San Diego to Bremerton PCS Move: A Military Moving Guide

Moving from San Diego to Bremerton on Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders? One of your first decisions may be whether to use a government-arranged move or complete a Personally Procured Move (PPM).

With a PPM, you can coordinate your move using a rental truck, trailer, portable moving container, or a combination of services. The right option depends on your moving timeline, household size, housing plans, and how much of the move you want to manage yourself.

If your new home isn't ready when you need to leave San Diego, portable moving containers such as U-Box® containers from U-Haul® can give you another option to consider for transportation and storage.

Key Takeaways

• Contact your transportation office before booking your move.
• Compare a government-arranged move with a PPM.
• Keep your PCS orders, receipts, and weight tickets organized.
• Consider U-Box containers for your PPM from California to Washington, especially if you need storage between homes.

Compare Your Military Moving Options

Government-Arranged Military Move

With a government-arranged move, a contracted Transportation Service Provider packs and moves your belongings. The government covers the approved moving expenses, but delivery timelines may be less flexible, especially during popular PCS seasons.  

Personally Procured Move

A PPM, sometimes called a DITY move, means you arrange the packing and transportation of your belongings.

Your options may include:

• A one-way moving truck
• A moving trailer
• Portable moving containers
• A combination of moving methods

A PPM gives you more control over your schedule, but you are also responsible for planning the move and keeping the required documents. Contact your transportation office before booking to review your authorization and reimbursement process.

For more planning help, review these 10 Military Moving Tips.

Should You Drive a Moving Truck or Use Moving Containers?

A U-Haul moving truck may be a good fit if you want to move directly from California to Washington and are comfortable driving your belongings.

U-Box portable moving and storage containers may work better if you:

• Do not want to drive a moving truck
• Want to load at your own pace
• Need storage between homes
• Do not have a confirmed delivery address

U-Box containers can be delivered to your location, picked up when you are ready, and shipped to Washington. You can also store them at a secure U-Haul storage facility until your new home is ready.

What if Your Housing Is Not Ready?

Your move-out date in San Diego may not line up with your move-in date near Bremerton. U-Box containers can stay in storage until you are ready for delivery.

Need something from your belongings while they're in storage? You can arrange access through your U-Haul location. Same-day or next-day access may be available, depending on location and availability. Contact the facility ahead of time to make specific arrangements.

Keep important documents, medications, work essentials, and pet supplies with you. Pack clothes, chargers, and a few household basics for your first night, too.

Choose How You Want to Load

U-Box containers give you several ways to manage loading and unloading. You can have the containers delivered to your home, tow them using a specially designed U-Box trailer, or load them at a participating U-Haul location.

If you want help with the heavier work, you can find independent Service Providers through the Moving Help® Marketplace for loading, unloading, packing, and U-Box container services.

Home delivery may not be practical for every property. If you live in an apartment or have limited parking, check your property, HOA, and local parking rules before scheduling delivery. Loading at a U-Haul location can be a convenient alternative when there is not enough space at home.

Keep Your PPM Documents Organized

A PPM usually requires more paperwork than a government-arranged move, so create one place for your moving records. Keep your PCS orders, rental agreements, moving and storage receipts, weight tickets, pickup and delivery records, and household-goods inventory together.

Your transportation office can tell you exactly which documents you need. If you are moving with U-Box containers, tell U-Haul that you need military weight tickets at your origin location. U-Haul provides the required U-Box weight tickets at no additional charge.

If you're using a U-Haul moving truck, ask your transportation office about its requirements for empty and full weight tickets. Make sure you obtain the required weights before submitting your PPM paperwork.

Plan Your U-Box Container Move

One U-Box container holds about 1.5 rooms of household goods and up to 2,000 pounds. Each container measures approximately 8 feet long, 5 feet wide, and 7.5 feet high.

Not sure how many containers you need? You can reserve additional containers and receive a refund for the ones you do not use. Each container also includes 24 rental furniture pads to help protect your belongings.

Once your containers are loaded, U-Haul can pick them up for transportation or store them at a secure U-Haul storage facility until you are ready for delivery in Washington.

San Diego-to-Bremerton PCS Checklist

A simple plan can help you stay organized throughout your move.

Before Booking

Review your PCS orders and contact your transportation office. Compare a government-arranged move with a PPM, confirm your moving allowance and documentation requirements, and consider whether your Washington housing will be ready when you arrive.

Before Moving

Reserve your truck, trailer, or U-Box containers as early as possible. Request weight tickets if you are completing a PPM, photograph your belongings, and keep important documents and first-night essentials with you. Confirm your loading, pickup, storage, and delivery plans before leaving San Diego.

After Arriving

Confirm whether your belongings should be delivered or held in storage. Inspect everything as you unload, save your receipts and weight tickets, and complete the required PPM paperwork. Keep copies of all documents you submit.

Start Planning Your Military Move

Your PCS move from San Diego to Bremerton may happen quickly, but you still have options. Start by contacting your transportation office, then compare U-Haul trucks, trailers, U-Box containers, and loading help.

Get a U-Box container quote and build your move around your schedule, household size, and housing timeline.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Personally Procured Move?

A Personally Procured Move, or PPM, means you arrange some of your military move. Depending on your authorization, you may use a rental truck, trailer, portable moving container, loading help, or a combination of services.

Can I use U-Box containers for a military PPM?

Yes. U-Box containers support military, and PPM moves with flexible loading, transportation, and storage. U-Haul also provides required U-Box weight tickets at no additional charge.

How many U-Box containers will I need?

One U-Box container holds about 1.5 rooms of household goods and up to 2,000 pounds. You can reserve extra containers and receive a refund for the ones you do not use.

Do U-Box containers come with military weight tickets?

U-Haul provides required U-Box weight tickets at no additional charge for military moves. Let U-Haul know you need weight tickets when arranging your move and confirm the documentation requirements with your transportation office.