Moving from California to Alaska
An interstate move, so the FMCSA's rules apply from the first quote. Between Los Angeles and Anchorage it is about 2,728 miles and 6 days on the road (about 50 hours of driving); the 50 city pairs we price between the two states run from 2,299 to 3,002 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.
- ~2,728 miLos Angeles → Anchorage
- 7–14 daysTypical transit
- $12,276+2-bedroom, movers
- 50City routes priced
In short
About 1,950 people moved from California to Alaska in 2024 (Census estimate, ±807), and about 3,022 went the other way. Between Los Angeles and Anchorage it is about 2,728 miles; a two-bedroom move with full-service movers runs $12,276 – $16,368 in our model, delivered in 7–14 days. 431 movers based in California hold interstate authority.
Who moves from California to Alaska
The Census Bureau's 2024 survey puts the flow at about 1,950 people a year (±807), against about 3,022 (±1,823) from Alaska to California, so Alaska loses about 1,072 people a year on this exchange. California is the 4th-largest of the 43 states sending people to Alaska; Alaska took in about 29,456 from other states in all.
| From | To | People a year |
|---|---|---|
| Alameda County | Anchorage Municipality | 223 ±268* |
| Solano County | Anchorage Municipality | 222 ±197 |
| Los Angeles County | Anchorage Municipality | 213 ±150 |
| San Bernardino County | Juneau City and Borough | 146 ±177* |
| Santa Barbara County | Matanuska-Susitna Borough | 124 ±171* |
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.
Los Angeles to Anchorage, 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 California and Alaska.
Cost of moving from California to Alaska
At about 2,728 miles, full-service movers should land around $12,276 – $16,368 for a two-bedroom home and $14,117 – $18,823 for three bedrooms. Load a container yourself and the two-bedroom figure drops to $8,839 – $11,785; a freight trailer is $5,892 – $7,857.
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $9,207 – $12,276 | $6,629 – $8,839 | $4,419 – $5,892 |
| 1 bedroom | $11,048 – $14,731 | $7,955 – $10,606 | $5,303 – $7,071 |
| 2 bedrooms | $12,276 – $16,368 | $8,839 – $11,785 | $5,892 – $7,857 |
| 3 bedrooms | $14,117 – $18,823 | $10,165 – $13,553 | $6,776 – $9,035 |
| 4 bedrooms | $15,959 – $21,278 | $11,490 – $15,320 | $7,660 – $10,214 |
| 5+ bedrooms | $18,414 – $24,552 | $13,258 – $17,677 | $8,839 – $11,785 |
Transport only, for an estimated 2,728 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 California to Alaska
Every pair of cities we cover in the two states, nearest first. Run any pair through the calculator for a measured distance.
| Route | Distance | Transit | 2 bedrooms | 3 bedrooms |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roseville to Anchorage | ~2,299 mi | 7–14 days | $10,346 – $13,794 | $11,897 – $15,863 |
| Sacramento to Anchorage | ~2,307 mi | 7–14 days | $10,382 – $13,842 | $11,939 – $15,918 |
| San Francisco to Anchorage | ~2,337 mi | 7–14 days | $10,517 – $14,022 | $12,094 – $16,125 |
| Oakland to Anchorage | ~2,339 mi | 7–14 days | $10,526 – $14,034 | $12,104 – $16,139 |
| Stockton to Anchorage | ~2,356 mi | 7–14 days | $10,602 – $14,136 | $12,192 – $16,256 |
| Fremont to Anchorage | ~2,371 mi | 7–14 days | $10,670 – $14,226 | $12,270 – $16,360 |
| San Jose to Anchorage | ~2,384 mi | 7–14 days | $10,728 – $14,304 | $12,337 – $16,450 |
| Modesto to Anchorage | ~2,389 mi | 7–14 days | $10,751 – $14,334 | $12,363 – $16,484 |
| Roseville to Fairbanks | ~2,438 mi | 7–14 days | $10,971 – $14,628 | $12,617 – $16,822 |
| Sacramento to Fairbanks | ~2,448 mi | 7–14 days | $11,016 – $14,688 | $12,668 – $16,891 |
