Moving from Alabama to California
An interstate move, so the FMCSA's rules apply from the first quote. Between Birmingham and Los Angeles it is about 2,097 miles and 5 days on the road (about 38 hours of driving); the 100 city pairs we price between the two states run from 1,987 to 2,404 miles.
Prices from our published model (last updated ), not quotes. Distances marked ~ are estimated from city coordinates. Carriers: FMCSA Motor Carrier Census, snapshot 2026-09-24. We do not move anyone.
- ~2,097 miBirmingham → Los Angeles
- 7–14 daysTypical transit
- $9,437+2-bedroom, movers
- 100City routes priced
In short
About 1,440 people moved from Alabama to California in 2024 (Census estimate, ±735), and about 7,145 went the other way. Between Birmingham and Los Angeles it is about 2,097 miles; a two-bedroom move with full-service movers runs $9,437 – $12,582 in our model, delivered in 7–14 days. 85 movers based in Alabama hold interstate authority.
Who moves from Alabama to California
The Census Bureau's 2024 survey puts the flow at about 1,440 people a year (±735), against about 7,145 (±2,936) from California to Alabama, so California loses about 5,705 people a year on this exchange. Alabama is the 41st-largest of the 50 states sending people to California; California took in about 406,873 from other states in all.
| From | To | People a year |
|---|---|---|
| Mobile County | Sacramento County | 268 ±314* |
| Jefferson County | Los Angeles County | 165 ±145 |
| Baldwin County | Santa Clara County | 161 ±220* |
| Shelby County | Los Angeles County | 144 ±130 |
| Clarke County | San Bernardino County | 139 ±168* |
US Census Bureau: ACS 2024 state-to-state migration and ACS 2016–2020 county-to-county flows; people a year with a 90% margin of error. County names link to their cost guides. * Margin as large as the estimate.
Birmingham to Los Angeles, the representative route
Each state is represented by its largest city we cover. The map shows that corridor; the table further down prices every city pair between Alabama and California.
Cost of moving from Alabama to California
At about 2,097 miles, full-service movers should land around $9,437 – $12,582 for a two-bedroom home and $10,852 – $14,469 for three bedrooms. Load a container yourself and the two-bedroom figure drops to $6,794 – $9,059; a freight trailer is $4,530 – $6,039.
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $7,077 – $9,437 | $5,096 – $6,794 | $3,397 – $4,530 |
| 1 bedroom | $8,493 – $11,324 | $6,115 – $8,153 | $4,077 – $5,435 |
| 2 bedrooms | $9,437 – $12,582 | $6,794 – $9,059 | $4,530 – $6,039 |
| 3 bedrooms | $10,852 – $14,469 | $7,813 – $10,418 | $5,209 – $6,945 |
| 4 bedrooms | $12,267 – $16,357 | $8,833 – $11,777 | $5,888 – $7,851 |
| 5+ bedrooms | $14,155 – $18,873 | $10,191 – $13,589 | $6,794 – $9,059 |
Transport only, for an estimated 2,097 miles, from our published model: distance × home-size factor × service rate, shown as −10% to +20% around the base figure. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items sit on top. How we price it.
City-to-city routes from Alabama to California
Every pair of cities we cover in the two states, nearest first. 1 has a full route page with a map, transit and licensed movers.
