($733+) Tacoma, WA to Riverside, CA Movers
Moving from Tacoma, WA, to Riverside, CA, runs anywhere from $733 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $9,525 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,156 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 $2,404, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $9,525 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,352 - $4,436, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $733 - $2,171.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Tacoma, WA, to Riverside, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,042 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
Compare moving options from Tacoma, WA to Riverside, CA
Moving options from Tacoma to Riverside fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $3,042 - $7,465 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 1,156-mile route typically takes 2 to 8 days door to door.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,156-mile route from Tacoma to Riverside, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $2,404 - $5,748 | $1,352 - $2,313 | $733 - $1,425 | $1,216 - $2,103 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $3,042 - $7,465 | $1,608 - $3,188 | $826 - $1,747 | $1,392 - $2,551 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $5,385 - $9,525 | $2,176 - $4,436 | $1,026 - $2,171 | $1,885 - $3,408 |
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 Tacoma, WA to Riverside, CA
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 1,156-mile move from Tacoma, Washington, to Riverside, California, with prices running from $2,404 - $9,525. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $379 - $2,524 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between Tacoma and Riverside are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, Tacoma movers tend to run around $316 as a base rate plus $133/hour per mover, for comparison.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Tacoma to Riverside:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,404 - $5,748
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,042 - $7,465
- 4+ bedrooms: $5,385 - $9,525
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 Tacoma 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: Moving company rates climb during peak moving season (May –-September) when demand peaks. Scheduling your move outside of that window can lead to noticeably lower costs and better availability.
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Specialty moving services from Tacoma, WA to Riverside, CA
Specialty needs vary by market — 97% of Tacoma 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 packing97% of local movers | $631 - $6,310 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready97% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: All Ready Moving & Storage | $252 - $1,514/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $379 - $3,029 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage35% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs35% of local movers | $1,262 - $3,786 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,155 - $12,620 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $945 - $1,796 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items60% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: All Ready Moving & Storage | $1,262 - $3,155 |
| Piano | Any piano type76% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: All Ready Moving & Storage | $1,010 - $4,417 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling40% of local movers | $379 - $1,893 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect29% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Mountain Moving & Storage | $820 - $2,524 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $379 - $18,930+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $379 - $4,417+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Tacoma to Riverside?
Movers licensed to operate in California are typically members of the California Moving & Storage Association, worth checking for before you book any of the three below.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 customer support, and 30 days of free storage are included with every move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list, 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, combining 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 carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Tacoma, WA. At that distance, local movers often charge 30% - 40% more because they don't spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments the way national carriers do. If a direct route and faster delivery (averaging 2 days) are priorities, a local mover may be worth considering, but that service comes at a higher price.
Moving container costs from Tacoma, WA to Riverside, CA
Moving containers from Tacoma, Washington, to Riverside, California, cost between $1,352 and $4,436. 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 Riverside. If you go over that window, storage in Tacoma adds around $110/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Tacoma to Riverside:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,352 - $2,313
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,608 - $3,188
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,176 - $4,436
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 Tacoma, WA, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $883, 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 $95 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $189 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Tacoma, WA, and Riverside, 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 $1,352. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,608 - $3,188, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Tacoma 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 Tacoma 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 Tacoma:
- All Ready Moving & Storage (5.0/5), 22 years in business
- Mountain Moving & Storage (4.6/5), 63 years in business
- A2B Moving & Storage, LLC (4.5/5), 16 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Tacoma, WA to Riverside, CA
Truck rentals from Tacoma, Washington, to Riverside, California, range from $733 - $2,171 for the 1,156-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $464 - $530
- Daily insurance: $38/day
- Equipment rentals: $9 - $25
- Tacoma daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $1.09 - $1.89
| 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 Tacoma to Riverside based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $733 - $1,425
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $826 - $1,747
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,026 - $2,171
Pro tip: The base rate of $733 - $2,171 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Tacoma to Riverside. Fuel ($464 - $530) , lodging at around $189/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?
- Gas: Fuel adds $464 - $530 for the 1,156-mile drive, depending on whether your rental truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: You'll handle the heavy lifting unless you bring in help. Two movers in Tacoma, Washington, for about 5 hours typically costs around $883.
- Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
- Lodging: The 1,156-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $189 per night, adding $379 - $568 in hotel costs total.
- Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $63 and $379.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Tacoma 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 Tacoma, WA to Riverside, CA
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Tacoma, 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 $1,392 and $2,551.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Tacoma to Riverside:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,216 - $2,103
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,392 - $2,551
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,885 - $3,408
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 trailers are billed by the section you fill. If you misjudge your shipment size, each extra foot of trailer space adds around $95 - $189 to your final bill.
- Peak season pricing: Expect higher rates during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) when trailer availability tightens across the country.
- Moving labor: Loading is on you unless you hire outside help. A half-day crew of two movers in Tacoma, Washington, typically costs $883.
What are the best freight companies from Tacoma 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: 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 Riverside 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: Tacoma, WA vs Riverside, CA
There's not a big cost-of-living gap between Tacoma and Riverside to plan around. Cost of living index: 123 vs. 131. Average rent: $1,650/mo vs. $2,295/mo. The bigger factor in your budget is the one-time cost of the move itself, covered above. Walkability: 54 vs. 43. Safety index: 44.45 vs. 59.76.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Riverside, CA to Tacoma, WA guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Washington to California, so we know current pricing better than most. Checking our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates. Washington alone has 95 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 1,156-mile move like this one.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 1,156-mile route from Tacoma, WA, to Riverside, CA, run $2,404 - $9,525 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,352 - $4,436, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $733 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,042, 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 Bourns and California Baptist University.
FAQs: Moving from Tacoma, WA, to Riverside, CA
How long does a move from Tacoma, 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 extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($464 - $530), daily insurance ($38/day), and equipment rentals ($9 - $25) on top. Overnight stops can add another $189/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
What is the cheapest way to move from Tacoma, 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 $826 - $1,747. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
How much does it cost to move from Tacoma, WA to Riverside, CA?
Costs on this route range from around $2,404 to $9,525, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,404 and $9,525, 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 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.
What percentage of Tacoma movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 76% of movers in Tacoma handle piano moves, and 60% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.