($701+) Olympia, WA to Riverside, CA Movers
Moving from Olympia, WA, to Riverside, CA, runs anywhere from $701 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $9,457 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,127 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 $2,404, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $9,457 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,252 - $3,934, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $701 - $1,933.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Olympia, WA, to Riverside, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,903 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 Riverside, CA
Moving options from Olympia to Riverside fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $2,903 - $7,141 on this route, with movers handling all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 48% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 73% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This 1,127-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 1,127-mile route from Olympia to Riverside, broken down by home size:
Home size makes the biggest difference in what you'll pay on this route. A studio or 1-bedroom runs $2,404 - $5,572 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($1,252 - $2,249), rental truck ($701 - $1,308), or freight trailer ($1,040 - $2,045). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $2,903 - $7,141 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $9,457.
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 Olympia, WA to Riverside, CA
Hiring full-service movers from Olympia, Washington, to Riverside, California, costs between $2,404 and $9,457. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 1,127-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $359 - $2,392, 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 Riverside. 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 Riverside:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,404 - $5,572
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,903 - $7,141
- 4+ bedrooms: $5,017 - $9,457
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 Riverside.
Pro tip: Peak moving season (May - September) limits truck availability and pushes up full-service moving costs. Booking during slower months can give you more scheduling room and a lower final price.
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Specialty moving services from Olympia, WA to Riverside, CA
Specialty needs vary by market: 65% of Olympia movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Riverside, 52% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing75% of local movers | $598 - $5,980 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready65% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Olympic Moving & Storage Inc. | $239 - $1,435/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $359 - $2,870 |
| 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 | $1,196 - $3,588 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,990 - $11,960 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $896 - $1,702 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items29% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Mountain Moving & Storage | $1,196 - $2,990 |
| Piano | Any piano type41% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $957 - $4,186 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling8% of local movers | $359 - $1,794 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect12% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $777 - $2,392 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $359 - $17,940+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $359 - $4,186+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Olympia to Riverside?
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 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 Riverside, CA
Moving containers from Olympia, Washington, to Riverside, California, cost between $1,252 and $3,934. 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 Riverside:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,252 - $2,249
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,503 - $3,163
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,991 - $3,934
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $90 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $179 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Riverside, CA, if you need to retrieve anything while items are still in storage.
- Moving labor: Since you're responsible for loading the container yourself, many customers bring in hourly help. Based on moveBuddha data, hiring 2 movers for approximately 5 hours costs about $837 in Olympia, WA. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection goes beyond the standard minimum and covers repair, replacement, or reimbursement at declared value. Pricing is typically 1% - 2% of your total shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 move.
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 $1,252. 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 - $3,163.
What are the best moving containers Olympia to Riverside?
- 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 Riverside, CA
Plan on $701 - $1,933 for a rental moving truck on the 1,127-mile route from Olympia, Washington, to Riverside, California. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $429 - $490
- Daily insurance: $36/day
- Equipment rentals: $8 - $24
- 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 Riverside based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $701 - $1,308
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $788 - $1,555
- 4+ bedrooms: $961 - $1,933
Pro tip: The base rate of $701 - $1,933 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Olympia to Riverside. Fuel ($429 - $490), lodging at around $179/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?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Olympia, Washington, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $837.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $429 - $490 for the 1,127-mile drive, depending on whether your truck takes gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, auto transport trailers, and furniture pads are separate rentals. Expect to spend between $72 and $389, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $179 per night for hotel stops on the 1,127-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $359 - $538.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Olympia to Riverside?
- 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 Riverside, CA
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Olympia, Washington, to Riverside, 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 $1,190 and $2,530.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Olympia to Riverside:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,040 - $2,045
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,190 - $2,530
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,610 - $3,410
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?
- 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 $90 - $179 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 $837.
What are the best freight companies from Olympia to Riverside?
- 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 Riverside, CA
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Riverside, side by side with Olympia on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Olympia, WA | Riverside, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 112 | 131 |
| Average rent | $1,895/mo | $2,295/mo |
| Median home value | $457,660 | $539,898 |
| Average income | $76,930/yr | $88,575/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 5.6% | 7.1% |
| State income tax | None | Up to 13.3% |
| Walkability score | 39/100 | 43/100 |
| Safety index | 62.25/100 | 59.76/100 |
| 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 Riverside, 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 279 movers in our Washington network to compare for this 1,127-mile move.
Our take
For a move from Olympia, WA, to Riverside, CA, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $2,404 for a studio to $9,457 for a 4+ bedroom home on the 1,127-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,252 - $3,934. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $701 - $1,933, though you'll be handling the driving and loading yourself. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with quotes starting around $2,903 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage included, and 24/7 live customer support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Bourns and California Baptist University.
FAQs: Moving from Olympia, WA, to Riverside, CA
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 is the best time of year to move from Olympia, WA to Riverside, CA?
Aim for a move between October and March, when demand drops and rates tend to be lower across all service types. Peak season runs mid-May through mid-September, and weekends and month-end dates are pricier regardless of season. A midweek, mid-month date outside peak season is your best bet for saving money.
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 Riverside a safe place to live?
Riverside has a safety index of 59.76 out of 100 and a crime index of 40.24, compared to 62.25 and 27.95 in Olympia. 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 Olympia, WA to Riverside, 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 $788 - $1,555. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
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 41% and 26% nationally.