| Route | Distance | Transit | 2 bedrooms | 3 bedrooms |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mobile to Chula Vista | ~1,987 mi | 7–14 days | $8,942 – $11,922 | $10,283 – $13,710 |
| Mobile to Moreno Valley | ~1,996 mi | 7–14 days | $8,982 – $11,976 | $10,329 – $13,772 |
| Mobile to San Diego | ~1,996 mi | 7–14 days | $8,982 – $11,976 | $10,329 – $13,772 |
| Mobile to San Bernardino | ~2,002 mi | 7–14 days | $9,009 – $12,012 | $10,360 – $13,814 |
| Mobile to Riverside | ~2,008 mi | 7–14 days | $9,036 – $12,048 | $10,391 – $13,855 |
| Mobile to Fontana | ~2,013 mi | 7–14 days | $9,059 – $12,078 | $10,417 – $13,890 |
| Mobile to Ontario | ~2,022 mi | 7–14 days | $9,099 – $12,132 | $10,464 – $13,952 |
| Birmingham to Moreno Valley | ~2,030 mi | 7–14 days | $9,135 – $12,180 | $10,505 – $14,007 |
| Huntsville to Moreno Valley | ~2,030 mi | 7–14 days | $9,135 – $12,180 | $10,505 – $14,007 |
| Huntsville to San Bernardino | ~2,033 mi | 7–14 days | $9,149 – $12,198 | $10,521 – $14,028 |
| Mobile to Anaheim | ~2,033 mi | 7–14 days | $9,149 – $12,198 | $10,521 – $14,028 |
| Birmingham to Chula Vista | ~2,034 mi | 7–14 days | $9,153 – $12,204 | $10,526 – $14,035 |
| Birmingham to San Bernardino | ~2,034 mi | 7–14 days | $9,153 – $12,204 | $10,526 – $14,035 |
| Mobile to Irvine | ~2,034 mi | 7–14 days | $9,153 – $12,204 | $10,526 – $14,035 |
| Huntsville to Chula Vista | ~2,039 mi | 7–14 days | $9,176 – $12,234 | $10,552 – $14,069 |
| Birmingham to Riverside | ~2,042 mi | 7–14 days | $9,189 – $12,252 | $10,567 – $14,090 |
| Birmingham to San Diego | ~2,042 mi | 7–14 days | $9,189 – $12,252 | $10,567 – $14,090 |
| Huntsville to Riverside | ~2,042 mi | 7–14 days | $9,189 – $12,252 | $10,567 – $14,090 |
| Mobile to Santa Ana | ~2,042 mi | 7–14 days | $9,189 – $12,252 | $10,567 – $14,090 |
| Birmingham to Fontana | ~2,045 mi | 7–14 days | $9,203 – $12,270 | $10,583 – $14,111 |
| Huntsville to Fontana | ~2,045 mi | 7–14 days | $9,203 – $12,270 | $10,583 – $14,111 |
| Huntsville to San Diego | ~2,048 mi | 7–14 days | $9,216 – $12,288 | $10,598 – $14,131 |
| Birmingham to Ontario | ~2,055 mi | 7–14 days | $9,248 – $12,330 | $10,635 – $14,180 |
| Huntsville to Ontario | ~2,055 mi | 7–14 days | $9,248 – $12,330 | $10,635 – $14,180 |
| Mobile to Lancaster | ~2,060 mi | 7–14 days | $9,270 – $12,360 | $10,661 – $14,214 |
| Mobile to Long Beach | ~2,062 mi | 7–14 days | $9,279 – $12,372 | $10,671 – $14,228 |
| Mobile to Los Angeles | ~2,065 mi | 7–14 days | $9,293 – $12,390 | $10,686 – $14,249 |
| Birmingham to Anaheim | ~2,067 mi | 7–14 days | $9,302 – $12,402 | $10,697 – $14,262 |
| Huntsville to Anaheim | ~2,068 mi | 7–14 days | $9,306 – $12,408 | $10,702 – $14,269 |
| Birmingham to Irvine | ~2,070 mi | 7–14 days | $9,315 – $12,420 | $10,712 – $14,283 |
| Huntsville to Irvine | ~2,071 mi | 7–14 days | $9,320 – $12,426 | $10,717 – $14,290 |
| Birmingham to Santa Ana | ~2,077 mi | 7–14 days | $9,347 – $12,462 | $10,748 – $14,331 |
| Huntsville to Santa Ana | ~2,078 mi | 7–14 days | $9,351 – $12,468 | $10,754 – $14,338 |
