Moving from California to Delaware
An interstate move, so the FMCSA's rules apply from the first quote. Between Los Angeles and Wilmington it is about 2,762 miles and 6 days on the road (about 50 hours of driving); the 50 city pairs we price between the two states run from 2,701 to 2,926 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.
- ~2,762 miLos Angeles → Wilmington
- 7–14 daysTypical transit
- $12,429+2-bedroom, movers
- 50City routes priced
In short
About 1,439 people moved from California to Delaware in 2024 (Census estimate, ±815), and about 149 went the other way. Between Los Angeles and Wilmington it is about 2,762 miles; a two-bedroom move with full-service movers runs $12,429 – $16,572 in our model, delivered in 7–14 days. 431 movers based in California hold interstate authority.
Who moves from California to Delaware
The Census Bureau's 2024 survey puts the flow at about 1,439 people a year (±815), against about 149 (±144) from Delaware to California, so Delaware gains about 1,290 people a year on this exchange. California is the 8th-largest of the 38 states sending people to Delaware; Delaware took in about 33,421 from other states in all.
| From | To | People a year |
|---|---|---|
| Alameda County | New Castle County | 99 ±125* |
| Riverside County | New Castle County | 60 ±91* |
| Orange County | New Castle County | 42 ±42* |
| Sacramento County | Kent County | 34 ±51* |
| San Francisco County | New Castle County | 31 ±48* |
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 Wilmington, 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 Delaware.
Cost of moving from California to Delaware
At about 2,762 miles, full-service movers should land around $12,429 – $16,572 for a two-bedroom home and $14,293 – $19,058 for three bedrooms. Load a container yourself and the two-bedroom figure drops to $8,949 – $11,932; a freight trailer is $5,966 – $7,955.
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $9,322 – $12,429 | $6,712 – $8,949 | $4,474 – $5,966 |
| 1 bedroom | $11,186 – $14,915 | $8,054 – $10,739 | $5,369 – $7,159 |
| 2 bedrooms | $12,429 – $16,572 | $8,949 – $11,932 | $5,966 – $7,955 |
| 3 bedrooms | $14,293 – $19,058 | $10,291 – $13,722 | $6,861 – $9,148 |
| 4 bedrooms | $16,158 – $21,544 | $11,634 – $15,511 | $7,756 – $10,341 |
| 5+ bedrooms | $18,644 – $24,858 | $13,423 – $17,898 | $8,949 – $11,932 |
Transport only, for an estimated 2,762 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 Delaware
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Bernardino to Wilmington | ~2,701 mi | 7–14 days | $12,155 – $16,206 | $13,978 – $18,637 |
| Moreno Valley to Wilmington | ~2,702 mi | 7–14 days | $12,159 – $16,212 | $13,983 – $18,644 |
| San Bernardino to Dover | ~2,706 mi | 7–14 days | $12,177 – $16,236 | $14,004 – $18,671 |
| Moreno Valley to Dover | ~2,707 mi | 7–14 days | $12,182 – $16,242 | $14,009 – $18,678 |
| Fontana to Wilmington | ~2,712 mi | 7–14 days | $12,204 – $16,272 | $14,035 – $18,713 |
| Riverside to Wilmington | ~2,713 mi | 7–14 days | $12,209 – $16,278 | $14,040 – $18,720 |
| Fontana to Dover | ~2,717 mi | 7–14 days | $12,227 – $16,302 | $14,060 – $18,747 |
| Riverside to Dover | ~2,718 mi | 7–14 days | $12,231 – $16,308 | $14,066 – $18,754 |
| Ontario to Wilmington | ~2,723 mi | 7–14 days | $12,254 – $16,338 | $14,092 – $18,789 |
| Ontario to Dover | ~2,728 mi | 7–14 days | $12,276 – $16,368 | $14,117 – $18,823 |
| Chula Vista to Wilmington | ~2,732 mi | 7–14 days | $12,294 – $16,392 | $14,138 – $18,851 |
| Chula Vista to Dover | ~2,734 mi | 7–14 days | $12,303 – $16,404 | $14,148 – $18,865 |
| Anaheim to Wilmington | ~2,738 mi | 7–14 days | $12,321 – $16,428 | $14,169 – $18,892 |
| San Diego to Wilmington | ~2,738 mi | 7–14 days | $12,321 – $16,428 | $14,169 – $18,892 |
| Lancaster to Wilmington | ~2,739 mi | 7–14 days | $12,326 – $16,434 | $14,174 – $18,899 |
| San Diego to Dover | ~2,741 mi | 7–14 days | $12,335 – $16,446 | $14,185 – $18,913 |
| Anaheim to Dover | ~2,743 mi | 7–14 days | $12,344 – $16,458 | $14,195 – $18,927 |
| Irvine to Wilmington | ~2,745 mi | 7–14 days | $12,353 – $16,470 | $14,205 – $18,940 |
| Lancaster to Dover | ~2,745 mi | 7–14 days | $12,353 – $16,470 | $14,205 – $18,940 |
| Irvine to Dover | ~2,749 mi | 7–14 days | $12,371 – $16,494 | $14,226 – $18,968 |
