62,917/yr | $83,857/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 3.8% | 7.3% |
| State income tax | None | None |
| Walkability score | 37/100 | 54/100 |
| Safety index | 51.94/100 | 44.45/100 |
| Air quality | Moderate | Good |
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 Tacoma, WA to San Antonio, TX guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Texas to Washington, 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. Texas alone has 289 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 2,165-mile move like this one.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 2,165-mile route from San Antonio, TX, to Tacoma, WA, run $2,715 - $12,278 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,652 - $6,034, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $1,355 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,464, 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 Joint Base Lewis-McChord and MultiCare Health System.
FAQs: Moving from San Antonio, TX, to Tacoma, WA
How walkable is Tacoma?
Tacoma has a walkability score of 54 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 48, compared to 37 and 45 in San Antonio. 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 Tacoma?
For families, North End and West End are worth a look in Tacoma. If you're moving solo or without kids, Central, Eastside-Enact, and North End tend to be popular picks instead.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Washington?
Movers operating within Washington DC city limits are subject to regulation by the Utilities and Transportation Commission, which issues operating permits to household goods moving companies.
What do local movers charge in San Antonio?
Local movers based in San Antonio typically start around $192 as a base rate, plus $96/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 Tacoma run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
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 3 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 San Antonio movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 65% of movers in San Antonio handle piano moves, and 42% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.