Moving from California to New Jersey
An interstate move, so the FMCSA's rules apply from the first quote. Between Los Angeles and Newark it is about 2,841 miles and 6 days on the road (about 52 hours of driving); the 75 city pairs we price between the two states run from 2,780 to 2,988 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.
- ~2,841 miLos Angeles → Newark
- 7–14 daysTypical transit
- $12,785+2-bedroom, movers
- 75City routes priced
In short
About 8,021 people moved from California to New Jersey in 2024 (Census estimate, ±2,510), and about 9,653 went the other way. Between Los Angeles and Newark it is about 2,841 miles; a two-bedroom move with full-service movers runs $12,785 – $17,046 in our model, delivered in 7–14 days. 431 movers based in California hold interstate authority.
Who moves from California to New Jersey
The Census Bureau's 2024 survey puts the flow at about 8,021 people a year (±2,510), against about 9,653 (±2,769) from New Jersey to California, so New Jersey loses about 1,632 people a year on this exchange. California is the 4th-largest of the 41 states sending people to New Jersey; New Jersey took in about 149,816 from other states in all.
| From | To | People a year |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Clara County | Middlesex County | 613 ±199 |
| Los Angeles County | Bergen County | 458 ±337 |
| Marin County | Middlesex County | 381 ±96 |
| Los Angeles County | Hudson County | 323 ±195 |
| San Diego County | Monmouth County | 295 ±231 |
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 Newark, 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 New Jersey.
Cost of moving from California to New Jersey
At about 2,841 miles, full-service movers should land around $12,785 – $17,046 for a two-bedroom home and $14,702 – $19,603 for three bedrooms. Load a container yourself and the two-bedroom figure drops to $9,205 – $12,273; a freight trailer is $6,137 – $8,182.
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $9,588 – $12,785 | $6,904 – $9,205 | $4,602 – $6,137 |
| 1 bedroom | $11,506 – $15,341 | $8,284 – $11,046 | $5,523 – $7,364 |
| 2 bedrooms | $12,785 – $17,046 | $9,205 – $12,273 | $6,137 – $8,182 |
| 3 bedrooms | $14,702 – $19,603 | $10,586 – $14,114 | $7,057 – $9,409 |
| 4 bedrooms | $16,620 – $22,160 | $11,966 – $15,955 | $7,978 – $10,637 |
| 5+ bedrooms | $19,177 – $25,569 | $13,807 – $18,410 | $9,205 – $12,273 |
Transport only, for an estimated 2,841 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 New Jersey
Every pair of cities we cover in the two states, nearest first. 2 have a full route page with a map, transit and licensed movers.
| Route | Distance | Transit | 2 bedrooms | 3 bedrooms |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Bernardino to Paterson | ~2,780 mi | 7–14 days | $12,510 – $16,680 | $14,386 – $19,182 |
| San Bernardino to Newark | ~2,781 mi | 7–14 days | $12,515 – $16,686 | $14,392 – $19,189 |
| Moreno Valley to Newark | ~2,782 mi | 7–14 days | $12,519 – $16,692 | $14,397 – $19,196 |
| Moreno Valley to Paterson | ~2,782 mi | 7–14 days | $12,519 – $16,692 | $14,397 – $19,196 |
| San Bernardino to Jersey City | ~2,788 mi | 7–14 days | $12,546 – $16,728 | $14,428 – $19,237 |
| Moreno Valley to Jersey City | ~2,790 mi | 7–14 days | $12,555 – $16,740 | $14,438 – $19,251 |
| Fontana to Paterson | ~2,791 mi | 7–14 days | $12,560 – $16,746 | $14,443 – $19,258 |
| Fontana to Newark | ~2,792 mi | 7–14 days | $12,564 – $16,752 | $14,449 – $19,265 |
| Riverside to Newark | ~2,793 mi | 7–14 days | $12,569 – $16,758 | $14,454 – $19,272 |
| Riverside to Paterson | ~2,793 mi | 7–14 days | $12,569 – $16,758 | $14,454 – $19,272 |
| Fontana to Jersey City | ~2,800 mi | 7–14 days | $12,600 – $16,800 | $14,490 – $19,320 |
