Moving from Washington, D.C. to Los Angeles, CA

Life in the City of Angels offers endless possibilities!

If you’re a planning a move to Los Angeles, CA, from Washington, D.C., one thing is certain — you won’t be bored! Use this resource to get the lay of the land, find out what to expect and learn more about U-Pack®, a unique moving company that can get you there efficiently and affordably.

A snapshot of the city

Like Washington, D.C., Los Angeles is a global city. It’s also California’s most populous city and makes up the second-largest metropolitan area in the country with 18 million people across five counties. L.A. is an important center of media, culture, international trade and business, but its biggest claim to fame? Serving as a worldwide entertainment mecca.

L.A. is comprised of 13 districts — most notably Downtown, Wilshire and the San Fernando Valley — making it sprawling and highly diverse. Half of its inhabitants were born outside of the U.S. and it has one of the largest Hispanic populations in the world.

Get ready for great weather

Compared to D.C.’s humid subtropical climate, the weather in L.A. is pretty much perfect. Summers here are sunny and dry, with an average July high of only 83 degrees, and only 35 days of measurable rain each year. The average low for L.A. winters is about 48 degrees. While snow is rare in the city basin, small amounts accumulate near the section of mountains within the city limits.

Traversing Los Angeles is different than getting around Washington, D.C.

While there are other options, the best way to get around in L.A. is by personal vehicle – even if it takes a while. The average commute time in L.A. (just under 31 minutes) is actually less than D.C.’s (35 minutes), but D.C. is much smaller geographically. The traffic congestion in L.A. is legendary, especially on the freeways near L.A. International Airport, so here are some quick and easy ways to combat it:

  • Keep your radio turned on for up-to-the-minute traffic reports.
  • Have a backup plan (or two) for traveling long distances in L.A.
  • Aggressive drivers are common here, so always drive defensively.
  • While public transit is more heavily used in D.C., it’s also available in L.A. with Metro buses and the Metro Rail, which operates eight subway/elevated lines.

Making the trip from D.C. to L.A.

It’s a long road ahead — 2,669 miles, to be exact. That’s 39 hours of driving, not including the time it takes to regroup overnight. But with a little planning, you can turn your cross-country move into an incredible adventure! Build in plenty of time to make your trek and consider stopping along the way to visit these sites:

  • Tour the O. Winston Link Museum or the Roanoke Star in Roanoke, VA
  • Check out the Sunsphere or the Knoxville Museum of Art in Knoxville, TN
  • Don’t miss the full-scale replica of the Parthenon in Nashville, TN
  • Memphis, TN is home to Graceland and Beale Street
  • Little Rock, AR has Pinnacle Mountain Park and the William J. Clinton Presidential Center
  • For some amusement park fun, take in Frontier City and White Water Bay in Oklahoma City, OK
  • Stop in Amarillo, TX for Cadillac Ranch or Wonderland Park
  • See the Petroglyph Monument or ride the Sandia Peak Tramway in Albuquerque, NM
  • Explore Coconino National Forest or Grand Falls in Flagstaff, AZ

If you prefer a quicker and more direct route to your new home, catch a flight instead. Just pack and load your belongings, board the plane and let U-Pack® do the rest! It’s the ideal cross-country moving option. Explore our coverage area, then get a free moving quote to learn more.