Moving from Californiato Pennsylvania
An interstate move, so the FMCSA's rules apply from the first quote. Between Los Angeles and Philadelphia it is about 2,785 miles and 6 days on the road (about 51 hours of driving); the 125 city pairs we price between the two states run from 2,423 to 2,934 miles.
Prices from our published model, not quotes. Distances marked ~ are estimated from city coordinates. We do not move anyone.
Los Angeles to Philadelphia, 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 Pennsylvania.
Cost of moving from California to Pennsylvania
At about 2,785 miles, full-service movers should land around $12,533 – $16,710 for a two-bedroom home and $14,412 – $19,216 for three bedrooms. Load a container yourself and the two-bedroom figure drops to $9,023 – $12,031; a freight trailer is $6,016 – $8,021.
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $9,399 – $12,533 | $6,768 – $9,023 | $4,512 – $6,016 |
| 1 bedroom | $11,279 – $15,039 | $8,121 – $10,828 | $5,414 – $7,219 |
| 2 bedrooms | $12,533 – $16,710 | $9,023 – $12,031 | $6,016 – $8,021 |
| 3 bedrooms | $14,412 – $19,216 | $10,377 – $13,836 | $6,918 – $9,224 |
| 4 bedrooms | $16,292 – $21,723 | $11,730 – $15,641 | $7,820 – $10,427 |
| 5+ bedrooms | $18,799 – $25,065 | $13,535 – $18,047 | $9,023 – $12,031 |
Transport only, for an estimated 2,785 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 Pennsylvania
Every pair of cities we cover in the two states, nearest first. 75 have a full route page with a map, transit and licensed movers.
| Route | Distance | Transit | 2 bedrooms | 3 bedrooms |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Bernardino to Erie | ~2,423 mi | 7–14 days | $10,904 – $14,538 | $12,539 – $16,719 |
| San Bernardino to Pittsburgh | ~2,425 mi | 7–14 days | $10,913 – $14,550 | $12,549 – $16,733 |
| Moreno Valley to Erie | ~2,426 mi | 7–14 days | $10,917 – $14,556 | $12,555 – $16,739 |
| Moreno Valley to Pittsburgh | ~2,426 mi | 7–14 days | $10,917 – $14,556 | $12,555 – $16,739 |
| Fontana to Erie | ~2,434 mi | 7–14 days | $10,953 – $14,604 | $12,596 – $16,795 |
| Fontana to Pittsburgh | ~2,436 mi | 7–14 days | $10,962 – $14,616 | $12,606 – $16,808 |
| Riverside to Erie | ~2,436 mi | 7–14 days | $10,962 – $14,616 | $12,606 – $16,808 |
| Riverside to Pittsburgh | ~2,437 mi | 7–14 days | $10,967 – $14,622 | $12,611 – $16,815 |
| Ontario to Erie | ~2,445 mi | 7–14 days | $11,003 – $14,670 | $12,653 – $16,871 |
| Ontario to Pittsburgh | ~2,447 mi | 7–14 days | $11,012 – $14,682 | $12,663 – $16,884 |
| Lancaster to Erie | ~2,456 mi | 7–14 days | $11,052 – $14,736 | $12,710 – $16,946 |
| Chula Vista to Pittsburgh | ~2,458 mi | 7–14 days | $11,061 – $14,748 | $12,720 – $16,960 |
| Anaheim to Erie | ~2,461 mi | 7–14 days | $11,075 – $14,766 | $12,736 – $16,981 |
| Anaheim to Pittsburgh | ~2,462 mi | 7–14 days | $11,079 – $14,772 | $12,741 – $16,988 |
