Moving From LA to the Inland Empire: What Actually Changes

The Inland Empire move has become one of our most common jobs. Same budget, more square footage, a yard instead of a balcony. The move itself is not complicated, but it is not a local move either, and pretending otherwise is how people end up on the 60 at 5pm with a half-full truck.

It is one trip, and the trip is the plan

LA to Riverside is roughly 60 miles. LA to San Bernardino is about 65. On paper that is an hour. In practice it can be an hour or it can be two and a half, and the difference is entirely when you leave. We start these moves early so the truck is on the freeway before the afternoon wall hits.

What it costs compared to a local move

It is still an hourly job, it just has more hours in it because of the drive. A 2-bedroom that would take about five hours inside LA usually lands around seven to eight going out to the IE. With a 3 or 4 person crew, most of these moves come in between $1,100 and $1,800.

The things people underestimate

• Summer heat. It is regularly 15 to 20 degrees hotter inland. Candles, vinyl records, and electronics do not enjoy a hot truck sitting in the sun.
• Bigger house, more furniture. People buy a couch and a dining set within a month. Do not pay to move the old ones if you are already planning to replace them.
• New utilities. Different providers than LA, and install appointments book out.
• The commute. If anyone in the household is still working in LA, do a real drive at real commute time before signing.

How to plan it

1. 1Pick a weekday. Weekend freeway traffic out to the IE is worse than people expect.
2. 2Start at 7 or 8am. Truck loaded by late morning, unloaded by mid-afternoon.
3. 3Be fully packed the night before. On a long-haul day, packing delays cost you the good traffic window.
4. 4Have the new place ready: utilities on, keys in hand, and a parking plan.
5. 5Keep documents, valuables, and anything heat-sensitive in your own car.