($725+) Irvine, CA to Seattle, WA Movers
The cost to move from Irvine, CA to Seattle, WA ranges from $1,132 to $8,628, with an average cost of $3,100. Moves can be as low as $725 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.
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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 $1,132 - $8,628 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $3,100, and movers handle all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 39% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 69% 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 | $1,132 - $4,625 | $1,188 - $2,203 | $732 - $1,339 | $1,157 - $2,146 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,618 - $6,340 | $1,609 - $3,226 | $815 - $1,760 | $1,262 - $2,405 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,607 - $8,628 | $2,136 - $4,145 | $1,005 - $2,003 | $1,725 - $3,249 |
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 Seattle, WA
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 1,179-mile move from Irvine, California, to Seattle, Washington, with costs ranging from $1,132 - $8,628. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $487 - $3,244. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Irvine and Seattle. 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 Seattle:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,132 - $4,625
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,618 - $6,340
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,607 - $8,628
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.
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 Seattle, WA
Specialty needs vary by market: 56% of Irvine movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Seattle, 57% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing77% of local movers | $811 - $8,110 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready56% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: NorthStar Moving Company | $324 - $1,946/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $487 - $3,893 |
| 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 | $1,622 - $4,866 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $4,055 - $16,220 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,215 - $2,308 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items29% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: NorthStar Moving Company | $1,622 - $4,055 |
| Piano | Any piano type38% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: NorthStar Moving Company | $1,298 - $5,677 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling10% of local movers | $487 - $2,433 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect5% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Silicon Valley Moving and Storage (CA) | $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?
Look for Washington Movers Conference membership as a baseline when comparing movers in Washington 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 full-service movers are the more cost-efficient choice. Local movers in Irvine, CA, often charge 30% - 40% more at that distance because their operations aren't built for long-haul logistics. The exception is if you want a dedicated point-to-point truck with an average 2-day delivery, though that level of service generally increases your total cost.
Moving container costs from Irvine, CA to Seattle, WA
Moving containers from Irvine, California, to Seattle, Washington, cost between $1,188 and $4,145. A container is delivered to your home and you load it on your own time. Loading windows vary by company: U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30. From there, the company takes over and transports it to Seattle. If you go over that window, storage in Irvine adds around $110/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Irvine to Seattle:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,188 - $2,203
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,609 - $3,226
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,136 - $4,145
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Containers are self-loaded, so many people hire hourly help for the heavy lifting. moveBuddha data shows two movers for about five hours runs around $1,135 in Irvine, CA. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: If you want stronger coverage than the default liability, full-value protection is the upgrade to consider. Most providers charge 1% - 2% of your shipment value, roughly $500 - $1,000 for $50,000 in contents.
- Storage: After the first month, rental fees average $122 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $243 per month for a larger 12- to 16-foot unit.
- Access: If you anticipate needing to access items while in storage, confirm there's a facility conveniently located near your Seattle, WA, destination before booking.
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 $1,188. 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 $1,609 - $3,226.
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:
- 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 Seattle, WA
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 1,179 miles from Irvine, California, to Seattle, Washington, running $732 - $2,003. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- 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: $732 - $1,339
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $815 - $1,760
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,005 - $2,003
Pro tip: A rental truck from Irvine to Seattle looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $732 - $2,003. But once you factor in fuel ($608 - $695), overnight lodging ($243/night), meals, and equipment rentals, most people end up spending roughly $600 - $1,200 more on meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging. Building that into your budget upfront saves you from sticker shock at the end of the move.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Gas: Fuel adds $608 - $695 for the 1,179-mile drive, depending on whether your rental truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: You'll handle the heavy lifting unless you bring in help. Two movers in Irvine, California, for about 5 hours typically costs around $1,135.
- Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
- Lodging: The 1,179-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $243 per night, adding $487 - $730 in hotel costs total.
- Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $81 and $487.
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
Freight trailers are a good fit for medium-to-large moves where you need more space than a container but don't want to drive a rental truck from Irvine, California, to Seattle, Washington. The trailer is delivered to your address, you load it, and the carrier takes it the rest of the way.
Unlike truck rentals with flat rates, freight trailers scale with your shipment. Every additional section of trailer space you fill increases your total. A 2 - 3 bedroom long-distance move using this method runs roughly between $1,262 and $2,405.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Irvine to Seattle:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,157 - $2,146
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,262 - $2,405
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,725 - $3,249
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?
- 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 $122 - $243 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Irvine, California, for about five hours typically runs $1,135.
What are the best freight companies from Irvine to Seattle?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Primarily known as a top moving container option for its DIY hybrid model where customers load and the company drives, MovingYourself also functions as a strong freight option thanks to its 53-foot trucks and pay-only-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. Best known for its container service, U-Pack also runs a top-notch freight trailer operation with the same no-deposit, pay-by-the-foot approach that keeps overall costs lower than most freight competitors.
Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Irvine to Seattle. 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 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 use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from California to Washington 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 1,179-mile move.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from Irvine, CA, to Seattle, WA, 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 $1,132 - $8,628 on the 1,179-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,188 - $4,145 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $732 - $2,003 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $2,618 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and 24/7 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
What size moving truck do I need for this route?
Rental trucks generally range from 10 to 26 feet. A 15- to 17-foot truck covers most 2-bedroom moves, while a smaller 10- to 12-foot truck works for a studio or 1-bedroom. Homes with 4 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
How much does it cost to move from Irvine, CA to Seattle, WA?
Costs on this route range from around $725 to $8,628, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,132 and $8,628, 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 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 $815 - $1,760. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($608 - $695), daily insurance ($49/day), and equipment rentals ($11 - $32) on top. Overnight stops can add another $243/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How long does a move from Irvine, CA to Seattle, WA take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 2 to 8 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 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.