($699+) Riverside, CA to Tacoma, WA Movers
The cost to move from Riverside, CA to Tacoma, WA ranges from $1,201 to $8,300, with an average cost of $3,150. Moves can be as low as $699 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.
Fact Checked by:
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 $1,201 - $8,300 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $3,150, and movers handle all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 42% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 70% 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:
- Full-service movers: $1,201 for a studio up to $8,300 for a 4+ bedroom home.
- Moving containers: $1,166 - $4,018 depending on home size.
- Rental trucks: $750 - $1,907, the lowest-cost option across the board.
- Freight trailers: $1,147 - $3,182, billed by the space you actually use.
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 Riverside, CA to Tacoma, WA
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 1,156-mile move from Riverside, California, to Tacoma, Washington, with costs ranging from $1,201 - $8,300. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $383 - $2,556. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Riverside and Tacoma. Local movers in Riverside typically start around $239 as a base rate plus $75/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Riverside to Tacoma:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,201 - $5,100
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,650 - $6,245
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,505 - $8,300
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.
Pro tip: Moving company rates climb during peak moving season (May –-September) when demand peaks. Scheduling your move outside of that window can lead to noticeably lower costs and better availability.
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: 52% of Riverside movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Tacoma, 57% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing73% of local movers | $639 - $6,390 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready52% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Burgess Moving and Storage | $256 - $1,534/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $383 - $3,067 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage11% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs48% 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 items26% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Trek Movers | $1,278 - $3,195 |
| Piano | Any piano type33% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: JFK Moving Company | $1,022 - $4,473 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling8% of local movers | $383 - $1,917 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect7% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Silicon Valley Moving and Storage (CA) | $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 full-service movers are the more cost-efficient choice. Local movers in Riverside, 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 Riverside, CA to Tacoma, WA
Moving containers from Riverside, California, to Tacoma, Washington, cost between $1,166 and $4,018. You load everything on your own schedule (U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30). When you're ready, the company takes care of getting the container from point A to point B. Need more time than that? Extra storage in Riverside typically runs around $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Riverside to Tacoma:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,166 - $2,317
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,548 - $3,038
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,010 - $4,018
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 $1,166. 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 $1,548 - $3,038.
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:
- Trek Movers (5.0/5), 11 years in business
- JFK Moving Company (4.8/5), 6 years in business
- Meathead Movers (4.7/5), 24 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Riverside, CA to Tacoma, WA
Renting a moving truck for the 1,156-mile move from Riverside, California, to Tacoma, Washington, costs between $750 and $1,907, before these typical add-ons:
- 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: $750 - $1,344
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $795 - $1,681
- 4+ bedrooms: $948 - $1,907
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $750 - $1,907 does not include fuel ($470 - $537), lodging ($192/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Riverside to Tacoma typically runs more than the base rate alone, with meals, equipment, and other extras adding roughly $600 - $1,200 on top of fuel and lodging.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Gas: Fuel adds $470 - $537 for the 1,156-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 Riverside, California, for about 5 hours typically costs around $895.
- Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
- Lodging: The 1,156-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $192 per night, adding $383 - $575 in hotel costs total.
- Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $64 and $383.
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
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 Riverside, California, to Tacoma, 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 $1,226 and $2,607.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Riverside to Tacoma:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,147 - $2,024
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,226 - $2,607
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,693 - $3,182
Pro tip: Freight trailers come with a 4-foot loading ramp, which can be a challenge with bulky furniture. With 8 feet of vertical space available, stacking efficiently often requires a ladder and a plan. Since you're billed per linear foot, packing tight can make a real difference in your final 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 $96 and $192.
- 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 Riverside, California, for roughly five hours typically average $895.
What are the best freight companies from Riverside to Tacoma?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Best known as a top moving container option thanks to its DIY hybrid model (you load, they drive), MovingYourself also doubles as a strong freight choice with their 53-foot trucks and pay-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. In addition to their well-known container service, U-Pack offers freight trailers that follow the same pay-by-the-foot model with no deposits or upfront fees, making them one of the most flexible freight options for budget-conscious moves.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are one of the fastest ways to move your belongings interstate, often beating full-service movers on delivery time. If getting your stuff to Tacoma quickly is a priority, freight is worth a hard look. That said, freight carriers typically require you to be available to receive your shipment within a set window, so if you need short-term storage or your new place won't be ready right away, a container or full-service mover may give you more flexibility.
Cost of living: Riverside, CA vs Tacoma, WA
Good news for your budget: Tacoma isn't meaningfully more or less expensive to live in than Riverside. Cost of living index runs 123 there against 131 here. Focus your planning on the move itself rather than a change in monthly expenses. For reference, walkability and safety scores are 43/100 and 59.76/100 here versus 54/100 and 44.45/100 there.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Tacoma, WA to Riverside, CA guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from California to Washington, so our pricing data stays current. Use our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and spot bad actors early. We track 1,154 movers licensed in California, useful context for sizing up this 1,156-mile move.
Our take
For a move from Riverside, CA, to Tacoma, WA, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $1,201 for a studio to $8,300 for a 4+ bedroom home on the 1,156-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,166 - $4,018. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $750 - $1,907, though you'll be handling the driving and loading yourself. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with quotes starting around $2,650 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage included, and 24/7 live customer 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 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 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 Riverside, CA to Tacoma, WA?
Costs on this route range from around $699 to $8,300, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,201 and $8,300, 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 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 $795 - $1,681. 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 ($470 - $537), daily insurance ($38/day), and equipment rentals ($9 - $26) on top. Overnight stops can add another $192/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
What percentage of Riverside movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 33% of movers in Riverside handle piano moves, and 26% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.