Moving from California to Minnesota
An interstate move, so the FMCSA's rules apply from the first quote. Between Los Angeles and Minneapolis it is about 1,774 miles and 4 days on the road (about 32 hours of driving); the 75 city pairs we price between the two states run from 1,719 to 1,880 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.
- ~1,774 miLos Angeles → Minneapolis
- 7–14 daysTypical transit
- $7,983+2-bedroom, movers
- 75City routes priced
In short
About 6,928 people moved from California to Minnesota in 2024 (Census estimate, ±2,325), and about 3,533 went the other way. Between Los Angeles and Minneapolis it is about 1,774 miles; a two-bedroom move with full-service movers runs $7,983 – $10,644 in our model, delivered in 7–14 days. 431 movers based in California hold interstate authority.
Who moves from California to Minnesota
The Census Bureau's 2024 survey puts the flow at about 6,928 people a year (±2,325), against about 3,533 (±1,394) from Minnesota to California, so Minnesota gains about 3,395 people a year on this exchange. California is the 2nd-largest of the 47 states sending people to Minnesota; Minnesota took in about 104,339 from other states in all.
| From | To | People a year |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles County | Hennepin County | 980 ±521 |
| Orange County | Hennepin County | 457 ±218 |
| San Diego County | Hennepin County | 275 ±125 |
| Los Angeles County | Ramsey County | 230 ±175 |
| San Diego County | Anoka County | 230 ±153 |
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.
Los Angeles to Minneapolis, 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 Minnesota.
Cost of moving from California to Minnesota
At about 1,774 miles, full-service movers should land around $7,983 – $10,644 for a two-bedroom home and $9,180 – $12,241 for three bedrooms. Load a container yourself and the two-bedroom figure drops to $5,748 – $7,664; a freight trailer is $3,832 – $5,109.
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $5,987 – $7,983 | $4,311 – $5,748 | $2,874 – $3,832 |
| 1 bedroom | $7,185 – $9,580 | $5,173 – $6,897 | $3,449 – $4,598 |
| 2 bedrooms | $7,983 – $10,644 | $5,748 – $7,664 | $3,832 – $5,109 |
| 3 bedrooms | $9,180 – $12,241 | $6,610 – $8,813 | $4,407 – $5,875 |
| 4 bedrooms | $10,378 – $13,837 | $7,472 – $9,963 | $4,981 – $6,642 |
| 5+ bedrooms | $11,975 – $15,966 | $8,622 – $11,496 | $5,748 – $7,664 |
Transport only, for an estimated 1,774 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 Minnesota
Every pair of cities we cover in the two states, nearest first. 7 have a full route page with a map, transit and licensed movers.
| Route | Distance | Transit | 2 bedrooms | 3 bedrooms |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Bernardino to Minneapolis | ~1,719 mi | 7–14 days | $7,736 – $10,314 | $8,896 – $11,861 |
| Moreno Valley to Minneapolis | ~1,725 mi | 7–14 days | $7,763 – $10,350 | $8,927 – $11,902 |
| San Bernardino to Saint Paul | ~1,728 mi | 7–14 days | $7,776 – $10,368 | $8,942 – $11,923 |
| Fontana to Minneapolis | ~1,730 mi | 7–14 days | $7,785 – $10,380 | $8,953 – $11,937 |
| Moreno Valley to Saint Paul | ~1,734 mi | 7–14 days | $7,803 – $10,404 | $8,973 – $11,965 |
| Riverside to Minneapolis | ~1,735 mi | 7–14 days | $7,808 – $10,410 | $8,979 – $11,971 |
| San Bernardino to Rochester | ~1,736 mi | 7–14 days | $7,812 – $10,416 | $8,984 – $11,978 |
| Fresno to Minneapolis | ~1,737 mi | 7–14 days | $7,817 – $10,422 | $8,989 – $11,985 |
| Fontana to Saint Paul | ~1,738 mi | 7–14 days | $7,821 – $10,428 | $8,994 – $11,992 |
| Lancaster to Minneapolis | ~1,740 mi | 7–14 days | $7,830 – $10,440 | $9,004 – $12,006 |
| Moreno Valley to Rochester | ~1,741 mi | 7–14 days | $7,835 – $10,446 | $9,010 – $12,013 |
