($169+) Portland, OR to Tacoma, WA Movers
Moving from Portland, OR, to Tacoma, WA, runs anywhere from $158 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $5,375 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 143 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 1 to 2 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 $823, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $5,375 or more.
- Moving containers run $764 - $2,103, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $158 - $367.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Portland, OR, to Tacoma, WA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $1,424 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 Tacoma, WA
Moving options from Portland to Tacoma fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $1,424 - $4,268 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 143-mile route typically takes 1 to 2 days door to door.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 143-mile route from Portland to Tacoma, broken down by home size:
- Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $823 - $3,405, container $764 - $1,332, rental truck $158 - $259, freight trailer $687 - $1,153.
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $1,424 - $4,268, container $962 - $1,746, rental truck $167 - $328, freight trailer $809 - $1,411.
- 4+ bedrooms: full-service $1,841 - $5,375, container $1,275 - $2,103, rental truck $211 - $367, freight trailer $1,041 - $1,682.
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 Tacoma, WA
Full-service movers for the 143-mile relocation from Portland, Oregon, to Tacoma, Washington, cost between $823 and $5,375. With a long-distance moving company, loading, transportation, and unloading are all taken care of. If you want to skip packing boxes, too, that can be added for $378 - $2,520, depending on your home size. What you pay in the end is mainly a function of how much your shipment weighs and how far it's traveling. As a point of reference, local movers in Portland typically charge a base rate around $278 plus $130 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Portland to Tacoma:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $823 - $3,405
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,424 - $4,268
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,841 - $5,375
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 Tacoma.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Oregon to Washington. 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 Tacoma, WA
Specialty needs vary by market — 83% of Portland 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 | $630 - $6,300 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready83% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: All Service Moving | $252 - $1,512/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $378 - $3,024 |
| 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 | $1,260 - $3,780 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,150 - $12,600 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $944 - $1,793 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items42% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: All Service Moving | $1,260 - $3,150 |
| Piano | Any piano type71% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: All Service Moving | $1,008 - $4,410 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling21% of local movers | $378 - $1,890 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect21% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: All Service Moving | $819 - $2,520 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $378 - $18,900+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $378 - $4,410+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Portland to Tacoma?
Movers licensed to operate in Washington are typically members of the Washington Movers Conference, worth checking for before you book any of the three below.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 customer support, and 30 days of free storage are included with every move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list, 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, combining fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan that covers damage, loss, and breakage.
How much do local movers cost in Portland, OR?
Based on recent quotes for this route, a 2-bedroom move from Portland to Tacoma with a local mover averages $1,353 - $4,055. For moves under 500 miles, local movers in Portland, OR can be a smart choice. Many use hourly pricing models that may reduce your total compared to what a national carrier would charge, and tighter coverage areas often mean faster turnaround and more hands-on communication.
That said, licensing requirements still apply. Make sure any company you're considering is properly licensed for interstate moves for the route you need.
You Move Me (4.7/5 stars) is a local mover in Portland, based on our analysis of feedback from 109 customers, 87.2% of which is positive.
Address: 7620 NE 47th Ave, Vancouver, WA, 98661 | Founded: 2013
Moving container costs from Portland, OR to Tacoma, WA
Moving containers from Portland, Oregon, to Tacoma, Washington, cost between $764 and $2,103. With a moving container, you load on your own schedule. U-Haul gives you 3 days to fill yours, while PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're ready, the company transports it straight to your new place. Need more time first? Storage in Portland typically costs about $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Portland to Tacoma:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $764 - $1,332
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $962 - $1,746
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,275 - $2,103
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $95 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $189 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 $882 in Portland, OR, 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 Oregon 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 $764. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $962 - $1,746, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Portland 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 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 Tacoma, WA
Truck rentals from Portland, Oregon, to Tacoma, Washington, range from $158 - $367 for the 143-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $57 - $66
- Daily insurance: $38/day
- Equipment rentals: $9 - $25
- 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 Tacoma based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $158 - $259
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $167 - $328
- 4+ bedrooms: $211 - $367
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $158 - $367 does not include fuel ($57 - $66) , lodging ($189/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Portland to Tacoma typically runs $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate alone.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Gas: Fuel adds $57 - $66 for the 143-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 Portland, Oregon, for about 5 hours typically costs around $882.
- Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
- Lodging: The 143-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $189 per night, adding $378 - $567 in hotel costs total.
- Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $63 and $378.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Portland 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 Portland, OR 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 Portland, Oregon, 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. Most long-distance moves using this method run roughly between $809 and $1,411.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Portland to Tacoma:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $687 - $1,153
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $809 - $1,411
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,041 - $1,682
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?
- More space: Freight trailers are billed by the section you fill. If you misjudge your shipment size, each extra foot of trailer space adds around $95 - $189 to your final bill.
- Peak season pricing: Expect higher rates during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) when trailer availability tightens across the country.
- Moving labor: Loading is on you unless you hire outside help. A half-day crew of two movers in Portland, Oregon, typically costs $882.
What are the best freight companies from Portland 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.
- 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: If speed matters on your move from Portland to Tacoma, 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: Portland, OR vs Tacoma, WA
Portland and Tacoma land in a similar range on everyday costs. The cost of living index sits at 128 in Portland and 123 in Tacoma, and rent tracks closely too ($1,530/mo vs. $1,650/mo). You likely won't need to rework your monthly budget much after this move. Walkability (81 vs 54) and safety scores (42.63 vs 44.45) come out about the same too.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Tacoma, WA to Portland, OR guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from Oregon to Washington, so our pricing data reflects what movers are actually charging right now. Check our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers, the best way to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and bad actors. We track 37 movers in Oregon, so you have real options to compare for this 143-mile move.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 143-mile route from Portland, OR, to Tacoma, WA, run $823 - $5,375 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $764 - $2,103, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $158 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $1,424, 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 Joint Base Lewis-McChord and MultiCare Health System.
FAQs: Moving from Portland, OR, to Tacoma, WA
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 3 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 Portland, OR to Tacoma, WA?
Costs on this route range from around $823 to $5,375, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $823 and $5,375, 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 Portland, OR 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 $167 - $328. 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 ($57 - $66), daily insurance ($38/day), and equipment rentals ($9 - $25) on top. Overnight stops can add another $189/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How long does a move from Portland, OR 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 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.
