($808+) Seattle, WA to Irvine, CA Movers

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Background image of a moving truck moving from Seattle, WA to Irvine, CA

Moving from Seattle, WA, to Irvine, CA, runs anywhere from $753 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $9,913 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,179 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 $2,537, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $9,913 or more.
  • Moving containers run $1,272 - $4,440, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $753 - $2,102.
  • Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Seattle, WA, to Irvine, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,225 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.

Compare moving options from Seattle, WA to Irvine, CA

Moving options from Seattle to Irvine fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $3,225 - $7,207 for a 2-3 bedroom home and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers cost about 30% less than full-service for the same size, and rental trucks land around 60% less, with both DIY options requiring you to load yourself. Covering 1,179 miles, this route usually takes 2 to 8 days from pickup to delivery.

Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,179-mile route from Seattle to Irvine, broken down by home size:

Home size Full-service movers Moving container Rental truck Freight trailer
Studio / 1 bedroom $2,537 - $6,053 $1,272 - $2,504 $753 - $1,554 $1,157 - $2,275
2 - 3 bedrooms $3,225 - $7,207 $1,723 - $3,454 $814 - $1,831 $1,352 - $2,630
4+ bedrooms $5,614 - $9,913 $2,242 - $4,440 $1,023 - $2,102 $1,720 - $3,694

Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.

Professional
Safeway Moving
star star star star star 4.9 / 5
Read our full Safeway review
Best overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran-owned
Container
Unlimited storage
3 container sizes
10% discount
Rental Truck
Budget Truck Rental
star star star star star 4.3 / 5
Read our full Budget review
Affordable pricing
Online estimates
Several discounts
Freight
MovingYourself
star star star star star 4.5 / 5
Read our full MovingYourself review
Fast delivery
Nationwide
100+ miles moves

Full-service moving costs from Seattle, WA to Irvine, CA

A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 1,179-mile move from Seattle, Washington, to Irvine, California, with prices running from $2,537 - $9,913. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $482 - $3,216 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between Seattle and Irvine are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, Seattle movers tend to run around $260 as a base rate plus $141/hour per mover, for comparison.

Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Seattle to Irvine:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,537 - $6,053
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,225 - $7,207
  • 4+ bedrooms: $5,614 - $9,913

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 Seattle to Irvine.

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 Seattle, WA to Irvine, CA

Specialty needs vary by market — 92% of Seattle movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Irvine, 85% of movers offer the same service.

Service When you need it Typical cost
Full packingFull crew packing97% of local movers$804 - $8,040
Storage in transitNew place not ready92% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Gentle Giant Moving Company$322 - $1,930/mo
Shuttle feeTruck can't reach door$482 - $3,859
Full-value protectionMore than $0.60/lb coverage37% of local movers$300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value)
Small movesUnder ~2,000 lbs37% of local movers$1,608 - $4,824
Office / commercialWorkplace relocation$4,020 - $16,080
Car shippingSecond vehicle$1,204 - $2,288
Antiques & fine artFragile, high-value items56% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Seattle Movers$1,608 - $4,020
PianoAny piano type76% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Gentle Giant Moving Company$1,286 - $5,628
Pool tableDisassembly & re-leveling40% of local movers$482 - $2,412
Hot tubHeavy, needs disconnect29% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Hansen Bros Moving and Storage$1,045 - $3,216
Wine collectionClimate-controlled transport$482 - $24,120+
Pet relocationGround, air, or concierge$482 - $5,628+

What are the best full-service movers from Seattle to Irvine?

California Moving & Storage Association membership is a quick way to confirm a mover is legitimate in California, on top of the picks below.

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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 full-service movers are the more cost-efficient choice. Local movers in Seattle, WA, often charge 30% - 40% more at that distance because their operations aren't built for long-haul logistics. The exception is if you want a dedicated point-to-point truck with an average 2-day delivery, though that level of service generally increases your total cost.

Moving container costs from Seattle, WA to Irvine, CA

Moving containers from Seattle, Washington, to Irvine, California, cost between $1,272 and $4,440. The container gets dropped at your door and you load it at your own pace. U-Haul gives you 3 days to load and PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're done, the company handles all the transportation. If you need extra time, storage in Seattle runs about $120/month.

Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Seattle to Irvine:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,272 - $2,504
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,723 - $3,454
  • 4+ bedrooms: $2,242 - $4,440

What other costs come with moving containers?

  • Moving labor: Because loading is on you with a container move, hourly labor help is a popular add-on. In Seattle, WA, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $1,126, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
  • Storage: After the first month, ongoing rental fees kick in. A small container (7 - 8 feet) averages about $121 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $241 per month.
  • Access: Most major container companies serve both Seattle, WA, and Irvine, CA, but confirm a facility is within reasonable distance if you need to retrieve items while in storage.
  • Added contents protection: Full-value protection provides broader coverage than the standard liability in your contract. It typically costs 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on $50,000 worth of belongings.

