($1,181+) Los Angeles, CA to Chattanooga, TN Movers
The cost to move from Los Angeles, CA to Chattanooga, TN ranges from $1,314 to $10,737, with an average cost of $4,000. Moves can be as low as $1,181 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 2,128 miles and usually takes 6 to 17 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 Chattanooga, TN
Moving options from Los Angeles to Chattanooga fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,314 - $10,737 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $4,000, 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 2,128 miles and typically takes 6 to 17 days depending on the service you pick.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 2,128-mile route from Los Angeles to Chattanooga, 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 $1,314 - $5,682 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($1,564 - $3,258), rental truck ($1,217 - $2,233), or freight trailer ($1,496 - $2,904). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $3,562 - $7,437 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $10,737.
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 Los Angeles, CA to Chattanooga, TN
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 2,128-mile move from Los Angeles, California, to Chattanooga, Tennessee, with costs ranging from $1,314 - $10,737. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $400 - $2,664. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Los Angeles and Chattanooga. 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 Chattanooga:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,314 - $5,682
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,562 - $7,437
- 4+ bedrooms: $6,104 - $10,737
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 Chattanooga.
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 Chattanooga, TN
Specialty needs vary by market: 56% of Los Angeles movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Chattanooga, 45% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing78% of local movers | $666 - $6,660 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready56% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: SOS Moving, LLC | $266 - $1,598/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $400 - $3,197 |
| 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 | $1,332 - $3,996 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,330 - $13,320 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $998 - $1,895 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items29% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: SOS Moving, LLC | $1,332 - $3,330 |
| Piano | Any piano type40% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: SOS Moving, LLC | $1,066 - $4,662 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling10% of local movers | $400 - $1,998 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect4% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Silicon Valley Moving and Storage (CA) | $866 - $2,664 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $400 - $19,980+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $400 - $4,662+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Los Angeles to Chattanooga?
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is our pick for best overall value. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 support, and 30 days of free storage make Safeway the clearest value on this list.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. AVL has been moving customers since 1995 and uses full-time in-house crews trained on high-value items like art and antiques.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. One of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, 24/7 monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan against 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 Los Angeles, CA. 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 Los Angeles, CA to Chattanooga, TN
Moving containers from Los Angeles, California, to Chattanooga, Tennessee, cost between $1,564 and $5,824. 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 Los Angeles runs about $110/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Los Angeles to Chattanooga:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,564 - $3,258
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,025 - $4,134
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,008 - $5,824
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $100 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $200 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Chattanooga, TN, 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 $932 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 Tennessee 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 $1,564. 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 $2,025 - $4,134.
What are the best moving containers Los Angeles to Chattanooga?
- 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:
- Box-N-Go, LLC (4.8/5), 19 years in business
- Rigo's Moving Company Inc (4.3/5), 12 years in business
- Best California Movers (5.0/5), 8 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Los Angeles, CA to Chattanooga, TN
A rental truck for this 2,128-mile move from Los Angeles, California, to Chattanooga, Tennessee, costs between $1,217 and $3,426. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $902 - $1,031
- Daily insurance: $40/day
- Equipment rentals: $9 - $27
- 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 Chattanooga based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,217 - $2,233
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,370 - $2,685
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,564 - $3,426
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $1,217 - $3,426 when pricing out a rental truck from Los Angeles to Chattanooga. Fuel alone runs $902 - $1,031, and overnight lodging ($200/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend roughly $600 - $1,200 more on meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging by the time the move is done.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $200 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 Los Angeles, California, usually costs about $932 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 2,128-mile drive falls between $902 and $1,031, 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 $67 and $400 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Los Angeles to Chattanooga?
- 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 Chattanooga, TN
If you're moving a larger household from Los Angeles, California, and want to stay in control of the loading process, freight trailers offer a practical middle ground between hiring movers and renting a truck yourself. A 28-foot trailer is delivered to your door, you load what you need, and the carrier handles the drive to Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Freight trailers are priced by the linear feet your belongings take up, so you only pay for the space you use. A 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route typically falls between $1,772 and $3,307.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Los Angeles to Chattanooga:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,496 - $2,904
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,772 - $3,307
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,407 - $4,472
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 $100 - $200 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 Los Angeles, California, typically costs $932.
What are the best freight companies from Los Angeles to Chattanooga?
- 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 one of the fastest ways to move your belongings interstate, often beating full-service movers on delivery time. If getting your stuff to Chattanooga quickly is a priority, freight is worth a hard look. That said, freight carriers typically require you to be available to receive your shipment within a set window, so if you need short-term storage or your new place won't be ready right away, a container or full-service mover may give you more flexibility.
Cost of living: Los Angeles, CA vs Chattanooga, TN
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Chattanooga, side by side with Los Angeles on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Los Angeles, CA | Chattanooga, TN |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 162 | 90 |
| Average rent | $2,960/mo | $1,475/mo |
| Median home value | $878,142 | $259,125 |
| Average income | $80,366/yr | $61,028/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 10.6% | 5.6% |
| State income tax | Up to 13.3% | None |
| Walkability score | 69/100 | 29/100 |
| Safety index | 46.19/100 | 46.11/100 |
| Air quality | Moderate | 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 Chattanooga, TN to Los Angeles, CA guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from California to Tennessee 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 1,154 movers in our California network to compare for this 2,128-mile move.
Our take
The 2,128-mile move from Los Angeles, CA, to Chattanooga, TN, costs between $1,314 and $10,737 with full-service movers, $1,564 - $5,824 with a moving container, and $1,217 - $3,426 for a rental truck. Your budget and how much heavy lifting you want to do are the two biggest factors in choosing the right option. If you go with full-service movers, Safeway Moving is our top recommendation, with transparent flat-rate pricing starting around $3,562 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage, and 24/7 customer support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Hamilton County and Schools Erlanger.
FAQs: Moving from Los Angeles, CA, to Chattanooga, TN
What is the cheapest way to move from Los Angeles, CA to Chattanooga, TN?
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 $1,370 - $2,685. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What are the best neighborhoods in Chattanooga?
For families, North Shore, St. Elmo, and Lookout Mountain are worth a look in Chattanooga. If you're moving solo or without kids, Southside, Martin Luther King, and Fort Wood tend to be popular picks instead.
How long does a move from Los Angeles, CA to Chattanooga, TN take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 6 to 17 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are often one of the faster options outside of driving yourself, 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 do local movers charge in Los Angeles?
Local movers based in Los Angeles typically start around $200 as a base rate, plus $100/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 Chattanooga run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Los Angeles, CA to Chattanooga, TN?
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 41% and 26% nationally.