Los Angeles to Dallas movers & cost
Moving from Los Angeles to Dallas covers about 1,400 miles. A full-service move for a typical household runs roughly $3,500–$7,500 depending on size and season; DIY and container options run lower. Here's the full breakdown by home size, move method, and what to expect on this specific corridor.
Compare moving options for this route
| Method | You do | Relative cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full-service movers | Nothing — crew packs, loads, drives, unloads | Highest |
| Moving container | Pack it yourself; a driver hauls it 1,400 miles | Mid-high |
| Freight trailer / LTL | Load a shared trailer; carrier drives | Mid |
| DIY truck rental | Pack, load, drive the full 1,400 miles yourself, unload | Lowest |
See our moving container cost guide and truck rental comparison for provider-level pricing on the container and DIY options.
Los Angeles to Dallas cost by home size
| Home size | Typical full-service cost |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $2,200–$4,000 |
| 2 bedroom | $3,500–$6,000 |
| 3 bedroom | $5,000–$8,500 |
| 4+ bedroom | $7,500–$12,000+ |
These are general ranges for a route this length, not a quote for your specific move — see our moving cost calculator for a more detailed estimate, or get written quotes from movers below.
National carriers that serve this route
All of the major national van lines operate between California and Texas — two of the highest-volume moving states in the country, so this corridor is a routine one for any of them rather than a specialty lane. What differs between them is model (agent network vs. corporate vs. broker) and real customer experience, not whether they can physically make the trip. Read real customer reviews before you book:
- United Van Lines — large agent-cooperative carrier, UniGroup network
- Atlas Van Lines — agent cooperative, strong reviewer praise for specific named crews
- Allied Van Lines — agent network, part of SIRVA
- North American Van Lines — agent network, SIRVA sister brand to Allied
- International Van Lines — broker-carrier hybrid; confirm who actually performs your move before booking
Or compare all 10 major van lines side by side to see the full set, including franchise and platform options better suited to smaller moves.
Planning a Los Angeles to Dallas move, step by step
- 8+ weeks out: get 3+ written estimates, ideally from an in-home or video walkthrough rather than a phone-only quote — LA homes with tight parking or stairs affect pricing more than movers estimate over the phone.
- 4–6 weeks out: book your date and confirm which estimate type you're getting (binding, non-binding, or binding-not-to-exceed).
- 2–3 weeks out: arrange an LA parking permit if your street needs one, and start using up food/cleaning supplies you won't ship.
- Moving day (LA): do a walkthrough with the crew lead, confirm the inventory list, and get a copy before they leave.
- In transit: ask your mover how you'll get delivery updates — a specific driver contact is more reliable than a general customer service line.
- Delivery (Dallas): inspect everything against the inventory sheet before signing off, and photograph any damage immediately.
Settling into Dallas after the move
Dallas summers run hot and humid, notably different from LA's dry heat — plan for higher AC costs and factor that into your budget alongside the lower cost of living. The Dallas-Fort Worth metro is large and spread across many distinct suburbs (Plano, Frisco, Arlington, Irving among them), so where in the metro you land matters as much as "Dallas" as a single destination — commute patterns and school districts vary widely across the area.
Distance and transit time
Los Angeles to Dallas is about 1,400 miles by road — roughly a 20–21 hour drive nonstop. Full-service interstate carriers typically deliver in 5–10 business days, since your shipment is often consolidated with other customers' shipments heading the same general direction rather than driven point-to-point immediately. DIY truck rentals make the trip in 2–3 days of driving if done directly.
What to know about this route
- Summer moves (June–August) hit both extreme LA traffic for loading logistics and Texas heat for the crew and your belongings during unloading — ask about time-of-day flexibility.
- Parking permits for a full-size moving truck are common in dense LA neighborhoods — arrange one in advance if you're on a street without easy truck access.
- Dallas has grown quickly in recent years, which can mean tighter mover availability and higher demand pricing during peak relocation season (May–August) specifically for inbound Texas moves.