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 $1,272. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,723 - $3,454, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.

What are the best moving containers Seattle to Irvine?

  1. Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
  2. U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
  3. 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 Seattle 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 Seattle:

  • College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.9/5), 8 years in business
  • On The Go Moving and Storage (4.8/5), 15 years in business
  • All Service Moving (4.9/5), 14 years in business

Moving truck rental costs from Seattle, WA to Irvine, CA

A rental truck for this 1,179-mile move from Seattle, Washington, to Irvine, California, costs between $753 and $2,102. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:

  • Fuel for the drive: $603 - $689
  • Daily insurance: $48/day
  • Equipment rentals: $11 - $32
  • Seattle daily rental rate: $19 - $39
  • Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $1.19 - $1.39
Home sizeTypical truck size
Studio / 1 bedroom10 - 12 ft
2 - 3 bedrooms15 - 17 ft
4+ bedrooms20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel)

These are typical moving truck rental costs from Seattle to Irvine based on home size:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $753 - $1,554
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $814 - $1,831
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,023 - $2,102

Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $753 - $2,102 does not include fuel ($603 - $689) , lodging ($241/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Seattle to Irvine typically runs $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate alone.

What other costs come with rental trucks?

  • Equipment: Tow dollies, appliance dollies, and moving pads are not included in the base rate. These extras often total between $121 and $563.
  • Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $241.
  • Gas: Expect fuel to run between $603 and $689 for the 1,179-mile drive, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
  • Moving labor: If you'd rather not do all the heavy lifting, budget around $1,126 for 2 movers in Seattle, Washington, for about 5 hours.
  • Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.

What are the best moving truck rentals from Seattle to Irvine?

  1. Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
  2. Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
  3. 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 Seattle, WA to Irvine, CA

Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Seattle, Washington, to Irvine, 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 $1,352 and $2,630.

Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Seattle to Irvine:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,157 - $2,275
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,352 - $2,630
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,720 - $3,694

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?

  • 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 $121 and $241.
  • 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 Seattle, Washington, for roughly five hours typically average $1,126.

What are the best freight companies from Seattle to Irvine?

  1. MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Primarily known as a top moving container option for its DIY hybrid model where customers load and the company drives, MovingYourself also functions as a strong freight option thanks to its 53-foot trucks and pay-only-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
  2. U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. Best known for its container service, U-Pack also runs a top-notch freight trailer operation with the same no-deposit, pay-by-the-foot approach that keeps overall costs lower than most freight competitors.
  3. Allstate Transport (4.76/5 stars): Allstate Transport is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned facilities and accessible live support staff make scheduling and route coordination easier on local-area routes than what most national freight providers can offer.

Pro tip: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in Irvine fast. For interstate moves, freight is one of the quickest delivery methods out there. Just keep in mind that freight carriers expect you to be available to receive your shipment, so it works best when your move-in is locked in and you don't need temporary storage on either end.

Cost of living: Seattle, WA vs Irvine, CA

There's not a big cost-of-living gap between Seattle and Irvine to plan around. Cost of living index: 158 vs. 165. Average rent: $1,975/mo vs. $4,000/mo. The bigger factor in your budget is the one-time cost of the move itself, covered above. Walkability: 74 vs. 43. Safety index: 49.23 vs. 68.99.

Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Irvine, CA to Seattle, WA guide.

Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:

In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from Washington 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 95 movers licensed in Washington, useful context for sizing up this 1,179-mile move.

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Our take

A move from Seattle, WA, to Irvine, 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 $2,537 - $9,913 on the 1,179-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,272 - $4,440, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $753 - $2,102. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $3,225 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 Mitsubishi Digital Electronics America and Taco Bell.

FAQs: Moving from Seattle, WA, to Irvine, CA

How much does it cost to move from Seattle, WA to Irvine, CA?

Costs on this route range from around $2,537 to $9,913, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,537 and $9,913, 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.

How walkable is Irvine?

Irvine has a walkability score of 43 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 69, compared to 74 and 71 in Seattle. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.

What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?

The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($603 - $689), daily insurance ($48/day), and equipment rentals ($11 - $32) on top. Overnight stops can add another $241/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.

How do I know a mover is licensed in California?

When contacting a local moving company for an estimate in California, make sure each has a “T Number” issued by the California Public Utilities Commission (CAPUC). Moving companies with valid T Numbers have met state requirements for insurance, safety, and financial stability and have passed criminal clearance checks conducted by the California Department of Justice.

What is the best time of year to move from Seattle, WA to Irvine, 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.

What percentage of Seattle movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?

About 76% of movers in Seattle handle piano moves, and 56% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.