($1,587+) Seattle, WA to Albany, NY Movers
Moving from Seattle, WA, to Albany, NY, runs anywhere from $1,703 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $15,678 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 2,857 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 7 to 21 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 $3,150, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $15,678 or more.
- Moving containers run $2,075 - $7,762, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,703 - $4,688.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Seattle, WA, to Albany, NY. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $4,559 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 Albany, NY
Moving options from Seattle to Albany fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $4,559 - $9,733 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 2,857-mile route typically takes 7 to 21 days door to door.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 2,857-mile route from Seattle to Albany, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $3,150 - $7,310 | $2,075 - $4,121 | $1,703 - $3,240 | $1,924 - $3,459 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $4,559 - $9,733 | $2,638 - $5,296 | $1,845 - $3,857 | $2,090 - $4,460 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $8,579 - $15,678 | $3,606 - $7,762 | $2,377 - $4,688 | $2,944 - $6,210 |
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 Seattle, WA to Albany, NY
Hiring full-service movers from Seattle, Washington, to Albany, New York, costs between $3,150 and $15,678. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 2,857-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $403 - $2,688, 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 Seattle and Albany. For a rough baseline, movers based in Seattle tend to start around $260 plus $141/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 Seattle to Albany:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $3,150 - $7,310
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $4,559 - $9,733
- 4+ bedrooms: $8,579 - $15,678
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 Albany.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Washington to New York. 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 Albany, NY
Specialty needs vary by market — 92% of Seattle movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Albany, 75% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing97% of local movers | $672 - $6,720 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready92% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Gentle Giant Moving Company | $269 - $1,613/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $403 - $3,226 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage37% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs37% of local movers | $1,344 - $4,032 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,360 - $13,440 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,007 - $1,913 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items56% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Seattle Movers | $1,344 - $3,360 |
| Piano | Any piano type76% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Gentle Giant Moving Company | $1,075 - $4,704 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling40% of local movers | $403 - $2,016 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect29% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Hansen Bros Moving and Storage | $874 - $2,688 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $403 - $20,160+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $403 - $4,704+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Seattle to Albany?
New York State Movers & Warehousemen’s Association membership is a quick way to confirm a mover is legitimate in New York, 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 carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Seattle, 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 Seattle, WA to Albany, NY
Moving containers from Seattle, Washington, to Albany, New York, cost between $2,075 and $7,762. 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 Albany:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,075 - $4,121
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,638 - $5,296
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,606 - $7,762
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $101 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $202 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Albany, NY, 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 $941 in Seattle, WA. 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 Washington to New York 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 $2,075. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $2,638 - $5,296, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Seattle to Albany?
- 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 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 Albany, NY
Renting a moving truck for the 2,857-mile move from Seattle, Washington, to Albany, New York, costs between $1,703 and $4,688, before these typical add-ons:
- Fuel for the drive: $1,222 - $1,396
- Daily insurance: $40/day
- Equipment rentals: $9 - $27
- Seattle daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $1.19 - $1.39
| 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 Seattle to Albany based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,703 - $3,240
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,845 - $3,857
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,377 - $4,688
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Seattle to Albany starts at $1,703 - $4,688, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($1,222 - $1,396) , overnight lodging ($202/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for an additional $600 - $1,200 on top of your base rate to cover those costs.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Gas: Fuel adds $1,222 - $1,396 for the 2,857-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 Seattle, Washington, for about 5 hours typically costs around $941.
- Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
- Lodging: The 2,857-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $202 per night, adding $403 - $605 in hotel costs total.
- Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $67 and $403.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Seattle to Albany?
- 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 Seattle, WA to Albany, NY
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Seattle, Washington, to Albany, New York, 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 $2,090 and $4,460.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Seattle to Albany:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,924 - $3,459
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,090 - $4,460
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,944 - $6,210
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?
- 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 $101 - $202 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 Seattle, Washington, typically costs $941.
What are the best freight companies from Seattle to Albany?
- 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 Seattle to Albany, 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: Seattle, WA vs Albany, NY
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Albany, side by side with Seattle on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Seattle, WA | Albany, NY |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 158 | 99 |
| Average rent | $1,975/mo | $1,450/mo |
| Median home value | $911,938 | $222,741 |
| Average income | $121,984/yr | $59,485/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 4.8% | 7.1% |
| State income tax | None | Up to 10.9% |
| Walkability score | 74/100 | 65/100 |
| Safety index | 49.23/100 | 49.65/100 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
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 Albany, NY to Seattle, WA guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from Washington to New York 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 2,857-mile move.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 2,857-mile route from Seattle, WA, to Albany, NY, run $3,150 - $15,678 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $2,075 - $7,762, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $1,703 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $4,559, 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 The Research Foundation for SUNY and Equinox.
FAQs: Moving from Seattle, WA, to Albany, NY
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Seattle, WA to Albany, NY?
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 do local movers charge in Seattle?
Local movers based in Seattle typically start around $260 as a base rate, plus $141/hour per mover. That's a useful baseline if you're hiring help just to load a rental truck or container rather than booking a full long-distance move. Rates in Albany run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
How long does a move from Seattle, WA to Albany, NY 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 are the best neighborhoods in Albany?
For families, Center Square, Helderberg, and Melrose are worth a look in Albany. If you're moving solo or without kids, Center Square, Hudson Park, and Park South tend to be popular picks instead.
What is the cheapest way to move from Seattle, WA to Albany, NY?
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 $1,845 - $3,857. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
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.