($601+) Oakland, CA to Seattle, WA Movers

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The cost to move from Oakland, CA to Seattle, WA ranges from $1,170 to $8,706, with an average cost of $3,000. Moves can be as low as $601 if you're wanting to DIY it.

This move covers about 801 miles and usually takes 2 to 7 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.

Compare moving options from Oakland, CA to Seattle, WA

Moving options from Oakland to Seattle fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,170 - $8,706 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $3,000, 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 801 miles and typically takes 2 to 7 days depending on the service you pick.

Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 801-mile route from Oakland to Seattle, broken down by home size:

Home size Full-service movers Moving container Rental truck Freight trailer
Studio / 1 bedroom $1,170 - $4,640 $1,084 - $2,080 $560 - $1,123 $1,016 - $1,853
2 - 3 bedrooms $2,419 - $5,900 $1,422 - $3,000 $617 - $1,347 $1,149 - $2,194
4+ bedrooms $3,993 - $8,706 $1,967 - $3,692 $789 - $1,586 $1,605 - $3,073

Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.

Professional
Safeway Moving
star star star star star 4.9 / 5
Read our full Safeway review
Best overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran-owned
Container
Unlimited storage
3 container sizes
10% discount
Rental Truck
Budget Truck Rental
star star star star star 4.3 / 5
Read our full Budget review
Affordable pricing
Online estimates
Several discounts
Freight
MovingYourself
star star star star star 4.5 / 5
Read our full MovingYourself review
Fast delivery
Nationwide
100+ miles moves

Full-service moving costs from Oakland, CA to Seattle, WA

Hiring full-service movers from Oakland, California, to Seattle, Washington, costs between $1,170 and $8,706. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 801-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $542 - $3,616, 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 Oakland and Seattle. For a rough baseline, movers based in Oakland tend to start around $281 plus $147/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 Oakland to Seattle:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,170 - $4,640
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,419 - $5,900
  • 4+ bedrooms: $3,993 - $8,706

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 Oakland 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: The summer months (May - September) are the busiest time of year for movers during peak moving season, which drives up prices and limits scheduling options. If you can move in the fall or winter, you'll likely find better rates and more flexibility.

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Specialty moving services from Oakland, CA to Seattle, WA

Specialty needs vary by market — 85% of Oakland 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 packingFull crew packing98% of local movers$904 - $9,040
Storage in transitNew place not ready85% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: West Coast Moving Systems, Inc$362 - $2,170/mo
Shuttle feeTruck can't reach door$542 - $4,339
Full-value protectionMore than $0.60/lb coverage54% of local movers$300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value)
Small movesUnder ~2,000 lbs47% of local movers$1,808 - $5,424
Office / commercialWorkplace relocation$4,520 - $18,080
Car shippingSecond vehicle$1,354 - $2,573
Antiques & fine artFragile, high-value items67% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Sweet Lemon Moving Services$1,808 - $4,520
PianoAny piano type79% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Sweet Lemon Moving Services$1,446 - $6,328
Pool tableDisassembly & re-leveling37% of local movers$542 - $2,712
Hot tubHeavy, needs disconnect25% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Big Family Movers$1,175 - $3,616
Wine collectionClimate-controlled transport$542 - $27,120+
Pet relocationGround, air, or concierge$542 - $6,328+

What are the best full-service movers from Oakland to Seattle?

Look for Washington Movers Conference membership as a baseline when comparing movers in Washington beyond this list.

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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 movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in Oakland, CA. Van lines spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments, while local movers tend to charge 30% - 40% more for the same distance. A direct route with a local mover averages 2-day delivery, but that added speed typically carries a higher price tag.

Moving container costs from Oakland, CA to Seattle, WA

Moving containers from Oakland, California, to Seattle, Washington, cost between $1,084 and $3,692. With a moving container, you load on your own schedule. U-Haul gives you 3 days to fill yours, while PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're ready, the company transports it straight to your new place. Need more time first? Storage in Oakland typically costs about $120/month.

Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Oakland to Seattle:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,084 - $2,080
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,422 - $3,000
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,967 - $3,692

What other costs come with moving containers?

  • Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $136 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $271 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 $1,266 in Oakland, 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 Seattle, WA, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.

