($161+) Tacoma, WA to Portland, OR Movers
Moving from Tacoma, WA, to Portland, OR, runs anywhere from $161 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $5,080 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 143 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 1 to 2 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 $808, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $5,080 or more.
- Moving containers run $686 - $2,173, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $161 - $357.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Tacoma, WA, to Portland, OR. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $1,359 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
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Compare moving options from Tacoma, WA to Portland, OR
Moving options from Tacoma to Portland fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $1,359 - $4,154 for a 2-3 bedroom home and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers cost about 32% less than full-service for the same size, and rental trucks land around 87% less, with both DIY options requiring you to load yourself. Covering 143 miles, this route usually takes 1 to 2 days from pickup to delivery.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 143-mile route from Tacoma to Portland, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $808 - $3,218 | $686 - $1,235 | $161 - $253 | $636 - $1,067 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $1,359 - $4,154 | $918 - $1,599 | $171 - $307 | $757 - $1,306 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $1,868 - $5,080 | $1,134 - $2,173 | $207 - $357 | $1,003 - $1,638 |
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated October 30, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Tacoma, WA to Portland, OR
For the 143-mile move from Tacoma, Washington, to Portland, Oregon, full-service movers cost between $808 and $5,080. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $375 - $2,500 (1 - 5+ bedrooms), crews will pack your boxes. The weight of your shipment and the mileage between the two cities are what drive your final cost. For scale, local movers in Tacoma generally start around $316 plus $133 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Tacoma to Portland:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $808 - $3,218
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,359 - $4,154
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,868 - $5,080
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 Portland.
Pro tip: Peak moving season (May - September) limits truck availability and pushes up full-service moving costs. Booking during slower months can give you more scheduling room and a lower final price.
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Specialty moving services from Tacoma, WA to Portland, OR
Specialty needs vary by market: 57% of Tacoma movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Portland, 57% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing68% of local movers | $625 - $6,250 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready57% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: All Ready Moving & Storage | $250 - $1,500/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $375 - $3,000 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage11% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs49% of local movers | $1,250 - $3,750 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,125 - $12,500 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $936 - $1,779 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items27% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Triple 7 Movers | $1,250 - $3,125 |
| Piano | Any piano type33% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: Triple 7 Movers | $1,000 - $4,375 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling7% of local movers | $375 - $1,875 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect9% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Triple 7 Movers | $813 - $2,500 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $375 - $18,750+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $375 - $4,375+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Tacoma to Portland?
Look for Oregon Moving & Storage Association membership as a baseline when comparing movers in Oregon beyond this list.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is our pick for best overall value. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 support, and 30 days of free storage make Safeway the clearest value on this list.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. AVL has been moving customers since 1995 and uses full-time in-house crews trained on high-value items like art and antiques.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. One of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, 24/7 monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan against damage, loss, and breakage.
How much do local movers cost in Tacoma, WA?
Based on recent quotes for this route, a 2-bedroom move from Tacoma to Portland with a local mover averages $1,319 - $4,030. A local mover in Tacoma, WA is worth considering for moves under 500 miles. Short-distance moves don't always need the scale of a national carrier, and local companies can offer streamlined service, more flexible pickup windows, and a more personal approach to coordination.
Be sure to confirm interstate licensing, insurance coverage, and delivery expectations before booking.
Triple 7 Movers (4.64/5 stars) is our preferred moving company in Tacoma, based on our analysis of feedback from 1,899 customers, 95.4% of which is positive.
Address: 4103 C St NE, Unit 300, Auburn, WA, 98002 | Founded: 2008
Moving container costs from Tacoma, WA to Portland, OR
Moving containers from Tacoma, Washington, to Portland, Oregon, cost between $686 and $2,173. 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 Tacoma runs about $110/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Tacoma to Portland:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $686 - $1,235
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $918 - $1,599
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,134 - $2,173
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 $875, 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 $94 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $188 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Tacoma, WA, and Portland, OR, 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 Oregon 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 $686. Underestimating how much you have and needing an extra container means paying for another one, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise. For reference, a 2 - 3 bedroom home typically runs $918 - $1,599.
What are the best moving containers Tacoma to Portland?
- 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
- A2B Moving & Storage, LLC (4.5/5), 16 years in business
- Mountain Moving & Storage (4.6/5), 63 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Tacoma, WA to Portland, OR
A rental truck for this 143-mile move from Tacoma, Washington, to Portland, Oregon, costs between $161 and $357. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $57 - $65
- 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 Portland based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $161 - $253
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $171 - $307
- 4+ bedrooms: $207 - $357
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $161 - $357 when pricing out a rental truck from Tacoma to Portland. Fuel alone runs $57 - $65, and overnight lodging ($188/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Gas: Fuel adds $57 - $65 for the 143-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 $875.
- Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
- Lodging: The 143-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $188 per night, adding $375 - $563 in hotel costs total.
- Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $63 and $375.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Tacoma to Portland?
- 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 Portland, OR
Freight trailers are a good fit for medium-to-large moves where you need more space than a container but don't want to drive a rental truck from Tacoma, Washington, to Portland, Oregon. The trailer is delivered to your address, you load it, and the carrier takes it the rest of the way.
Unlike truck rentals with flat rates, freight trailers scale with your shipment. Every additional section of trailer space you fill increases your total. A 2 - 3 bedroom long-distance move using this method runs roughly between $757 and $1,306.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Tacoma to Portland:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $636 - $1,067
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $757 - $1,306
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,003 - $1,638
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 $94 - $188 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 $875.
What are the best freight companies from Tacoma to Portland?
- 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.
- 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.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in Portland 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: Tacoma, WA vs Portland, OR
There's not a big cost-of-living gap between Tacoma and Portland to plan around. Cost of living index: 123 vs. 128. Average rent: $1,650/mo vs. $1,530/mo. The bigger factor in your budget is the one-time cost of the move itself, covered above. Walkability: 54 vs. 81. Safety index: 44.45 vs. 42.63.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Portland, OR to Tacoma, WA guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from Washington to Oregon, so our pricing data reflects what movers are actually charging right now. Check our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers, the best way to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and bad actors. We track 265 movers in Washington, so you have real options to compare for this 143-mile move.
Our take
For a move from Tacoma, WA, to Portland, OR, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $808 for a studio to $5,080 for a 4+ bedroom home on the 143-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $686 - $2,173. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $161 - $357, though you'll be handling the driving and loading yourself. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with quotes starting around $1,359 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage included, and 24/7 live customer support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include KinderCare Learning Centers and Daimler Trucks North America.
FAQs: Moving from Tacoma, WA, to Portland, OR
How walkable is Portland?
Portland has a walkability score of 81 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 92, compared to 54 and 48 in Tacoma. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
What are the best neighborhoods in Portland?
For families, Forest Park, Hillsdale, and Irvington are worth a look in Portland. If you're moving solo or without kids, Downtown, Northwest, and Buckman tend to be popular picks instead.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Oregon?
Moving companies headquartered in Oregon must possess an up-to-date USDOT Number as well as a license issued by the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT).
What do local movers charge in Tacoma?
Local movers based in Tacoma typically start around $316 as a base rate, plus $133/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 Portland run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
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 4 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 33% of movers in Tacoma handle piano moves, and 27% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.