Cost of living: Los Angeles vs. Dallas
Housing and overall cost of living are significantly lower in Dallas than in Los Angeles — this is one of the most common reasons cited for this specific move. Texas also has no state income tax, unlike California, which is a factor many movers on this route weigh alongside the physical moving cost itself.
Pros and cons: Los Angeles vs. Dallas
| Pros of Los Angeles | Cons of Los Angeles |
|---|---|
| Year-round mild climate, coastal access | Very high cost of living and housing |
| Major entertainment, tech, and creative industries | Heavy traffic congestion |
| Huge variety of neighborhoods and cultures | High state income tax |
| Pros of Dallas | Cons of Dallas |
|---|---|
| Much lower cost of living and housing | Hot, humid summers |
| No state income tax | Sprawling metro — car-dependent, longer commutes |
| Strong, diverse job market (finance, tech, healthcare) | Fewer natural/outdoor attractions nearby than LA |
Who oversees movers on this route
Any moving company handling an interstate shipment — crossing from California into Texas — must be registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and hold an active USDOT number, regardless of which state it's based in. You can check a mover's registration and safety record directly on FMCSA SAFER before booking — see our full guide on verifying a USDOT/MC number.
Extra tips for this move
- HOA rules: if your new Dallas-area home is in an HOA, check their move-in rules (elevator use, moving hours, visitor parking) before your delivery date.
- Elevator scheduling: for apartment or condo buildings on either end, book the elevator in advance so it's actually available when your crew arrives.
- Truck parking: confirm parking/permit rules for a full-size moving truck at both addresses — this is one of the most common causes of moving-day delays.
- USPS change of address: submit it at least a week before your move so mail starts forwarding on schedule.
- Moving insurance: basic released-value protection (60 cents per pound per item) is included free but covers very little — ask about full-value protection or third-party coverage for anything valuable.
Moving the other direction? A Dallas-to-Los-Angeles guide is planned for our route pages — in the meantime, the cost ranges and planning steps above apply to either direction of this corridor.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to move from Los Angeles to Dallas?
For a typical 2–3 bedroom household, expect roughly $3,500–$7,500 with a full-service mover, depending on total weight, the exact time of year, and add-on services like packing. Studios and 1-bedrooms run lower; 4+ bedroom homes run higher — see the table below.
How long does a move from Los Angeles to Dallas take?
The drive is about 1,400 miles. Most interstate movers deliver in 5–10 business days depending on how your shipment is routed and whether it's consolidated with other customers' shipments on the same truck — ask for a specific delivery window in writing.
Is it cheaper to move myself from Los Angeles to Dallas than to hire movers?
A DIY truck rental is usually the cheapest option if you're willing to drive it yourself and have help loading/unloading. A moving container splits the difference — you load it, a carrier drives. See the comparison table below for how the trade-offs work on a route this long.
What's the cheapest time of year to move from LA to Dallas?
Fall through early spring (October–April), avoiding the last week of the month, is typically the least expensive window — summer (peak moving season) and month-end both drive demand and price up.
Do I need a permit to park a moving truck in Los Angeles?
Many LA neighborhoods require a temporary no-parking permit to reserve curb space for a full-size moving truck, especially in denser areas without driveways. Check with LADOT or your specific city's transportation department at least a week ahead — your mover can often tell you if your address typically needs one.
Will my car fit in the moving truck, or do I need to ship it separately?
Standard household moving trucks don't carry vehicles — if you're not driving your car to Dallas yourself, you'll need a separate auto transport service. Some full-service movers offer this as an add-on; others require booking a dedicated car shipping company.
How does California's moving-industry regulation differ from Texas?
Interstate moves (crossing the CA/TX state line) are regulated federally by the FMCSA regardless of which state you start or end in, so the same licensing and estimate rules apply on both ends. Verify the mover's USDOT/MC status before booking either way.