($1,389+) Irvine, CA to Arlington, VA Movers
The cost to move from Irvine, CA to Arlington, VA ranges from $1,236 to $12,141, with an average cost of $4,350. Moves can be as low as $1,389 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.
Fact Checked by:
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 $1,236 - $12,141 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $4,350, and movers handle all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 36% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 59% 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 | $1,236 - $6,110 | $1,928 - $3,597 | $1,520 - $2,889 | $1,701 - $3,109 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $3,900 - $7,685 | $2,498 - $4,857 | $1,599 - $3,372 | $2,018 - $4,207 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $7,407 - $12,141 | $3,377 - $7,093 | $1,980 - $3,972 | $2,754 - $5,619 |
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 Irvine, CA to Arlington, VA
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 2,660-mile move from Irvine, California, to Arlington, Virginia, with costs ranging from $1,236 - $12,141. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $494 - $3,292. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Irvine and Arlington. Local movers in Irvine typically start around $197 as a base rate plus $75/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Irvine to Arlington:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,236 - $6,110
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,900 - $7,685
- 4+ bedrooms: $7,407 - $12,141
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.
Pro tip: Avoiding peak moving season dates (May - September) is one of the easiest ways to reduce costs. Off-season moves typically come with lower pricing and more room to negotiate since movers have fewer bookings.
Don't see your company listed?
Reach customers actively searching for trusted movers in your area. Tell us about your company and services to get your business listed on moveBuddha.
Specialty moving services from Irvine, CA to Arlington, VA
Specialty needs vary by market: 56% of Irvine movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Arlington, 70% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing77% of local movers | $823 - $8,230 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready56% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: NorthStar Moving Company | $329 - $1,975/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $494 - $3,950 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage12% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs53% 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 items29% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: NorthStar Moving Company | $1,646 - $4,115 |
| Piano | Any piano type38% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: NorthStar Moving Company | $1,317 - $5,761 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling10% of local movers | $494 - $2,469 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect5% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Silicon Valley Moving and Storage (CA) | $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?
Movers licensed to operate in Virginia are typically members of the Virginia Movers & Warehousemen’s Association, worth checking for before you book any of the three below.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 customer support, and 30 days of free storage are included with every move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list, 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, combining 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 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 $1,928 and $7,093. 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: $1,928 - $3,597
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,498 - $4,857
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,377 - $7,093
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $123 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $247 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 $1,152 in Irvine, CA, 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 Arlington, VA, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
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 $1,928. 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 $2,498 - $4,857.
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:
- Meathead Movers (4.7/5), 24 years in business
- Best Fit Movers (4.8/5), 8 years in business
- Maison Moving (4.6/5), 18 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Irvine, CA to Arlington, VA
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 2,660 miles from Irvine, California, to Arlington, Virginia, running $1,520 - $3,972. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- 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: $1,520 - $2,889
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,599 - $3,372
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,980 - $3,972
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Irvine to Arlington starts at $1,520 - $3,972, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($1,393 - $1,592), overnight lodging ($247/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 $123 and $576.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $247.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $1,393 and $1,592 for the 2,660-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 $1,152 for 2 movers in Irvine, California, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
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. A 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route typically falls between $2,018 and $4,207.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Irvine to Arlington:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,701 - $3,109
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,018 - $4,207
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,754 - $5,619
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 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 $123 and $247.
- 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 Irvine, California, for roughly five hours typically average $1,152.
What are the best freight companies from Irvine to Arlington?
- 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: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Irvine to Arlington. If you have a hard move-in date and want your stuff there as soon as possible, freight is hard to beat. It's worth noting that freight works best when you're ready to receive your delivery, so if your move-in date is still up in the air or you'll need short-term storage, a moving container is likely the more practical choice.
Cost of living: Irvine, CA vs Arlington, VA
There's not a big cost-of-living gap between Irvine and Arlington to plan around. Cost of living index: 165 vs. 164. Average rent: $4,000/mo vs. $2,718/mo. The bigger factor in your budget is the one-time cost of the move itself, covered above. Walkability: 43 vs. 71. Safety index: 68.99 vs. 79.15.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Arlington, VA to Irvine, CA guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from California to Virginia, 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 1,154 movers in California, so you have real options to compare for this 2,660-mile move.
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 $1,236 - $12,141 on the 2,660-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,928 - $7,093 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $1,520 - $3,972 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $3,900 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 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 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.
How much does it cost to move from Irvine, CA to Arlington, VA?
Costs on this route range from around $1,389 to $12,141, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,236 and $12,141, 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 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.
What do local movers charge in Irvine?
Local movers based in Irvine typically start around $197 as a base rate, plus $75/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 Arlington run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
What percentage of Irvine movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 38% of movers in Irvine handle piano moves, and 29% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.