($810+) Riverside, CA to Tacoma, WA Movers
The cost to move from Riverside, CA to Tacoma, WA ranges from $1,249 to $8,448, with an average cost of $3,400. Moves can be as low as $810 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 1,156 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.
Compare moving options from Riverside, CA to Tacoma, WA
Moving options from Riverside to Tacoma fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,249 - $8,448 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $3,400, 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 1,156 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 1,156-mile route from Riverside to Tacoma, broken down by home size:
Home size makes the biggest difference in what you'll pay on this route. A studio or 1-bedroom runs $1,249 - $5,098 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($1,287 - $2,456), rental truck ($733 - $1,469), or freight trailer ($1,216 - $2,081). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $2,809 - $6,621 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $8,448.
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 Riverside, CA to Tacoma, WA
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 1,156-mile move from Riverside, California, to Tacoma, Washington, with prices running from $1,249 - $8,448. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $383 - $2,556 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between Riverside and Tacoma are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, Riverside movers tend to run around $239 as a base rate plus $75/hour per mover, for comparison.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Riverside to Tacoma:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,249 - $5,098
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,809 - $6,621
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,870 - $8,448
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 Riverside to Tacoma.
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 Riverside, CA to Tacoma, WA
Specialty needs vary by market — 84% of Riverside movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Tacoma, 97% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $639 - $6,390 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready84% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: VIP Transport, Inc. | $256 - $1,534/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $383 - $3,067 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage42% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs33% of local movers | $1,278 - $3,834 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,195 - $12,780 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $957 - $1,819 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items62% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: VIP Transport, Inc. | $1,278 - $3,195 |
| Piano | Any piano type75% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: VIP Transport, Inc. | $1,022 - $4,473 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling38% of local movers | $383 - $1,917 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect27% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: JFK Moving Company | $831 - $2,556 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $383 - $19,170+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $383 - $4,473+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Riverside to Tacoma?
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 carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Riverside, 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 Riverside, CA to Tacoma, WA
Moving containers from Riverside, California, to Tacoma, Washington, cost between $1,287 and $4,348. 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 Riverside runs about $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Riverside to Tacoma:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,287 - $2,456
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,641 - $3,321
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,198 - $4,348
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $96 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $192 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 $895 in Riverside, 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 Tacoma, 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 $1,287. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,641 - $3,321, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Riverside to Tacoma?
- 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 Riverside 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 Riverside:
- JFK Moving Company (4.8/5), 6 years in business
- Burgess Moving and Storage (4.7/5), 80 years in business
- Alex Moving and Storage (3.6/5), 24 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Riverside, CA to Tacoma, WA
Truck rentals from Riverside, California, to Tacoma, Washington, range from $733 - $2,193 for the 1,156-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $470 - $537
- Daily insurance: $38/day
- Equipment rentals: $9 - $26
- Riverside 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 Riverside to Tacoma based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $733 - $1,469
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $809 - $1,834
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,068 - $2,193
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Riverside to Tacoma starts at $733 - $2,193, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($470 - $537) , overnight lodging ($192/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for an additional $600 - $1,200 on top of your base rate to cover those costs.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Riverside, California, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $895.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $470 - $537 for the 1,156-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 $77 and $415, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $192 per night for hotel stops on the 1,156-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $383 - $575.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Riverside to Tacoma?
- 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 Riverside, CA to Tacoma, WA
For larger DIY moves from Riverside, 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 Tacoma, 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 $1,300 and $2,737.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Riverside to Tacoma:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,216 - $2,081
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,300 - $2,737
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,813 - $3,479
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?
- 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 $96 - $192 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Riverside, California, for about five hours typically runs $895.
What are the best freight companies from Riverside to Tacoma?
- 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.
- ALL Service Handling (4.76/5 stars): ALL Service Handling 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: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Riverside to Tacoma. 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: Riverside, CA vs Tacoma, WA
Day-to-day costs in Tacoma are close to what you're used to in Riverside: cost of living index of 123 versus 131, with average rent of $1,650/mo compared to $2,295/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 59.76/100 in Riverside versus 54/100 and 44.45/100 in Tacoma.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Tacoma, WA to Riverside, 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 Washington, 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 1,156-mile move like this one.
Our take
A move from Riverside, CA, to Tacoma, 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 $1,249 - $8,448 on the 1,156-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,287 - $4,348, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $733 - $2,193. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $2,809 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and round-the-clock live support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Joint Base Lewis-McChord and MultiCare Health System.
FAQs: Moving from Riverside, CA, to Tacoma, WA
What is the cheapest way to move from Riverside, CA to Tacoma, 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 $809 - $1,834. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What are the best neighborhoods in Tacoma?
For families, North End and West End are worth a look in Tacoma. If you're moving solo or without kids, Central, Eastside-Enact, and North End tend to be popular picks instead.
How long does a move from Riverside, CA to Tacoma, 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 Riverside?
Local movers based in Riverside typically start around $239 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 Tacoma run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Riverside, CA to Tacoma, WA?
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 percentage of Riverside movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 75% of movers in Riverside handle piano moves, and 62% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.