Moving APT has over 22 years of face to face business with the top movers in the industry. We’ve got the inside scoop on moving from California to Oregon, using real customer data and communicating with movers who travel up the coast on a daily basis.
In this article, we’ll take a look at what you can expect from your move from California to Oregon, and we’ll walk you through our top three picks for the best out of state movers for the job.
Read on to find out what it takes to move from the Golden State to the Beaver State, and see what movers are best for you.
Our Top Recommended Movers from California to Oregon
Native Van Lines
- Great customer service
- Award-winning company
Roadway Moving
- High tech tracking
- White glove moving options
Rockstar Pro Movers
- Secure storage available
- Excellent customer reviews
In this article
How Much Does it Cost to Hire Movers From California to Oregon?
A move from California to Oregon can cost anywhere between $1200 and $9800, and sometimes a little more.
It all depends on a few different factors, but the biggest are the distance traveled and the weight of your stuff.
The Average Cost of Moving from California to Oregon
| 1 Bedroom | 2 – 3 Bedroom | 4 – 5 Bedroom | |
| Bay Area to Portland | $1200 – $2700 | $1800 – $4200 | $3900 – $7500 |
| Los Angeles to Portland | $1400 – $2900 | $2100 – $4900 | $4700 – $8700 |
| San Diego to Portland | $1600 – $3100 | $2400 – $5400 | $5200 – $9800 |
If you’re moving from San Diego to Astoria, it’s going to cost you a lot more than a move from Redding to Ashland. And if you’re moving a five-bedroom house, it’s going to cost a lot more than moving a studio apartment. You should also ask about any extra factors that may affect your final cost.
Long distance movers will typically provide an in-home estimate. This involves sending a representative to your home to take inventory of everything you’ll have to move, and any extra challenges that may affect the moving team on the big day. They’ll also look at the overall distance you’re moving to see how long they’ll be on the road.
Every move is different, so use a moving cost calculator to get a loose estimate of your budget before you make any calls.
How Long Does it Take to Move From California to Oregon?
Moving north can take anywhere from 2 to 14 days or more. Like the price of your move, your timeframe depends on how much stuff you have to move, and how far you’re moving.
| Distance | Days |
| Bay Area to Portland | 2-7 days |
| Los Angeles to Portland | 3-10 days |
| San Diego to Portland | 4-14 days |
A smaller house means a shorter wait, right? Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case. Movers really don’t like sending half-empty trucks from point A to point B. Instead, they’ll top off the truck with other moves to avoid wasted space.
This means you may have to wait a little longer while the truck makes pickups or drop-offs along the way.
Top 3 California to Oregon Moving Companies
Even if you’re living in the north-iest of NorCal, actually moving across the state line can be a challenge. Fortunately, we put together a list of some movers who specialize in helping Californians making the great escape.
Native Van Lines is an award-winning moving company, and their reviews tell you all you need to know about their dedication to customer service. For folks who are making the move from California to Oregon, they’re a great choice with a wide variety of services.
Native can help you with everything from car shipping to corporate relocation, and they provide customized moving options for a totally-tailored experience.
They understand that every move is different, and they’re ready to help you head north. Give them a call to find out more, and use their website to get a free quote.
Pros
- Wide range of moving options
- Customized moving services
- Award-winning company
- Great customer service
Cons
- Not much price info for extra services
Why we recommend Native Van Lines
If you’re joining those 340,000 people and getting out of Cali, Native Van Lines is a great option. We’re huge fans of their customized moving services, and we really appreciate the wide range of moving options they offer.
Plus, their solid customer service means you’ll easily find someone to talk to if you have any questions.
Roadway Moving is a highly-rated moving company that specializes in getting Californians out of their state. They go the extra mile when it comes to planning out your move, and they’ve got an army of trained packers to make sure your stuff stays safe.
Roadway already made a splash in New York, but they’re relatively new to the California moving scene. Don’t take it the wrong way: this just makes them all the more driven to make sure your move goes as smoothly as possible.
They’ve got the tech to back them up, too. GPS tracking and camera support means you always know where your stuff is, and how it’s doing.
Pros
- High tech tracking
- Committed to customer satisfaction
- Specialty moves available
- White glove moving options
Cons
- Personal info required for free quote
Why we recommend Roadway Moving
Roadway Moving is a great company for Californians looking to leave. They’re super driven to ensure customer satisfaction, and we love their high-tech approach to keeping track of your stuff.
Plus, as a self-admitted new kid on the block when it comes to moving from California to Oregon, they’ve already made our top 3 list. That should tell you all you need to know.
Moving from California to Oregon means a lot of stress, and sometimes a little uncertainty. That’s why Rockstar Pro Movers offers a wide range of moving services, and secure storage to make life easier.
Having storage is an excellent bonus when you’re dealing with a state to state move. Sometimes you just don’t know whether everything will fit in a new place, or you need to spread your move out over a week or two.
Rockstar has you covered – and their junk removal is a perfect option for the stuff you don’t want to take with you.
Pros
- Secure storage available
- Helpful and informative website
- Excellent customer reviews
- Wide range of moving services
Cons
- Not much price info without getting a quote
Why we recommend Rockstar Pro Movers
One of the first things that really jumps out to you about Rockstar Pro Movers is their slick website. Aside from easily connecting you with the moving services you need, it’s got tons of extra information about how you can make your move easier.
Any company that offers that much helpful info (for free!) gets high marks in our book.
Factors that Affect the Cost of Your California to Oregon Move
If you’re planning a move, you need to budget accordingly. It’s important to know how much your move will cost, but you should also get familiar with all the extra fees that can stack onto your final price.