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 $1,084. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,422 - $3,000, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.

What are the best moving containers Oakland to Seattle?

  1. Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
  2. U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
  3. 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 Oakland 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 Oakland:

  • Sweet Lemon Moving Services (5.0/5), 9 years in business
  • West Coast Moving Systems, Inc (4.8/5), 19 years in business
  • Good Green Moving (4.7/5), 13 years in business

Moving truck rental costs from Oakland, CA to Seattle, WA

Plan on $560 - $1,586 for a rental moving truck on the 801-mile route from Oakland, California, to Seattle, Washington. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:

  • Fuel for the drive: $461 - $527
  • Daily insurance: $54/day
  • Equipment rentals: $13 - $36
  • Oakland daily rental rate: $19 - $39
  • Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.79 - $1.39
Home sizeTypical truck size
Studio / 1 bedroom10 - 12 ft
2 - 3 bedrooms15 - 17 ft
4+ bedrooms20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel)

These are typical moving truck rental costs from Oakland to Seattle based on home size:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $560 - $1,123
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $617 - $1,347
  • 4+ bedrooms: $789 - $1,586

Pro tip: A rental truck from Oakland to Seattle looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $560 - $1,586. But once you factor in fuel ($461 - $527) , overnight lodging ($271/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?

  • Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Oakland, California, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $1,266.
  • Gas: Fuel costs total $461 - $527 for the 801-mile drive, depending on whether your truck takes gas or diesel.
  • Equipment: Appliance dollies, auto transport trailers, and furniture pads are separate rentals. Expect to spend between $108 and $588, depending on what you need.
  • Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
  • Lodging: Budget around $271 per night for hotel stops on the 801-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $542 - $814.

What are the best moving truck rentals from Oakland to Seattle?

  1. Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
  2. Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
  3. 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 Oakland, CA to Seattle, WA

For larger DIY moves from Oakland, California, freight trailers give you plenty of room without putting you behind the wheel. Standard trailers are 28 feet long. You load the section you need, and the carrier transports everything to Seattle, Washington.

Because freight companies bill by linear footage, your total is based on how much of the trailer you occupy, not the full length. For most medium-to-large moves on this route, pricing typically falls between $1,149 and $2,194.

Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Oakland to Seattle:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,016 - $1,853
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,149 - $2,194
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,605 - $3,073

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?

  • 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 $136 - $271 more per foot.
  • Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Oakland, California, for about five hours typically runs $1,266.

What are the best freight companies from Oakland to Seattle?

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. PRO Logistics (4.54/5 stars): PRO Logistics is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned facilities and accessible live support staff make scheduling and route coordination easier on local-area routes than what most national freight providers can offer.

Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from Oakland to Seattle, freight trailers are one of the fastest interstate options available, second only to renting a truck and driving it yourself. The tradeoff is that freight works best when you're ready to receive your belongings on the other end. If your timeline is tight on the receiving side or you need a short storage buffer, a moving container might be a better fit.

Cost of living: Oakland, CA vs Seattle, WA

The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Seattle, side by side with Oakland on housing, income, and taxes.

Measure Oakland, CA Seattle, WA
Cost of living index196158
Average rent$2,200/mo$1,975/mo
Median home value$925,411$911,938
Average income$97,369/yr$121,984/yr
Unemployment rate4.5%4.8%
State income taxUp to 13.3%None
Walkability score75/10074/100
Safety index31.38/10049.23/100
Air qualityGoodGood

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 Seattle, WA to Oakland, CA guide.

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Our take

A move from Oakland, 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 $1,170 - $8,706 on the 801-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,084 - $3,692, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $560 - $1,586. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $2,419 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 Oakland, CA, to Seattle, WA

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 do I know a mover is licensed in Washington?

Movers operating within Washington DC city limits are subject to regulation by the Utilities and Transportation Commission, which issues operating permits to household goods moving companies.

What do local movers charge in Oakland?

Local movers based in Oakland typically start around $281 as a base rate, plus $147/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 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 3 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 Oakland, CA to Seattle, WA?

Costs on this route range from around $1,170 to $8,706, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,170 and $8,706, 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 percentage of Oakland movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?

About 79% of movers in Oakland handle piano moves, and 67% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.