Moving from Californiato 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, not quotes. Distances marked ~ are estimated from city coordinates. We do not move anyone.
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. 50 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.
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 2,841 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 New Jersey end
589 household-goods carriers are based in New Jersey — useful if you need a local crew after delivery. A local move inside Newark runs about $475 – $775 for a two-bedroom home.
Timing the move
| Home size | October – April, mid-week | Summer weekend (+25%) |
|---|---|---|
| 2 bedrooms | $12,785 – $17,046 | $15,981 – $21,308 |
| 3 bedrooms | $14,702 – $19,603 | $18,378 – $24,504 |
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 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. Any move that crosses from California into New Jersey 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 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 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 $18,378 – $24,504 rather than $14,702 – $19,603.