Moving from Californiato Montana
An interstate move, so the FMCSA's rules apply from the first quote. Between Los Angeles and Billings it is about 1,119 miles and 3 days on the road (about 20 hours of driving); the 50 city pairs we price between the two states run from 782 to 1,184 miles.
Prices from our published model, not quotes. Distances marked ~ are estimated from city coordinates. We do not move anyone.
Los Angeles to Billings, 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 Montana.
Cost of moving from California to Montana
At about 1,119 miles, full-service movers should land around $5,036 – $6,714 for a two-bedroom home and $5,791 – $7,721 for three bedrooms. Load a container yourself and the two-bedroom figure drops to $3,626 – $4,834; a freight trailer is $2,417 – $3,223.
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $3,777 – $5,036 | $2,719 – $3,626 | $1,813 – $2,417 |
| 1 bedroom | $4,532 – $6,043 | $3,263 – $4,351 | $2,175 – $2,900 |
| 2 bedrooms | $5,036 – $6,714 | $3,626 – $4,834 | $2,417 – $3,223 |
| 3 bedrooms | $5,791 – $7,721 | $4,169 – $5,559 | $2,780 – $3,706 |
| 4 bedrooms | $6,546 – $8,728 | $4,713 – $6,284 | $3,142 – $4,190 |
| 5+ bedrooms | $7,553 – $10,071 | $5,438 – $7,251 | $3,626 – $4,834 |
Transport only, for an estimated 1,119 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 Montana
Every pair of cities we cover in the two states, nearest first. 50 have a full route page with a map, transit and licensed movers.
| Route | Distance | Transit | 2 bedrooms | 3 bedrooms |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roseville to Missoula | ~782 mi | 3–7 days | $3,519 – $4,692 | $4,047 – $5,396 |
| Sacramento to Missoula | ~801 mi | 3–7 days | $3,605 – $4,806 | $4,145 – $5,527 |
| Stockton to Missoula | ~837 mi | 3–7 days | $3,767 – $5,022 | $4,331 – $5,775 |
| Modesto to Missoula | ~852 mi | 3–7 days | $3,834 – $5,112 | $4,409 – $5,879 |
| Oakland to Missoula | ~880 mi | 3–7 days | $3,960 – $5,280 | $4,554 – $6,072 |
| San Francisco to Missoula | ~886 mi | 3–7 days | $3,987 – $5,316 | $4,585 – $6,113 |
| Fresno to Missoula | ~887 mi | 3–7 days | $3,992 – $5,322 | $4,590 – $6,120 |
| Fremont to Missoula | ~891 mi | 3–7 days | $4,010 – $5,346 | $4,611 – $6,148 |
| San Jose to Missoula | ~900 mi | 3–7 days | $4,050 – $5,400 | $4,658 – $6,210 |
| Roseville to Billings | ~949 mi | 3–7 days | $4,271 – $5,694 | $4,911 – $6,548 |
| Sacramento to Billings | ~967 mi | 3–7 days | $4,352 – $5,802 | $5,004 – $6,672 |
| Bakersfield to Missoula | ~976 mi | 3–7 days | $4,392 – $5,856 | $5,051 – $6,734 |
| Stockton to Billings | ~991 mi | 3–7 days | $4,460 – $5,946 | $5,128 – $6,838 |
| Modesto to Billings | ~996 mi | 3–7 days | $4,482 – $5,976 | $5,154 – $6,872 |
| Fresno to Billings | ~997 mi | 3–7 days | $4,487 – $5,982 | $5,159 – $6,879 |
| Lancaster to Missoula | ~1,013 mi | 3–7 days | $4,559 – $6,078 | $5,242 – $6,990 |
| Santa Clarita to Missoula | ~1,040 mi | 3–7 days | $4,680 – $6,240 | $5,382 – $7,176 |
| Oakland to Billings | ~1,045 mi | 3–7 days | $4,703 – $6,270 | $5,408 – $7,211 |
| San Bernardino to Missoula | ~1,045 mi | 3–7 days | $4,703 – $6,270 | $5,408 – $7,211 |
| Fremont to Billings | ~1,047 mi | 3–7 days | $4,712 – $6,282 | $5,418 – $7,224 |
| Fontana to Missoula | ~1,049 mi | 3–7 days | $4,721 – $6,294 | $5,429 – $7,238 |
| San Francisco to Billings | ~1,053 mi | 3–7 days | $4,739 – $6,318 | $5,449 – $7,266 |
| San Jose to Billings | ~1,054 mi | 3–7 days | $4,743 – $6,324 | $5,454 – $7,273 |
| Ontario to Missoula | ~1,057 mi | 3–7 days | $4,757 – $6,342 | $5,470 – $7,293 |
| Bakersfield to Billings | ~1,058 mi | 3–7 days | $4,761 – $6,348 | $5,475 – $7,300 |
| Moreno Valley to Missoula | ~1,061 mi | 3–7 days | $4,775 – $6,366 | $5,491 – $7,321 |
