Moving from Washington to California
An interstate move, so the FMCSA's rules apply from the first quote. Between Seattle and Los Angeles it is 1,138 miles and 3 days on the road (about 21 hours of driving); the 125 city pairs we price between the two states run from 559 to 1,249 miles.
Prices from our published model (last updated ), not quotes. Distances marked ~ are estimated from city coordinates. Carriers: FMCSA Motor Carrier Census, snapshot 2026-09-24. We do not move anyone.
- 1,138 miSeattle → Los Angeles
- 3–7 daysTypical transit
- $5,121+2-bedroom, movers
- 125City routes priced
In short
About 26,956 people moved from Washington to California in 2024 (Census estimate, ±4,931), and about 43,938 went the other way. Between Seattle and Los Angeles it is 1,138 miles; a two-bedroom move with full-service movers runs $5,121 – $6,828 in our model, delivered in 3–7 days. 149 movers based in Washington hold interstate authority.
Who moves from Washington to California
The Census Bureau's 2024 survey puts the flow at about 26,956 people a year (±4,931), against about 43,938 (±5,464) from California to Washington, so California loses about 16,982 people a year on this exchange. Washington is the 3rd-largest of the 50 states sending people to California; California took in about 406,873 from other states in all.
| From | To | People a year |
|---|---|---|
| King County | Los Angeles County | 2,933 ±435 |
| King County | Santa Clara County | 1,802 ±461 |
| King County | San Diego County | 1,632 ±481 |
| King County | Alameda County | 1,300 ±355 |
| King County | Orange County | 1,280 ±330 |
US Census Bureau: ACS 2024 state-to-state migration and ACS 2016–2020 county-to-county flows; people a year with a 90% margin of error. County names link to their cost guides.
Seattle to Los Angeles, the representative route
Each state is represented by its largest city we cover. The map shows that corridor; the table further down prices every city pair between Washington and California.
Cost of moving from Washington to California
At 1,138 miles, full-service movers should land around $5,121 – $6,828 for a two-bedroom home and $5,889 – $7,852 for three bedrooms. Load a container yourself and the two-bedroom figure drops to $3,687 – $4,916; a freight trailer is $2,458 – $3,277.
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $3,841 – $5,121 | $2,765 – $3,687 | $1,844 – $2,458 |
| 1 bedroom | $4,609 – $6,145 | $3,318 – $4,425 | $2,212 – $2,950 |
| 2 bedrooms | $5,121 – $6,828 | $3,687 – $4,916 | $2,458 – $3,277 |
| 3 bedrooms | $5,889 – $7,852 | $4,240 – $5,654 | $2,827 – $3,769 |
| 4 bedrooms | $6,657 – $8,876 | $4,793 – $6,391 | $3,196 – $4,261 |
| 5+ bedrooms | $7,682 – $10,242 | $5,531 – $7,374 | $3,687 – $4,916 |
Transport only, for 1,138 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.
City-to-city routes from Washington to California
Every pair of cities we cover in the two states, nearest first. 34 have a full route page with a map, transit and licensed movers.
| Route | Distance | Transit | 2 bedrooms | 3 bedrooms |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vancouver to Roseville | ~559 mi | 3–7 days | $2,516 – $3,354 | $2,893 – $3,857 |
| Vancouver to Sacramento | ~572 mi | 3–7 days | $2,574 – $3,432 | $2,960 – $3,947 |
| Vancouver to Stockton | ~622 mi | 3–7 days | $2,799 – $3,732 | $3,219 – $4,292 |
