($1,239+) Austin, TX to Tacoma, WA Movers
Moving from Austin, TX, to Tacoma, WA, runs anywhere from $1,239 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $11,384 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 2,141 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 6 to 17 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 $2,525, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $11,384 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,797 - $6,425, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,239 - $3,489.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Austin, TX, to Tacoma, WA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,813 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
Compare moving options from Austin, TX to Tacoma, WA
Moving options from Austin to Tacoma fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $3,813 - $8,120 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 2,141-mile route typically takes 6 to 17 days door to door.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 2,141-mile route from Austin to Tacoma, broken down by home size:
- Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $2,525 - $5,795, container $1,797 - $3,125, rental truck $1,239 - $2,392, freight trailer $1,602 - $2,812.
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $3,813 - $8,120, container $2,281 - $4,429, rental truck $1,439 - $2,905, freight trailer $1,700 - $3,654.
- 4+ bedrooms: full-service $6,677 - $11,384, container $2,913 - $6,425, rental truck $1,780 - $3,489, freight trailer $2,552 - $5,190.
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 Austin, TX to Tacoma, WA
Full-service movers for the 2,141-mile relocation from Austin, Texas, to Tacoma, Washington, cost between $2,525 and $11,384. 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 $380 - $2,532, 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 Austin typically charge a base rate around $191 plus $90 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Austin to Tacoma:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,525 - $5,795
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,813 - $8,120
- 4+ bedrooms: $6,677 - $11,384
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 Austin to Tacoma.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Texas 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 Austin, TX to Tacoma, WA
Specialty needs vary by market — 81% of Austin 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 | $633 - $6,330 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready81% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Black Tie Moving | $253 - $1,519/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $380 - $3,038 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage26% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs55% of local movers | $1,266 - $3,798 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,165 - $12,660 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $948 - $1,802 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items42% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Berger Allied Moving & Storage | $1,266 - $3,165 |
| Piano | Any piano type55% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: 3 Men Movers | $1,013 - $4,431 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling26% of local movers | $380 - $1,899 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect26% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Berger Allied Moving & Storage | $823 - $2,532 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $380 - $18,990+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $380 - $4,431+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Austin to Tacoma?
Washington Movers Conference membership is a quick way to confirm a mover is legitimate in Washington, on top of the picks below.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing means no surprise charges on moving day, and their support team is consistently rated among the most responsive in the industry.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here, 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, with fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan that covers damage, loss, and breakage.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in Austin, 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 Austin, TX to Tacoma, WA
Moving containers from Austin, Texas, to Tacoma, Washington, cost between $1,797 and $6,425. A container is delivered to your home and you load it on your own time. Loading windows vary by company: U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30. From there, the company takes over and transports it to Tacoma. If you go over that window, storage in Austin adds around $80/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Austin to Tacoma:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,797 - $3,125
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,281 - $4,429
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,913 - $6,425
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $95 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $190 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Tacoma, WA, 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 $886 in Austin, 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 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 $1,797. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $2,281 - $4,429, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Austin 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 Austin 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 Austin:
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.8/5), 7 years in business
- Bellhop Moving (4.7/5), 14 years in business
- 3 Men Movers (4.9/5), 41 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Austin, TX to Tacoma, WA
A rental truck for this 2,141-mile move from Austin, Texas, to Tacoma, Washington, costs between $1,239 and $3,489. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $862 - $986
- Daily insurance: $38/day
- Equipment rentals: $9 - $25
- Austin daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.99
| 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 Austin to Tacoma based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,239 - $2,392
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,439 - $2,905
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,780 - $3,489
Pro tip: The base rate of $1,239 - $3,489 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Austin to Tacoma. Fuel ($862 - $986) , lodging at around $190/night, meals, and equipment rentals are all on top of that. Factor in an extra $600 - $1,200 to get a realistic picture of what the move will actually cost.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Austin, Texas, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $886.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $862 - $986 for the 2,141-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 $76 and $411, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $190 per night for hotel stops on the 2,141-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $380 - $570.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Austin 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 Austin, TX to Tacoma, WA
For larger DIY moves from Austin, Texas, 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 Tacoma, Washington.
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 $1,700 and $3,654.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Austin to Tacoma:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,602 - $2,812
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,700 - $3,654
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,552 - $5,190
Pro tip: Freight trailers offer generous space but reward good packing strategy. The 4-foot ramp can be challenging for large or heavy pieces, and using the full 8-foot height takes careful stacking. Because you're billed by the linear foot, maximizing vertical space keeps your costs lower.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In Austin, Texas, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $886.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $95 - $190 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 Austin to Tacoma?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the pick for best for large moves. The company is well-regarded as a top moving container option for its load-it-yourself, we-drive-it model, and that same model makes it a strong freight option for larger homes that benefit from the company's 53-foot trucks and footage-based pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Alongside their flagship container service, U-Pack provides a top-notch freight trailer option that follows the same model: no deposits, no upfront fees, and pricing based on the linear footage you actually use.
- Molina Trucking (4.26/5 stars): Molina Trucking is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned and based facilities mean accessible support staff and area-specific scheduling flexibility that national-only freight carriers typically don't match.
Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from Austin 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: Austin, TX vs Tacoma, WA
Austin and Tacoma land in a similar range on everyday costs. The cost of living index sits at 129 in Austin and 123 in Tacoma, and rent tracks closely too ($1,765/mo vs. $1,650/mo). You likely won't need to rework your monthly budget much after this move. Walkability (42 vs 54) and safety scores (59.87 vs 44.45) come out about the same too.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Tacoma, WA to Austin, 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 Washington, 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 289 movers licensed in Texas, useful context for sizing up this 2,141-mile move.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 2,141-mile route from Austin, TX, to Tacoma, WA, run $2,525 - $11,384 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,797 - $6,425, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $1,239 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,813, 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 Austin, TX, to Tacoma, WA
How much does it cost to move from Austin, TX to Tacoma, WA?
Costs on this route range from around $2,525 to $11,384, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,525 and $11,384, 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 Austin, TX 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 $1,439 - $2,905. 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 ($862 - $986), daily insurance ($38/day), and equipment rentals ($9 - $25) on top. Overnight stops can add another $190/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How long does a move from Austin, TX 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 is the best time of year to move from Austin, TX to Tacoma, WA?
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.
What percentage of Austin movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 55% of movers in Austin handle piano moves, and 42% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.