| Riverside to Missoula | ~1,062 mi | 3–7 days | $4,779 – $6,372 | $5,496 – $7,328 |
| Los Angeles to Missoula | ~1,064 mi | 3–7 days | $4,788 – $6,384 | $5,506 – $7,342 |
| Oxnard to Missoula | ~1,069 mi | 3–7 days | $4,811 – $6,414 | $5,532 – $7,376 |
| Lancaster to Billings | ~1,072 mi | 3–7 days | $4,824 – $6,432 | $5,548 – $7,397 |
| Anaheim to Missoula | ~1,073 mi | 3–7 days | $4,829 – $6,438 | $5,553 – $7,404 |
| San Bernardino to Billings | ~1,083 mi | 3–7 days | $4,874 – $6,498 | $5,605 – $7,473 |
| Santa Ana to Missoula | ~1,084 mi | 3–7 days | $4,878 – $6,504 | $5,610 – $7,480 |
| Long Beach to Missoula | ~1,086 mi | 3–7 days | $4,887 – $6,516 | $5,620 – $7,493 |
| Irvine to Missoula | ~1,087 mi | 3–7 days | $4,892 – $6,522 | $5,625 – $7,500 |
| Fontana to Billings | ~1,090 mi | 3–7 days | $4,905 – $6,540 | $5,641 – $7,521 |
| Moreno Valley to Billings | ~1,096 mi | 3–7 days | $4,932 – $6,576 | $5,672 – $7,562 |
| Ontario to Billings | ~1,100 mi | 3–7 days | $4,950 – $6,600 | $5,693 – $7,590 |
| Riverside to Billings | ~1,100 mi | 3–7 days | $4,950 – $6,600 | $5,693 – $7,590 |
| Santa Clarita to Billings | ~1,102 mi | 3–7 days | $4,959 – $6,612 | $5,703 – $7,604 |
| Anaheim to Billings | ~1,117 mi | 3–7 days | $5,027 – $6,702 | $5,780 – $7,707 |
| Los Angeles to Billings | ~1,119 mi | 3–7 days | $5,036 – $6,714 | $5,791 – $7,721 |
| Irvine to Billings | ~1,130 mi | 3–7 days | $5,085 – $6,780 | $5,848 – $7,797 |
| Santa Ana to Billings | ~1,130 mi | 3–7 days | $5,085 – $6,780 | $5,848 – $7,797 |
| Long Beach to Billings | ~1,137 mi | 3–7 days | $5,117 – $6,822 | $5,884 – $7,845 |
| Oxnard to Billings | ~1,142 mi | 3–7 days | $5,139 – $6,852 | $5,910 – $7,880 |
| San Diego to Missoula | ~1,157 mi | 3–7 days | $5,207 – $6,942 | $5,987 – $7,983 |
| Chula Vista to Missoula | ~1,162 mi | 3–7 days | $5,229 – $6,972 | $6,013 – $8,018 |
| San Diego to Billings | ~1,182 mi | 3–7 days | $5,319 – $7,092 | $6,117 – $8,156 |
| Chula Vista to Billings | ~1,184 mi | 3–7 days | $5,328 – $7,104 | $6,127 – $8,170 |
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 1,119 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 Montana end
30 household-goods carriers are based in Montana — useful if you need a local crew after delivery. A local move inside Billings runs about $475 – $775 for a two-bedroom home.
Timing the move
| Home size | October – April, mid-week | Summer weekend (+25%) |
|---|---|---|
| 2 bedrooms | $5,036 – $6,714 | $6,295 – $8,393 |
| 3 bedrooms | $5,791 – $7,721 | $7,239 – $9,651 |
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 Montana moving FAQ
How much does it cost to move from California to Montana?
Between the two states' main cities, Los Angeles and Billings, the distance is about 1,119 miles. From our model that is $5,036 – $6,714 for a two-bedroom home and $5,791 – $7,721 for three bedrooms with full-service movers, transport only. A container you load yourself is about $3,626 – $4,834 for the two-bedroom home; a freight trailer about $2,417 – $3,223. Across the 50 city pairs we price between California and Montana, distances run from 782 to 1,184 miles, so use the table for your own cities.
How long does a move from California to Montana take?
Los Angeles to Billings is 3 days on the road (about 20 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 Montana?
Yes. Any move that crosses from California into Montana 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 Montana?
Load a freight trailer yourself: about $2,417 – $3,223 for a two-bedroom home over 1,119 miles against $5,036 – $6,714 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 $7,239 – $9,651 rather than $5,791 – $7,721.