Olympia, WA → Tacoma, WA
Olympia to Tacoma Movers
30 miles · 35 minutes drive · 4.9 stars on Google
The Route
Olympia → Tacoma
Olympia → Tacoma is a short, efficient move — half the drive of Seattle and lighter on logistics. Common for families moving north for Joint Base Lewis-McChord postings, professionals taking jobs at MultiCare or CHI Franciscan, and students heading to the University of Puget Sound or Pacific Lutheran. The route is straightforward I-5, the cost is reasonable, and most of these moves wrap in a single day.
We run Olympia → Tacoma every week. The closer destination keeps total move time tight — most jobs are 4-6 hours including the drive. Tacoma has a wider mix of housing types than Seattle: North Tacoma and Old Town for historic homes, downtown for condos, and University Place / Lakewood for newer subdivisions. Loading and unloading is generally easier than Seattle — fewer permit hassles, more parking, fewer COI requirements. JBLM-area moves are routine for us; we know which neighborhoods (DuPont, Lakewood, Steilacoom) and how their HOAs handle moving trucks.
What It Costs
Real pricing for this route
A typical 2-bedroom Olympia → Tacoma move runs 5-7 hours at $160/hr — about $800-1,120. Smaller studio/1BR jobs come in around $640-800.
Why People Move This Route
Common reasons
Common Questions
Olympia to Tacoma FAQ
How long does an Olympia to Tacoma move usually take?
Most 2BR moves run 5-7 hours total. Studios and 1BRs are 4-5 hours. Drive time loaded is about 45 minutes each way.
Do you handle Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) moves?
Yes. We move PCSing service members and their families regularly. We know the on-base process for housing offices and the off-base neighborhoods (DuPont, Lakewood, Steilacoom, Tillicum) where most JBLM families live.
What's the cheapest way to move from Olympia to Tacoma?
Hourly with 2 movers and a truck at $160/hr is usually cheapest for a small load. Add a third mover ($60/hr) for 3+ bedroom houses to cut total time. Flat-rate is available if you want the number locked.