| Vancouver to Oakland | ~631 mi | 3–7 days | $2,840 – $3,786 | $3,265 – $4,354 |
| Vancouver to San Francisco | ~632 mi | 3–7 days | $2,844 – $3,792 | $3,271 – $4,361 |
| Vancouver to Modesto | ~652 mi | 3–7 days | $2,934 – $3,912 | $3,374 – $4,499 |
| Vancouver to Fremont | ~657 mi | 3–7 days | $2,957 – $3,942 | $3,400 – $4,533 |
| Vancouver to San Jose | ~670 mi | 3–7 days | $3,015 – $4,020 | $3,467 – $4,623 |
| Olympia to Roseville | ~673 mi | 3–7 days | $3,029 – $4,038 | $3,483 – $4,644 |
| Tacoma to Roseville | ~686 mi | 3–7 days | $3,087 – $4,116 | $3,550 – $4,733 |
| Olympia to Sacramento | ~687 mi | 3–7 days | $3,092 – $4,122 | $3,555 – $4,740 |
| Tacoma to Sacramento | ~700 mi | 3–7 days | $3,150 – $4,200 | $3,622 – $4,830 |
| Seattle to Roseville | ~714 mi | 3–7 days | $3,213 – $4,284 | $3,695 – $4,927 |
| Seattle to Sacramento | ~729 mi | 3–7 days | $3,281 – $4,374 | $3,773 – $5,030 |
| Olympia to Stockton | ~736 mi | 3–7 days | $3,312 – $4,416 | $3,809 – $5,078 |
| Vancouver to Fresno | ~737 mi | 3–7 days | $3,317 – $4,422 | $3,814 – $5,085 |
| Olympia to Oakland | ~745 mi | 3–7 days | $3,353 – $4,470 | $3,855 – $5,140 |
| Olympia to San Francisco | ~746 mi | 3–7 days | $3,357 – $4,476 | $3,861 – $5,147 |
| Tacoma to Stockton | ~750 mi | 3–7 days | $3,375 – $4,500 | $3,881 – $5,175 |
| Spokane to Roseville | ~751 mi | 3–7 days | $3,380 – $4,506 | $3,886 – $5,182 |
| Tacoma to Oakland | ~761 mi | 3–7 days | $3,425 – $4,566 | $3,938 – $5,251 |
| Tacoma to San Francisco | ~762 mi | 3–7 days | $3,429 – $4,572 | $3,943 – $5,258 |
| Olympia to Modesto | ~766 mi | 3–7 days | $3,447 – $4,596 | $3,964 – $5,285 |
| Spokane to Sacramento | ~769 mi | 3–7 days | $3,461 – $4,614 | $3,980 – $5,306 |
| Olympia to Fremont | ~771 mi | 3–7 days | $3,470 – $4,626 | $3,990 – $5,320 |
| Seattle to Stockton | ~778 mi | 3–7 days | $3,501 – $4,668 | $4,026 – $5,368 |
| Tacoma to Modesto | ~779 mi | 3–7 days | $3,506 – $4,674 | $4,031 – $5,375 |
| Olympia to San Jose | ~784 mi | 3–7 days | $3,528 – $4,704 | $4,057 – $5,410 |
| Tacoma to Fremont | ~786 mi | 3–7 days | $3,537 – $4,716 | $4,068 – $5,423 |
| Seattle to Oakland | ~789 mi | 3–7 days | $3,551 – $4,734 | $4,083 – $5,444 |
| Tacoma to San Jose | ~799 mi | 3–7 days | $3,596 – $4,794 | $4,135 – $5,513 |
| Seattle to Modesto | ~807 mi | 3–7 days | $3,632 – $4,842 | $4,176 – $5,568 |
| Seattle to San Francisco | 808 mi | 3–7 days | $3,636 – $4,848 | $4,181 – $5,575 |
| Spokane to Stockton | ~813 mi | 3–7 days | $3,659 – $4,878 | $4,207 – $5,610 |
| Seattle to Fremont | ~815 mi | 3–7 days | $3,668 – $4,890 | $4,218 – $5,623 |
| Seattle to San Jose | ~828 mi | 3–7 days | $3,726 – $4,968 | $4,285 – $5,713 |
| Spokane to Modesto | ~834 mi | 3–7 days | $3,753 – $5,004 | $4,316 – $5,755 |
| Spokane to Oakland | ~844 mi | 3–7 days | $3,798 – $5,064 | $4,368 – $5,824 |
| Spokane to San Francisco | ~848 mi | 3–7 days | $3,816 – $5,088 | $4,388 – $5,851 |
| Olympia to Fresno | ~850 mi | 3–7 days | $3,825 – $5,100 | $4,399 – $5,865 |
| Vancouver to Bakersfield | ~857 mi | 3–7 days | $3,857 – $5,142 | $4,435 – $5,913 |
| Spokane to Fremont | ~861 mi | 3–7 days | $3,875 – $5,166 | $4,456 – $5,941 |
| Tacoma to Fresno | ~861 mi | 3–7 days | $3,875 – $5,166 | $4,456 – $5,941 |
| Spokane to San Jose | ~872 mi | 3–7 days | $3,924 – $5,232 | $4,513 – $6,017 |
| Seattle to Fresno | ~888 mi | 3–7 days | $3,996 – $5,328 | $4,595 – $6,127 |