| Riverside to Jersey City | ~2,801 mi | 7–14 days | $12,605 – $16,806 | $14,495 – $19,327 |
| Ontario to Paterson | ~2,802 mi | 7–14 days | $12,609 – $16,812 | $14,500 – $19,334 |
| Ontario to Newark | ~2,803 mi | 7–14 days | $12,614 – $16,818 | $14,506 – $19,341 |
| Ontario to Jersey City | ~2,810 mi | 7–14 days | $12,645 – $16,860 | $14,542 – $19,389 |
| Chula Vista to Newark | ~2,815 mi | 7–14 days | $12,668 – $16,890 | $14,568 – $19,423 |
| Chula Vista to Paterson | ~2,815 mi | 7–14 days | $12,668 – $16,890 | $14,568 – $19,423 |
| Lancaster to Paterson | ~2,815 mi | 7–14 days | $12,668 – $16,890 | $14,568 – $19,423 |
| Lancaster to Newark | ~2,816 mi | 7–14 days | $12,672 – $16,896 | $14,573 – $19,430 |
| Anaheim to Newark | ~2,818 mi | 7–14 days | $12,681 – $16,908 | $14,583 – $19,444 |
| Anaheim to Paterson | ~2,818 mi | 7–14 days | $12,681 – $16,908 | $14,583 – $19,444 |
| San Diego to Newark | ~2,821 mi | 7–14 days | $12,695 – $16,926 | $14,599 – $19,465 |
| San Diego to Paterson | ~2,821 mi | 7–14 days | $12,695 – $16,926 | $14,599 – $19,465 |
| Chula Vista to Jersey City | ~2,822 mi | 7–14 days | $12,699 – $16,932 | $14,604 – $19,472 |
| Irvine to Paterson | ~2,824 mi | 7–14 days | $12,708 – $16,944 | $14,614 – $19,486 |
| Lancaster to Jersey City | ~2,824 mi | 7–14 days | $12,708 – $16,944 | $14,614 – $19,486 |
| Irvine to Newark | ~2,825 mi | 7–14 days | $12,713 – $16,950 | $14,619 – $19,492 |
| Anaheim to Jersey City | ~2,826 mi | 7–14 days | $12,717 – $16,956 | $14,625 – $19,499 |
| San Diego to Jersey City | ~2,828 mi | 7–14 days | $12,726 – $16,968 | $14,635 – $19,513 |
| Santa Ana to Paterson | ~2,829 mi | 7–14 days | $12,731 – $16,974 | $14,640 – $19,520 |
| Santa Ana to Newark | ~2,830 mi | 7–14 days | $12,735 – $16,980 | $14,645 – $19,527 |
| Irvine to Jersey City | ~2,833 mi | 7–14 days | $12,749 – $16,998 | $14,661 – $19,548 |
| Santa Ana to Jersey City | ~2,837 mi | 7–14 days | $12,767 – $17,022 | $14,681 – $19,575 |
| Los Angeles to Paterson | ~2,840 mi | 7–14 days | $12,780 – $17,040 | $14,697 – $19,596 |
| Los Angeles to Newark | ~2,841 mi | 7–14 days | $12,785 – $17,046 | $14,702 – $19,603 |
| Santa Clarita to Paterson | ~2,844 mi | 7–14 days | $12,798 – $17,064 | $14,718 – $19,624 |
| Santa Clarita to Newark | ~2,845 mi | 7–14 days | $12,803 – $17,070 | $14,723 – $19,630 |
| Bakersfield to Paterson | ~2,847 mi | 7–14 days | $12,812 – $17,082 | $14,733 – $19,644 |
| Long Beach to Paterson | ~2,847 mi | 7–14 days | $12,812 – $17,082 | $14,733 – $19,644 |
| Bakersfield to Newark | ~2,848 mi | 7–14 days | $12,816 – $17,088 | $14,738 – $19,651 |
| Long Beach to Newark | ~2,848 mi | 7–14 days | $12,816 – $17,088 | $14,738 – $19,651 |
| Los Angeles to Jersey City | ~2,849 mi | 7–14 days | $12,821 – $17,094 | $14,744 – $19,658 |
| Fresno to Paterson | ~2,850 mi | 7–14 days | $12,825 – $17,100 | $14,749 – $19,665 |
| Fresno to Newark | ~2,852 mi | 7–14 days | $12,834 – $17,112 | $14,759 – $19,679 |
| Santa Clarita to Jersey City | ~2,853 mi | 7–14 days | $12,839 – $17,118 | $14,764 – $19,686 |
| Long Beach to Jersey City | ~2,855 mi | 7–14 days | $12,848 – $17,130 | $14,775 – $19,699 |
| Bakersfield to Jersey City | ~2,856 mi | 7–14 days | $12,852 – $17,136 | $14,780 – $19,706 |
| Fresno to Jersey City | ~2,860 mi | 7–14 days | $12,870 – $17,160 | $14,800 – $19,734 |
| Roseville to Paterson | ~2,886 mi | 7–14 days | $12,987 – $17,316 | $14,935 – $19,913 |
| Roseville to Newark | ~2,889 mi | 7–14 days | $13,001 – $17,334 | $14,951 – $19,934 |
| Oxnard to Paterson | ~2,894 mi | 7–14 days | $13,023 – $17,364 | $14,976 – $19,969 |
| Oxnard to Newark | ~2,895 mi | 7–14 days | $13,028 – $17,370 | $14,982 – $19,975 |
| Roseville to Jersey City | ~2,897 mi | 7–14 days | $13,037 – $17,382 | $14,992 – $19,989 |
