($1,509+) Seattle, WA to Rochester, NY Movers
Moving from Seattle, WA, to Rochester, NY, runs anywhere from $1,509 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $14,261 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 2,652 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 7 to 21 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 $2,862, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $14,261 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,876 - $6,695, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,509 - $4,313.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Seattle, WA, to Rochester, NY. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $4,407 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 Rochester, NY
There are 3 main ways to move from Seattle to Rochester: 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 $4,407 - $8,418. Containers cost roughly 44% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 64% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 2,652 miles, expect 7 to 21 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 2,652-mile route from Seattle to Rochester, broken down by home size:
- A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $2,862 - $6,307 with full-service movers, $1,876 - $3,640 with a container, $1,509 - $2,953 with a rental truck, or $1,688 - $3,309 by freight.
- A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $4,407 - $8,418 full-service, $2,480 - $5,118 by container, $1,586 - $3,311 by rental truck, or $1,945 - $3,892 by freight.
- A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $7,721 - $14,261 full-service, $3,518 - $6,695 by container, $2,126 - $4,313 by rental truck, or $2,814 - $5,411 by freight.
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 Seattle, WA to Rochester, NY
For the 2,652-mile move from Seattle, Washington, to Rochester, New York, full-service movers cost between $2,862 and $14,261. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $391 - $2,608 (1 - 5+ bedrooms), crews will pack your boxes. The weight of your shipment and the mileage between the two cities are what drive your final cost. For scale, local movers in Seattle generally start around $260 plus $141 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Seattle to Rochester:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,862 - $6,307
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $4,407 - $8,418
- 4+ bedrooms: $7,721 - $14,261
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 Rochester.
Pro tip: Demand for full-service movers surges during peak moving season from May - September, pushing prices higher. Shifting your move to a cooler month could save you a meaningful amount on your total bill.
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Specialty moving services from Seattle, WA to Rochester, NY
Specialty needs vary by market: 57% of Seattle movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Rochester, 71% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing69% of local movers | $652 - $6,520 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready57% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Gentle Giant Moving Company | $261 - $1,565/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $391 - $3,130 |
| 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 | $1,304 - $3,912 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,260 - $13,040 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $977 - $1,856 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items26% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Gentle Giant Moving Company | $1,304 - $3,260 |
| Piano | Any piano type32% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: Gentle Giant Moving Company | $1,043 - $4,564 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling7% of local movers | $391 - $1,956 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect8% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $848 - $2,608 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $391 - $19,560+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $391 - $4,564+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Seattle to Rochester?
All three below meet the standards set by the New York State Movers & Warehousemen’s Association, the group most New York 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 full-service movers are almost always better priced than local movers in Seattle, 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 Seattle, WA to Rochester, NY
Moving containers from Seattle, Washington, to Rochester, New York, cost between $1,876 and $6,695. 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 Seattle runs about $120/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Seattle to Rochester:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,876 - $3,640
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,480 - $5,118
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,518 - $6,695
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $98 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $196 per month for larger units (12 - 16 feet).
- Moving labor: Containers don't come with loading help, so many customers hire hourly movers for the job. Two movers for about 5 hours will run you around $913 in Seattle, WA, per moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Standard coverage only reimburses by weight. Full-value protection gives you more complete coverage for higher-value items and typically costs 1% - 2% of your total declared value, around $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 shipment.
- Access: National providers generally operate in both cities, but verify that a facility near your Rochester, NY, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Washington to New York 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 $1,876. 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 $2,480 - $5,118.
What are the best moving containers Seattle to Rochester?
- 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 Rochester, NY
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 2,652 miles from Seattle, Washington, to Rochester, New York, running $1,509 - $4,313. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $1,100 - $1,258
- Daily insurance: $39/day
- Equipment rentals: $9 - $26
- 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 Rochester based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,509 - $2,953
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,586 - $3,311
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,126 - $4,313
Pro tip: The base rate of $1,509 - $4,313 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Seattle to Rochester. Fuel ($1,100 - $1,258), lodging at around $196/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 Seattle, Washington, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $913.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $1,100 - $1,258 for the 2,652-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 $78 and $424, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $196 per night for hotel stops on the 2,652-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $391 - $587.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Seattle to Rochester?
- 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 Rochester, NY
Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from Seattle, Washington, to Rochester, New York. 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 $1,174 and $3,892.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Seattle to Rochester:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,688 - $3,309
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,945 - $3,892
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,814 - $5,411
Pro tip: Loading a freight trailer is a bit different from filling a container. The 4-foot ramp can be steep with large items, and getting the most out of 8 feet of vertical clearance takes planning. Since pricing is based on linear feet used, every inch of wasted space has a cost.
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 $98 - $196 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 Seattle, Washington, typically costs $913.
What are the best freight companies from Seattle to Rochester?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the pick for best for large moves. The company is well-regarded as a top moving container option for its load-it-yourself, we-drive-it model, and that same model makes it a strong freight option for larger homes that benefit from the company's 53-foot trucks and footage-based pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Alongside their flagship container service, U-Pack provides a top-notch freight trailer option that follows the same model: no deposits, no upfront fees, and pricing based on the linear footage you actually use.
Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from Seattle to Rochester, freight trailers are one of the fastest interstate options available, second only to renting a truck and driving it yourself. The tradeoff is that freight works best when you're ready to receive your belongings on the other end. If your timeline is tight on the receiving side or you need a short storage buffer, a moving container might be a better fit.
Cost of living: Seattle, WA vs Rochester, NY
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Rochester, side by side with Seattle on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Seattle, WA | Rochester, NY |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 158 | 89 |
| Average rent | $1,975/mo | $1,250/mo |
| Median home value | $911,938 | $120,492 |
| Average income | $121,984/yr | $46,628/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 4.8% | 9.8% |
| State income tax | None | Up to 10.9% |
| Walkability score | 74/100 | 61/100 |
| Safety index | 49.23/100 | 36.66/100 |
| Air quality | Good | 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 Rochester, NY to Seattle, WA guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from Washington to New York, 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 265 movers in Washington, so you have real options to compare for this 2,652-mile move.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from Seattle, WA, to Rochester, NY, comes down to your budget and how much time and work you're able to put into it. Hands-off relocations handled by full-service movers range from $2,862 - $14,261 on the 2,652-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,876 - $6,695 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $1,509 - $4,313 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $4,407 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and 24/7 live support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Wegmans Food Markets and Paychex.
FAQs: Moving from Seattle, WA, to Rochester, NY
Is Rochester a safe place to live?
Rochester has a safety index of 36.66 out of 100 and a crime index of 37.54, compared to 49.23 and 58.88 in Seattle. 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 Seattle, WA to Rochester, NY?
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. New York also has a hurricane season running June through November, worth factoring into your timing if you have flexibility. A midweek, mid-month date outside peak season is your best bet for saving money.
How do I know a mover is licensed in New York?
New York requires moving companies to have a license and obtain a New York Department of Transportation (NYDOT) number. A NYDOT license ensures your mover is in compliance with the state's safety, insurance, and operational regulations.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($1,100 - $1,258), daily insurance ($39/day), and equipment rentals ($9 - $26) on top. Overnight stops can add another $196/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
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 40% and 26% nationally.