How can I get an estimate?

Call us at 1-866-805-5045 for an estimate. Our small move experts are available Monday through Friday from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM PST and Saturday from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM PST. Our online moving calculator is available for estimates 24/7. All estimates are reviewed by a sales team member and emailed within 12-24 hours.

What areas do you service?

We can service all 50 states and U.S. Territories; the type of delivery available may vary.

What are the services that Ship Smart provides?

Here at Ship Smart, we pride ourselves on our ability to offer various service options to ensure that we can meet your specific needs. We have full-service pickup options, including onsite furniture prep and loading. We offer onsite packing services for smaller, delicate, or fragile items. We offer full wood crating options for high-value, sentimental or delicate pieces. We can provide the appropriate packing/materials for international shipping. Full white glove delivery services (even to locations with limited access). Full replacement value insurance options.

How is Ship Smart different from a conventional household goods mover?

We are experts in moving small shipments over 300 miles. Unlike conventional movers who blanket-wrap furniture and loosely load goods into a truck, we individually package your belongings to ensure they are kept separate and protected during transit. We use cardboard containers or wood crates to package items based on their value. Our packing standards not only meet but exceed the requirements set by manufacturers for packaging new products such as electronics and furniture. Once packaged, we palletize, shrink wrap, and band the items, providing a safe and cost-effective way to transport your valued belongings.

What is a small move?

Small moves are any collection of goods that weigh under 2000 lbs. Loads that are more than 2000 lbs. are considered large moves. But the small moves are right up our alley. Some examples of small moves: Sending a few items to a friend or family member. Moving a small office, store, or shop Moving to a college or university. Moving a few pieces of furniture and some boxes internationally. Helping your parents move to an assisted living facility. Estate moves

Small Moves Los Angeles

Small Loads Picked Up Across Greater LA, Delivered State to State, Billed by Weight

(866) 333-8018

Under 2,000 lbs, No Truck Minimum

Small Moving Company in Los Angeles for Out of State Moves

Most moving companies in Los Angeles quote by the truck and the crew hour. That math works for a four-bedroom house in Encino. It stops working when you are leaving a Koreatown studio, sending half of a Silver Lake duplex to your next city, or shipping a desk, a bed frame and twenty boxes to a new job across the country.

Ship Smart is a moving and shipping company built for those smaller loads. As small movers in Los Angeles, we pick up your goods, pack them (professional packing is included) and send them out of state as LTL freight, riding in a trailer with other customers’ shipments. The bill follows the packed weight and the floor space your load takes, with no minimum weight, so a small move cross country never pays for an empty truck.

We have handled small moves since 1999. Ship Smart is licensed, bonded and insured as an interstate carrier (MC-381032, DOT 2226241), carries an A+ rating with the BBB and keeps its damage rate below 2%. Price your move at shipsmart.com/estimate or call (866) 333-8018.

About Us

Small Moves Out of LA: Who Ships and What They Send

A lot of small long distance moves out of Los Angeles start with a lease ending. A renter in Palms or Mid-Wilshire has a few weeks, a full closet and a car that holds about a third of it. Many choose to ship the furniture and boxes with us and drive the car, rather than renting a truck for a multi-day drive across the desert.

Work Moves and Studio Gear

A lot of LA’s film, TV, music and design work runs on contracts, and a job in another state can come with a start date two weeks out. Those shipments often hold more equipment than furniture: monitors, speakers, a mixing desk, lighting cases, camera bodies and lenses. Professional packing is included, and the most delicate pieces can travel in a custom crate.

Students and Recent Graduates

Around UCLA in Westwood, USC near Exposition Park and Occidental in Eagle Rock, the school year ends with a wave of small loads: a desk, a mattress, a bookcase and a dozen boxes headed home or to a first job. Graduation weeks in May and June fill moving calendars across the city, so book as soon as you know your move-out date. Booking at least 10 days ahead is our standing advice for any LA pickup.

Clearing a Family Home

Another common load comes from a parent’s house in Torrance, Downey or the San Gabriel Valley that is being sold or rented out. One sibling wants the dining table, another wants the china cabinet and the photo albums. Because the price follows weight, the cost of each person’s share comes down to how much of the house they take.

Planning Your Pickup Around LA Streets, Buildings and Traffic

Pickup is set for 2 to 10 business days after you book, and every estimate includes white glove pickup from the first floor. Same-week pickup is often possible, though extra fees may apply. The details below are what let the crew arrive with the right vehicle and enough time.

Curb Space in Venice, Echo Park and West Hollywood

On dense blocks with permit-only parking, a legal spot big enough for a truck can be gone by 7 AM. Some cities in the county issue temporary no-parking permits for moving vehicles. Tell us where the truck can stop when you book.