| Ontario to Minneapolis | ~1,741 mi | 7–14 days | $7,835 – $10,446 | $9,010 – $12,013 |
| Riverside to Saint Paul | ~1,743 mi | 7–14 days | $7,844 – $10,458 | $9,020 – $12,027 |
| Fontana to Rochester | ~1,746 mi | 7–14 days | $7,857 – $10,476 | $9,036 – $12,047 |
| Fresno to Saint Paul | ~1,746 mi | 7–14 days | $7,857 – $10,476 | $9,036 – $12,047 |
| Roseville to Minneapolis | ~1,746 mi | 7–14 days | $7,857 – $10,476 | $9,036 – $12,047 |
| Lancaster to Saint Paul | ~1,748 mi | 7–14 days | $7,866 – $10,488 | $9,046 – $12,061 |
| Ontario to Saint Paul | ~1,749 mi | 7–14 days | $7,871 – $10,494 | $9,051 – $12,068 |
| Riverside to Rochester | ~1,750 mi | 7–14 days | $7,875 – $10,500 | $9,056 – $12,075 |
| Roseville to Saint Paul | ~1,755 mi | 7–14 days | $7,898 – $10,530 | $9,082 – $12,109 |
| Bakersfield to Minneapolis | ~1,756 mi | 7–14 days | $7,902 – $10,536 | $9,087 – $12,116 |
| Ontario to Rochester | ~1,757 mi | 7–14 days | $7,907 – $10,542 | $9,092 – $12,123 |
| Anaheim to Minneapolis | ~1,758 mi | 7–14 days | $7,911 – $10,548 | $9,098 – $12,130 |
| Lancaster to Rochester | ~1,759 mi | 7–14 days | $7,916 – $10,554 | $9,103 – $12,137 |
| Sacramento to Minneapolis | ~1,762 mi | 7–14 days | $7,929 – $10,572 | $9,118 – $12,158 |
| Bakersfield to Saint Paul | ~1,764 mi | 7–14 days | $7,938 – $10,584 | $9,129 – $12,172 |
| Anaheim to Saint Paul | ~1,766 mi | 7–14 days | $7,947 – $10,596 | $9,139 – $12,185 |
| Fresno to Rochester | ~1,767 mi | 7–14 days | $7,952 – $10,602 | $9,144 – $12,192 |
| Irvine to Minneapolis | ~1,767 mi | 7–14 days | $7,952 – $10,602 | $9,144 – $12,192 |
| Modesto to Minneapolis | ~1,769 mi | 7–14 days | $7,961 – $10,614 | $9,155 – $12,206 |
| Santa Ana to Minneapolis | ~1,770 mi | 7–14 days | $7,965 – $10,620 | $9,160 – $12,213 |
| Santa Clarita to Minneapolis | ~1,770 mi | 7–14 days | $7,965 – $10,620 | $9,160 – $12,213 |
| Sacramento to Saint Paul | ~1,772 mi | 7–14 days | $7,974 – $10,632 | $9,170 – $12,227 |
| Anaheim to Rochester | ~1,774 mi | 7–14 days | $7,983 – $10,644 | $9,180 – $12,241 |
| Los Angeles to Minneapolis | ~1,774 mi | 7–14 days | $7,983 – $10,644 | $9,180 – $12,241 |
| Stockton to Minneapolis | ~1,774 mi | 7–14 days | $7,983 – $10,644 | $9,180 – $12,241 |
| Irvine to Saint Paul | ~1,776 mi | 7–14 days | $7,992 – $10,656 | $9,191 – $12,254 |
| Bakersfield to Rochester | ~1,779 mi | 7–14 days | $8,006 – $10,674 | $9,206 – $12,275 |
| Modesto to Saint Paul | ~1,779 mi | 7–14 days | $8,006 – $10,674 | $9,206 – $12,275 |
| Santa Ana to Saint Paul | ~1,779 mi | 7–14 days | $8,006 – $10,674 | $9,206 – $12,275 |
| Santa Clarita to Saint Paul | ~1,779 mi | 7–14 days | $8,006 – $10,674 | $9,206 – $12,275 |
| Chula Vista to Minneapolis | ~1,782 mi | 7–14 days | $8,019 – $10,692 | $9,222 – $12,296 |
| Los Angeles to Saint Paul | ~1,782 mi | 7–14 days | $8,019 – $10,692 | $9,222 – $12,296 |
| Irvine to Rochester | ~1,783 mi | 7–14 days | $8,024 – $10,698 | $9,227 – $12,303 |
| Stockton to Saint Paul | ~1,783 mi | 7–14 days | $8,024 – $10,698 | $9,227 – $12,303 |
| Long Beach to Minneapolis | ~1,785 mi | 7–14 days | $8,033 – $10,710 | $9,237 – $12,317 |
| Roseville to Rochester | ~1,785 mi | 7–14 days | $8,033 – $10,710 | $9,237 – $12,317 |
| San Diego to Minneapolis | ~1,785 mi | 7–14 days | $8,033 – $10,710 | $9,237 – $12,317 |
| Santa Ana to Rochester | ~1,787 mi | 7–14 days | $8,042 – $10,722 | $9,248 – $12,330 |
| Chula Vista to Saint Paul | ~1,790 mi | 7–14 days | $8,055 – $10,740 | $9,263 – $12,351 |
| Santa Clarita to Rochester | ~1,790 mi | 7–14 days | $8,055 – $10,740 | $9,263 – $12,351 |
| Los Angeles to Rochester | ~1,792 mi | 7–14 days | $8,064 – $10,752 | $9,274 – $12,365 |