| Lancaster to Pittsburgh | ~2,462 mi | 7–14 days | $11,079 – $14,772 | $12,741 – $16,988 |
| Chula Vista to Erie | ~2,463 mi | 7–14 days | $11,084 – $14,778 | $12,746 – $16,995 |
| San Diego to Pittsburgh | ~2,464 mi | 7–14 days | $11,088 – $14,784 | $12,751 – $17,002 |
| Irvine to Erie | ~2,468 mi | 7–14 days | $11,106 – $14,808 | $12,772 – $17,029 |
| Irvine to Pittsburgh | ~2,469 mi | 7–14 days | $11,111 – $14,814 | $12,777 – $17,036 |
| San Diego to Erie | ~2,469 mi | 7–14 days | $11,111 – $14,814 | $12,777 – $17,036 |
| Santa Ana to Erie | ~2,473 mi | 7–14 days | $11,129 – $14,838 | $12,798 – $17,064 |
| Santa Ana to Pittsburgh | ~2,474 mi | 7–14 days | $11,133 – $14,844 | $12,803 – $17,071 |
| Los Angeles to Erie | ~2,483 mi | 7–14 days | $11,174 – $14,898 | $12,850 – $17,133 |
| Bakersfield to Erie | ~2,485 mi | 7–14 days | $11,183 – $14,910 | $12,860 – $17,147 |
| Fresno to Erie | ~2,485 mi | 7–14 days | $11,183 – $14,910 | $12,860 – $17,147 |
| Santa Clarita to Erie | ~2,485 mi | 7–14 days | $11,183 – $14,910 | $12,860 – $17,147 |
| Los Angeles to Pittsburgh | ~2,486 mi | 7–14 days | $11,187 – $14,916 | $12,865 – $17,153 |
| Long Beach to Erie | ~2,490 mi | 7–14 days | $11,205 – $14,940 | $12,886 – $17,181 |
| Santa Clarita to Pittsburgh | ~2,490 mi | 7–14 days | $11,205 – $14,940 | $12,886 – $17,181 |
| Long Beach to Pittsburgh | ~2,492 mi | 7–14 days | $11,214 – $14,952 | $12,896 – $17,195 |
| Bakersfield to Pittsburgh | ~2,495 mi | 7–14 days | $11,228 – $14,970 | $12,912 – $17,216 |
| Fresno to Pittsburgh | ~2,502 mi | 7–14 days | $11,259 – $15,012 | $12,948 – $17,264 |
| Roseville to Erie | ~2,518 mi | 7–14 days | $11,331 – $15,108 | $13,031 – $17,374 |
| Modesto to Erie | ~2,531 mi | 7–14 days | $11,390 – $15,186 | $13,098 – $17,464 |
| Sacramento to Erie | ~2,533 mi | 7–14 days | $11,399 – $15,198 | $13,108 – $17,478 |
| Oxnard to Erie | ~2,535 mi | 7–14 days | $11,408 – $15,210 | $13,119 – $17,492 |
| Stockton to Erie | ~2,539 mi | 7–14 days | $11,426 – $15,234 | $13,139 – $17,519 |
| Oxnard to Pittsburgh | ~2,540 mi | 7–14 days | $11,430 – $15,240 | $13,145 – $17,526 |
| Roseville to Pittsburgh | ~2,545 mi | 7–14 days | $11,453 – $15,270 | $13,170 – $17,561 |
| Modesto to Pittsburgh | ~2,553 mi | 7–14 days | $11,489 – $15,318 | $13,212 – $17,616 |
| Sacramento to Pittsburgh | ~2,559 mi | 7–14 days | $11,516 – $15,354 | $13,243 – $17,657 |
| Stockton to Pittsburgh | ~2,563 mi | 7–14 days | $11,534 – $15,378 | $13,264 – $17,685 |
| Fremont to Erie | ~2,591 mi | 7–14 days | $11,660 – $15,546 | $13,408 – $17,878 |
| San Jose to Erie | ~2,593 mi | 7–14 days | $11,669 – $15,558 | $13,419 – $17,892 |
| Oakland to Erie | ~2,601 mi | 7–14 days | $11,705 – $15,606 | $13,460 – $17,947 |
| San Francisco to Erie | ~2,610 mi | 7–14 days | $11,745 – $15,660 | $13,507 – $18,009 |
| Fremont to Pittsburgh | ~2,613 mi | 7–14 days | $11,759 – $15,678 | $13,522 – $18,030 |
