Moving from Portland, OR to Los Angeles, CA
About 963 miles across a state line, from Oregon into California, 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 Portland, OR to Los Angeles, CA covers about 963 miles and is an interstate move. Full-service movers cost $4,334 – $5,778 for a two-bedroom home in our model, delivered in 3 to 7 days. About 769 people a year move between the two counties (Census).
The route
At 963 miles between Oregon and California, 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 $4,334 – $5,778 full-service — so ask which one you are buying.
- Move type
- Interstate move
- Driving
- 2 days on the road (about 18 hours of driving)
- Usually moves on
- either a dedicated truck or a consolidated load
- Book ahead
- 4 to 6 weeks
Cost of moving from Portland to Los Angeles
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $3,250 – $4,334 | $2,340 – $3,120 | $1,560 – $2,080 |
| 1 bedroom | $3,900 – $5,200 | $2,808 – $3,744 | $1,872 – $2,496 |
| 2 bedrooms | $4,334 – $5,778 | $3,120 – $4,160 | $2,080 – $2,773 |
| 3 bedrooms | $4,984 – $6,645 | $3,588 – $4,784 | $2,392 – $3,189 |
| 4 bedrooms | $5,634 – $7,511 | $4,056 – $5,408 | $2,704 – $3,605 |
| 5+ bedrooms | $6,500 – $8,667 | $4,680 – $6,240 | $3,120 – $4,160 |
Transport only, for an estimated 963 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, Portland to Los Angeles
963 miles × 2.0 (two-bedroom size multiplier) × $2.50 (full-service rate) = $4,815. The range runs 10% under that to 20% over: $4,334 to $5,778, 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 Portland to Los Angeles
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates that about 769 people a year (±205) moved from Multnomah County, OR, home to Portland, to Los Angeles County, CA, home to Los Angeles. Going the other way: about 1,309 people a year (±358). Movers from Multnomah County make up 0.4% of the 201,481 people a year who moved into Los Angeles County from another county or state.
At state level, the 2024 survey counts about 17,954 people a year (±4,037) moving from Oregon to California and about 31,500 people a year (±4,443) from California to Oregon — a net gain for Oregon of about 13,546 people a year.
| County | People a year |
|---|---|
| Clackamas County, OR | 9,470 ±1,192 |
| Washington County, OR | 8,650 ±1,135 |
| Clark County, WA | 5,403 ±773 |
| King County, WA | 1,552 ±436 |
| Lane County, OR | 1,425 ±453 |
| County | People a year |
|---|---|
| Orange County, CA | 23,839 ±1,290 |
| San Bernardino County, CA | 15,590 ±1,301 |
| Riverside County, CA | 10,232 ±1,091 |
| San Diego County, CA | 8,898 ±761 |
| Ventura County, CA | 6,625 ±810 |
Licensed movers at each end
59 household-goods carriers with interstate authority are based within 30 miles of Portland (111 counting those licensed only inside Oregon). 43 of them had a roadside inspection in the last 24 months, and 16.2% of their 216 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Service MovingUSDOT 1863079 | Portland · 2 mi | 100 trucks | 78 | 17.4% of 46 |
| Suddath Moving & StorageUSDOT 2482348 | Portland · 5 mi | 29 trucks | 2 | 0.0% of 1 |
| Terminal Transfer IncUSDOT 59571 | Portland · 7 mi | 25 trucks | 22 | 25.0% of 16 |
| PDX Movers LLCUSDOT 2353055 | Tualatin · 12 mi | 15 trucks | 34 | 10.3% of 29 |
| Rose City Moving & StorageUSDOT 295098 | Portland · 5 mi | 13 trucks | 1 | 0.0% of 1 |
| A-1 Premium Moving LLCUSDOT 2033832 | Portland · 7 mi | 12 trucks | 0 | — |
How these figures are calculated
At the Los Angeles end
For a local crew after delivery, the largest licensed carriers within 30 miles of Los Angeles: Move Happy Acme (Los Angeles, 31 trucks), Best California Movers (North Hollywood, 22 trucks), Wetzel & Sons Moving & Storage Inc (Pacoima, 17 trucks), Altar Boys Moving (Pacoima, 15 trucks).
Rules that apply to this move
Because the truck crosses from Oregon into California, 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 Portland to Los Angeles
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 963 miles the gap between a guess and a weighed load is measured in four figures.
Arriving in Los Angeles
A local move inside Los Angeles later — across town, out of temporary housing — is billed by the hour: about $515 – $859 for a two-bedroom home and $867 – $1,587 for three bedrooms. The nearest cities we cover from Los Angeles are Long Beach (about 23 mi), Santa Clarita (about 34 mi), Santa Ana (about 35 mi).
Other routes from Portland
All routes from Portland, nearest first.
| Route | Distance | 2-bedroom, movers |
|---|---|---|
| Portland to Vancouver, WA | ~9 mi | $515 – $859 |
| Portland to Salem, OR | ~51 mi | $515 – $859 |
| Portland to Eugene, OR | ~121 mi | $545 – $726 |
| Portland to Olympia, WA | ~123 mi | $554 – $738 |
| Portland to Tacoma, WA | ~140 mi | $630 – $840 |
| Portland to Seattle, WA | 174 mi | $783 – $1,044 |
| Portland to Spokane, WA | ~338 mi | $1,521 – $2,028 |
| Portland to Boise, ID | ~402 mi | $1,809 – $2,412 |
Also moving to Los Angeles: from Anaheim, CA, from Lancaster, CA, from Oxnard, CA, from Moreno Valley, CA.
Portland to Los Angeles moving FAQ
How much does it cost to move from Portland, OR to Los Angeles?
From our published model, full-service movers over about 963 miles cost about $3,250 – $4,334 for a studio, $4,334 – $5,778 for a two-bedroom home and $4,984 – $6,645 for a three-bedroom home, transport only; packing, storage and specialty items are extra.
How long does a move from Portland, OR to Los Angeles take?
The drive is 2 days on the road (about 18 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 Portland, OR to Los Angeles?
Loading a freight trailer yourself: about $2,080 – $2,773 for a two-bedroom home, against $4,334 – $5,778 with full-service movers; a moving container is $3,120 – $4,160.
Do I need an interstate-licensed mover for Portland, OR to Los Angeles?
Yes. Portland is in Oregon and Los Angeles is in California, so the carrier needs active FMCSA interstate authority (an MC number) as well as a USDOT number. 59 listed movers within 30 miles of Portland hold it.
How many people move from Portland, OR to Los Angeles each year?
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates about 769 people a year (margin of error ±205) moved from Multnomah County, which contains Portland, to Los Angeles County, which contains Los Angeles.
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.