Moving from Los Angeles, CA to Tacoma, WA
About 1,093 miles across a state line, from California into Washington, so the federal interstate rules apply from the first quote.
Distance estimated from city coordinates; the calculator measures your exact route. Prices from our published model, not quotes.
In short
Moving from Los Angeles, CA to Tacoma, WA covers about 1,093 miles and is an interstate move. Full-service movers cost $4,919 – $6,558 for a two-bedroom home in our model, delivered in 3 to 7 days. About 901 people a year move between the two counties (Census).
The route
At 1,093 miles between California and Washington, this sits in the range where carriers differ most. Some run it dedicated with a firm date; others consolidate it with other shipments and quote a window of 3 to 7 days. The price gap between those two is real — a two-bedroom home runs $4,919 – $6,558 full-service — so ask which one you are buying.
- Move type
- Interstate move
- Driving
- 3 days on the road (about 20 hours of driving)
- Usually moves on
- either a dedicated truck or a consolidated load
- Book ahead
- 4 to 6 weeks
Cost of moving from Los Angeles to Tacoma
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $3,689 – $4,919 | $2,656 – $3,541 | $1,771 – $2,361 |
| 1 bedroom | $4,427 – $5,902 | $3,187 – $4,250 | $2,125 – $2,833 |
| 2 bedrooms | $4,919 – $6,558 | $3,541 – $4,722 | $2,361 – $3,148 |
| 3 bedrooms | $5,656 – $7,542 | $4,073 – $5,430 | $2,715 – $3,620 |
| 4 bedrooms | $6,394 – $8,525 | $4,604 – $6,138 | $3,069 – $4,092 |
| 5+ bedrooms | $7,378 – $9,837 | $5,312 – $7,083 | $3,541 – $4,722 |
Transport only, for an estimated 1,093 miles, from our published model: distance × home-size factor × service rate, shown as −10% to +20% around the base figure. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items sit on top. How we price it.
Worked example: a two-bedroom home, Los Angeles to Tacoma
1,093 miles × 2.0 (two-bedroom size multiplier) × $2.50 (full-service rate) = $5,465. The range runs 10% under that to 20% over: $4,919 to $6,558, transport only. Every parameter is on the methodology page; moving cost per mile explains why the rate falls with distance.
How many people move from Los Angeles to Tacoma
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates that about 901 people a year (±279) moved from Los Angeles County, CA, home to Los Angeles, to Pierce County, WA, home to Tacoma. Going the other way: about 483 people a year (±220). Movers from Los Angeles County make up 1.4% of the 66,251 people a year who moved into Pierce County from another county or state.
At state level, the 2024 survey counts about 43,938 people a year (±5,464) moving from California to Washington and about 26,956 people a year (±4,931) from Washington to California — a net gain for Washington of about 16,982 people a year.
| County | People a year |
|---|---|
| Orange County, CA | 38,761 ±2,562 |
| San Bernardino County, CA | 34,920 ±2,839 |
| Riverside County, CA | 23,292 ±2,434 |
| Clark County, NV | 12,873 ±1,782 |
| Kern County, CA | 10,503 ±1,253 |
| County | People a year |
|---|---|
| King County, WA | 21,425 ±1,746 |
| Kitsap County, WA | 3,431 ±792 |
| Thurston County, WA | 2,445 ±553 |
| Snohomish County, WA | 1,887 ±733 |
| Honolulu County, HI | 1,137 ±524 |
Licensed movers at each end
163 household-goods carriers with interstate authority are based within 30 miles of Los Angeles (524 counting those licensed only inside California). 106 of them had a roadside inspection in the last 24 months, and 12.9% of their 738 vehicle inspections ended with a truck put out of service. The largest by registered fleet:
| Carrier | Based in | Size | Inspections, 24 mo | Vehicle out of service |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Move Happy AcmeUSDOT 3136064 | Los Angeles · 2 mi | 31 trucks | 61 | 20.5% of 39 |
| Best California MoversUSDOT 3489907 | North Hollywood · 14 mi | 22 trucks | 91 | 1.4% of 70 |
| Wetzel & Sons Moving & Storage IncUSDOT 2275944 | Pacoima · 17 mi | 17 trucks | 9 | 0.0% of 7 |
| Altar Boys MovingUSDOT 2824890 | Pacoima · 17 mi | 15 trucks | 63 | 9.1% of 33 |
| Pro Movers IncUSDOT 2211293 | Anaheim · 26 mi | 13 trucks | 4 | 0.0% of 2 |
| Lucky Transportation CompanyUSDOT 586392 | City Industry · 20 mi | 12 trucks | 21 | 0.0% of 14 |
How these figures are calculated
At the Tacoma end
For a local crew after delivery, the largest licensed carriers within 30 miles of Tacoma: American Relocation Services Aff Aes Transportation (Fife, 86 trucks), CMS Relocation & Logistics (Kent, 59 trucks), Hansen Bros Moving & Storage (Bellevue, 46 trucks), Graebel Moving Services (Kent, 39 trucks).
