Moving from Californiato Colorado
An interstate move, so the FMCSA's rules apply from the first quote. Between Los Angeles and Denver it is about 968 miles and 2 days on the road (about 18 hours of driving); the 100 city pairs we price between the two states run from 891 to 1,253 miles.
Prices from our published model, not quotes. Distances marked ~ are estimated from city coordinates. We do not move anyone.
Los Angeles to Denver, 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 Colorado.
Cost of moving from California to Colorado
At about 968 miles, full-service movers should land around $4,356 – $5,808 for a two-bedroom home and $5,009 – $6,679 for three bedrooms. Load a container yourself and the two-bedroom figure drops to $3,136 – $4,182; a freight trailer is $2,091 – $2,788.
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $3,267 – $4,356 | $2,352 – $3,136 | $1,568 – $2,091 |
| 1 bedroom | $3,920 – $5,227 | $2,823 – $3,764 | $1,882 – $2,509 |
| 2 bedrooms | $4,356 – $5,808 | $3,136 – $4,182 | $2,091 – $2,788 |
| 3 bedrooms | $5,009 – $6,679 | $3,607 – $4,809 | $2,405 – $3,206 |
| 4 bedrooms | $5,663 – $7,550 | $4,077 – $5,436 | $2,718 – $3,624 |
| 5+ bedrooms | $6,534 – $8,712 | $4,704 – $6,273 | $3,136 – $4,182 |
Transport only, for an estimated 968 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 Colorado
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Bernardino to Colorado Springs | ~891 mi | 3–7 days | $4,010 – $5,346 | $4,611 – $6,148 |
| Moreno Valley to Colorado Springs | ~894 mi | 3–7 days | $4,023 – $5,364 | $4,626 – $6,169 |
| Fontana to Colorado Springs | ~902 mi | 3–7 days | $4,059 – $5,412 | $4,668 – $6,224 |
| Riverside to Colorado Springs | ~904 mi | 3–7 days | $4,068 – $5,424 | $4,678 – $6,238 |
| San Bernardino to Denver | ~911 mi | 3–7 days | $4,100 – $5,466 | $4,714 – $6,286 |
| Ontario to Colorado Springs | ~913 mi | 3–7 days | $4,109 – $5,478 | $4,725 – $6,300 |
| Moreno Valley to Denver | ~916 mi | 3–7 days | $4,122 – $5,496 | $4,740 – $6,320 |
| San Bernardino to Aurora | ~917 mi | 3–7 days | $4,127 – $5,502 | $4,745 – $6,327 |
| Fontana to Denver | ~922 mi | 3–7 days | $4,149 – $5,532 | $4,771 – $6,362 |
| Moreno Valley to Aurora | ~922 mi | 3–7 days | $4,149 – $5,532 | $4,771 – $6,362 |
| Lancaster to Colorado Springs | ~923 mi | 3–7 days | $4,154 – $5,538 | $4,777 – $6,369 |
| Riverside to Denver | ~925 mi | 3–7 days | $4,163 – $5,550 | $4,787 – $6,383 |
| Fontana to Aurora | ~928 mi | 3–7 days | $4,176 – $5,568 | $4,802 – $6,403 |
| Anaheim to Colorado Springs | ~929 mi | 3–7 days | $4,181 – $5,574 | $4,808 – $6,410 |
| Riverside to Aurora | ~932 mi | 3–7 days | $4,194 – $5,592 | $4,823 – $6,431 |
| Ontario to Denver | ~933 mi | 3–7 days | $4,199 – $5,598 | $4,828 – $6,438 |
| Irvine to Colorado Springs | ~937 mi | 3–7 days | $4,217 – $5,622 | $4,849 – $6,465 |
| San Bernardino to Fort Collins | ~937 mi | 3–7 days | $4,217 – $5,622 | $4,849 – $6,465 |
| Lancaster to Denver | ~938 mi | 3–7 days | $4,221 – $5,628 | $4,854 – $6,472 |
| Ontario to Aurora | ~939 mi | 3–7 days | $4,226 – $5,634 | $4,859 – $6,479 |
