($872+) Dallas, TX to Los Angeles, CA Movers
Moving from Dallas, TX, to Los Angeles, CA, runs anywhere from $872 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $9,343 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,435 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 3 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 $2,158, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $9,343 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,293 - $4,830, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $872 - $2,525.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Dallas, TX, to Los Angeles, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,779 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 Dallas, TX to Los Angeles, CA
There are 3 main ways to move from Dallas to Los Angeles: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service is the most expensive but covers everything from labor to transportation, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route averaging $2,779 - $6,890. Containers cost roughly 36% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 65% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 1,435 miles, expect 3 to 8 days in transit no matter which service you choose.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,435-mile route from Dallas to Los Angeles, broken down by home size:
- Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $2,158 - $5,245, container $1,293 - $2,519, rental truck $872 - $1,637, freight trailer $1,261 - $2,268.
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $2,779 - $6,890, container $1,790 - $3,624, rental truck $981 - $2,067, freight trailer $1,461 - $2,759.
- 4+ bedrooms: full-service $5,085 - $9,343, container $2,339 - $4,830, rental truck $1,212 - $2,525, freight trailer $1,909 - $3,864.
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 Dallas, TX to Los Angeles, CA
Hiring full-service movers from Dallas, Texas, to Los Angeles, California, costs between $2,158 and $9,343. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 1,435-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $374 - $2,496, 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 Dallas and Los Angeles. For a rough baseline, movers based in Dallas tend to start around $179 plus $60/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 Dallas to Los Angeles:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,158 - $5,245
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,779 - $6,890
- 4+ bedrooms: $5,085 - $9,343
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 Dallas to Los Angeles.
Pro tip: Demand for full-service movers surges during peak moving season from May - September, pushing prices higher. Shifting your move to a cooler month could save you a meaningful amount on your total bill.
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Specialty moving services from Dallas, TX to Los Angeles, CA
Specialty needs vary by market: 55% of Dallas movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Los Angeles, 56% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing74% of local movers | $624 - $6,240 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready55% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: AB Moving | $250 - $1,498/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $374 - $2,995 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage13% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs61% of local movers | $1,248 - $3,744 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,120 - $12,480 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $935 - $1,776 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items24% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: AM Moving Company LLC | $1,248 - $3,120 |
| Piano | Any piano type41% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: AB Moving | $998 - $4,368 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling9% of local movers | $374 - $1,872 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect7% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $811 - $2,496 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $374 - $18,720+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $374 - $4,368+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Dallas 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 van lines are the smarter financial choice over local movers in Dallas, TX. Local companies can run 30% - 40% more at that range since they don't consolidate shipments the way interstate carriers do. If a direct, dedicated route with an average 2-day delivery appeals to you, a local mover could be worth it, but that convenience comes at a cost.
Moving container costs from Dallas, TX to Los Angeles, CA
Moving containers from Dallas, Texas, to Los Angeles, California, cost between $1,293 and $4,830. 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 Dallas costs roughly $80/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Dallas to Los Angeles:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,293 - $2,519
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,790 - $3,624
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,339 - $4,830
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $94 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $187 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 $874 in Dallas, TX. 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 Texas 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 $1,293. 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 $1,790 - $3,624.
What are the best moving containers Dallas 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 Dallas 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 Dallas:
- AB Moving (4.5/5), 26 years in business
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.9/5), 6 years in business
- 3 Men Movers (4.8/5), 41 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Dallas, TX to Los Angeles, CA
Renting a moving truck for the 1,435-mile move from Dallas, Texas, to Los Angeles, California, costs between $872 and $2,525, before these typical add-ons:
- Fuel for the drive: $570 - $651
- Daily insurance: $37/day
- Equipment rentals: $9 - $25
- Dallas daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.59 - $0.79
| 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 Dallas to Los Angeles based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $872 - $1,637
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $981 - $2,067
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,212 - $2,525
Pro tip: A rental truck from Dallas to Los Angeles looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $872 - $2,525. But once you factor in fuel ($570 - $651), overnight lodging ($187/night), meals, and equipment rentals, most people end up spending roughly $600 - $1,200 more on meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging. Building that into your budget upfront saves you from sticker shock at the end of the move.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Dallas, Texas, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $874.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $570 - $651 for the 1,435-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 $75 and $406, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $187 per night for hotel stops on the 1,435-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $374 - $562.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Dallas 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 Dallas, TX to Los Angeles, CA
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Dallas, Texas, 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. Pricing for a 2 - 3 bedroom move of this distance typically lands between $1,461 and $2,759.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Dallas to Los Angeles:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,261 - $2,268
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,461 - $2,759
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,909 - $3,864
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?
- Demand cycles: Trailer costs climb during peak moving season, especially from mid-May through mid-September when demand is at its highest.
- More space: You're billed only for the linear feet you use, but underestimating your inventory means paying for extra space, typically around $94 - $187 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Dallas, Texas, for about five hours typically runs $874.
What are the best freight companies from Dallas 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.
Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Dallas 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: Dallas, TX 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 Dallas on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Dallas, TX | Los Angeles, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 100 | 162 |
| Average rent | $1,774/mo | $2,960/mo |
| Median home value | $303,018 | $878,142 |
| Average income | $67,760/yr | $80,366/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 3.6% | 10.6% |
| State income tax | None | Up to 13.3% |
| Walkability score | 46/100 | 69/100 |
| Safety index | 48.6/100 | 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 Dallas, TX guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from Texas to California, 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 803 movers licensed in Texas, useful context for sizing up this 1,435-mile move.
Our take
The 1,435-mile move from Dallas, TX, to Los Angeles, CA, costs between $2,158 and $9,343 with full-service movers, $1,293 - $4,830 with a moving container, and $872 - $2,525 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 $2,779 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 Dallas, TX, to Los Angeles, CA
How much does it cost to move from Dallas, TX to Los Angeles, CA?
Costs on this route range from around $872 to $9,343, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,158 and $9,343, 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 are some tips for saving money on a move from Dallas, TX to Los Angeles, CA?
Cutting 500 pounds from your shipment, roughly one bedroom's worth of items, saves approximately $200 - $400 on a full-service move on this route. Beyond that, staying organized matters just as much. A solid moving checklist keeps you on schedule and helps you avoid costly last-minute mistakes.
What do local movers charge in Dallas?
Local movers based in Dallas typically start around $179 as a base rate, plus $60/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 Dallas, TX to Los Angeles, CA take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 3 to 8 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are often one of the faster options outside of driving yourself, 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 percentage of Dallas movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 41% of movers in Dallas handle piano moves, and 24% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.