($903+) Plano, TX to Los Angeles, CA Movers
Moving from Plano, TX, to Los Angeles, CA, runs anywhere from $903 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,861 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,454 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 $2,207, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $8,861 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,318 - $4,782, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $903 - $2,364.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Plano, TX, to Los Angeles, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,860 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 Plano, TX to Los Angeles, CA
Moving options from Plano to Los Angeles fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $2,860 - $6,658 for a 2-3 bedroom home and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers cost about 39% less than full-service for the same size, and rental trucks land around 65% less, with both DIY options requiring you to load yourself. Covering 1,454 miles, this route usually takes 3 to 8 days from pickup to delivery.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,454-mile route from Plano to Los Angeles, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $2,207 - $5,156 | $1,318 - $2,440 | $903 - $1,661 | $1,234 - $2,379 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,860 - $6,658 | $1,753 - $3,727 | $1,005 - $1,996 | $1,458 - $2,782 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $5,089 - $8,861 | $2,335 - $4,782 | $1,168 - $2,364 | $1,964 - $3,938 |
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 Plano, TX to Los Angeles, CA
Hiring full-service movers from Plano, Texas, to Los Angeles, California, costs between $2,207 and $8,861. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 1,454-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $396 - $2,640, 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 Plano and Los Angeles. For a rough baseline, movers based in Plano tend to start around $181 plus $92/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 Plano to Los Angeles:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,207 - $5,156
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,860 - $6,658
- 4+ bedrooms: $5,089 - $8,861
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 Plano to Los Angeles.
Pro tip: The summer months (May - September) are the busiest time of year for movers during peak moving season, which drives up prices and limits scheduling options. If you can move in the fall or winter, you'll likely find better rates and more flexibility.
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Specialty moving services from Plano, TX to Los Angeles, CA
Specialty needs vary by market: 56% of Plano 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 packing75% of local movers | $660 - $6,600 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready56% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: AB Moving | $264 - $1,584/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $396 - $3,168 |
| 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 | $1,320 - $3,960 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,300 - $13,200 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $989 - $1,878 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items24% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: AM Moving Company LLC | $1,320 - $3,300 |
| Piano | Any piano type41% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: AB Moving | $1,056 - $4,620 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling9% of local movers | $396 - $1,980 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect7% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $858 - $2,640 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $396 - $19,800+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $396 - $4,620+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Plano 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 movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in Plano, TX. 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 Plano, TX to Los Angeles, CA
Moving containers from Plano, Texas, to Los Angeles, California, cost between $1,318 and $4,782. You load everything on your own schedule (U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30). When you're ready, the company takes care of getting the container from point A to point B. Need more time than that? Extra storage in Plano typically runs around $80/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Plano to Los Angeles:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,318 - $2,440
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,753 - $3,727
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,335 - $4,782
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Access: Most major container brands operate in both Plano, TX and Los Angeles, CA. Still, double-check that a nearby facility is available if you need to access your belongings before delivery.
- Moving labor: Because containers are self-loaded, many customers hire hourly help. Two movers for about 5 hours typically cost around $924 in Plano, TX, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $99 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $198 for larger ones (12 - 16 feet).
- Added contents protection: For more coverage beyond the standard minimum, full-value protection is the typical upgrade, generally 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value. On a $50,000 household, that's roughly $500 - $1,000 as a one-time fee.
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 $1,318. 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 $1,753 - $3,727.
What are the best moving containers Plano 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 Plano 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 Plano:
- AB Moving (4.8/5), 26 years in business
- Fantastic Moves (4.6/5), 31 years in business
- Evolution Moving Company (4.9/5), 12 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Plano, TX to Los Angeles, CA
Renting a moving truck for the 1,454-mile move from Plano, Texas, to Los Angeles, California, costs between $903 and $2,364, before these typical add-ons:
- Fuel for the drive: $611 - $698
- Daily insurance: $40/day
- Equipment rentals: $9 - $26
- Plano 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 Plano to Los Angeles based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $903 - $1,661
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,005 - $1,996
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,168 - $2,364
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $903 - $2,364 when pricing out a rental truck from Plano to Los Angeles. Fuel alone runs $611 - $698, and overnight lodging ($198/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend roughly $600 - $1,200 more on meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging 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 Plano, Texas, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $924.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $611 - $698 for the 1,454-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 $79 and $429, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $198 per night for hotel stops on the 1,454-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $396 - $594.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Plano 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 Plano, TX to Los Angeles, CA
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Plano, 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 $1,458 and $2,782.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Plano to Los Angeles:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,234 - $2,379
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,458 - $2,782
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,964 - $3,938
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 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 $99 and $198.
- 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 Plano, Texas, for roughly five hours typically average $924.
What are the best freight companies from Plano 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.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are one of the fastest ways to move your belongings interstate, often beating full-service movers on delivery time. If getting your stuff to Los Angeles quickly is a priority, freight is worth a hard look. That said, freight carriers typically require you to be available to receive your shipment within a set window, so if you need short-term storage or your new place won't be ready right away, a container or full-service mover may give you more flexibility.
Cost of living: Plano, 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 Plano on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Plano, TX | Los Angeles, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 112 | 162 |
| Average rent | $2,100/mo | $2,960/mo |
| Median home value | $440,202 | $878,142 |
| Average income | $108,649/yr | $80,366/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 5.5% | 10.6% |
| State income tax | None | Up to 13.3% |
| Walkability score | 41/100 | 69/100 |
| Safety index | 76.98/100 | 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 Plano, 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 1,454-mile move.
Our take
A move from Plano, TX, to Los Angeles, CA, gives you several options depending on your budget and how much you want to do yourself. Full-service movers handle everything but cost the most, ranging from $2,207 - $8,861 on the 1,454-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,318 - $4,782, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $903 - $2,364. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $2,860 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and round-the-clock live 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 Plano, TX, to Los Angeles, CA
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 41 and 52 in Plano. 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 76.98 and 23.02 in Plano. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Plano, 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 is the best time of year to move from Plano, TX to Los Angeles, CA?
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.
How long does a move from Plano, 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 percentage of Plano movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 41% of movers in Plano handle piano moves, and 24% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.