| Montgomery to Chula Vista | ~2,079 mi | 7–14 days | $9,356 – $12,474 | $10,759 – $14,345 |
| Montgomery to Moreno Valley | ~2,080 mi | 7–14 days | $9,360 – $12,480 | $10,764 – $14,352 |
| Mobile to Santa Clarita | ~2,082 mi | 7–14 days | $9,369 – $12,492 | $10,774 – $14,366 |
| Huntsville to Lancaster | ~2,083 mi | 7–14 days | $9,374 – $12,498 | $10,780 – $14,373 |
| Montgomery to San Bernardino | ~2,084 mi | 7–14 days | $9,378 – $12,504 | $10,785 – $14,380 |
| Birmingham to Lancaster | ~2,086 mi | 7–14 days | $9,387 – $12,516 | $10,795 – $14,393 |
| Montgomery to San Diego | ~2,088 mi | 7–14 days | $9,396 – $12,528 | $10,805 – $14,407 |
| Montgomery to Riverside | ~2,092 mi | 7–14 days | $9,414 – $12,552 | $10,826 – $14,435 |
| Montgomery to Fontana | ~2,096 mi | 7–14 days | $9,432 – $12,576 | $10,847 – $14,462 |
| Birmingham to Long Beach | ~2,097 mi | 7–14 days | $9,437 – $12,582 | $10,852 – $14,469 |
| Birmingham to Los Angeles | ~2,097 mi | 7–14 days | $9,437 – $12,582 | $10,852 – $14,469 |
| Huntsville to Long Beach | ~2,097 mi | 7–14 days | $9,437 – $12,582 | $10,852 – $14,469 |
| Huntsville to Los Angeles | ~2,097 mi | 7–14 days | $9,437 – $12,582 | $10,852 – $14,469 |
| Montgomery to Ontario | ~2,106 mi | 7–14 days | $9,477 – $12,636 | $10,899 – $14,531 |
| Huntsville to Santa Clarita | ~2,108 mi | 7–14 days | $9,486 – $12,648 | $10,909 – $14,545 |
| Birmingham to Santa Clarita | ~2,111 mi | 7–14 days | $9,500 – $12,666 | $10,924 – $14,566 |
| Montgomery to Anaheim | ~2,117 mi | 7–14 days | $9,527 – $12,702 | $10,955 – $14,607 |
| Mobile to Bakersfield | ~2,118 mi | 7–14 days | $9,531 – $12,708 | $10,961 – $14,614 |
| Montgomery to Irvine | ~2,120 mi | 7–14 days | $9,540 – $12,720 | $10,971 – $14,628 |
| Montgomery to Santa Ana | ~2,126 mi | 7–14 days | $9,567 – $12,756 | $11,002 – $14,669 |
| Mobile to Oxnard | ~2,129 mi | 7–14 days | $9,581 – $12,774 | $11,018 – $14,690 |
| Huntsville to Bakersfield | ~2,131 mi | 7–14 days | $9,590 – $12,786 | $11,028 – $14,704 |
| Birmingham to Bakersfield | ~2,138 mi | 7–14 days | $9,621 – $12,828 | $11,064 – $14,752 |
| Montgomery to Lancaster | ~2,139 mi | 7–14 days | $9,626 – $12,834 | $11,069 – $14,759 |
| Montgomery to Long Beach | ~2,147 mi | 7–14 days | $9,662 – $12,882 | $11,111 – $14,814 |
| Montgomery to Los Angeles | ~2,148 mi | 7–14 days | $9,666 – $12,888 | $11,116 – $14,821 |
| Huntsville to Oxnard | ~2,158 mi | 7–14 days | $9,711 – $12,948 | $11,168 – $14,890 |
| Birmingham to Oxnard | ~2,159 mi | 7–14 days | $9,716 – $12,954 | $11,173 – $14,897 |
| Montgomery to Santa Clarita | ~2,162 mi | 7–14 days | $9,729 – $12,972 | $11,188 – $14,918 |
| Huntsville to Fresno | ~2,166 mi | 7–14 days | $9,747 – $12,996 | $11,209 – $14,945 |
| Mobile to Fresno | ~2,172 mi | 7–14 days | $9,774 – $13,032 | $11,240 – $14,987 |
| Birmingham to Fresno | ~2,178 mi | 7–14 days | $9,801 – $13,068 | $11,271 – $15,028 |
| Montgomery to Bakersfield | ~2,193 mi | 7–14 days | $9,869 – $13,158 | $11,349 – $15,132 |
| Montgomery to Oxnard | ~2,211 mi | 7–14 days | $9,950 – $13,266 | $11,442 – $15,256 |
