($1,690+) Los Angeles, CA to Boston, MA Movers
The cost to move from Los Angeles, CA to Boston, MA ranges from $1,469 to $12,720, with an average cost of $4,950. Moves can be as low as $1,690 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 2,984 miles and usually takes 7 to 21 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.
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Compare moving options from Los Angeles, CA to Boston, MA
Moving options from Los Angeles to Boston fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,469 - $12,720 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $4,950, and movers handle all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 43% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 62% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This particular route covers 2,984 miles and typically takes 7 to 21 days depending on the service you pick.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 2,984-mile route from Los Angeles to Boston, broken down by home size:
- Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $1,469 - $6,356, container $2,076 - $3,776, rental truck $1,575 - $3,247, freight trailer $1,851 - $3,363.
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $4,430 - $8,721, container $2,536 - $5,479, rental truck $1,689 - $3,866, freight trailer $2,133 - $4,339.
- 4+ bedrooms: full-service $7,853 - $12,720, container $3,432 - $7,564, rental truck $2,336 - $4,841, freight trailer $2,804 - $5,752.
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 Los Angeles, CA to Boston, MA
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 2,984-mile move from Los Angeles, California, to Boston, Massachusetts, with costs ranging from $1,469 - $12,720. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $473 - $3,152. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Los Angeles and Boston. Local movers in Los Angeles typically start around $200 as a base rate plus $100/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Los Angeles to Boston:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,469 - $6,356
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $4,430 - $8,721
- 4+ bedrooms: $7,853 - $12,720
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 Los Angeles to Boston.
Pro tip: Moving company rates climb during peak moving season (May –-September) when demand peaks. Scheduling your move outside of that window can lead to noticeably lower costs and better availability.
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Specialty moving services from Los Angeles, CA to Boston, MA
Specialty needs vary by market: 56% of Los Angeles movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Boston, 76% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing78% of local movers | $788 - $7,880 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready56% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Rigo's Moving Company Inc | $315 - $1,891/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $473 - $3,782 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage14% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs53% of local movers | $1,576 - $4,728 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,940 - $15,760 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,180 - $2,243 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items29% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Rigo's Moving Company Inc | $1,576 - $3,940 |
| Piano | Any piano type40% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: Rigo's Moving Company Inc | $1,261 - $5,516 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling10% of local movers | $473 - $2,364 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect4% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: 5 Star Moving | $1,024 - $3,152 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $473 - $23,640+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $473 - $5,516+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Los Angeles to Boston?
If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in Massachusetts Movers 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 van lines are the smarter financial choice over local movers in Los Angeles, CA. Local companies can run 30% - 40% more at that range since they don't consolidate shipments the way interstate carriers do. If a direct, dedicated route with an average 2-day delivery appeals to you, a local mover could be worth it, but that convenience comes at a cost.
Moving container costs from Los Angeles, CA to Boston, MA
Moving containers from Los Angeles, California, to Boston, Massachusetts, cost between $2,076 and $7,564. You load everything on your own schedule (U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30). When you're ready, the company takes care of getting the container from point A to point B. Need more time than that? Extra storage in Los Angeles typically runs around $110/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Los Angeles to Boston:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,076 - $3,776
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,536 - $5,479
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,432 - $7,564
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $118 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $236 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Boston, MA, 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 $1,103 in Los Angeles, CA. 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 California to Massachusetts 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 $2,076. 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 $2,536 - $5,479.
What are the best moving containers Los Angeles to Boston?
- 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 Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles:
- Rigo's Moving Company Inc (4.3/5), 12 years in business
- Move Central Moving & Storage (3.9/5), 14 years in business
- Best California Movers (5.0/5), 8 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Los Angeles, CA to Boston, MA
Truck rentals from Los Angeles, California, to Boston, Massachusetts, range from $1,575 - $4,841 for the 2,984-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $1,496 - $1,710
- Daily insurance: $47/day
- Equipment rentals: $11 - $32
- Los Angeles daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.79 - $1.09
| 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 Los Angeles to Boston based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,575 - $3,247
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,689 - $3,866
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,336 - $4,841
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Los Angeles to Boston starts at $1,575 - $4,841, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($1,496 - $1,710), overnight lodging ($236/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for roughly $600 - $1,200 more on top of fuel and lodging to cover meals, equipment, and other extras.
