($781+) Olympia, WA to Riverside, CA Movers
Moving from Olympia, WA, to Riverside, CA, runs anywhere from $743 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $10,125 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,127 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 2 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 $2,549, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $10,125 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,340 - $4,171, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $743 - $2,133.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Olympia, WA, to Riverside, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,016 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
Compare moving options from Olympia, WA to Riverside, CA
There are 3 main ways to move from Olympia to Riverside: 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 $3,016 - $7,278. Containers cost roughly 30% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 60% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 1,127 miles, expect 2 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 1,127-mile route from Olympia to Riverside, broken down by home size:
- Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $2,549 - $5,734, container $1,340 - $2,385, rental truck $743 - $1,473, freight trailer $1,206 - $2,189.
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $3,016 - $7,278, container $1,725 - $3,222, rental truck $860 - $1,786, freight trailer $1,302 - $2,630.
- 4+ bedrooms: full-service $5,476 - $10,125, container $2,266 - $4,171, rental truck $978 - $2,133, freight trailer $1,849 - $3,406.
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 Olympia, WA to Riverside, CA
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 1,127-mile move from Olympia, Washington, to Riverside, California, with costs ranging from $2,549 - $10,125. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $359 - $2,392. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Olympia and Riverside. Local movers in Olympia typically start around $296 as a base rate plus $133/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Olympia to Riverside:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,549 - $5,734
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,016 - $7,278
- 4+ bedrooms: $5,476 - $10,125
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 Olympia to Riverside.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Washington to California. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
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 Olympia, WA to Riverside, CA
Specialty needs vary by market — 97% of Olympia movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Riverside, 84% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $598 - $5,980 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready97% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: All Ready Moving & Storage | $239 - $1,435/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $359 - $2,870 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage27% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs30% of local movers | $1,196 - $3,588 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,990 - $11,960 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $896 - $1,702 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items58% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: All Ready Moving & Storage | $1,196 - $2,990 |
| Piano | Any piano type79% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: All Ready Moving & Storage | $957 - $4,186 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling45% of local movers | $359 - $1,794 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect33% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Mountain Moving & Storage | $777 - $2,392 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $359 - $17,940+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $359 - $4,186+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Olympia to Riverside?
California Moving & Storage Association membership is a quick way to confirm a mover is legitimate in California, 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 van lines are the smarter financial choice over local movers in Olympia, WA. 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 Olympia, WA to Riverside, CA
Moving containers from Olympia, Washington, to Riverside, California, cost between $1,340 and $4,171. 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 Olympia typically costs about $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Olympia to Riverside:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,340 - $2,385
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,725 - $3,222
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,266 - $4,171
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Containers are self-loaded, so many people hire hourly help for the heavy lifting. moveBuddha data shows two movers for about five hours runs around $837 in Olympia, WA. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: If you want stronger coverage than the default liability, full-value protection is the upgrade to consider. Most providers charge 1% - 2% of your shipment value, roughly $500 - $1,000 for $50,000 in contents.
- Storage: After the first month, rental fees average $90 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $179 per month for a larger 12- to 16-foot unit.
- Access: If you anticipate needing to access items while in storage, confirm there's a facility conveniently located near your Riverside, CA, destination before booking.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Washington 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 $1,340. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,725 - $3,222, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Olympia to Riverside?
- 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 Olympia 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 Olympia:
- All Ready Moving & Storage (4.8/5), 22 years in business
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.8/5), 8 years in business
- Mountain Moving & Storage (4.6/5), 63 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Olympia, WA to Riverside, CA
Plan on $743 - $2,133 for a rental moving truck on the 1,127-mile route from Olympia, Washington, to Riverside, California. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $429 - $490
- Daily insurance: $36/day
- Equipment rentals: $8 - $24
- Olympia daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $1.09 - $1.59
| 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 Olympia to Riverside based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $743 - $1,473
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $860 - $1,786
- 4+ bedrooms: $978 - $2,133
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $743 - $2,133 does not include fuel ($429 - $490) , lodging ($179/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Olympia to Riverside typically runs $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate alone.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Olympia, Washington, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $837.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $429 - $490 for the 1,127-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 $72 and $389, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $179 per night for hotel stops on the 1,127-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $359 - $538.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Olympia to Riverside?
- 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 Olympia, WA to Riverside, CA
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Olympia, Washington, to Riverside, 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. Overall pricing for a move of this size and distance typically lands around $1,302 and $2,630.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Olympia to Riverside:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,206 - $2,189
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,302 - $2,630
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,849 - $3,406
Pro tip: A 4-foot ramp sounds simple, but heavy or awkward furniture can make the climb tricky. With 8 feet of height to work with, smart vertical stacking is key. Since freight companies charge by the linear foot, every extra foot you use adds to the bill.
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 $90 - $179 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Olympia, Washington, for about five hours typically runs $837.
What are the best freight companies from Olympia to Riverside?
- 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.
- Allstate Transport (4.76/5 stars): Allstate Transport 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 Olympia to Riverside, 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: Olympia, WA vs Riverside, CA
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Riverside, side by side with Olympia on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Olympia, WA | Riverside, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 112 | 131 |
| Average rent | $1,895/mo | $2,295/mo |
| Median home value | $457,660 | $539,898 |
| Average income | $76,930/yr | $88,575/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 5.6% | 7.1% |
| State income tax | None | Up to 13.3% |
| Walkability score | 39/100 | 43/100 |
| Safety index | 62.25/100 | 59.76/100 |
| 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 Riverside, CA to Olympia, WA guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from Washington 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 95 movers in our Washington network to compare for this 1,127-mile move.
Our take
A move from Olympia, WA, to Riverside, 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 $2,549 - $10,125 on the 1,127-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,340 - $4,171, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $743 - $2,133. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $3,016 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 Bourns and California Baptist University.
FAQs: Moving from Olympia, WA, to Riverside, CA
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.
Is Riverside a safe place to live?
Riverside has a safety index of 59.76 out of 100 and a crime index of 40.24, compared to 62.25 and 27.95 in Olympia. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What is the cheapest way to move from Olympia, WA to Riverside, CA?
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 $860 - $1,786. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What are the best neighborhoods in Riverside?
For families, Orangecrest, Mission Grove, and Canyon Crest are worth a look in Riverside. If you're moving solo or without kids, Canyon Crest, Victoria, and Downtown tend to be popular picks instead.
How long does a move from Olympia, WA to Riverside, CA 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 Olympia movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 79% of movers in Olympia handle piano moves, and 58% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.