| Spokane to Fresno | ~891 mi | 3–7 days | $4,010 – $5,346 | $4,611 – $6,148 |
| Vancouver to Lancaster | ~923 mi | 3–7 days | $4,154 – $5,538 | $4,777 – $6,369 |
| Vancouver to Santa Clarita | ~939 mi | 3–7 days | $4,226 – $5,634 | $4,859 – $6,479 |
| Vancouver to Oxnard | ~945 mi | 3–7 days | $4,253 – $5,670 | $4,890 – $6,521 |
| Olympia to Bakersfield | ~970 mi | 3–7 days | $4,365 – $5,820 | $5,020 – $6,693 |
| Vancouver to Los Angeles | ~972 mi | 3–7 days | $4,374 – $5,832 | $5,030 – $6,707 |
| Tacoma to Bakersfield | ~980 mi | 3–7 days | $4,410 – $5,880 | $5,072 – $6,762 |
| Vancouver to Fontana | ~982 mi | 3–7 days | $4,419 – $5,892 | $5,082 – $6,776 |
| Vancouver to San Bernardino | ~983 mi | 3–7 days | $4,424 – $5,898 | $5,087 – $6,783 |
| Vancouver to Ontario | ~985 mi | 3–7 days | $4,433 – $5,910 | $5,097 – $6,797 |
| Vancouver to Long Beach | ~995 mi | 3–7 days | $4,478 – $5,970 | $5,149 – $6,866 |
| Spokane to Bakersfield | ~996 mi | 3–7 days | $4,482 – $5,976 | $5,154 – $6,872 |
| Vancouver to Anaheim | ~996 mi | 3–7 days | $4,482 – $5,976 | $5,154 – $6,872 |
| Vancouver to Riverside | ~997 mi | 3–7 days | $4,487 – $5,982 | $5,159 – $6,879 |
| Vancouver to Moreno Valley | ~1,001 mi | 3–7 days | $4,505 – $6,006 | $5,180 – $6,907 |
| Vancouver to Santa Ana | ~1,003 mi | 3–7 days | $4,514 – $6,018 | $5,191 – $6,921 |
| Seattle to Bakersfield | ~1,007 mi | 3–7 days | $4,532 – $6,042 | $5,211 – $6,948 |
| Vancouver to Irvine | ~1,009 mi | 3–7 days | $4,541 – $6,054 | $5,222 – $6,962 |
| Olympia to Lancaster | ~1,035 mi | 3–7 days | $4,658 – $6,210 | $5,356 – $7,142 |
| Tacoma to Lancaster | ~1,044 mi | 3–7 days | $4,698 – $6,264 | $5,403 – $7,204 |
| Spokane to Lancaster | ~1,045 mi | 3–7 days | $4,703 – $6,270 | $5,408 – $7,211 |
| Olympia to Santa Clarita | ~1,051 mi | 3–7 days | $4,730 – $6,306 | $5,439 – $7,252 |
| Olympia to Oxnard | ~1,058 mi | 3–7 days | $4,761 – $6,348 | $5,475 – $7,300 |
| Tacoma to Santa Clarita | ~1,061 mi | 3–7 days | $4,775 – $6,366 | $5,491 – $7,321 |
| Spokane to Santa Clarita | ~1,069 mi | 3–7 days | $4,811 – $6,414 | $5,532 – $7,376 |
| Tacoma to Oxnard | ~1,069 mi | 3–7 days | $4,811 – $6,414 | $5,532 – $7,376 |
| Seattle to Lancaster | ~1,070 mi | 3–7 days | $4,815 – $6,420 | $5,537 – $7,383 |
| Olympia to Los Angeles | ~1,084 mi | 3–7 days | $4,878 – $6,504 | $5,610 – $7,480 |
| Seattle to Santa Clarita | ~1,087 mi | 3–7 days | $4,892 – $6,522 | $5,625 – $7,500 |
| Spokane to San Bernardino | ~1,089 mi | 3–7 days | $4,901 – $6,534 | $5,636 – $7,514 |
| Spokane to Oxnard | ~1,090 mi | 3–7 days | $4,905 – $6,540 | $5,641 – $7,521 |
| Spokane to Fontana | ~1,091 mi | 3–7 days | $4,910 – $6,546 | $5,646 – $7,528 |
| Olympia to Fontana | ~1,093 mi | 3–7 days | $4,919 – $6,558 | $5,656 – $7,542 |
| Tacoma to Los Angeles | ~1,093 mi | 3–7 days | $4,919 – $6,558 | $5,656 – $7,542 |
| Olympia to San Bernardino | ~1,094 mi | 3–7 days | $4,923 – $6,564 | $5,661 – $7,549 |
| Vancouver to San Diego | ~1,095 mi | 3–7 days | $4,928 – $6,570 | $5,667 – $7,556 |
| Olympia to Ontario | ~1,096 mi | 3–7 days | $4,932 – $6,576 | $5,672 – $7,562 |
| Seattle to Oxnard | ~1,096 mi | 3–7 days | $4,932 – $6,576 | $5,672 – $7,562 |
| Spokane to Los Angeles | ~1,097 mi | 3–7 days | $4,937 – $6,582 | $5,677 – $7,569 |
| Spokane to Ontario | ~1,097 mi | 3–7 days | $4,937 – $6,582 | $5,677 – $7,569 |
| Tacoma to Fontana | ~1,100 mi | 3–7 days | $4,950 – $6,600 | $5,693 – $7,590 |