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 $118 and $552.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $236.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $1,496 and $1,710 for the 2,984-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 $1,103 for 2 movers in Los Angeles, California, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Los Angeles to Boston?
- 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 Los Angeles, CA to Boston, MA
For larger DIY moves from Los Angeles, California, freight trailers give you plenty of room without putting you behind the wheel. Standard trailers are 28 feet long. You load the section you need, and the carrier transports everything to Boston, Massachusetts.
Because freight companies bill by linear footage, your total is based on how much of the trailer you occupy, not the full length. For a 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route, pricing typically falls between $2,133 and $4,339.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Los Angeles to Boston:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,851 - $3,363
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,133 - $4,339
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,804 - $5,752
Pro tip: A 4-foot ramp sounds simple, but heavy or awkward furniture can make the climb tricky. With 8 feet of height to work with, smart vertical stacking is key. Since freight companies charge by the linear foot, every extra foot you use adds to the bill.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- More space: Freight pricing is based on exactly how much of the trailer you fill. If your items take up more than expected, the added footage can increase your cost by between $118 and $236.
- Peak season impact: Moving during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) often means higher trailer rates as demand increases across the board.
- Moving labor: Unless you plan to load everything yourself, factor in labor costs. Two movers in Los Angeles, California, for roughly five hours typically average $1,103.
What are the best freight companies from Los Angeles to Boston?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the best for large moves pick. While it's a top moving container option for the DIY hybrid setup (you handle the loading, they handle the driving), the same approach makes it a strong freight choice for 3 to 5+ bedroom homes that need 53 feet of trailer capacity with pay-as-you-go pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer here. In addition to their popular container service, U-Pack delivers a top-tier freight trailer option that uses the same pay-by-the-foot pricing model and skips deposits and upfront fees entirely.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in Boston 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: Los Angeles, CA vs Boston, MA
Day-to-day costs in Boston are close to what you're used to in Los Angeles: cost of living index of 151 versus 162, with average rent of $3,400/mo compared to $2,960/mo. With an index gap that small, budgeting for this move mostly comes down to the moving costs above rather than a shift in your monthly expenses. For reference, walkability and safety scores are 69/100 and 46.19/100 in Los Angeles versus 98/100 and 60.12/100 in Boston.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Boston, MA to Los Angeles, CA guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from California to Massachusetts, 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. California alone has 1,126 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 2,984-mile move like this one.
Our take
For a move from Los Angeles, CA, to Boston, MA, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $1,469 for a studio to $12,720 for a 4+ bedroom home on the 2,984-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $2,076 - $7,564. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $1,575 - $4,841, 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 $4,430 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 General Electric and Fidelity Investments.
FAQs: Moving from Los Angeles, CA, to Boston, MA
How do I know a mover is licensed in Massachusetts?
Moving companies in Massachusetts are required to obtain a license from the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities – Transportation Oversight Division to provide local and intrastate moving services in Massachusetts movers must carry adequate cargo insurance and publicly file their tariffs required to list the services they provide and the cost for each.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($1,496 - $1,710), daily insurance ($47/day), and equipment rentals ($11 - $32) on top. Overnight stops can add another $236/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How walkable is Boston?
Boston has a walkability score of 98 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 86, compared to 69 and 59 in Los Angeles. 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 Los Angeles, CA to Boston, MA?
Costs on this route range from around $1,690 to $12,720, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,469 and $12,720, 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 Los Angeles, CA to Boston, MA?
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 percentage of Los Angeles movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 40% of movers in Los Angeles handle piano moves, and 29% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.