| Montgomery to Fresno | ~2,237 mi | 7–14 days | $10,067 – $13,422 | $11,576 – $15,435 |
| Huntsville to Modesto | ~2,238 mi | 7–14 days | $10,071 – $13,428 | $11,582 – $15,442 |
| Huntsville to Roseville | ~2,252 mi | 7–14 days | $10,134 – $13,512 | $11,654 – $15,539 |
| Birmingham to Modesto | ~2,253 mi | 7–14 days | $10,139 – $13,518 | $11,659 – $15,546 |
| Huntsville to Stockton | ~2,255 mi | 7–14 days | $10,148 – $13,530 | $11,670 – $15,560 |
| Mobile to Modesto | ~2,255 mi | 7–14 days | $10,148 – $13,530 | $11,670 – $15,560 |
| Huntsville to Sacramento | ~2,264 mi | 7–14 days | $10,188 – $13,584 | $11,716 – $15,622 |
| Birmingham to Roseville | ~2,271 mi | 7–14 days | $10,220 – $13,626 | $11,752 – $15,670 |
| Birmingham to Stockton | ~2,271 mi | 7–14 days | $10,220 – $13,626 | $11,752 – $15,670 |
| Mobile to Stockton | ~2,276 mi | 7–14 days | $10,242 – $13,656 | $11,778 – $15,704 |
| Birmingham to Sacramento | ~2,282 mi | 7–14 days | $10,269 – $13,692 | $11,809 – $15,746 |
| Mobile to Roseville | ~2,283 mi | 7–14 days | $10,274 – $13,698 | $11,815 – $15,753 |
| Mobile to Sacramento | ~2,292 mi | 7–14 days | $10,314 – $13,752 | $11,861 – $15,815 |
| Huntsville to San Jose | ~2,296 mi | 7–14 days | $10,332 – $13,776 | $11,882 – $15,842 |
| Huntsville to Fremont | ~2,298 mi | 7–14 days | $10,341 – $13,788 | $11,892 – $15,856 |
| Birmingham to San Jose | ~2,310 mi | 7–14 days | $10,395 – $13,860 | $11,954 – $15,939 |
| Mobile to San Jose | ~2,310 mi | 7–14 days | $10,395 – $13,860 | $11,954 – $15,939 |
| Birmingham to Fremont | ~2,313 mi | 7–14 days | $10,409 – $13,878 | $11,970 – $15,960 |
| Mobile to Fremont | ~2,314 mi | 7–14 days | $10,413 – $13,884 | $11,975 – $15,967 |
| Montgomery to Modesto | ~2,315 mi | 7–14 days | $10,418 – $13,890 | $11,980 – $15,974 |
| Huntsville to Oakland | ~2,317 mi | 7–14 days | $10,427 – $13,902 | $11,990 – $15,987 |
| Huntsville to San Francisco | ~2,326 mi | 7–14 days | $10,467 – $13,956 | $12,037 – $16,049 |
| Birmingham to Oakland | ~2,333 mi | 7–14 days | $10,499 – $13,998 | $12,073 – $16,098 |
| Montgomery to Stockton | ~2,334 mi | 7–14 days | $10,503 – $14,004 | $12,078 – $16,105 |
| Mobile to Oakland | ~2,336 mi | 7–14 days | $10,512 – $14,016 | $12,089 – $16,118 |
| Montgomery to Roseville | ~2,336 mi | 7–14 days | $10,512 – $14,016 | $12,089 – $16,118 |
| Birmingham to San Francisco | ~2,342 mi | 7–14 days | $10,539 – $14,052 | $12,120 – $16,160 |
| Mobile to San Francisco | ~2,345 mi | 7–14 days | $10,553 – $14,070 | $12,135 – $16,181 |
| Montgomery to Sacramento | ~2,347 mi | 7–14 days | $10,562 – $14,082 | $12,146 – $16,194 |
| Montgomery to San Jose | ~2,372 mi | 7–14 days | $10,674 – $14,232 | $12,275 – $16,367 |
| Montgomery to Fremont | ~2,375 mi | 7–14 days | $10,688 – $14,250 | $12,291 – $16,388 |
| Montgomery to Oakland | ~2,395 mi | 7–14 days | $10,778 – $14,370 | $12,394 – $16,526 |
| Montgomery to San Francisco | ~2,404 mi | 7–14 days | $10,818 – $14,424 | $12,441 – $16,588 |
Routes without a link are priced on estimated distance only; the calculator measures the exact drive.