| Tacoma to San Bernardino | ~1,101 mi | 3–7 days | $4,955 – $6,606 | $5,698 – $7,597 |
| Tacoma to Ontario | ~1,104 mi | 3–7 days | $4,968 – $6,624 | $5,713 – $7,618 |
| Spokane to Riverside | ~1,105 mi | 3–7 days | $4,973 – $6,630 | $5,718 – $7,625 |
| Vancouver to Chula Vista | ~1,105 mi | 3–7 days | $4,973 – $6,630 | $5,718 – $7,625 |
| Olympia to Anaheim | ~1,107 mi | 3–7 days | $4,982 – $6,642 | $5,729 – $7,638 |
| Olympia to Long Beach | ~1,107 mi | 3–7 days | $4,982 – $6,642 | $5,729 – $7,638 |
| Olympia to Riverside | ~1,107 mi | 3–7 days | $4,982 – $6,642 | $5,729 – $7,638 |
| Spokane to Moreno Valley | ~1,107 mi | 3–7 days | $4,982 – $6,642 | $5,729 – $7,638 |
| Olympia to Moreno Valley | ~1,112 mi | 3–7 days | $5,004 – $6,672 | $5,755 – $7,673 |
| Spokane to Anaheim | ~1,112 mi | 3–7 days | $5,004 – $6,672 | $5,755 – $7,673 |
| Olympia to Santa Ana | ~1,114 mi | 3–7 days | $5,013 – $6,684 | $5,765 – $7,687 |
| Tacoma to Riverside | ~1,115 mi | 3–7 days | $5,018 – $6,690 | $5,770 – $7,694 |
| Tacoma to Anaheim | ~1,116 mi | 3–7 days | $5,022 – $6,696 | $5,775 – $7,700 |
| Tacoma to Long Beach | ~1,116 mi | 3–7 days | $5,022 – $6,696 | $5,775 – $7,700 |
| Tacoma to Moreno Valley | ~1,119 mi | 3–7 days | $5,036 – $6,714 | $5,791 – $7,721 |
| Spokane to Long Beach | ~1,120 mi | 3–7 days | $5,040 – $6,720 | $5,796 – $7,728 |
| Olympia to Irvine | ~1,121 mi | 3–7 days | $5,045 – $6,726 | $5,801 – $7,735 |
| Spokane to Santa Ana | ~1,122 mi | 3–7 days | $5,049 – $6,732 | $5,806 – $7,742 |
| Tacoma to Santa Ana | ~1,123 mi | 3–7 days | $5,054 – $6,738 | $5,812 – $7,749 |
| Seattle to Fontana | ~1,126 mi | 3–7 days | $5,067 – $6,756 | $5,827 – $7,769 |
| Spokane to Irvine | ~1,126 mi | 3–7 days | $5,067 – $6,756 | $5,827 – $7,769 |
| Seattle to San Bernardino | ~1,127 mi | 3–7 days | $5,072 – $6,762 | $5,832 – $7,776 |
| Tacoma to Irvine | ~1,129 mi | 3–7 days | $5,081 – $6,774 | $5,843 – $7,790 |
| Seattle to Ontario | ~1,130 mi | 3–7 days | $5,085 – $6,780 | $5,848 – $7,797 |
| Seattle to Los Angeles | 1,138 mi | 3–7 days | $5,121 – $6,828 | $5,889 – $7,852 |
| Seattle to Riverside | ~1,141 mi | 3–7 days | $5,135 – $6,846 | $5,905 – $7,873 |
| Seattle to Anaheim | ~1,142 mi | 3–7 days | $5,139 – $6,852 | $5,910 – $7,880 |
| Seattle to Long Beach | ~1,142 mi | 3–7 days | $5,139 – $6,852 | $5,910 – $7,880 |
| Seattle to Moreno Valley | ~1,145 mi | 3–7 days | $5,153 – $6,870 | $5,925 – $7,901 |
| Seattle to Santa Ana | ~1,149 mi | 3–7 days | $5,171 – $6,894 | $5,946 – $7,928 |
| Seattle to Irvine | ~1,155 mi | 3–7 days | $5,198 – $6,930 | $5,977 – $7,970 |
| Spokane to San Diego | ~1,204 mi | 7–14 days | $5,418 – $7,224 | $6,231 – $8,308 |
| Olympia to San Diego | ~1,206 mi | 7–14 days | $5,427 – $7,236 | $6,241 – $8,321 |
| Spokane to Chula Vista | ~1,211 mi | 7–14 days | $5,450 – $7,266 | $6,267 – $8,356 |
| Tacoma to San Diego | ~1,214 mi | 7–14 days | $5,463 – $7,284 | $6,282 – $8,377 |
| Olympia to Chula Vista | ~1,216 mi | 7–14 days | $5,472 – $7,296 | $6,293 – $8,390 |
| Tacoma to Chula Vista | ~1,224 mi | 7–14 days | $5,508 – $7,344 | $6,334 – $8,446 |
| Seattle to San Diego | ~1,240 mi | 7–14 days | $5,580 – $7,440 | $6,417 – $8,556 |
| Seattle to Chula Vista | ~1,249 mi | 7–14 days | $5,621 – $7,494 | $6,464 – $8,618 |
Routes without a link are priced on estimated distance only; the calculator measures the exact drive.