| Chula Vista to Colorado Springs | ~940 mi | 3–7 days | $4,230 – $5,640 | $4,865 – $6,486 |
| Santa Ana to Colorado Springs | ~941 mi | 3–7 days | $4,235 – $5,646 | $4,870 – $6,493 |
| Moreno Valley to Fort Collins | ~943 mi | 3–7 days | $4,244 – $5,658 | $4,880 – $6,507 |
| Lancaster to Aurora | ~944 mi | 3–7 days | $4,248 – $5,664 | $4,885 – $6,514 |
| San Diego to Colorado Springs | ~944 mi | 3–7 days | $4,248 – $5,664 | $4,885 – $6,514 |
| Fontana to Fort Collins | ~947 mi | 3–7 days | $4,262 – $5,682 | $4,901 – $6,534 |
| Anaheim to Denver | ~949 mi | 3–7 days | $4,271 – $5,694 | $4,911 – $6,548 |
| Los Angeles to Colorado Springs | ~950 mi | 3–7 days | $4,275 – $5,700 | $4,916 – $6,555 |
| Riverside to Fort Collins | ~952 mi | 3–7 days | $4,284 – $5,712 | $4,927 – $6,569 |
| Santa Clarita to Colorado Springs | ~952 mi | 3–7 days | $4,284 – $5,712 | $4,927 – $6,569 |
| Bakersfield to Colorado Springs | ~954 mi | 3–7 days | $4,293 – $5,724 | $4,937 – $6,583 |
| Anaheim to Aurora | ~956 mi | 3–7 days | $4,302 – $5,736 | $4,947 – $6,596 |
| Irvine to Denver | ~958 mi | 3–7 days | $4,311 – $5,748 | $4,958 – $6,610 |
| Long Beach to Colorado Springs | ~958 mi | 3–7 days | $4,311 – $5,748 | $4,958 – $6,610 |
| Ontario to Fort Collins | ~958 mi | 3–7 days | $4,311 – $5,748 | $4,958 – $6,610 |
| Lancaster to Fort Collins | ~959 mi | 3–7 days | $4,316 – $5,754 | $4,963 – $6,617 |
| Santa Ana to Denver | ~962 mi | 3–7 days | $4,329 – $5,772 | $4,978 – $6,638 |
| Bakersfield to Denver | ~963 mi | 3–7 days | $4,334 – $5,778 | $4,984 – $6,645 |
| Irvine to Aurora | ~964 mi | 3–7 days | $4,338 – $5,784 | $4,989 – $6,652 |
| Fresno to Colorado Springs | ~966 mi | 3–7 days | $4,347 – $5,796 | $4,999 – $6,665 |
| Fresno to Denver | ~966 mi | 3–7 days | $4,347 – $5,796 | $4,999 – $6,665 |
| Santa Clarita to Denver | ~967 mi | 3–7 days | $4,352 – $5,802 | $5,004 – $6,672 |
| Chula Vista to Denver | ~968 mi | 3–7 days | $4,356 – $5,808 | $5,009 – $6,679 |
| Los Angeles to Denver | ~968 mi | 3–7 days | $4,356 – $5,808 | $5,009 – $6,679 |
| Santa Ana to Aurora | ~968 mi | 3–7 days | $4,356 – $5,808 | $5,009 – $6,679 |
| Bakersfield to Aurora | ~970 mi | 3–7 days | $4,365 – $5,820 | $5,020 – $6,693 |
| San Diego to Denver | ~971 mi | 3–7 days | $4,370 – $5,826 | $5,025 – $6,700 |
| Fresno to Aurora | ~973 mi | 3–7 days | $4,379 – $5,838 | $5,035 – $6,714 |
| Chula Vista to Aurora | ~974 mi | 3–7 days | $4,383 – $5,844 | $5,040 – $6,721 |
| Fresno to Fort Collins | ~974 mi | 3–7 days | $4,383 – $5,844 | $5,040 – $6,721 |
| Los Angeles to Aurora | ~974 mi | 3–7 days | $4,383 – $5,844 | $5,040 – $6,721 |
| Santa Clarita to Aurora | ~974 mi | 3–7 days | $4,383 – $5,844 | $5,040 – $6,721 |
| Anaheim to Fort Collins | ~975 mi | 3–7 days | $4,388 – $5,850 | $5,046 – $6,728 |
| Long Beach to Denver | ~977 mi | 3–7 days | $4,397 – $5,862 | $5,056 – $6,741 |
| San Diego to Aurora | ~977 mi | 3–7 days | $4,397 – $5,862 | $5,056 – $6,741 |
| Bakersfield to Fort Collins | ~980 mi | 3–7 days | $4,410 – $5,880 | $5,072 – $6,762 |
| Long Beach to Aurora | ~984 mi | 3–7 days | $4,428 – $5,904 | $5,092 – $6,790 |