| San Francisco to Fairbanks | ~2,487 mi | 7–14 days | $11,192 – $14,922 | $12,870 – $17,160 |
| Fresno to Anchorage | ~2,489 mi | 7–14 days | $11,201 – $14,934 | $12,881 – $17,174 |
| Oakland to Fairbanks | ~2,489 mi | 7–14 days | $11,201 – $14,934 | $12,881 – $17,174 |
| Stockton to Fairbanks | ~2,498 mi | 7–14 days | $11,241 – $14,988 | $12,927 – $17,236 |
| Fremont to Fairbanks | ~2,519 mi | 7–14 days | $11,336 – $15,114 | $13,036 – $17,381 |
| Modesto to Fairbanks | ~2,530 mi | 7–14 days | $11,385 – $15,180 | $13,093 – $17,457 |
| San Jose to Fairbanks | ~2,533 mi | 7–14 days | $11,399 – $15,198 | $13,108 – $17,478 |
| Bakersfield to Anchorage | ~2,611 mi | 7–14 days | $11,750 – $15,666 | $13,512 – $18,016 |
| Fresno to Fairbanks | ~2,626 mi | 7–14 days | $11,817 – $15,756 | $13,590 – $18,119 |
| Lancaster to Anchorage | ~2,684 mi | 7–14 days | $12,078 – $16,104 | $13,890 – $18,520 |
| Oxnard to Anchorage | ~2,689 mi | 7–14 days | $12,101 – $16,134 | $13,916 – $18,554 |
| Santa Clarita to Anchorage | ~2,694 mi | 7–14 days | $12,123 – $16,164 | $13,941 – $18,589 |
| Los Angeles to Anchorage | ~2,728 mi | 7–14 days | $12,276 – $16,368 | $14,117 – $18,823 |
| Bakersfield to Fairbanks | ~2,748 mi | 7–14 days | $12,366 – $16,488 | $14,221 – $18,961 |
| Fontana to Anchorage | ~2,748 mi | 7–14 days | $12,366 – $16,488 | $14,221 – $18,961 |
| Ontario to Anchorage | ~2,749 mi | 7–14 days | $12,371 – $16,494 | $14,226 – $18,968 |
| Long Beach to Anchorage | ~2,750 mi | 7–14 days | $12,375 – $16,500 | $14,231 – $18,975 |
| San Bernardino to Anchorage | ~2,751 mi | 7–14 days | $12,380 – $16,506 | $14,236 – $18,982 |
| Anaheim to Anchorage | ~2,757 mi | 7–14 days | $12,407 – $16,542 | $14,267 – $19,023 |
| Riverside to Anchorage | ~2,762 mi | 7–14 days | $12,429 – $16,572 | $14,293 – $19,058 |
| Santa Ana to Anchorage | ~2,762 mi | 7–14 days | $12,429 – $16,572 | $14,293 – $19,058 |
| Irvine to Anchorage | ~2,769 mi | 7–14 days | $12,461 – $16,614 | $14,330 – $19,106 |
| Moreno Valley to Anchorage | ~2,769 mi | 7–14 days | $12,461 – $16,614 | $14,330 – $19,106 |
| Lancaster to Fairbanks | ~2,818 mi | 7–14 days | $12,681 – $16,908 | $14,583 – $19,444 |
| Oxnard to Fairbanks | ~2,831 mi | 7–14 days | $12,740 – $16,986 | $14,650 – $19,534 |
| Santa Clarita to Fairbanks | ~2,831 mi | 7–14 days | $12,740 – $16,986 | $14,650 – $19,534 |
| San Diego to Anchorage | ~2,857 mi | 7–14 days | $12,857 – $17,142 | $14,785 – $19,713 |
| Los Angeles to Fairbanks | ~2,865 mi | 7–14 days | $12,893 – $17,190 | $14,826 – $19,768 |
| Chula Vista to Anchorage | ~2,868 mi | 7–14 days | $12,906 – $17,208 | $14,842 – $19,789 |
| Fontana to Fairbanks | ~2,880 mi | 7–14 days | $12,960 – $17,280 | $14,904 – $19,872 |
| Ontario to Fairbanks | ~2,881 mi | 7–14 days | $12,965 – $17,286 | $14,909 – $19,879 |
| San Bernardino to Fairbanks | ~2,881 mi | 7–14 days | $12,965 – $17,286 | $14,909 – $19,879 |
| Long Beach to Fairbanks | ~2,887 mi | 7–14 days | $12,992 – $17,322 | $14,940 – $19,920 |
| Anaheim to Fairbanks | ~2,891 mi | 7–14 days | $13,010 – $17,346 | $14,961 – $19,948 |
| Riverside to Fairbanks | ~2,894 mi | 7–14 days | $13,023 – $17,364 | $14,976 – $19,969 |
| Santa Ana to Fairbanks | ~2,897 mi | 7–14 days | $13,037 – $17,382 | $14,992 – $19,989 |
| Moreno Valley to Fairbanks | ~2,900 mi | 7–14 days | $13,050 – $17,400 | $15,007 – $20,010 |
| Irvine to Fairbanks | ~2,904 mi | 7–14 days | $13,068 – $17,424 | $15,028 – $20,038 |
| San Diego to Fairbanks | ~2,991 mi | 7–14 days | $13,460 – $17,946 | $15,478 – $20,638 |
| Chula Vista to Fairbanks | ~3,002 mi | 7–14 days | $13,509 – $18,012 | $15,535 – $20,714 |
Routes without a link are priced on estimated distance only; the calculator measures the exact drive.