| Santa Ana to Wilmington | ~2,750 mi | 7–14 days | $12,375 – $16,500 | $14,231 – $18,975 |
| Santa Ana to Dover | ~2,754 mi | 7–14 days | $12,393 – $16,524 | $14,252 – $19,003 |
| Los Angeles to Wilmington | ~2,762 mi | 7–14 days | $12,429 – $16,572 | $14,293 – $19,058 |
| Los Angeles to Dover | ~2,767 mi | 7–14 days | $12,452 – $16,602 | $14,319 – $19,092 |
| Santa Clarita to Wilmington | ~2,767 mi | 7–14 days | $12,452 – $16,602 | $14,319 – $19,092 |
| Long Beach to Wilmington | ~2,768 mi | 7–14 days | $12,456 – $16,608 | $14,324 – $19,099 |
| Bakersfield to Wilmington | ~2,773 mi | 7–14 days | $12,479 – $16,638 | $14,350 – $19,134 |
| Long Beach to Dover | ~2,773 mi | 7–14 days | $12,479 – $16,638 | $14,350 – $19,134 |
| Santa Clarita to Dover | ~2,773 mi | 7–14 days | $12,479 – $16,638 | $14,350 – $19,134 |
| Bakersfield to Dover | ~2,780 mi | 7–14 days | $12,510 – $16,680 | $14,386 – $19,182 |
| Fresno to Wilmington | ~2,781 mi | 7–14 days | $12,515 – $16,686 | $14,392 – $19,189 |
| Fresno to Dover | ~2,791 mi | 7–14 days | $12,560 – $16,746 | $14,443 – $19,258 |
| Oxnard to Wilmington | ~2,817 mi | 7–14 days | $12,677 – $16,902 | $14,578 – $19,437 |
| Oxnard to Dover | ~2,823 mi | 7–14 days | $12,704 – $16,938 | $14,609 – $19,479 |
| Roseville to Wilmington | ~2,825 mi | 7–14 days | $12,713 – $16,950 | $14,619 – $19,492 |
| Modesto to Wilmington | ~2,833 mi | 7–14 days | $12,749 – $16,998 | $14,661 – $19,548 |
| Roseville to Dover | ~2,838 mi | 7–14 days | $12,771 – $17,028 | $14,687 – $19,582 |
| Sacramento to Wilmington | ~2,840 mi | 7–14 days | $12,780 – $17,040 | $14,697 – $19,596 |
| Stockton to Wilmington | ~2,843 mi | 7–14 days | $12,794 – $17,058 | $14,713 – $19,617 |
| Modesto to Dover | ~2,844 mi | 7–14 days | $12,798 – $17,064 | $14,718 – $19,624 |
| Sacramento to Dover | ~2,852 mi | 7–14 days | $12,834 – $17,112 | $14,759 – $19,679 |
| Stockton to Dover | ~2,855 mi | 7–14 days | $12,848 – $17,130 | $14,775 – $19,699 |
| Fremont to Wilmington | ~2,893 mi | 7–14 days | $13,019 – $17,358 | $14,971 – $19,962 |
| San Jose to Wilmington | ~2,894 mi | 7–14 days | $13,023 – $17,364 | $14,976 – $19,969 |
| Fremont to Dover | ~2,904 mi | 7–14 days | $13,068 – $17,424 | $15,028 – $20,038 |
| Oakland to Wilmington | ~2,905 mi | 7–14 days | $13,073 – $17,430 | $15,033 – $20,044 |
| San Jose to Dover | ~2,905 mi | 7–14 days | $13,073 – $17,430 | $15,033 – $20,044 |
| San Francisco to Wilmington | ~2,914 mi | 7–14 days | $13,113 – $17,484 | $15,080 – $20,107 |
| Oakland to Dover | ~2,917 mi | 7–14 days | $13,127 – $17,502 | $15,095 – $20,127 |
| San Francisco to Dover | ~2,926 mi | 7–14 days | $13,167 – $17,556 | $15,142 – $20,189 |
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 Delaware end, 31 are based in the state, useful for a local crew after delivery: movers in Delaware, moving costs in Delaware, or the reverse trip, Delaware 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 Delaware moving FAQ
How much does it cost to move from California to Delaware?
Between the two states' main cities, Los Angeles and Wilmington, the distance is about 2,762 miles. From our model that is $12,429 – $16,572 for a two-bedroom home and $14,293 – $19,058 for three bedrooms with full-service movers, transport only. A container you load yourself is about $8,949 – $11,932 for the two-bedroom home; a freight trailer about $5,966 – $7,955. Across the 50 city pairs we price between California and Delaware, distances run from 2,701 to 2,926 miles, so use the table for your own cities.
How long does a move from California to Delaware take?
Los Angeles to Wilmington 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 Delaware?
Yes. A move from California into Delaware 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 Delaware?
Load a freight trailer yourself: about $5,966 – $7,955 for a two-bedroom home over 2,762 miles against $12,429 – $16,572 with full-service movers. A container, about $8,949 – $11,932, splits the difference and gives you days to load.
How many people move from California to Delaware each year?
The Census Bureau's 2024 American Community Survey estimates about 1,439 people (±815) moved from California to Delaware that year, against about 149 (±144) from Delaware to California. That makes California the 8th-largest source of new residents for Delaware among the states.