Roadside inspections: interstate movers based in Alabama
45 of the 85 interstate movers listed here had at least one roadside inspection in the 24 months to September 13, 2026, 603 inspections in all. Inspectors put the vehicle out of service in 84 of 349 vehicle inspections (24.1%), above the 19.0% for listed movers nationally. Drivers were put out of service in 57 of 603 driver inspections (9.5%, against 13.0%). 1 carrier has an acute or critical violation found in an FMCSA investigation in the past 12 months.
| Carrier | Inspections | Vehicle out of service | Driver out of service |
|---|---|---|---|
| Covan World-Wide MovingincorporatedMidland City, AL · USDOT 256677 | 138 | 33 of 85 | 6 of 138 |
| Coleman Worldwide Moving LLCMidland City, AL · USDOT 2897746 | 102 | 9 of 68 | 8 of 102 |
| Coleman American Moving Services IncMidland City, AL · USDOT 148986 | 91 | 12 of 41 | 4 of 91 |
| Port City Transfer LLCIrvington, AL · USDOT 3324282 | 41 | 7 of 37 | 1 of 41 |
| E & E Transfer CompanySylacauga, AL · USDOT 3650158 | 37 | 7 of 22 | 3 of 37 |
| McKinney & Sons Transfer LLCLexington, AL · USDOT 1058049 | 28 | 4 of 11 | 3 of 28 |
FMCSA Safety Measurement System carrier summary, 24-month window. How the comparison is calculated.
Licensed movers at both ends
168 listed household-goods carriers are based in Alabama, 85 of them with interstate authority, which this move requires; the Alabama directory ranks them. At the California end, 1,592 are based in the state, useful for a local crew after delivery: movers in California, moving costs in California, or the reverse trip, California to Alabama. The federal rules for the move itself are in who regulates movers and binding vs non-binding estimates.
Other moves from Alabama
Alabama to California moving FAQ
How much does it cost to move from Alabama to California?
Between the two states' main cities, Birmingham and Los Angeles, the distance is about 2,097 miles. From our model that is $9,437 – $12,582 for a two-bedroom home and $10,852 – $14,469 for three bedrooms with full-service movers, transport only. A container you load yourself is about $6,794 – $9,059 for the two-bedroom home; a freight trailer about $4,530 – $6,039. Across the 100 city pairs we price between Alabama and California, distances run from 1,987 to 2,404 miles, so use the table for your own cities.
How long does a move from Alabama to California take?
Birmingham to Los Angeles is 5 days on the road (about 38 hours of driving). The move itself typically takes 7 to 14 days, because at this distance it usually travels on a consolidated load sharing trailer space with other households. Get the delivery window in writing. Book ahead: 6 to 8 weeks, 8 to 12 in summer.
Do I need an interstate-licensed mover for Alabama to California?
Yes. A move from Alabama into California is regulated by the FMCSA, so the carrier needs active interstate operating authority as well as a USDOT number. Of the 168 listed movers based in Alabama, 85 hold that authority; the rest can only move you within Alabama.
What is the cheapest way to move from Alabama to California?
Load a freight trailer yourself: about $4,530 – $6,039 for a two-bedroom home over 2,097 miles against $9,437 – $12,582 with full-service movers. A container, about $6,794 – $9,059, splits the difference and gives you days to load.
How many people move from Alabama to California each year?
The Census Bureau's 2024 American Community Survey estimates about 1,440 people (±735) moved from Alabama to California that year, against about 7,145 (±2,936) from California to Alabama. That makes Alabama the 41st-largest source of new residents for California among the states.