Roadside inspections: interstate movers based in California
288 of the 431 interstate movers listed here had at least one roadside inspection in the 24 months to September 13, 2026, 2,633 inspections in all. Inspectors put the vehicle out of service in 233 of 1,930 vehicle inspections (12.1%), below the 19.0% for listed movers nationally. Drivers were put out of service in 330 of 2,512 driver inspections (13.1%, against 13.0%). None has an acute or critical violation from an FMCSA investigation in the past 12 months.
| Carrier | Inspections | Vehicle out of service | Driver out of service |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meathead Movers IncSan Luis Obispo, CA · USDOT 921143 | 125 | 3 of 87 | 8 of 125 |
| Best California MoversNorth Hollywood, CA · USDOT 3489907 | 91 | 1 of 70 | 8 of 87 |
| Air Container TransferBrisbane, CA · USDOT 1701515 | 63 | 8 of 56 | 1 of 63 |
| Altar Boys MovingPacoima, CA · USDOT 2824890 | 63 | 3 of 33 | 5 of 56 |
| Move Happy AcmeLos Angeles, CA · USDOT 3136064 | 61 | 8 of 39 | 8 of 58 |
| American Hills Moving & Storage IncWest Hills, CA · USDOT 4128186 | 49 | 3 of 29 | 30 of 49 |
FMCSA Safety Measurement System carrier summary, 24-month window. How the comparison is calculated.
Licensed movers at both ends
1,592 listed household-goods carriers are based in California, 431 of them with interstate authority, which this move requires; the California directory ranks them. At the Alaska end, 36 are based in the state, useful for a local crew after delivery: movers in Alaska, moving costs in Alaska, or the reverse trip, Alaska to California. The federal rules for the move itself are in who regulates movers and binding vs non-binding estimates.
Other moves from California
California to Alaska moving FAQ
How much does it cost to move from California to Alaska?
Between the two states' main cities, Los Angeles and Anchorage, the distance is about 2,728 miles. From our model that is $12,276 – $16,368 for a two-bedroom home and $14,117 – $18,823 for three bedrooms with full-service movers, transport only. A container you load yourself is about $8,839 – $11,785 for the two-bedroom home; a freight trailer about $5,892 – $7,857. Across the 50 city pairs we price between California and Alaska, distances run from 2,299 to 3,002 miles, so use the table for your own cities.
How long does a move from California to Alaska take?
Los Angeles to Anchorage is 6 days on the road (about 50 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 California to Alaska?
Yes. A move from California into Alaska is regulated by the FMCSA, so the carrier needs active interstate operating authority as well as a USDOT number. Of the 1,592 listed movers based in California, 431 hold that authority; the rest can only move you within California.
What is the cheapest way to move from California to Alaska?
Load a freight trailer yourself: about $5,892 – $7,857 for a two-bedroom home over 2,728 miles against $12,276 – $16,368 with full-service movers. A container, about $8,839 – $11,785, splits the difference and gives you days to load.
How many people move from California to Alaska each year?
The Census Bureau's 2024 American Community Survey estimates about 1,950 people (±807) moved from California to Alaska that year, against about 3,022 (±1,823) from Alaska to California. That makes California the 4th-largest source of new residents for Alaska among the states.