Canyon Roads Above Hollywood

Streets in Laurel Canyon, Beachwood Canyon and Nichols Canyon are narrow, with hairpin turns and cars on both sides. A full-size truck often cannot get near the door. Call (866) 333-8018 to check access on your street before you book.

Malibu and Pacific Coast Highway

PCH is the main road in and out of most of Malibu, and closures after storms, slides or fires can add hours to a drive. If your pickup is on the coast, give us a backup date and keep the driveway clear for the truck.

Loading Docks in Marina del Rey and Playa Vista

Large Westside apartment communities often hand out loading dock time in two or three hour blocks. Call (866) 333-8018 to check access at your building before you book.

Rent-Stabilized Buildings and the Final Walkthrough

Many older apartments in the city fall under rent stabilization, and managers often set quiet hours for move-outs. California also lets tenants ask for an initial inspection up to two weeks before they leave, so you hear what to fix before the deposit is settled. Schedule pickup ahead of the final walkthrough so the unit is empty when the manager arrives.

What Fits in a Small Load

Small Load Movers in Los Angeles for Partial Households

We call anything under about 2,000 pounds a small load. Out of Los Angeles that usually means the contents of a studio or one-bedroom, two rooms from a bigger house, a home office, or the handful of pieces you would not sell before leaving. A load that size rarely justifies its own truck, and that gap is the whole reason partial load moving exists.

An hourly mover in Los Angeles has to send a full crew and a full truck either way. We charge for what goes on the trailer instead, which is why, as small item movers, one antique or a single dresser is a normal job for us, not a special case. Professional packing comes with every shipment, and custom wood crates are available for art, glass, marble and other fragile pieces.

Loads we pick up most often around LA:

Studio and one-bedroom rentals, packing included

Two or three rooms from a house, with the rest staying behind

Single furniture pieces and matched sets

Framed art, antiques and glass in custom wood crates

Audio, video and camera gear from home studios

Family pieces from a parent's house being cleared out

Student apartments near UCLA, USC and Occidental

Home offices and small business equipment

Small Movers in Los Angeles for Jobs Other Companies Turn Down

It’s nothing personal—it’s just math. Traditional van lines profit by packing massive trailers to the brim. Given the choice, they would much rather sell truck space to a four-bedroom estate in Calabasas than a 900-pound studio in Echo Park. Their solution? Reject your small move entirely or slap you with an inflated minimum charge.

That’s the exact gap we fill. As dedicated small movers in Los Angeles, tiny shipments aren’t just an exception we make, they are our entire business. We handle any move under 2,000 pounds, hauling it anywhere in the country under full interstate authority.

12100 Wilshire Boulevard,
Los Angeles, CA 90025
USA

(866) 950-9141

So Why Pay For Something You Are Not Moving/Shipping?

Ship Smart specializes in small moves shipping out of state. Most moving companies are designed to handle large loads, typically 2000 lbs. and above, but not everyone needs to move a full truckload or a whole household of items.

So why pay for something you are not shipping? Here at Ship Smart you only pay for what you’re moving!

At Ship Smart, we’re committed to making your move simple, stress-free, and affordable. That’s why we partnered with Enhancify to provide flexible financing options. Now is the perfect time to take the next step.

Fast Pick-Up Times

A+ Rating With BBB

Small Move Specialization

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Ship Smart mover loading a small move onto the truck liftgate

Small Move Pickup Areas Across Greater Los Angeles

Pickups cover Los Angeles County and the surrounding metro, from the beach cities to the foothills. If your street is not in the lists below, type the address into the estimator or give us a call; it is very likely inside our area.

Westside and Beach Cities

Santa Monica, Venice, Marina del Rey, Playa del Rey, Playa Vista, Brentwood, Westwood, Pacific Palisades, Malibu, Culver City, Mar Vista, Palms, Del Rey

South Bay

Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach, El Segundo, Torrance, Palos Verdes Estates, Rolling Hills, San Pedro, Gardena, Hawthorne

Central and Downtown Los Angeles

Downtown LA, Arts District, Koreatown, Silver Lake, Echo Park, Los Feliz, Hollywood, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Century City, Mid-Wilshire, Hancock Park, Larchmont

Northeast Los Angeles

Eagle Rock, Highland Park, Mount Washington, Atwater Village, Glassell Park, Cypress Park

San Fernando Valley

Sherman Oaks, Studio City, North Hollywood, Burbank, Van Nuys, Encino, Tarzana, Woodland Hills, Calabasas, Northridge, Chatsworth, Toluca Lake

Pasadena, Glendale and the San Gabriel Valley

Pasadena, South Pasadena, Glendale, La Cañada Flintridge, Arcadia, Alhambra, Monrovia, Sierra Madre, San Marino, Temple City

Long Beach and Southeast Los Angeles

Long Beach, Downey, Whittier, Cerritos, Lakewood, Norwalk, Bellflower

View Our Nationwide Service Areas

palm trees skyline los angeles background

Popular Small Move Routes From Los Angeles

Shipping a small load out of LA? Each route page covers typical transit times and how the move works, from pickup to delivery.