| Modesto to Paterson | ~2,898 mi | 7–14 days | $13,041 – $17,388 | $14,997 – $19,996 |
| Modesto to Newark | ~2,900 mi | 7–14 days | $13,050 – $17,400 | $15,007 – $20,010 |
| Sacramento to Paterson | ~2,901 mi | 7–14 days | $13,055 – $17,406 | $15,013 – $20,017 |
| Oxnard to Jersey City | ~2,903 mi | 7–14 days | $13,064 – $17,418 | $15,023 – $20,031 |
| Sacramento to Newark | ~2,904 mi | 7–14 days | $13,068 – $17,424 | $15,028 – $20,038 |
| Stockton to Paterson | ~2,907 mi | 7–14 days | $13,082 – $17,442 | $15,044 – $20,058 |
| Modesto to Jersey City | ~2,908 mi | 7–14 days | $13,086 – $17,448 | $15,049 – $20,065 |
| Stockton to Newark | ~2,909 mi | 7–14 days | $13,091 – $17,454 | $15,054 – $20,072 |
| Sacramento to Jersey City | ~2,912 mi | 7–14 days | $13,104 – $17,472 | $15,070 – $20,093 |
| Stockton to Jersey City | ~2,917 mi | 7–14 days | $13,127 – $17,502 | $15,095 – $20,127 |
| Fremont to Paterson | ~2,958 mi | 7–14 days | $13,311 – $17,748 | $15,308 – $20,410 |
| San Jose to Paterson | ~2,959 mi | 7–14 days | $13,316 – $17,754 | $15,313 – $20,417 |
| Fremont to Newark | ~2,960 mi | 7–14 days | $13,320 – $17,760 | $15,318 – $20,424 |
| San Jose to Newark | ~2,962 mi | 7–14 days | $13,329 – $17,772 | $15,328 – $20,438 |
| Fremont to Jersey City | ~2,968 mi | 7–14 days | $13,356 – $17,808 | $15,359 – $20,479 |
| Oakland to Paterson | ~2,969 mi | 7–14 days | $13,361 – $17,814 | $15,365 – $20,486 |
| San Jose to Jersey City | ~2,970 mi | 7–14 days | $13,365 – $17,820 | $15,370 – $20,493 |
| Oakland to Newark | ~2,972 mi | 7–14 days | $13,374 – $17,832 | $15,380 – $20,507 |
| San Francisco to Paterson | ~2,977 mi | 7–14 days | $13,397 – $17,862 | $15,406 – $20,541 |
| Oakland to Jersey City | ~2,979 mi | 7–14 days | $13,406 – $17,874 | $15,416 – $20,555 |
| San Francisco to Newark | ~2,980 mi | 7–14 days | $13,410 – $17,880 | $15,421 – $20,562 |
| San Francisco to Jersey City | ~2,988 mi | 7–14 days | $13,446 – $17,928 | $15,463 – $20,617 |
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 New Jersey end, 558 are based in the state, useful for a local crew after delivery: movers in New Jersey, moving costs in New Jersey, or the reverse trip, New Jersey 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 New Jersey moving FAQ
How much does it cost to move from California to New Jersey?
Between the two states' main cities, Los Angeles and Newark, the distance is about 2,841 miles. From our model that is $12,785 – $17,046 for a two-bedroom home and $14,702 – $19,603 for three bedrooms with full-service movers, transport only. A container you load yourself is about $9,205 – $12,273 for the two-bedroom home; a freight trailer about $6,137 – $8,182. Across the 75 city pairs we price between California and New Jersey, distances run from 2,780 to 2,988 miles, so use the table for your own cities.
How long does a move from California to New Jersey take?
Los Angeles to Newark is 6 days on the road (about 52 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 New Jersey?
Yes. A move from California into New Jersey 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 New Jersey?
Load a freight trailer yourself: about $6,137 – $8,182 for a two-bedroom home over 2,841 miles against $12,785 – $17,046 with full-service movers. A container, about $9,205 – $12,273, splits the difference and gives you days to load.
How many people move from California to New Jersey each year?
The Census Bureau's 2024 American Community Survey estimates about 8,021 people (±2,510) moved from California to New Jersey that year, against about 9,653 (±2,769) from New Jersey to California. That makes California the 4th-largest source of new residents for New Jersey among the states.