Moving from Washingtonto 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, not quotes. Distances marked ~ are estimated from city coordinates. We do not move anyone.
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. 103 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.
What the interstate rules give you
A licensed carrier. Active interstate operating authority (an MC number) and a USDOT number, both checkable on the FMCSA register. A company that offers neither is a broker at best.
A written estimate before loading. Binding fixes the price for the listed inventory; non-binding follows the weighed shipment. The carrier cannot demand more than 110% of a non-binding estimate at delivery, with the balance billed within 30 days. Ask for binding not-to-exceed by name, after a survey.
Valuation. Released-value protection is included at 60 cents per pound per item; full-value protection is the upgrade worth buying for 1,138 miles of handling.
A delivery window, in writing. If it is on the bill of lading, missing it entitles you to delay costs. If it is not, it entitles you to an apology.
Interstate movers based in Washington
469 household-goods carriers in Washington are active on the FMCSA register. The largest with interstate authority, by registered fleet:
- American Relocation Services Aff Aes Transportation, Fife · USDOT 340754 · 86 trucks
- Hogland Transfer Co, Everett · USDOT 8264 · 67 trucks
- Cms Relocation & Logistics, Kent · USDOT 505087 · 59 trucks
- Hansen Bros Moving & Storage, Bellevue · USDOT 8257 · 46 trucks
- Hill Moving Services Inc, Poulsbo · USDOT 534666 · 34 trucks
At the California end
1,617 household-goods carriers are based in California — useful if you need a local crew after delivery. A local move inside Los Angeles runs about $475 – $775 for a two-bedroom home.
Timing the move
| Home size | October – April, mid-week | Summer weekend (+25%) |
|---|---|---|
| 2 bedrooms | $5,121 – $6,828 | $6,401 – $8,535 |
| 3 bedrooms | $5,889 – $7,852 | $7,361 – $9,815 |
Transit is 3 to 7 days. Book ahead: 4 to 6 weeks, 6 to 8 in summer. Trailers on this corridor fill faster in summer, but crews and trucks are stretched, so windows get wider, not shorter.
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. Any move that crosses from Washington into California is regulated by the FMCSA, and the carrier must hold active interstate operating authority (an MC number) as well as a USDOT number. Check both on the FMCSA register before you sign. Interstate carriers must give you a written estimate, the federal "Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move" booklet, and access to an arbitration programme, and cannot demand more than 110% of a non-binding estimate before releasing your goods.
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 splits the difference and gives you days to load. On any of them, moving between October and April, mid-month and mid-week, is worth another 20 to 30 percent — a peak-season date puts the three-bedroom figure at $7,361 – $9,815 rather than $5,889 – $7,852.