($641+) Portland, OR to Los Angeles, CA Movers
Moving from Portland, OR, to Los Angeles, CA, runs anywhere from $695 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $9,462 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 963 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 2 to 7 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 $2,339, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $9,462 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,209 - $3,893, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $695 - $1,901.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Portland, OR, to Los Angeles, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,041 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 Portland, OR to Los Angeles, CA
There are 3 main ways to move from Portland to Los Angeles: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service handles labor and transportation for you, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route costing $3,041 - $7,203. Moving containers run about 30% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 60% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 2 to 7 days for this 963-mile route, depending on which option you go with.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 963-mile route from Portland to Los Angeles, broken down by home size:
- Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $2,339 - $5,712, container $1,209 - $2,265, rental truck $695 - $1,277, freight trailer $1,099 - $1,998.
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $3,041 - $7,203, container $1,585 - $2,995, rental truck $743 - $1,533, freight trailer $1,182 - $2,469.
- 4+ bedrooms: full-service $4,980 - $9,462, container $2,136 - $3,893, rental truck $868 - $1,901, freight trailer $1,709 - $3,114.
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 Portland, OR to Los Angeles, CA
For the 963-mile move from Portland, Oregon, to Los Angeles, California, full-service movers cost between $2,339 and $9,462. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $425 - $2,832 (1 - 5+ bedrooms), crews will pack your boxes. The weight of your shipment and the mileage between the two cities are what drive your final cost. For scale, local movers in Portland generally start around $278 plus $130 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Portland to Los Angeles:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,339 - $5,712
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,041 - $7,203
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,980 - $9,462
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 Portland to Los Angeles.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Oregon 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 Portland, OR to Los Angeles, CA
Specialty needs vary by market — 83% of Portland 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 | $708 - $7,080 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready83% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: All Service Moving | $283 - $1,699/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $425 - $3,398 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage33% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs67% of local movers | $1,416 - $4,248 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,540 - $14,160 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,061 - $2,015 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items42% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: All Service Moving | $1,416 - $3,540 |
| Piano | Any piano type71% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: All Service Moving | $1,133 - $4,956 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling21% of local movers | $425 - $2,124 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect21% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: All Service Moving | $920 - $2,832 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $425 - $21,240+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $425 - $4,956+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Portland to Los Angeles?
All three below meet the standards set by the California Moving & Storage Association, the group most California movers are affiliated with.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list, with flat-rate pricing that holds firm on moving day and a customer support team available around the clock.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here. With 30+ years of interstate moves behind them, AVL uses full-time in-house crews instead of the contracted labor most national carriers rely on.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, with fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan available on every long-distance move.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Portland, OR. 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 Portland, OR to Los Angeles, CA
Moving containers from Portland, Oregon, to Los Angeles, California, cost between $1,209 and $3,893. 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 Portland costs roughly $100/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Portland to Los Angeles:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,209 - $2,265
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,585 - $2,995
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,136 - $3,893
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $106 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $212 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Los Angeles, CA, 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 $991 in Portland, OR. 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 Oregon 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 $1,209. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,585 - $2,995, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Portland 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 Portland 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 Portland:
- All Service Moving (4.8/5), 22 years in business
- 2 Brothers Moving & Delivery (4.9/5), 18 years in business
- You Move Me (4.9/5), 13 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Portland, OR to Los Angeles, CA
Truck rentals from Portland, Oregon, to Los Angeles, California, range from $695 - $1,901 for the 963-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $434 - $496
- Daily insurance: $42/day
- Equipment rentals: $10 - $28
- Portland daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.89 - $1.19
| 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 Portland to Los Angeles based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $695 - $1,277
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $743 - $1,533
- 4+ bedrooms: $868 - $1,901
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Portland to Los Angeles starts at $695 - $1,901, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($434 - $496) , overnight lodging ($212/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?
- Equipment: Tow dollies, appliance dollies, and moving pads are not included in the base rate. These extras often total between $106 and $496.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $212.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $434 and $496 for the 963-mile drive, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: If you'd rather not do all the heavy lifting, budget around $991 for 2 movers in Portland, Oregon, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Portland 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 Portland, OR to Los Angeles, CA
For larger DIY moves from Portland, Oregon, 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 Los Angeles, California.
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 $1,182 and $2,469.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Portland to Los Angeles:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,099 - $1,998
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,182 - $2,469
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,709 - $3,114
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?
- Seasonal demand: Pricing tends to rise during peak moving season, particularly between mid-May and mid-September.
- Moving labor: Most customers hire loading help since freight is self-loaded. Two movers in Portland, Oregon, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $991.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $106 and $212 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Portland to Los Angeles?
- 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.
- Inland Company (4.76/5 stars): Inland Company is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned and operated facilities give you direct access to support staff who know the area and can coordinate pickups and deliveries with greater flexibility than national carriers.
Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Portland to Los Angeles. 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: Portland, OR 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 Portland on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Portland, OR | Los Angeles, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 128 | 162 |
| Average rent | $1,530/mo | $2,960/mo |
| Median home value | $556,420 | $878,142 |
| Average income | $88,792/yr | $80,366/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 6.9% | 10.6% |
| State income tax | Up to 9.9% | Up to 13.3% |
| Walkability score | 81/100 | 69/100 |
| Safety index | 42.63/100 | 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 Portland, OR guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from Oregon to California over the past 3 months, giving us some of the most up-to-date pricing data around. Running your move through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. There are 37 movers in our Oregon network to compare for this 963-mile move.
Our take
The 963-mile move from Portland, OR, to Los Angeles, CA, costs between $2,339 and $9,462 with full-service movers, $1,209 - $3,893 with a moving container, and $695 - $1,901 for a rental truck. Your budget and how much heavy lifting you want to do are the two biggest factors in choosing the right option. If you go with full-service movers, Safeway Moving is our top recommendation, with transparent flat-rate pricing starting around $3,041 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage, and 24/7 customer support.
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 Portland, OR, to Los Angeles, CA
What do local movers charge in Portland?
Local movers based in Portland typically start around $278 as a base rate, plus $130/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 do I know a mover is licensed in California?
When contacting a local moving company for an estimate in California, make sure each has a “T Number” issued by the California Public Utilities Commission (CAPUC). Moving companies with valid T Numbers have met state requirements for insurance, safety, and financial stability and have passed criminal clearance checks conducted by the California Department of Justice.
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.
How walkable is Los Angeles?
Los Angeles has a walkability score of 69 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 59, compared to 81 and 92 in Portland. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
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 42.63 and 57.37 in Portland. 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 Portland movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 71% of movers in Portland handle piano moves, and 42% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
