Moving from Californiato 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, not quotes. Distances marked ~ are estimated from city coordinates. We do not move anyone.
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. 25 have 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.
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 2,762 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 Delaware end
41 household-goods carriers are based in Delaware — useful if you need a local crew after delivery. A local move inside Wilmington runs about $475 – $775 for a two-bedroom home.
Timing the move
| Home size | October – April, mid-week | Summer weekend (+25%) |
|---|---|---|
| 2 bedrooms | $12,429 – $16,572 | $15,536 – $20,715 |
| 3 bedrooms | $14,293 – $19,058 | $17,866 – $23,823 |
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 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. Any move that crosses from California into Delaware 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 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 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 $17,866 – $23,823 rather than $14,293 – $19,058.