($612+) Portland, OR to Los Angeles, CA Movers
Moving from Portland, OR, to Los Angeles, CA, runs anywhere from $612 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,585 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 963 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 2 to 7 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 $2,369, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $8,585 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,120 - $3,640, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $612 - $1,727.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Portland, OR, to Los Angeles, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,707 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 Portland, OR to Los Angeles, CA
There are 3 main ways to move from Portland to Los Angeles: 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 $2,707 - $6,471. Containers cost roughly 45% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 75% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 963 miles, expect 2 to 7 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 963-mile route from Portland to Los Angeles, broken down by home size:
- Full-service movers: $2,369 for a studio up to $8,585 for a 4+ bedroom home.
- Moving containers: $1,120 - $3,640 depending on home size.
- Rental trucks: $612 - $1,727, the lowest-cost option across the board.
- Freight trailers: $1,049 - $3,218, 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 October 30, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Portland, OR to Los Angeles, CA
Full-service movers for the 963-mile relocation from Portland, Oregon, to Los Angeles, California, cost between $2,369 and $8,585. 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 $425 - $2,832, 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 Portland typically charge a base rate around $278 plus $130 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Portland to Los Angeles:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,369 - $5,613
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,707 - $6,471
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,431 - $8,585
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 Portland 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 Portland, OR to Los Angeles, CA
Specialty needs vary by market: 57% of Portland 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 packing73% of local movers | $708 - $7,080 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready57% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: 2 Brothers Moving & Delivery | $283 - $1,699/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $425 - $3,398 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage17% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs56% of local movers | $1,416 - $4,248 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,540 - $14,160 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,061 - $2,015 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items26% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: All Service Moving | $1,416 - $3,540 |
| Piano | Any piano type34% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: 2 Brothers Moving & Delivery | $1,133 - $4,956 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling10% of local movers | $425 - $2,124 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect11% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $920 - $2,832 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $425 - $21,240+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $425 - $4,956+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Portland to Los Angeles?
California Moving & Storage Association membership is a quick way to confirm a mover is legitimate in California, on top of the picks below.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing means no surprise charges on moving day, and their support team is consistently rated among the most responsive in the industry.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here, 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, with 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 Portland, OR. 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 Portland, OR to Los Angeles, CA
Moving containers from Portland, Oregon, to Los Angeles, California, cost between $1,120 and $3,640. With a moving container, you load on your own schedule. U-Haul gives you 3 days to fill yours, while PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're ready, the company transports it straight to your new place. Need more time first? Storage in Portland typically costs about $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Portland to Los Angeles:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,120 - $2,204
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,484 - $3,063
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,960 - $3,640
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $106 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $212 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Los Angeles, 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 $991 in Portland, OR. 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 Oregon 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 $1,120. 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 $1,484 - $3,063.
What are the best moving containers Portland 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 Portland 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 Portland:
- 2 Brothers Moving & Delivery (4.9/5), 18 years in business
- PDX Movers (4.8/5), 14 years in business
- Bellhop Moving (4.6/5), 12 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Portland, OR to Los Angeles, CA
Plan on $612 - $1,727 for a rental moving truck on the 963-mile route from Portland, Oregon, to Los Angeles, California. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $434 - $496
- Daily insurance: $42/day
- Equipment rentals: $10 - $28
- Portland daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.89 - $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 Portland to Los Angeles based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $612 - $1,255
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $675 - $1,449
- 4+ bedrooms: $889 - $1,727
Pro tip: The base rate of $612 - $1,727 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Portland to Los Angeles. Fuel ($434 - $496), lodging at around $212/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 $212 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 Portland, Oregon, usually costs about $991 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 963-mile drive falls between $434 and $496, 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 $71 and $425 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Portland 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 Portland, OR to Los Angeles, CA
Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from Portland, Oregon, to Los Angeles, California. Standard trailers run 28 feet long, and you're only charged for the portion you actually fill. The carrier drops the trailer off, you load it at your own pace, and they handle the drive to your new city.
Pricing is based entirely on the linear footage your shipment occupies, not the full trailer length. Most long-distance freight moves land somewhere between $1,274 and $2,404.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Portland to Los Angeles:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,049 - $1,907
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,234 - $2,404
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,568 - $3,218
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 $106 - $212 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Portland, Oregon, for about five hours typically runs $991.
What are the best freight companies from Portland to Los Angeles?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is our pick for best for large moves. The company is best known as a top moving container option for its hybrid model where you load and they drive, and that same model translates well to freight thanks to their 53-foot trucks and pay-by-the-foot pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Beyond their flagship container service, U-Pack also runs freight trailers with the same no-deposit, no-upfront-fee model, charging only for the linear footage you actually fill.
Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Portland to Los Angeles. 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: Portland, OR vs Los Angeles, CA
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Los Angeles, side by side with Portland on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Portland, OR | Los Angeles, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 128 | 162 |
| Average rent | $1,530/mo | $2,960/mo |
| Median home value | $556,420 | $878,142 |
| Average income | $88,792/yr | $80,366/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 6.9% | 10.6% |
| State income tax | Up to 9.9% | Up to 13.3% |
| Walkability score | 81/100 | 69/100 |
| Safety index | 42.63/100 | 46.19/100 |
| 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 Los Angeles, CA to Portland, OR guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from Oregon 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 104 movers in Oregon, so you have real options to compare for this 963-mile move.
Our take
A move from Portland, OR, to Los Angeles, CA, gives you several options depending on your budget and how much you want to do yourself. Full-service movers handle everything but cost the most, ranging from $2,369 - $8,585 on the 963-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,120 - $3,640, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $612 - $1,727. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $2,707 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and round-the-clock live 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 Portland, OR, to Los Angeles, CA
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 Portland, OR 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 $675 - $1,449. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
Is Los Angeles a safe place to live?
Los Angeles has a safety index of 46.19 out of 100 and a crime index of 53.81, compared to 42.63 and 57.37 in Portland. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
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.
What is the best time of year to move from Portland, OR to Los Angeles, 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 percentage of Portland movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 34% of movers in Portland handle piano moves, and 26% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.