Moving from Tacoma, WA to Los Angeles, CA
About 1,093 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 Tacoma, WA to Los Angeles, CA 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 483 people a year move between the two counties (Census).
The route
At 1,093 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 $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 Tacoma to Los Angeles
| 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, Tacoma to Los Angeles
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 Tacoma to Los Angeles
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates that about 483 people a year (±220) moved from Pierce County, WA, home to Tacoma, to Los Angeles County, CA, home to Los Angeles. Going the other way: about 901 people a year (±279). Movers from Pierce County make up 0.2% 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 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 |
|---|---|
| King County, WA | 10,614 ±1,241 |
| Thurston County, WA | 4,280 ±881 |
| Kitsap County, WA | 2,173 ±637 |
| Maricopa County, AZ | 1,389 ±683 |
| Snohomish County, WA | 1,366 ±400 |
| 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
75 household-goods carriers with interstate authority are based within 30 miles of Tacoma (233 counting those licensed only inside Washington). 45 of them had a roadside inspection in the last 24 months, and 18.2% of their 285 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 · 4 mi | 86 trucks | 184 | 12.0% of 108 |
| CMS Relocation & LogisticsUSDOT 505087 | Kent · 16 mi | 59 trucks | 8 | 0.0% of 4 |
| Hansen Bros Moving & StorageUSDOT 8257 | Bellevue · 22 mi | 46 trucks | 10 | 16.7% of 6 |
| 4252510911USDOT 153161 | Kent · 13 mi | 31 trucks | 22 | 37.5% of 8 |
| Eco-MoversUSDOT 3227005 | Seattle · 27 mi | 30 trucks | 19 | 12.5% of 8 |
| Tacoma Motorfreight Servicetms TMS Motorfreight ServiceUSDOT 312895 | Tacoma · 2 mi | 26 trucks | 16 | 42.9% of 7 |
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 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 Tacoma 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 1,093 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 Tacoma
All routes from Tacoma, nearest first.
| Route | Distance | 2-bedroom, movers |
|---|---|---|
| Tacoma to Seattle, WA | ~29 mi | $535 – $873 |
| Tacoma to Olympia, WA | ~30 mi | $535 – $873 |
| Tacoma to Vancouver, WA | ~131 mi | $590 – $786 |
| Tacoma to Portland, OR | ~140 mi | $630 – $840 |
| Tacoma to Eugene, OR | ~260 mi | $1,170 – $1,560 |
| Tacoma to Spokane, WA | ~275 mi | $1,238 – $1,650 |
| Tacoma to Boise, ID | ~458 mi | $2,061 – $2,748 |
| Tacoma to Reno, NV | ~641 mi | $2,885 – $3,846 |
Also moving to Los Angeles: from Anaheim, CA, from Lancaster, CA, from Oxnard, CA, from Moreno Valley, CA.
Tacoma to Los Angeles moving FAQ
How much does it cost to move from Tacoma to Los Angeles?
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 Tacoma to Los Angeles 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 Tacoma to Los Angeles?
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 Tacoma to Los Angeles?
Yes. Tacoma is in Washington and Los Angeles is in California, so the carrier needs active FMCSA interstate authority (an MC number) as well as a USDOT number. 75 listed movers within 30 miles of Tacoma hold it.
How many people move from Tacoma to Los Angeles each year?
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates about 483 people a year (margin of error ±220) moved from Pierce County, which contains Tacoma, 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.