($781+) Missoula, MT to Los Angeles, CA Movers
Moving from Missoula, MT, to Los Angeles, CA, runs anywhere from $765 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $10,121 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,210 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 2 to 8 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.
- Full-service moves for smaller spaces (studio apartments and 1-bedrooms) start around $2,521, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $10,121 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,309 - $4,621, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $765 - $2,315.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Missoula, MT, to Los Angeles, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,159 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
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Compare moving options from Missoula, MT to Los Angeles, CA
Moving options from Missoula to Los Angeles fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $3,159 - $8,184 on this route, with movers handling 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 1,210-mile route typically takes 2 to 8 days door to door.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,210-mile route from Missoula to Los Angeles, broken down by home size:
- Full-service movers: $2,521 for a studio up to $10,121 for a 4+ bedroom home.
- Moving containers: $1,309 - $4,621 depending on home size.
- Rental trucks: $765 - $2,315, the lowest-cost option across the board.
- Freight trailers: $1,120 - $3,625, 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 September 16, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Missoula, MT to Los Angeles, CA
Hiring full-service movers from Missoula, Montana, to Los Angeles, California, costs between $2,521 and $10,121. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 1,210-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $398 - $2,652, 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 Missoula and Los Angeles. For a rough baseline, movers based in Missoula tend to start around $342 plus $150/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 Missoula to Los Angeles:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,521 - $6,148
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,159 - $8,184
- 4+ bedrooms: $5,930 - $10,121
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 Missoula to Los Angeles.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Montana to California. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: Avoiding peak moving season dates (May - September) is one of the easiest ways to reduce costs. Off-season moves typically come with lower pricing and more room to negotiate since movers have fewer bookings.
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Specialty moving services from Missoula, MT to Los Angeles, CA
Specialty needs vary by market — 100% of Missoula movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Los Angeles, 88% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $663 - $6,630 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready100% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $265 - $1,591/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $398 - $3,182 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage33% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs33% of local movers | $1,326 - $3,978 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,315 - $13,260 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $993 - $1,887 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items46% nationallyTop pick: | $1,326 - $3,315 |
| Piano | Any piano type100% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $1,061 - $4,641 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling67% of local movers | $398 - $1,989 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect22% nationallyTop pick: | $862 - $2,652 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $398 - $19,890+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $398 - $4,641+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Missoula to Los Angeles?
If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in California Moving & Storage Association 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 movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in Missoula, MT. 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 Missoula, MT to Los Angeles, CA
Moving containers from Missoula, Montana, to Los Angeles, California, cost between $1,309 and $4,621. You're in charge of loading, and the timeline is yours to set. U-Haul allows 3 days while PODS gives you a full 30. After that, the company picks it up and delivers it to your new address. Running behind schedule? Storage in Missoula costs roughly $100/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Missoula to Los Angeles:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,309 - $2,358
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,738 - $3,387
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,240 - $4,621
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $99 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $199 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 $928 in Missoula, MT, 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 Los Angeles, CA, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Montana to California 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 $1,309. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,738 - $3,387, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Missoula to Los Angeles?
- 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 Missoula 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 Missoula:
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.5/5), 9 years in business
- All Lanes Moving & Storage (5.0/5), 26 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Missoula, MT to Los Angeles, CA
Plan on $765 - $2,315 for a rental moving truck on the 1,210-mile route from Missoula, Montana, to Los Angeles, California. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $511 - $583
- Daily insurance: $40/day
- Equipment rentals: $9 - $27
- Missoula daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.99 - $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 Missoula to Los Angeles based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $765 - $1,597
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $862 - $1,717
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,029 - $2,315
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $765 - $2,315 when pricing out a rental truck from Missoula to Los Angeles. Fuel alone runs ($511 - $583) , and overnight lodging ($199/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend an additional $600 - $1,200 beyond the base rate by the time the move is done.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Missoula, Montana, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $928.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $511 - $583 for the 1,210-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 $80 and $431, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $199 per night for hotel stops on the 1,210-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $398 - $597.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Missoula to Los Angeles?
- 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 Missoula, MT to Los Angeles, CA
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Missoula, Montana, to Los Angeles, California, 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. Overall pricing for a move of this size and distance typically lands around $1,378 and $2,818.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Missoula to Los Angeles:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,120 - $2,122
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,378 - $2,818
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,902 - $3,625
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?
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In Missoula, Montana, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $928.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $99 - $199 per additional foot to your total.
- Time of year: Rates tend to climb during peak moving season (mid-May through mid-September) when trailer demand is at its highest.
What are the best freight companies from Missoula to Los Angeles?
- 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.
- Jones Bros Trucking (4.58/5 stars): Jones Bros Trucking is our pick for best locally owned freight company. Their locally owned and operated facilities mean you work with support staff who know the route and the area, giving you more responsive scheduling than national-only carriers typically offer.
Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from Missoula to Los Angeles, 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: Missoula, MT vs Los Angeles, CA
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Los Angeles, side by side with Missoula on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Missoula, MT | Los Angeles, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 113 | 162 |
| Average rent | $1,322/mo | $2,960/mo |
| Median home value | $426,764 | $878,142 |
| Average income | $65,329/yr | $80,366/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 4.4% | 10.6% |
| State income tax | Up to 6.75% | Up to 13.3% |
| Walkability score | 45/100 | 69/100 |
| Safety index | 66.73/100 | 46.19/100 |
| Air quality | Good | Moderate |
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 Los Angeles, CA to Missoula, MT guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 1 real quotes from Montana to California in the past 3 months alone, keeping our pricing data current. Run your numbers through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. For context, we track 11 movers based in Montana, handy for sizing up options on this 1,210-mile route.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 1,210-mile route from Missoula, MT, to Los Angeles, CA, run $2,521 - $10,121 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,309 - $4,621, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $765 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,159, 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 County of Los Angeles and Los Angeles Unified School District.
FAQs: Moving from Missoula, MT, to Los Angeles, CA
What do local movers charge in Missoula?
Local movers based in Missoula typically start around $342 as a base rate, plus $150/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 Los Angeles run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
How long does a move from Missoula, MT to Los Angeles, CA 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 are the best neighborhoods in Los Angeles?
For families, Brentwood, Eagle Rock, and Mar Vista are worth a look in Los Angeles. If you're moving solo or without kids, Echo Park, Los Feliz, and Playa Del Rey tend to be popular picks instead.
What is the cheapest way to move from Missoula, MT to Los Angeles, CA?
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 $862 - $1,717. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
Is Los Angeles a safe place to live?
Los Angeles has a safety index of 46.19 out of 100 and a crime index of 53.81, compared to 66.73 and 33.27 in Missoula. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What percentage of Missoula movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 100% of movers in Missoula handle piano moves, compared to 71% nationally.