Small Moves to Los Angeles

What a Small Move From Los Angeles Costs

Three things set the price: the packed weight, the room the load takes on the trailer, and how far it travels. Crew hours and truck size are not part of the math, and there is no minimum weight.

Here are sample ranges from a selection of our published Los Angeles routes. Each route page has the full breakdown.

Route	Small Load (~500 lbs)	Studio (~1,000 lbs)	One-Bedroom (~1,500 lbs)
Los Angeles to San Francisco	$600 to $1,000	$1,000 to $1,600	$1,300 to $2,000
Los Angeles to Las Vegas	$600 to $1,000	$1,050 to $1,650	$1,350 to $2,050
Los Angeles to Phoenix	$650 to $1,050	$1,100 to $1,700	$1,400 to $2,100
Los Angeles to Seattle	$850 to $1,350	$1,400 to $2,200	$1,750 to $2,650
Los Angeles to Dallas	$900 to $1,400	$1,500 to $2,350	$1,850 to $2,750
Los Angeles to Chicago	$950 to $1,450	$1,600 to $2,500	$2,000 to $2,900
Los Angeles to Miami	$1,000 to $1,500	$1,650 to $2,550	$2,050 to $2,900
Los Angeles to New York	$1,000 to $1,500	$1,650 to $2,550	$2,050 to $2,950

Sharing the truck is where the savings come from. On one of our shorter published routes out of LA, a studio on the shared truck is listed at $1,050 to $1,650, against $1,500 to $2,200 for the same load on a dedicated truck. The trade is time: a few business days in transit instead of same or next day.

Weight: books, records and solid wood add up faster than people expect.
Space: a sectional or a bed frame takes room even when it is light.
Distance: a delivery across the country costs more than one a state or two away.
Delivery option: Will-Call, where you collect at the destination terminal, is the most affordable.

The online estimator gives the exact price for your item list, or call (866) 333-8018 and we will build it with you.

Before You Book a Small Move From LA

1. How much does a small move from Los Angeles cost?

It depends on packed weight, trailer space and distance, and there is no minimum. On our published Los Angeles routes, a few furniture pieces with boxes (about 500 lbs) start at $600, and a one-bedroom apartment of about 1,500 lbs has run up to $3,050 on the longest trips. Enter your item list at shipsmart.com/estimate for the exact price.

2. How long does a cross country small move from LA take?

Pickup is scheduled 2 to 10 business days after booking. Once your load is on the road, our published Los Angeles routes list 2 to 5 business days in transit for the shortest runs and 8 to 14 business days coast to coast. Because your goods share a truck, you get a delivery window rather than a fixed date.

3. Can I ship part of my apartment and drive the rest?

Yes, that is exactly what partial load moving is for. You list only the items going on our truck, and the price covers only those. Many LA customers keep clothes, a laptop and the plants in the car and send the bed, dresser, couch and boxes with us.

4. What if my new place is not ready when my things arrive?

Short-term storage is available at destination terminals. You also pick how the last leg works: Will-Call at the terminal, Curbside Delivery to the nearest accessible point, or Full Service delivery inside your new home.

5. Which parts of Los Angeles do you pick up from?

All of Los Angeles County and the surrounding metro, including Malibu, the canyons, the San Fernando and San Gabriel valleys, the South Bay and Long Beach. Pickups are handled with local partners, part of a network of 300+ partner locations nationwide. Type your address into the estimator to confirm your street.

6. What if something is damaged in transit?

Professional packing is included with every shipment, and custom wood crates are available for art, glass and other fragile pieces, which is a big part of why our damage rate stays below 2%. Basic valuation coverage comes with every shipment, and additional coverage is available if your load includes high-value items. Note any concern on your delivery paperwork and call (866) 333-8018.

Small Moves In Other Cities

Local pickup in these cities, delivery anywhere in the US and Canada. You only pay for the weight and space you use.

Our Customer Testimonials

Eric Price

1 week ago

Ship Smart was a great solution for me- great communication, delivered as promised, very robust packaging and protection for my item, and the delivery was smooth and professional.

D Rothschild

4 weeks ago

Prompt quotation. Reasonable price. Accurate answers. Prompt collection. The agent at the destination end made a good connection and delivery into the required rooms.

Diane Rutler

4 weeks ago

I have never been so pleased with anything in my life the move went so smoothly ship smart is awesome. Everyone that works for them deserves so much credit for such excellent customer service. Highly highly recommend

Brenda Figueroa

4 months ago

Reliable, quick and upfront with costs and timeframes . Made my move a lot simpler . In home pick up and drop off worked out great . Would use again on my next move .

