Moving from Seattle, WA to Sacramento, CA
About 729 miles across a state line, from Washington 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 Seattle, WA to Sacramento, CA covers about 729 miles and is an interstate move. Full-service movers cost $3,281 – $4,374 for a two-bedroom home in our model, delivered in 3 to 7 days. About 555 people a year move between the two counties (Census).
The route
At 729 miles between Washington 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 $3,281 – $4,374 full-service — so ask which one you are buying.
- Move type
- Interstate move
- Driving
- 2 days on the road (about 13 hours of driving)
- Usually moves on
- either a dedicated truck or a consolidated load
- Book ahead
- 4 to 6 weeks
Cost of moving from Seattle to Sacramento
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $2,460 – $3,281 | $1,771 – $2,362 | $1,181 – $1,575 |
| 1 bedroom | $2,952 – $3,937 | $2,126 – $2,834 | $1,417 – $1,890 |
| 2 bedrooms | $3,281 – $4,374 | $2,362 – $3,149 | $1,575 – $2,100 |
| 3 bedrooms | $3,773 – $5,030 | $2,716 – $3,622 | $1,811 – $2,414 |
| 4 bedrooms | $4,265 – $5,686 | $3,071 – $4,094 | $2,047 – $2,729 |
| 5+ bedrooms | $4,921 – $6,561 | $3,543 – $4,724 | $2,362 – $3,149 |
Transport only, for an estimated 729 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, Seattle to Sacramento
729 miles × 2.0 (two-bedroom size multiplier) × $2.50 (full-service rate) = $3,645. The range runs 10% under that to 20% over: $3,281 to $4,374, 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 Seattle to Sacramento
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates that about 555 people a year (±232) moved from King County, WA, home to Seattle, to Sacramento County, CA, home to Sacramento. Going the other way: about 405 people a year (±173). Movers from King County make up 0.8% of the 73,175 people a year who moved into Sacramento County from another county or state.
At state level, the 2024 survey counts about 26,956 people a year (±4,931) moving from Washington to California and about 43,938 people a year (±5,464) from California to Washington — a net gain for Washington of about 16,982 people a year.
| County | People a year |
|---|---|
| Snohomish County, WA | 21,771 ±1,735 |
| Pierce County, WA | 21,425 ±1,746 |
| Kitsap County, WA | 3,349 ±699 |
| Maricopa County, AZ | 3,295 ±699 |
| Spokane County, WA | 3,045 ±593 |
| County | People a year |
|---|---|
| Placer County, CA | 7,311 ±1,250 |
| Yolo County, CA | 4,823 ±699 |
| Alameda County, CA | 4,110 ±677 |
| Los Angeles County, CA | 3,467 ±667 |
| Solano County, CA | 3,457 ±794 |
Licensed movers at each end
79 household-goods carriers with interstate authority are based within 30 miles of Seattle (299 counting those licensed only inside Washington). 48 of them had a roadside inspection in the last 24 months, and 16.1% of their 274 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Relocation Services Aff Aes TransportationUSDOT 340754 | Fife · 25 mi | 86 trucks | 184 | 12.0% of 108 |
| Hogland Transfer CoUSDOT 8264 | Everett · 24 mi | 67 trucks | 44 | 26.7% of 15 |
| CMS Relocation & LogisticsUSDOT 505087 | Kent · 15 mi | 59 trucks | 8 | 0.0% of 4 |
| Hansen Bros Moving & StorageUSDOT 8257 | Bellevue · 9 mi | 46 trucks | 10 | 16.7% of 6 |
| Hill Moving Services IncUSDOT 534666 | Poulsbo · 17 mi | 34 trucks | 10 | 33.3% of 3 |
| 4252510911USDOT 153161 | Kent · 15 mi | 31 trucks | 22 | 37.5% of 8 |
How these figures are calculated
At the Sacramento end
For a local crew after delivery, the largest licensed carriers within 30 miles of Sacramento: Sierra Valley Moving (Sacramento, 11 trucks), Wind Dancer Moving Company (Rio Oso, 9 trucks), Auburn Moving Co Inc (Roseville, 7 trucks), Scott Heavy Movers Inc (North Highland, 6 trucks).
Rules that apply to this move
Because the truck crosses from Washington 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 Seattle to Sacramento
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 729 miles the gap between a guess and a weighed load is measured in four figures.
Arriving in Sacramento
A local move inside Sacramento 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 Sacramento are Roseville (about 19 mi), Stockton (about 50 mi), Oakland (about 80 mi).
Other routes from Seattle
All routes from Seattle, nearest first.
| Route | Distance | 2-bedroom, movers |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle to Tacoma, WA | ~29 mi | $535 – $873 |
| Seattle to Olympia, WA | ~55 mi | $535 – $873 |
| Seattle to Vancouver, WA | ~160 mi | $720 – $960 |
| Seattle to Portland, OR | 174 mi | $783 – $1,044 |
| Seattle to Salem, OR | ~218 mi | $981 – $1,308 |
| Seattle to Spokane, WA | ~266 mi | $1,197 – $1,596 |
| Seattle to Eugene, OR | ~289 mi | $1,301 – $1,734 |
| Seattle to Missoula, MT | ~460 mi | $2,070 – $2,760 |
Also moving to Sacramento: from Roseville, CA, from Stockton, CA, from Modesto, CA, from San Francisco, CA.
Seattle to Sacramento moving FAQ
How much does it cost to move from Seattle to Sacramento?
From our published model, full-service movers over about 729 miles cost about $2,460 – $3,281 for a studio, $3,281 – $4,374 for a two-bedroom home and $3,773 – $5,030 for a three-bedroom home, transport only; packing, storage and specialty items are extra.
How long does a move from Seattle to Sacramento take?
The drive is 2 days on the road (about 13 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 Seattle to Sacramento?
Loading a freight trailer yourself: about $1,575 – $2,100 for a two-bedroom home, against $3,281 – $4,374 with full-service movers; a moving container is $2,362 – $3,149.
Do I need an interstate-licensed mover for Seattle to Sacramento?
Yes. Seattle is in Washington and Sacramento is in California, so the carrier needs active FMCSA interstate authority (an MC number) as well as a USDOT number. 79 listed movers within 30 miles of Seattle hold it.
How many people move from Seattle to Sacramento each year?
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates about 555 people a year (margin of error ±232) moved from King County, which contains Seattle, to Sacramento County, which contains Sacramento.
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.