Roadside inspections: interstate movers based in Washington
95 of the 149 interstate movers listed here had at least one roadside inspection in the 24 months to September 13, 2026, 845 inspections in all. Inspectors put the vehicle out of service in 84 of 468 vehicle inspections (17.9%), below the 19.0% for listed movers nationally. Drivers were put out of service in 73 of 807 driver inspections (9.0%, against 13.0%). None has an acute or critical violation from an FMCSA investigation in the past 12 months.
| Carrier | Inspections | Vehicle out of service | Driver out of service |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Relocation Services Aff Aes TransportationFife, WA · USDOT 340754 | 184 | 13 of 108 | 2 of 183 |
| Puget Sound Transfer & StoragePort Angeles, WA · USDOT 430203 | 58 | 6 of 31 | 0 of 52 |
| Hogland Transfer CoEverett, WA · USDOT 8264 | 44 | 4 of 15 | 0 of 44 |
| Jordan River Moving & StorageKirkland, WA · USDOT 901418 | 34 | 3 of 17 | 4 of 34 |
| Asap Movers LLCOlympia, WA · USDOT 4119742 | 23 | 3 of 14 | 9 of 21 |
| Olympic Moving & Storage IncOlympia, WA · USDOT 586615 | 23 | 5 of 16 | 1 of 23 |
FMCSA Safety Measurement System carrier summary, 24-month window. How the comparison is calculated.
Licensed movers at both ends
458 listed household-goods carriers are based in Washington, 149 of them with interstate authority, which this move requires; the Washington directory ranks them. At the California end, 1,592 are based in the state, useful for a local crew after delivery: movers in California, moving costs in California, or the reverse trip, California to Washington. The federal rules for the move itself are in who regulates movers and binding vs non-binding estimates.
Other moves from Washington
Washington to California moving FAQ
How much does it cost to move from Washington to California?
Between the two states' main cities, Seattle and Los Angeles, the distance is 1,138 miles. From our model that is $5,121 – $6,828 for a two-bedroom home and $5,889 – $7,852 for three bedrooms with full-service movers, transport only. A container you load yourself is about $3,687 – $4,916 for the two-bedroom home; a freight trailer about $2,458 – $3,277. Across the 125 city pairs we price between Washington and California, distances run from 559 to 1,249 miles, so use the table for your own cities.
How long does a move from Washington to California take?
Seattle to Los Angeles is 3 days on the road (about 21 hours of driving). The move itself typically takes 3 to 7 days, because at this distance it usually travels on either a dedicated truck or a consolidated load, depending on the carrier and the season. Get the delivery window in writing. Book ahead: 4 to 6 weeks, 6 to 8 in summer.
Do I need an interstate-licensed mover for Washington to California?
Yes. A move from Washington into California is regulated by the FMCSA, so the carrier needs active interstate operating authority as well as a USDOT number. Of the 458 listed movers based in Washington, 149 hold that authority; the rest can only move you within Washington.
What is the cheapest way to move from Washington to California?
Load a freight trailer yourself: about $2,458 – $3,277 for a two-bedroom home over 1,138 miles against $5,121 – $6,828 with full-service movers. A container, about $3,687 – $4,916, splits the difference and gives you days to load.
How many people move from Washington to California each year?
The Census Bureau's 2024 American Community Survey estimates about 26,956 people (±4,931) moved from Washington to California that year, against about 43,938 (±5,464) from California to Washington. That makes Washington the 3rd-largest source of new residents for California among the states.