| Chula Vista to Rochester | ~1,793 mi | 7–14 days | $8,069 – $10,758 | $9,279 – $12,372 |
| Long Beach to Saint Paul | ~1,793 mi | 7–14 days | $8,069 – $10,758 | $9,279 – $12,372 |
| San Diego to Saint Paul | ~1,793 mi | 7–14 days | $8,069 – $10,758 | $9,279 – $12,372 |
| San Diego to Rochester | ~1,796 mi | 7–14 days | $8,082 – $10,776 | $9,294 – $12,392 |
| Sacramento to Rochester | ~1,801 mi | 7–14 days | $8,105 – $10,806 | $9,320 – $12,427 |
| Long Beach to Rochester | ~1,802 mi | 7–14 days | $8,109 – $10,812 | $9,325 – $12,434 |
| Modesto to Rochester | ~1,804 mi | 7–14 days | $8,118 – $10,824 | $9,336 – $12,448 |
| Stockton to Rochester | ~1,810 mi | 7–14 days | $8,145 – $10,860 | $9,367 – $12,489 |
| Oxnard to Minneapolis | ~1,818 mi | 7–14 days | $8,181 – $10,908 | $9,408 – $12,544 |
| Fremont to Minneapolis | ~1,827 mi | 7–14 days | $8,222 – $10,962 | $9,455 – $12,606 |
| Oxnard to Saint Paul | ~1,827 mi | 7–14 days | $8,222 – $10,962 | $9,455 – $12,606 |
| San Jose to Minneapolis | ~1,831 mi | 7–14 days | $8,240 – $10,986 | $9,475 – $12,634 |
| Oakland to Minneapolis | ~1,834 mi | 7–14 days | $8,253 – $11,004 | $9,491 – $12,655 |
| Fremont to Saint Paul | ~1,837 mi | 7–14 days | $8,267 – $11,022 | $9,506 – $12,675 |
| Oxnard to Rochester | ~1,839 mi | 7–14 days | $8,276 – $11,034 | $9,517 – $12,689 |
| San Jose to Saint Paul | ~1,840 mi | 7–14 days | $8,280 – $11,040 | $9,522 – $12,696 |
| San Francisco to Minneapolis | ~1,843 mi | 7–14 days | $8,294 – $11,058 | $9,538 – $12,717 |
| Oakland to Saint Paul | ~1,844 mi | 7–14 days | $8,298 – $11,064 | $9,543 – $12,724 |
| San Francisco to Saint Paul | ~1,852 mi | 7–14 days | $8,334 – $11,112 | $9,584 – $12,779 |
| Fremont to Rochester | ~1,863 mi | 7–14 days | $8,384 – $11,178 | $9,641 – $12,855 |
| San Jose to Rochester | ~1,866 mi | 7–14 days | $8,397 – $11,196 | $9,657 – $12,875 |
| Oakland to Rochester | ~1,871 mi | 7–14 days | $8,420 – $11,226 | $9,682 – $12,910 |
| San Francisco to Rochester | ~1,880 mi | 7–14 days | $8,460 – $11,280 | $9,729 – $12,972 |
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 Minnesota end, 273 are based in the state, useful for a local crew after delivery: movers in Minnesota, moving costs in Minnesota, or the reverse trip, Minnesota 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 Minnesota moving FAQ
How much does it cost to move from California to Minnesota?
Between the two states' main cities, Los Angeles and Minneapolis, the distance is about 1,774 miles. From our model that is $7,983 – $10,644 for a two-bedroom home and $9,180 – $12,241 for three bedrooms with full-service movers, transport only. A container you load yourself is about $5,748 – $7,664 for the two-bedroom home; a freight trailer about $3,832 – $5,109. Across the 75 city pairs we price between California and Minnesota, distances run from 1,719 to 1,880 miles, so use the table for your own cities.
How long does a move from California to Minnesota take?
Los Angeles to Minneapolis is 4 days on the road (about 32 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 Minnesota?
Yes. A move from California into Minnesota 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 Minnesota?
Load a freight trailer yourself: about $3,832 – $5,109 for a two-bedroom home over 1,774 miles against $7,983 – $10,644 with full-service movers. A container, about $5,748 – $7,664, splits the difference and gives you days to load.
How many people move from California to Minnesota each year?
The Census Bureau's 2024 American Community Survey estimates about 6,928 people (±2,325) moved from California to Minnesota that year, against about 3,533 (±1,394) from Minnesota to California. That makes California the 2nd-largest source of new residents for Minnesota among the states.