($997+) Sioux Falls, SD to Los Angeles, CA Movers
Moving from Sioux Falls, SD, to Los Angeles, CA, runs anywhere from $977 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $12,406 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,634 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 4 to 15 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 $2,850, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $12,406 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,516 - $5,503, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $977 - $2,900.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Sioux Falls, SD, to Los Angeles, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,633 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 Sioux Falls, SD to Los Angeles, CA
Moving options from Sioux Falls to Los Angeles fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move on this route costs $3,633 - $8,410 and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, while rental trucks land about 60% less, though both require you to load the truck or container yourself. This route spans 1,634 miles and typically takes 4 to 15 days.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,634-mile route from Sioux Falls to Los Angeles, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $2,850 - $6,331 | $1,516 - $2,967 | $977 - $1,876 | $1,298 - $2,645 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $3,633 - $8,410 | $1,920 - $3,991 | $1,157 - $2,233 | $1,582 - $3,193 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $6,886 - $12,406 | $2,697 - $5,503 | $1,429 - $2,900 | $2,031 - $4,233 |
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 Sioux Falls, SD to Los Angeles, CA
Hiring full-service movers from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, to Los Angeles, California, costs between $2,850 and $12,406. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 1,634-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $358 - $2,388, 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 Sioux Falls and Los Angeles. For a rough baseline, movers based in Sioux Falls tend to start around $424 plus $182/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 Sioux Falls to Los Angeles:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,850 - $6,331
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,633 - $8,410
- 4+ bedrooms: $6,886 - $12,406
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 Sioux Falls to Los Angeles.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from South Dakota to California. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
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 Sioux Falls, SD to Los Angeles, CA
Specialty needs vary by market — 71% of Sioux Falls movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Los Angeles, 88% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $597 - $5,970 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready71% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $239 - $1,433/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $358 - $2,866 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage57% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs43% of local movers | $1,194 - $3,582 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,985 - $11,940 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $894 - $1,699 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items43% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Movin' On Out Inc | $1,194 - $2,985 |
| Piano | Any piano type57% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $955 - $4,179 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling43% of local movers | $358 - $1,791 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect14% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Brouwer Relocation Inc | $776 - $2,388 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $358 - $17,910+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $358 - $4,179+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Sioux Falls 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 full-service movers are almost always better priced than local movers in Sioux Falls, SD. 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 Sioux Falls, SD to Los Angeles, CA
Moving containers from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, to Los Angeles, California, cost between $1,516 and $5,503. 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 Sioux Falls runs about $90/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Sioux Falls to Los Angeles:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,516 - $2,967
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,920 - $3,991
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,697 - $5,503
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 Sioux Falls, SD, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $836, 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 $90 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $179 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Sioux Falls, SD, 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 South Dakota 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 $1,516. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,920 - $3,991, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Sioux Falls 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 Sioux Falls 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 Sioux Falls:
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.8/5), 11 years in business
- Movin' On Out Inc (4.4/5), 22 years in business
- Brouwer Relocation Inc (4.9/5), 57 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Sioux Falls, SD to Los Angeles, CA
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 1,634 miles from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, to Los Angeles, California, running $977 - $2,900. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $621 - $709
- Daily insurance: $36/day
- Equipment rentals: $8 - $24
- Sioux Falls daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.59 - $0.79
| 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 Sioux Falls to Los Angeles based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $977 - $1,876
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,157 - $2,233
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,429 - $2,900
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Sioux Falls to Los Angeles starts at $977 - $2,900, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($621 - $709) , overnight lodging ($179/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for an additional $600 - $1,200 on top of your base rate to cover those costs.
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 $90 and $418.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $179.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $621 and $709 for the 1,634-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 $836 for 2 movers in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Sioux Falls 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 Sioux Falls, SD to Los Angeles, CA
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, to Los Angeles, 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. Overall pricing for a move of this size and distance typically lands around $1,582 and $3,193.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Sioux Falls to Los Angeles:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,298 - $2,645
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,582 - $3,193
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,031 - $4,233
Pro tip: Freight pricing rewards efficient packing. Trailers are 8 feet tall and accessed via a 4-foot ramp, so technique matters, especially for heavy pieces. Since each additional linear foot adds to your quote, packing strategically is one of the easiest ways to control costs.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Seasonal demand: Pricing tends to rise during peak moving season, particularly between mid-May and mid-September.
- Moving labor: Most customers hire loading help since freight is self-loaded. Two movers in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $836.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $90 and $179 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Sioux Falls to Los Angeles?
- 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.
- Heyl Truck Lines, Inc. (4.66/5 stars): Heyl Truck Lines, 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 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: Sioux Falls, SD 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 Sioux Falls on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Sioux Falls, SD | Los Angeles, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 91 | 162 |
| Average rent | $1,100/mo | $2,960/mo |
| Median home value | $272,355 | $878,142 |
| Average income | $74,714/yr | $80,366/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 3.2% | 10.6% |
| State income tax | None | Up to 13.3% |
| Walkability score | 38/100 | 69/100 |
| Safety index | 57.17/100 | 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 Sioux Falls, SD guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from South Dakota to California, 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. South Dakota alone has 14 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 1,634-mile move like this one.
Our take
For a move from Sioux Falls, SD, to Los Angeles, CA, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $2,850 for a studio to $12,406 for a 4 - 5 bedroom home on the 1,634-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,516 - $5,503. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $977 - $2,900, 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 $3,633 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 County of Los Angeles and Los Angeles Unified School District.
FAQs: Moving from Sioux Falls, SD, to Los Angeles, CA
How walkable is Los Angeles?
Los Angeles has a walkability score of 69 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 59, compared to 38 and 46 in Sioux Falls. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
How much does it cost to move from Sioux Falls, SD to Los Angeles, CA?
Costs on this route range from around $2,850 to $12,406, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,850 and $12,406, while DIY options like rental trucks and containers come in lower. Moving during peak season (May - September) tends to push prices higher across the board.
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Sioux Falls, SD 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 Sioux Falls?
Local movers based in Sioux Falls typically start around $424 as a base rate, plus $182/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 Sioux Falls, SD to Los Angeles, CA take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 5 - 7 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are usually the fastest option outside of driving yourself, with deliveries in 3 - 5 days, 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 percentage of Sioux Falls movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 57% of movers in Sioux Falls handle piano moves, and 43% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
