($746+) San Diego, CA to Olympia, WA Movers
The cost to move from San Diego, CA to Olympia, WA ranges from $1,256 to $8,982, with an average cost of $3,050. Moves can be as low as $746 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 1,202 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 San Diego, CA to Olympia, WA
Moving options from San Diego to Olympia fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,256 - $8,982 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $3,050, and movers handle all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 41% 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 1,202 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 1,202-mile route from San Diego to Olympia, 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 $1,256 - $5,136 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($1,225 - $2,250), rental truck ($738 - $1,408), or freight trailer ($1,137 - $2,172). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $2,590 - $6,451 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $8,982.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated October 30, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from San Diego, CA to Olympia, WA
Hiring full-service movers from San Diego, California, to Olympia, Washington, costs between $1,256 and $8,982. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 1,202-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $413 - $2,756, 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 San Diego and Olympia. For a rough baseline, movers based in San Diego tend to start around $226 plus $200/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 San Diego to Olympia:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,256 - $5,136
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,590 - $6,451
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,628 - $8,982
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 San Diego to Olympia.
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.
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Specialty moving services from San Diego, CA to Olympia, WA
Specialty needs vary by market: 69% of San Diego movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Olympia, 65% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing86% of local movers | $689 - $6,890 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready69% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Cali Moving & Storage Corp | $276 - $1,654/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $413 - $3,307 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage9% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs58% of local movers | $1,378 - $4,134 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,445 - $13,780 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,032 - $1,961 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items30% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Grizzly Moving | $1,378 - $3,445 |
| Piano | Any piano type50% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: One Stop Moving & Storage | $1,102 - $4,823 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling10% of local movers | $413 - $2,067 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect12% of local movers9% nationally | $896 - $2,756 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $413 - $20,670+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $413 - $4,823+ |
What are the best full-service movers from San Diego to Olympia?
Washington Movers Conference membership is a quick way to confirm a mover is legitimate in Washington, on top of the picks below.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing means no surprise charges on moving day, and their support team is consistently rated among the most responsive in the industry.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here, with 30+ years in business since 1995. AVL is one of the few national carriers that uses full-time in-house crews instead of contracted labor.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, with fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan that covers damage, loss, and breakage.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national full-service movers are almost always better priced than local movers in San Diego, 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 San Diego, CA to Olympia, WA
Moving containers from San Diego, California, to Olympia, Washington, cost between $1,225 and $4,239. 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 Olympia. If you go over that window, storage in San Diego adds around $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from San Diego to Olympia:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,225 - $2,250
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,531 - $3,265
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,291 - $4,239
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $103 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $207 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Olympia, WA, if you need to retrieve anything while items are still in storage.
- Moving labor: Since you're responsible for loading the container yourself, many customers bring in hourly help. Based on moveBuddha data, hiring 2 movers for approximately 5 hours costs about $965 in San Diego, CA. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection goes beyond the standard minimum and covers repair, replacement, or reimbursement at declared value. Pricing is typically 1% - 2% of your total shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 move.
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 $1,225. 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 $1,531 - $3,265.
What are the best moving containers San Diego to Olympia?
- 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 San Diego 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 San Diego:
- 24/7 Moving and Storage (5.0/5), 14 years in business
- Coast 2 Coast Moving Inc (5.0/5), 8 years in business
- Best California Movers (5.0/5), 8 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from San Diego, CA to Olympia, WA
Truck rentals from San Diego, California, to Olympia, Washington, range from $738 - $2,041 for the 1,202-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $527 - $602
- Daily insurance: $41/day
- Equipment rentals: $10 - $28
- San Diego 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 San Diego to Olympia based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $738 - $1,408
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $782 - $1,725
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,034 - $2,041
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from San Diego to Olympia starts at $738 - $2,041, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($527 - $602), overnight lodging ($207/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for roughly $600 - $1,200 more on top of fuel and lodging to cover meals, equipment, and other extras.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in San Diego, California, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $965.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $527 - $602 for the 1,202-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 $83 and $448, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $207 per night for hotel stops on the 1,202-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $413 - $620.
What are the best moving truck rentals from San Diego to Olympia?
- 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 San Diego, CA to Olympia, WA
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from San Diego, California, to Olympia, Washington, when you want to do the loading yourself without having to drive a massive vehicle. The trailer is delivered, you pack it up, and the carrier handles the long haul.
What sets freight trailers apart is the pay-for-what-you-use pricing model. Each additional foot of trailer space you occupy adds to the cost. Pricing for a 2 - 3 bedroom move of this distance typically lands between $1,238 and $2,638.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from San Diego to Olympia:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,137 - $2,172
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,238 - $2,638
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,658 - $3,426
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 $103 and $207.
- 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 San Diego, California, for roughly five hours typically average $965.
What are the best freight companies from San Diego to Olympia?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is our pick for best for large moves. The company is best known as a top moving container option for its hybrid model where you load and they drive, and that same model translates well to freight thanks to their 53-foot trucks and pay-by-the-foot pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Beyond their flagship container service, U-Pack also runs freight trailers with the same no-deposit, no-upfront-fee model, charging only for the linear footage you actually fill.
Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from San Diego to Olympia, 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: San Diego, CA vs Olympia, WA
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Olympia, side by side with San Diego on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | San Diego, CA | Olympia, WA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 155 | 112 |
| Average rent | $2,881/mo | $1,895/mo |
| Median home value | $847,715 | $457,660 |
| Average income | $104,321/yr | $76,930/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 6.6% | 5.6% |
| State income tax | Up to 13.3% | None |
| Walkability score | 53/100 | 39/100 |
| Safety index | 60.17/100 | 62.25/100 |
| Air quality | Moderate | Good |
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 Olympia, WA to San Diego, 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 1,126 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 1,202-mile move like this one.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 1,202-mile route from San Diego, CA, to Olympia, WA, run $1,256 - $8,982 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,225 - $4,239, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $738 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,590, 30 days of free storage, and a 24/7 support team you can actually reach.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Washington State ESD and The Evergreen State College.
FAQs: Moving from San Diego, CA, to Olympia, WA
What are the best neighborhoods in Olympia?
For families, Bigelow Highlands, Holiday Hills, and Woodfield Estates are worth a look in Olympia. If you're moving solo or without kids, South Capitol, Downtown, and Bigelow Highlands tend to be popular picks instead.
What is the cheapest way to move from San Diego, CA to Olympia, 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 $782 - $1,725. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
Is Olympia a safe place to live?
Olympia has a safety index of 62.25 out of 100 and a crime index of 27.95, compared to 60.17 and 39.83 in San Diego. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
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.
What is the best time of year to move from San Diego, CA to Olympia, WA?
Aim for a move between October and March, when demand drops and rates tend to be lower across all service types. Peak season runs mid-May through mid-September, and weekends and month-end dates are pricier regardless of season. A midweek, mid-month date outside peak season is your best bet for saving money.
What percentage of San Diego movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 50% of movers in San Diego handle piano moves, and 30% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.