Rules that apply to this move
Because the truck crosses from California into Washington, 49 CFR Part 375 applies: a written estimate before loading, no more than 110% of a non-binding estimate collected at delivery, and full-value protection unless you choose released value in writing. See binding vs non-binding estimates and valuation explained.
Before you book Los Angeles to Tacoma
Ask: dedicated or consolidated?
This is the distance where carriers split. A dedicated truck costs more and delivers on a date; a consolidated load costs less and delivers in a window. Decide which you are buying before you compare prices.
Get it binding or not-to-exceed
A non-binding estimate is a guess with no ceiling. On 1,093 miles the gap between a guess and a weighed load is measured in four figures.
Arriving in Tacoma
A local move inside Tacoma later — across town, out of temporary housing — is billed by the hour: about $535 – $873 for a two-bedroom home and $903 – $1,614 for three bedrooms. The nearest cities we cover from Tacoma are Seattle (about 29 mi), Olympia (about 30 mi), Vancouver (about 131 mi).
Other routes from Los Angeles
All routes from Los Angeles, nearest first.
| Route | Distance | 2-bedroom, movers |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles to Oxnard, CA | ~65 mi | $515 – $859 |
| Los Angeles to Bakersfield, CA | ~117 mi | $527 – $702 |
| Los Angeles to San Diego, CA | 126 mi | $567 – $756 |
| Los Angeles to Las Vegas, NV | 271 mi | $1,220 – $1,626 |
| Los Angeles to Modesto, CA | ~340 mi | $1,530 – $2,040 |
| Los Angeles to Phoenix, AZ | 374 mi | $1,683 – $2,244 |
| Los Angeles to San Francisco, CA | 383 mi | $1,724 – $2,298 |
| Los Angeles to Saint George, UT | ~391 mi | $1,760 – $2,346 |
Also moving to Tacoma: from Seattle, WA, from Olympia, WA, from Vancouver, WA, from Portland, OR.
Los Angeles to Tacoma moving FAQ
How much does it cost to move from Los Angeles to Tacoma?
From our published model, full-service movers over about 1,093 miles cost about $3,689 – $4,919 for a studio, $4,919 – $6,558 for a two-bedroom home and $5,656 – $7,542 for a three-bedroom home, transport only; packing, storage and specialty items are extra.
How long does a move from Los Angeles to Tacoma take?
The drive is 3 days on the road (about 20 hours of driving), but the move usually takes 3 to 7 days because it moves on either a dedicated truck or a consolidated load, depending on the carrier and the season. Ask for the delivery window in writing. Book ahead: 4 to 6 weeks, 6 to 8 in summer.
What is the cheapest way to move from Los Angeles to Tacoma?
Loading a freight trailer yourself: about $2,361 – $3,148 for a two-bedroom home, against $4,919 – $6,558 with full-service movers; a moving container is $3,541 – $4,722.
Do I need an interstate-licensed mover for Los Angeles to Tacoma?
Yes. Los Angeles is in California and Tacoma is in Washington, so the carrier needs active FMCSA interstate authority (an MC number) as well as a USDOT number. 163 listed movers within 30 miles of Los Angeles hold it.
How many people move from Los Angeles to Tacoma each year?
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates about 901 people a year (margin of error ±279) moved from Los Angeles County, which contains Los Angeles, to Pierce County, which contains Tacoma.
Sources for this page
The published cost model; US Census Bureau ACS migration flows (± is the 90% margin of error); the FMCSA Motor Carrier Census and Safety Measurement System; 49 CFR Part 375. Data last refreshed September 24, 2026.