- Weight and distance. Long distance movers charge by weight and distance. The more stuff they have to carry, the more you’ll have to pay. The same applies for distance: longer moves cost more money.
- Access fees. Long driveways, staircases, and elevators are all extra challenges for movers, and you’ll typically have to pay an additional fee if your moving team has to jump through extra hoops.
- White glove service. You can’t treat a box of fine china the same as a box full of pillows. White glove service is a must-have option if you need to move fragile items, and you’ll be glad you paid a little more for the extra care.
- Insurance. You should always consider paying extra for moving insurance. On the off-chance that any of your belongings are lost or damaged in transit, your movers can reimburse you if you’re properly insured.
- Specialized moves. Moving a piano, pool table, or any other large, awkward item requires extra planning. Your movers may have to remove doors, navigate hallways, or even figure out a way to lower something out a window.
- Shuttle fees. Some cities don’t allow you to park a semi on the street. Instead, your movers will have to park their big moving truck elsewhere, and use a smaller moving van to shuttle your stuff into town.
- Peak moving season. Finding a mover is more difficult – and more expensive – during the summer months. You’ll also have to pay a premium if you want to move during holidays or any other usual vacation times. Try to plan a mid-week, mid-month move.
- Disassembly and reassembly. Sometimes, your movers have to break down larger items so they can fit in your truck. Disassembly and reassembly means more time spent on the move, and more money out of your wallet.
- Gratuity. In the moving industry, tips aren’t just accepted – they’re expected. Unless a moving company explicitly denies tips, you should allocate about 15-20% of the total cost of your move for gratuity, to be divided between your movers.
- Taxes. Of course, there’s always taxes. Thanks to the great state of California, you may pay up to 10% of the total price of your move on taxes alone. When you get a quote from your mover, ask them whether or not taxes are included.
Here’s How We Rank Our Movers
Moving APT has 22 years of experience in long distance moving, and we do real business with movers to get data that’s more in-depth and reliable than anything else online.
Our rating methodology is based on the following:
Reviews
- Reputation: Reviews and profiles show if movers are highly-rated and experienced.
- Industry-Insider Info: We see what the best companies in the industry are doing.
- Mystery Shopping: We call and pose as complete strangers to keep movers honest.
Licensing and Accreditation
- Arbitration Program: We ensure movers provide arbitration for lost or damaged items.
- Active Claim Department: We monitor how quickly movers help with compensation.
- Safety Record: We get up-to date safety information about accidents and inspections.
- Moving Insurance: We make sure movers provide full or released-value protection.
Client Feedback
- Video and phone reviews: Client testimony tells us which movers are worth your time.
- Online surveys: We read about each completed move to see how movers perform.
As a moving broker, Moving APT deals with movers on a daily basis. We negotiate for our clients, and we ensure movers always honor their contracts. It’s how we help you get moved, and it’s how we maintain clear communication between clients and moving companies.
More customers for better movers If a mover is exceeding expectations, we send them more business. If a mover needs to improve, we don’t. It’s simple.
California to Oregon FAQ
What is the cost of living like in Oregon compared to California?
Everything costs more in California. From rent to utilities and even groceries, the golden state costs higher all across the board. The average cost of gas in Oregon is about $3.68 per gallon. California? $4.62. When you get into real estate, it’s even clearer: The median cost of a home in Oregon is about $475,000. California is almost twice that number at $800,000.
How do schools in Oregon compare to those in California?
California has about 9,000 K-12 schools, while Oregon has about 1,200. However, Oregon’s population is way lower, and when you compare Los Angeles to Portland, Oregon schools actually have a lower student to teacher ratio than the schools in California. This means there are less students per teacher, and more time spent actually teaching instead of running a zoo.
Where are the best places to live if I’m moving from California to Oregon?
When people think about moving to Oregon, they usually think Portland – and it’s a great choice if you’re looking for more city life. However, there are other places in Oregon you can call home if you’re trying to leave the hustle and bustle behind. Eugene and Corvallis are both smaller college towns, and if you’re really trying to really get away from it all, there’s a ton of smaller towns that can give you some peace and quiet. Check out Jacksonville, Silverton, and more.
What is the cheapest way to move long distance?
The cheapest way to move long distance is always DIY. However, renting a truck and hauling everything yourself isn’t always as cheap as you’d expect. You’ll have to pay for gas, food, and lodging – not to mention the hours of work you’ll be missing. For budget-conscious folks, DIY is the cheapest way to move from California to Oregon, but you can always save on stress by hiring the pros.
What items can’t be moved long distance?
Gasoline and other flammable substances are a no-go. Propane tanks, scuba gear, and hazardous materials are also restricted. If you’re moving from California to Oregon and you’re taking what’s left of your guns with you, you’re better off sending them through an FFL instead. Movers generally avoid carrying firearms, just because the laws between states can be wildly difficult to navigate.
How far in advance should I hire my movers?
We recommend hiring your movers anywhere from six to three months in advance. A move is a lengthy process, and you’ll need all the time you can get to prepare ahead of time. Hiring movers in advance also has the added benefit of being less expensive. If you’re planning far into the future, you can avoid peak moving season and choose dates that are typically cheaper for state to state moves.
Make Your Move from California to Oregon Easy
Thousands of Californians are moving out and settling down somewhere a little less expensive, crazy, and dangerous – but that doesn’t mean your move has to be expensive, crazy, and dangerous, too.
The right movers can make your life easier, and the California to Oregon movers on our list are the perfect choice if you’re looking for a brand new start. Shop around for some quotes, and check out our moving checklist to get started with your move.
