($1,472+) Irvine, CA to Arlington, VA Movers
The cost to move from Irvine, CA to Arlington, VA ranges from $1,352 to $12,115, with an average cost of $4,650. Moves can be as low as $1,472 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 2,660 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 Irvine, CA to Arlington, VA
Moving options from Irvine to Arlington fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,352 - $12,115 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $4,650, and movers handle all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 60% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This particular route covers 2,660 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 2,660-mile route from Irvine to Arlington, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,352 - $6,354 | $1,985 - $3,814 | $1,627 - $3,124 | $1,715 - $3,229 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $3,975 - $7,740 | $2,445 - $5,256 | $1,745 - $3,611 | $1,977 - $4,333 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $7,552 - $12,115 | $3,335 - $7,303 | $2,078 - $4,387 | $2,808 - $5,958 |
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 Irvine, CA to Arlington, VA
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 2,660-mile move from Irvine, California, to Arlington, Virginia, with prices running from $1,352 - $12,115. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $494 - $3,292 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between Irvine and Arlington are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, Irvine movers tend to run around $197 as a base rate plus $75/hour per mover, for comparison.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Irvine to Arlington:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,352 - $6,354
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,975 - $7,740
- 4+ bedrooms: $7,552 - $12,115
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 Irvine to Arlington.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from California to Virginia. 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 Irvine, CA to Arlington, VA
Specialty needs vary by market — 85% of Irvine movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Arlington, 94% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $823 - $8,230 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready85% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Meathead Movers | $329 - $1,975/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $494 - $3,950 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage39% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs44% of local movers | $1,646 - $4,938 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $4,115 - $16,460 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,233 - $2,342 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items64% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: NorthStar Moving Company | $1,646 - $4,115 |
| Piano | Any piano type76% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: NorthStar Moving Company | $1,317 - $5,761 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling35% of local movers | $494 - $2,469 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect28% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: California Movers Local & Long Distance Moving Company | $1,070 - $3,292 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $494 - $24,690+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $494 - $5,761+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Irvine to Arlington?
Look for Virginia Movers & Warehousemen’s Association membership as a baseline when comparing movers in Virginia beyond this list.
- 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 carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Irvine, CA. At that distance, local movers often charge 30% - 40% more because they don't spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments the way national carriers do. If a direct route and faster delivery (averaging 2 days) are priorities, a local mover may be worth considering, but that service comes at a higher price.
Moving container costs from Irvine, CA to Arlington, VA
Moving containers from Irvine, California, to Arlington, Virginia, cost between $1,985 and $7,303. You're in charge of loading, and the timeline is yours to set. U-Haul allows 3 days while PODS gives you a full 30. After that, the company picks it up and delivers it to your new address. Running behind schedule? Storage in Irvine costs roughly $110/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Irvine to Arlington:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,985 - $3,814
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,445 - $5,256
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,335 - $7,303
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Access: Most major container brands operate in both Irvine, CA and Arlington, VA. Still, double-check that a nearby facility is available if you need to access your belongings before delivery.
- Moving labor: Because containers are self-loaded, many customers hire hourly help. Two movers for about 5 hours typically cost around $1,152 in Irvine, CA, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $123 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $247 for larger ones (12 - 16 feet).
- Added contents protection: For more coverage beyond the standard minimum, full-value protection is the typical upgrade, generally 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value. On a $50,000 household, that's roughly $500 - $1,000 as a one-time fee.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a California to Virginia 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 $1,985. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $2,445 - $5,256, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Irvine to Arlington?
- 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 Irvine 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 Irvine:
- California Movers Local & Long Distance Moving Company (5.0/5), 11 years in business
- Sterling Van Lines (4.6/5), 35 years in business
- Merit Moving Systems (4.9/5), 39 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Irvine, CA to Arlington, VA
Renting a moving truck for the 2,660-mile move from Irvine, California, to Arlington, Virginia, costs between $1,627 and $4,387, before these typical add-ons:
- Fuel for the drive: $1,393 - $1,592
- Daily insurance: $49/day
- Equipment rentals: $12 - $33
- Irvine 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 Irvine to Arlington based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,627 - $3,124
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,745 - $3,611
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,078 - $4,387
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $1,627 - $4,387 when pricing out a rental truck from Irvine to Arlington. Fuel alone runs ($1,393 - $1,592) , and overnight lodging ($247/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend an additional $600 - $1,200 beyond the base rate by the time the move is done.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $247 per night. Most long-distance moves with rental trucks require 1 - 3 overnight stops.
- Equipment: Tow dollies, auto trailers, and specialty moving equipment can add between $107 and $535 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $1,393 - $1,592 in fuel for the 2,660-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $1,152 in Irvine, California, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Irvine to Arlington?
- 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 Irvine, CA to Arlington, VA
If you're moving a larger household from Irvine, 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 Arlington, Virginia.
Freight trailers are priced by the linear feet your belongings take up, so you only pay for the space you use. Most moves on this route fall between $1,977 and $4,333.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Irvine to Arlington:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,715 - $3,229
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,977 - $4,333
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,808 - $5,958
Pro tip: Freight trailers offer generous space but reward good packing strategy. The 4-foot ramp can be challenging for large or heavy pieces, and using the full 8-foot height takes careful stacking. Because you're billed by the linear foot, maximizing vertical space keeps your costs lower.
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 $123 - $247 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Irvine, California, for about five hours typically runs $1,152.
What are the best freight companies from Irvine to Arlington?
- 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.
- ALL Service Handling (4.76/5 stars): ALL Service Handling is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Local ownership translates to accessible support staff and facilities based in the communities they serve, giving customers more direct communication than they'd typically get from a national-only freight network.
Pro tip: One of the biggest advantages of freight trailers is speed. For an interstate move, freight delivery is one of the fastest options you have short of driving a rental truck yourself. It's a smart choice when your timeline is firm and you'll be ready to receive your shipment. If there's any chance your new place won't be ready or you need a few weeks of storage, a moving container with built-in storage may serve you better.
Cost of living: Irvine, CA vs Arlington, VA
Day-to-day costs in Arlington are close to what you're used to in Irvine: cost of living index of 164 versus 165, with average rent of $2,718/mo compared to $4,000/mo. Housing, income, and taxes are all in a similar range, so budgeting for this move mostly comes down to the moving costs above rather than a shift in your monthly expenses. Walkability and safety scores are close too, at 43/100 and 68.99/100 in Irvine versus 71/100 and 79.15/100 in Arlington.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Arlington, VA to Irvine, 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 Virginia, 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 374 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 2,660-mile move like this one.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from Irvine, CA, to Arlington, VA, 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 $1,352 - $12,115 on the 2,660-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,985 - $7,303 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $1,627 - $4,387 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $3,975 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 U.S. Department of Defense and Safran.
FAQs: Moving from Irvine, CA, to Arlington, VA
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Irvine, CA to Arlington, VA?
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.
How much does it cost to move from Irvine, CA to Arlington, VA?
Costs on this route range from around $1,352 to $12,115, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,352 and $12,115, 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.
How walkable is Arlington?
Arlington has a walkability score of 71 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 72, compared to 43 and 69 in Irvine. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($1,393 - $1,592), daily insurance ($49/day), and equipment rentals ($12 - $33) on top. Overnight stops can add another $247/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Virginia?
In addition to filing tariffs and complying with insurance, bond, and highway safety requirements, all intrastate moving companies in Virginia must have a certificate from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (VaDMV).
What percentage of Irvine movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 76% of movers in Irvine handle piano moves, and 64% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
