($776+) Irvine, CA to Seattle, WA Movers
The cost to move from Irvine, CA to Seattle, WA ranges from $1,326 to $8,792, with an average cost of $3,300. Moves can be as low as $776 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 1,179 miles and usually takes 2 to 8 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 Seattle, WA
Moving options from Irvine to Seattle fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,326 - $8,792 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $3,300, 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 1,179 miles and typically takes 2 to 8 days depending on the service you pick.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,179-mile route from Irvine to Seattle, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,326 - $5,110 | $1,246 - $2,528 | $768 - $1,494 | $1,180 - $2,058 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,832 - $6,854 | $1,589 - $3,421 | $873 - $1,689 | $1,352 - $2,577 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,552 - $8,792 | $2,377 - $4,528 | $1,055 - $2,123 | $1,883 - $3,374 |
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 Seattle, WA
Hiring full-service movers from Irvine, California, to Seattle, Washington, costs between $1,326 and $8,792. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 1,179-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $487 - $3,244, 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 Irvine and Seattle. For a rough baseline, movers based in Irvine tend to start around $197 plus $75/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 Irvine to Seattle:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,326 - $5,110
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,832 - $6,854
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,552 - $8,792
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 Seattle.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from California to Washington. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: Peak moving season (May - September) limits truck availability and pushes up full-service moving costs. Booking during slower months can give you more scheduling room and a lower final price.
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 Seattle, WA
Specialty needs vary by market — 85% of Irvine movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Seattle, 92% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $811 - $8,110 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready85% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Meathead Movers | $324 - $1,946/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $487 - $3,893 |
| 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 | $1,622 - $4,866 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $4,055 - $16,220 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,215 - $2,308 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items64% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: NorthStar Moving Company | $1,622 - $4,055 |
| Piano | Any piano type76% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: NorthStar Moving Company | $1,298 - $5,677 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling35% of local movers | $487 - $2,433 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect28% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: California Movers Local & Long Distance Moving Company | $1,054 - $3,244 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $487 - $24,330+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $487 - $5,677+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Irvine to Seattle?
If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in Washington Movers Conference 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 full-service movers are almost always better priced than local movers in Irvine, 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 Irvine, CA to Seattle, WA
Moving containers from Irvine, California, to Seattle, Washington, cost between $1,246 and $4,528. 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 Irvine runs about $110/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Irvine to Seattle:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,246 - $2,528
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,589 - $3,421
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,377 - $4,528
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 Irvine, CA, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $1,135, 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 $122 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $243 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Irvine, CA, and Seattle, WA, 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 California to Washington 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 $1,246. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,589 - $3,421, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Irvine to Seattle?
- 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 Seattle, WA
Plan on $768 - $2,123 for a rental moving truck on the 1,179-mile route from Irvine, California, to Seattle, Washington. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $608 - $695
- Daily insurance: $49/day
- Equipment rentals: $11 - $32
- 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 Seattle based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $768 - $1,494
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $873 - $1,689
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,055 - $2,123
Pro tip: A rental truck from Irvine to Seattle looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $768 - $2,123. But once you factor in fuel ($608 - $695) , overnight lodging ($243/night), meals, and equipment rentals, most people end up spending $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate suggests. Building that into your budget upfront saves you from sticker shock at the end of the move.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $243 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 Irvine, California, usually costs about $1,135 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 1,179-mile drive falls between $608 and $695, 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 $81 and $487 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Irvine to Seattle?
- 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 Seattle, WA
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 Seattle, Washington.
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 $1,352 and $2,577.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Irvine to Seattle:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,180 - $2,058
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,352 - $2,577
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,883 - $3,374
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?
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In Irvine, California, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $1,135.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $122 - $243 per additional foot to your total.
- Time of year: Rates tend to climb during peak moving season (mid-May through mid-September) when trailer demand is at its highest.
What are the best freight companies from Irvine to Seattle?
- 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: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in Seattle 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: Irvine, CA vs Seattle, WA
There's not a big cost-of-living gap between Irvine and Seattle to plan around. Cost of living index: 165 vs. 158. Average rent: $4,000/mo vs. $1,975/mo. The bigger factor in your budget is the one-time cost of the move itself, covered above. Walkability: 43 vs. 74. Safety index: 68.99 vs. 49.23.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Seattle, WA to Irvine, CA guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from California to Washington, 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 374 movers in California, so you have real options to compare for this 1,179-mile move.
Our take
A move from Irvine, CA, to Seattle, WA, gives you several options depending on your budget and how much you want to do yourself. Full-service movers handle everything but cost the most, ranging from $1,326 - $8,792 on the 1,179-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,246 - $4,528, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $768 - $2,123. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $2,832 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and round-the-clock live support.
Beyond the move itself, people who've relocated to Seattle tend to point to beautiful nature and ample economic opportunity, though high cost of living and rainy weather come up as common complaints. Major employers in the area include Amazon.com and Starbucks.
FAQs: Moving from Irvine, CA, to Seattle, WA
Is Seattle a safe place to live?
Seattle has a safety index of 49.23 out of 100 and a crime index of 58.88, compared to 68.99 and 31.01 in Irvine. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What is the cheapest way to move from Irvine, CA to Seattle, WA?
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 $873 - $1,689. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What are the best neighborhoods in Seattle?
For families, Greenwood, Laurelhurst, and Magnolia are worth a look in Seattle. If you're moving solo or without kids, Ballard, Capitol Hill, and Fremont tend to be popular picks instead.
How long does a move from Irvine, CA to Seattle, WA 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 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 Seattle 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 76% of movers in Irvine handle piano moves, and 64% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