Cherry Smoke

5 months ago

EXCELLENT CUSTOMER SERVICE EVERY TIME!!!!

Haig Nazarian

5 months ago

Highly recommend. I shipped some furniture and a lot of fragile glassware, ceramics, etc., across the country. Exceptional service. The shipment was packed very well. Professional and courteous service. Not one item was damaged.

Jay Cashmore

5 months ago

Movers were in contact within 24 hours to pick up the art piece, was on its way from California to Wisconsin in the next week and arrived when scheduled. I was impressed with the way it was boxed. No chance it would be damaged. Delivery driver took care to remove it from the truck and placed it in my garage where I requested it. Very happy with the whole experience. Thank you to everyone involved.

Fiona Peneycad

5 months ago

I was hesitant to hire Ship Smart to move my household goods to Canada as there were some negative comments online. I spoke to the representative about these comments and he explained this happened when people didn't disclose the proper amount of goods originally. I tried to be very accurate with how much I was intending to ship. In the end, I was refunded the amount my estimate was in excess of the actual weight of my contents. I was so surprised to actually get money returned after the contents had been crated and wrapped at the warehouse. I was very impressed with the contact I had with all the individuals I had any interaction with. My move couldn't have been handled any better. Thank you Ship Smart. Great service.

James Harvey

5 months ago

The price was fair for coast to coast delivery. The process was a breeze, and the delivery drivers were on time and professional. I would recommend this company to my friends and family.

Michele Neubauer

5 months ago

Super efficient! Seamless experience from quote, to pick up and delivery!

Douglas Brown

7 months ago

I used Ship Smart for THE item I wanted after my Mom passed. It was handed extremely well, the customer service was excellent, the final leg was convenient for us on delivery. Zero damage, very well packed. Thanks Ship Smart!

Andrea Sereno

8 months ago

My moving experience with Ship Smart was exceptional with the highest standard of professionalism. I did a significant amount of research and Ship Smart is the company I had complete trust in. Their website is organized and a true reflection of their company and services. Communications were timely and consistent. Everyone in the process was wonderful to work with. My items were thoughtfully packed and in perfect condition when they arrived. My move was peaceful, simple, stress free and a happy memory. They were the perfect moving company for my small cross country move.

Patrick J. Slattery

9 months ago

This long distance transaction went flawlessly from the pick up, packaging, overland travel and delivery. High recommendations. PJS

Erin Long

9 months ago

Robert at Ship Smart has been incredibly helpful and kind in helping me navigate my move. He's quick and responsive. I feel supported and taken care of. Highly recommend and will use for my next move!

Ryan

9 months ago

Works well for moving smaller items. Be aware that the original quote is an estimate and that all of your items are weighed then your given your final price based on weight. You can get price per pound from them. Things were packed very well. Movers were great on both sides, no issues

Mike K

10 months ago

I can't express enough appreciation for the professional help Ariel provided me through out the process. Great work, very much appreciated.

Stephen Raff

1 year ago

Outstanding experience. Pickup team was on time, courteous and efficient. Carefully tagged each item. Lyndsi was very helpful and responsive especially as we didn't have a destination address to begin our move. The delivery came to us a few weeks later (NJ to CA) on the day scheduled and again move on team was very courteous and helpful putting each box in the designated room. Wow !

Joni Roy

1 year ago

Ship Smart did a fantastic job for us! They shipped a small amount of items when my mom made a 1400 mile move. The person who picked up the items was helpful and quick and careful with all the items. The shipment was delivered as stated. The delivery driver went to extra lengths for drop the shipment off at a convenient location at our house. He was kind and helpful. The whole experience was great. I would use Ship Smart again!

Tim Bevan

1 year ago

All of the subcontractors did a great job, good communication and on time. Our items got to our destination safely, nothing broken or missing.

Harry A

1 year ago

Excellent service from scheduling, packing, shipping, and receiving of our shipment. Our shipment came from Southern Florida to Norther Alberta Canada in 3 weeks, in perfect condition. Thank you for the professional efficient reasonablly priced service.

Debra Massa

1 year ago

Overall great experience from pick up to delivery. I was kept informed every step of the way. Highly recommend!

Roger Snelling

1 year ago

Ship Smart provided me with superior service every step of the way.

anoymous class

1 year ago

Best movers in town!!! Moved from Chicago all good.

Basu Porwal

1 year ago

Best movers in town!!! Moved from Chicago all good.

Dawn Back

1 year ago

Great experience from start to finish. Experienced and professional team. Shipped my heirlooms from East Coast to the West Coast. Everything arrived packed very well and nothing was damaged.

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