| Irvine to Fort Collins | ~985 mi | 3–7 days | $4,433 – $5,910 | $5,097 – $6,797 |
| Santa Ana to Fort Collins | ~988 mi | 3–7 days | $4,446 – $5,928 | $5,113 – $6,817 |
| Santa Clarita to Fort Collins | ~989 mi | 3–7 days | $4,451 – $5,934 | $5,118 – $6,824 |
| Los Angeles to Fort Collins | ~992 mi | 3–7 days | $4,464 – $5,952 | $5,134 – $6,845 |
| Chula Vista to Fort Collins | ~1,001 mi | 3–7 days | $4,505 – $6,006 | $5,180 – $6,907 |
| Oxnard to Colorado Springs | ~1,002 mi | 3–7 days | $4,509 – $6,012 | $5,185 – $6,914 |
| Long Beach to Fort Collins | ~1,003 mi | 3–7 days | $4,514 – $6,018 | $5,191 – $6,921 |
| San Diego to Fort Collins | ~1,003 mi | 3–7 days | $4,514 – $6,018 | $5,191 – $6,921 |
| Oxnard to Denver | ~1,017 mi | 3–7 days | $4,577 – $6,102 | $5,263 – $7,017 |
| Roseville to Fort Collins | ~1,017 mi | 3–7 days | $4,577 – $6,102 | $5,263 – $7,017 |
| Modesto to Denver | ~1,020 mi | 3–7 days | $4,590 – $6,120 | $5,279 – $7,038 |
| Roseville to Denver | ~1,021 mi | 3–7 days | $4,595 – $6,126 | $5,284 – $7,045 |
| Modesto to Fort Collins | ~1,022 mi | 3–7 days | $4,599 – $6,132 | $5,289 – $7,052 |
| Oxnard to Aurora | ~1,023 mi | 3–7 days | $4,604 – $6,138 | $5,294 – $7,059 |
| Modesto to Aurora | ~1,027 mi | 3–7 days | $4,622 – $6,162 | $5,315 – $7,086 |
| Modesto to Colorado Springs | ~1,027 mi | 3–7 days | $4,622 – $6,162 | $5,315 – $7,086 |
| Roseville to Aurora | ~1,027 mi | 3–7 days | $4,622 – $6,162 | $5,315 – $7,086 |
| Sacramento to Fort Collins | ~1,031 mi | 3–7 days | $4,640 – $6,186 | $5,335 – $7,114 |
| Stockton to Denver | ~1,032 mi | 3–7 days | $4,644 – $6,192 | $5,341 – $7,121 |
| Stockton to Fort Collins | ~1,033 mi | 3–7 days | $4,649 – $6,198 | $5,346 – $7,128 |
| Roseville to Colorado Springs | ~1,034 mi | 3–7 days | $4,653 – $6,204 | $5,351 – $7,135 |
| Sacramento to Denver | ~1,034 mi | 3–7 days | $4,653 – $6,204 | $5,351 – $7,135 |
| Oxnard to Fort Collins | ~1,038 mi | 3–7 days | $4,671 – $6,228 | $5,372 – $7,162 |
| Stockton to Aurora | ~1,039 mi | 3–7 days | $4,676 – $6,234 | $5,377 – $7,169 |
| Sacramento to Aurora | ~1,041 mi | 3–7 days | $4,685 – $6,246 | $5,387 – $7,183 |
| Stockton to Colorado Springs | ~1,042 mi | 3–7 days | $4,689 – $6,252 | $5,392 – $7,190 |
| Sacramento to Colorado Springs | ~1,047 mi | 3–7 days | $4,712 – $6,282 | $5,418 – $7,224 |
| Fremont to Denver | ~1,081 mi | 3–7 days | $4,865 – $6,486 | $5,594 – $7,459 |
| San Jose to Denver | ~1,081 mi | 3–7 days | $4,865 – $6,486 | $5,594 – $7,459 |
| Fremont to Fort Collins | ~1,083 mi | 3–7 days | $4,874 – $6,498 | $5,605 – $7,473 |
| San Jose to Fort Collins | ~1,084 mi | 3–7 days | $4,878 – $6,504 | $5,610 – $7,480 |
| San Jose to Colorado Springs | ~1,087 mi | 3–7 days | $4,892 – $6,522 | $5,625 – $7,500 |
| Fremont to Aurora | ~1,088 mi | 3–7 days | $4,896 – $6,528 | $5,630 – $7,507 |
| Fremont to Colorado Springs | ~1,088 mi | 3–7 days | $4,896 – $6,528 | $5,630 – $7,507 |
| San Jose to Aurora | ~1,088 mi | 3–7 days | $4,896 – $6,528 | $5,630 – $7,507 |
| Oakland to Denver | ~1,095 mi | 3–7 days | $4,928 – $6,570 | $5,667 – $7,556 |
