Moving from Alabamato 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, not quotes. Distances marked ~ are estimated from city coordinates. We do not move anyone.
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. 100 have 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.
What the interstate rules give you
A licensed carrier. Active interstate operating authority (an MC number) and a USDOT number, both checkable on the FMCSA register. A company that offers neither is a broker at best.
A written estimate before loading. Binding fixes the price for the listed inventory; non-binding follows the weighed shipment. The carrier cannot demand more than 110% of a non-binding estimate at delivery, with the balance billed within 30 days. Ask for binding not-to-exceed by name, after a survey.
Valuation. Released-value protection is included at 60 cents per pound per item; full-value protection is the upgrade worth buying for 2,097 miles of handling.
A delivery window, in writing. If it is on the bill of lading, missing it entitles you to delay costs. If it is not, it entitles you to an apology.
Interstate movers based in Alabama
170 household-goods carriers in Alabama are active on the FMCSA register. The largest with interstate authority, by registered fleet:
- Coleman American Moving Services Inc, Midland City · USDOT 148986 · 332 trucks
- Covan World-Wide Movingincorporated, Midland City · USDOT 256677 · 208 trucks
- Coleman Worldwide Moving Llc, Midland City · USDOT 2897746 · 191 trucks
- New Latitude Moving Admiral Movers Motivated Movers, Birmingham · USDOT 2179652 · 52 trucks
- Thompson Delivery Services Colwright, Birmingham · USDOT 713589 · 31 trucks
At the California end
1,617 household-goods carriers are based in California — useful if you need a local crew after delivery. A local move inside Los Angeles runs about $475 – $775 for a two-bedroom home.
Timing the move
| Home size | October – April, mid-week | Summer weekend (+25%) |
|---|---|---|
| 2 bedrooms | $9,437 – $12,582 | $11,796 – $15,728 |
| 3 bedrooms | $10,852 – $14,469 | $13,565 – $18,086 |
Transit is 7 to 14 days. Book ahead: 6 to 8 weeks, 8 to 12 in summer. Trailers on this corridor fill faster in summer, but crews and trucks are stretched, so windows get wider, not shorter.
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. Any move that crosses from Alabama into California is regulated by the FMCSA, and the carrier must hold active interstate operating authority (an MC number) as well as a USDOT number. Check both on the FMCSA register before you sign. Interstate carriers must give you a written estimate, the federal "Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move" booklet, and access to an arbitration programme, and cannot demand more than 110% of a non-binding estimate before releasing your goods.
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 splits the difference and gives you days to load. On any of them, moving between October and April, mid-month and mid-week, is worth another 20 to 30 percent — a peak-season date puts the three-bedroom figure at $13,565 – $18,086 rather than $10,852 – $14,469.