| Oakland to Fort Collins | ~1,095 mi | 3–7 days | $4,928 – $6,570 | $5,667 – $7,556 |
| Oakland to Aurora | ~1,102 mi | 3–7 days | $4,959 – $6,612 | $5,703 – $7,604 |
| Oakland to Colorado Springs | ~1,104 mi | 3–7 days | $4,968 – $6,624 | $5,713 – $7,618 |
| San Francisco to Fort Collins | ~1,104 mi | 3–7 days | $4,968 – $6,624 | $5,713 – $7,618 |
| San Francisco to Aurora | ~1,111 mi | 3–7 days | $5,000 – $6,666 | $5,749 – $7,666 |
| San Francisco to Colorado Springs | ~1,113 mi | 3–7 days | $5,009 – $6,678 | $5,760 – $7,680 |
| San Francisco to Denver | 1,253 mi | 7–14 days | $5,639 – $7,518 | $6,484 – $8,646 |
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 968 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 California
1,617 household-goods carriers in California are active on the FMCSA register. The largest with interstate authority, by registered fleet:
- Air Container Transfer, Brisbane · USDOT 1701515 · 60 trucks
- Meathead Movers Inc, San Luis Obispo · USDOT 921143 · 53 trucks
- Waters Moving & Storage Inc, Martinez · USDOT 1125579 · 35 trucks
- Move Happy Acme, Los Angeles · USDOT 3136064 · 31 trucks
- Crown Worldwide Moving And Storage Llc, Union City · USDOT 2970 · 25 trucks
At the Colorado end
503 household-goods carriers are based in Colorado — useful if you need a local crew after delivery. A local move inside Denver runs about $475 – $775 for a two-bedroom home.
Timing the move
| Home size | October – April, mid-week | Summer weekend (+25%) |
|---|---|---|
| 2 bedrooms | $4,356 – $5,808 | $5,445 – $7,260 |
| 3 bedrooms | $5,009 – $6,679 | $6,261 – $8,349 |
Transit is 3 to 7 days. Book ahead: 4 to 6 weeks, 6 to 8 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 California
California to Colorado moving FAQ
How much does it cost to move from California to Colorado?
Between the two states' main cities, Los Angeles and Denver, the distance is about 968 miles. From our model that is $4,356 – $5,808 for a two-bedroom home and $5,009 – $6,679 for three bedrooms with full-service movers, transport only. A container you load yourself is about $3,136 – $4,182 for the two-bedroom home; a freight trailer about $2,091 – $2,788. Across the 100 city pairs we price between California and Colorado, distances run from 891 to 1,253 miles, so use the table for your own cities.
How long does a move from California to Colorado take?
Los Angeles to Denver is 2 days on the road (about 18 hours of driving). The move itself typically takes 3 to 7 days, because at this distance it usually travels on either a dedicated truck or a consolidated load, depending on the carrier and the season. Get the delivery window in writing. Book ahead: 4 to 6 weeks, 6 to 8 in summer.
Do I need an interstate-licensed mover for California to Colorado?
Yes. Any move that crosses from California into Colorado 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 California to Colorado?
Load a freight trailer yourself: about $2,091 – $2,788 for a two-bedroom home over 968 miles against $4,356 – $5,808 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 $6,261 – $8,349 rather than $5,009 – $6,679.