| San Jose to Pittsburgh | ~2,614 mi | 7–14 days | $11,763 – $15,684 | $13,527 – $18,037 |
| San Bernardino to Harrisburg | ~2,616 mi | 7–14 days | $11,772 – $15,696 | $13,538 – $18,050 |
| Moreno Valley to Harrisburg | ~2,618 mi | 7–14 days | $11,781 – $15,708 | $13,548 – $18,064 |
| Oakland to Pittsburgh | ~2,625 mi | 7–14 days | $11,813 – $15,750 | $13,584 – $18,112 |
| Fontana to Harrisburg | ~2,628 mi | 7–14 days | $11,826 – $15,768 | $13,600 – $18,133 |
| Riverside to Harrisburg | ~2,629 mi | 7–14 days | $11,831 – $15,774 | $13,605 – $18,140 |
| San Francisco to Pittsburgh | ~2,634 mi | 7–14 days | $11,853 – $15,804 | $13,631 – $18,175 |
| Ontario to Harrisburg | ~2,639 mi | 7–14 days | $11,876 – $15,834 | $13,657 – $18,209 |
| Chula Vista to Harrisburg | ~2,649 mi | 7–14 days | $11,921 – $15,894 | $13,709 – $18,278 |
| Lancaster to Harrisburg | ~2,653 mi | 7–14 days | $11,939 – $15,918 | $13,729 – $18,306 |
| Anaheim to Harrisburg | ~2,654 mi | 7–14 days | $11,943 – $15,924 | $13,734 – $18,313 |
| San Diego to Harrisburg | ~2,655 mi | 7–14 days | $11,948 – $15,930 | $13,740 – $18,319 |
| Irvine to Harrisburg | ~2,660 mi | 7–14 days | $11,970 – $15,960 | $13,765 – $18,354 |
| Santa Ana to Harrisburg | ~2,665 mi | 7–14 days | $11,993 – $15,990 | $13,791 – $18,388 |
| Los Angeles to Harrisburg | ~2,677 mi | 7–14 days | $12,047 – $16,062 | $13,853 – $18,471 |
| Santa Clarita to Harrisburg | ~2,682 mi | 7–14 days | $12,069 – $16,092 | $13,879 – $18,506 |
| Long Beach to Harrisburg | ~2,683 mi | 7–14 days | $12,074 – $16,098 | $13,885 – $18,513 |
| Bakersfield to Harrisburg | ~2,686 mi | 7–14 days | $12,087 – $16,116 | $13,900 – $18,533 |
| Fresno to Harrisburg | ~2,693 mi | 7–14 days | $12,119 – $16,158 | $13,936 – $18,582 |
| San Bernardino to Allentown | ~2,702 mi | 7–14 days | $12,159 – $16,212 | $13,983 – $18,644 |
| Moreno Valley to Allentown | ~2,703 mi | 7–14 days | $12,164 – $16,218 | $13,988 – $18,651 |
| Fontana to Allentown | ~2,713 mi | 7–14 days | $12,209 – $16,278 | $14,040 – $18,720 |
| Riverside to Allentown | ~2,714 mi | 7–14 days | $12,213 – $16,284 | $14,045 – $18,727 |
| Ontario to Allentown | ~2,724 mi | 7–14 days | $12,258 – $16,344 | $14,097 – $18,796 |
| San Bernardino to Philadelphia | ~2,724 mi | 7–14 days | $12,258 – $16,344 | $14,097 – $18,796 |
| Moreno Valley to Philadelphia | ~2,725 mi | 7–14 days | $12,263 – $16,350 | $14,102 – $18,802 |
| Oxnard to Harrisburg | ~2,732 mi | 7–14 days | $12,294 – $16,392 | $14,138 – $18,851 |
| Chula Vista to Allentown | ~2,735 mi | 7–14 days | $12,308 – $16,410 | $14,154 – $18,871 |
| Fontana to Philadelphia | ~2,735 mi | 7–14 days | $12,308 – $16,410 | $14,154 – $18,871 |
| Roseville to Harrisburg | ~2,735 mi | 7–14 days | $12,308 – $16,410 | $14,154 – $18,871 |
| Riverside to Philadelphia | ~2,736 mi | 7–14 days | $12,312 – $16,416 | $14,159 – $18,878 |
| Lancaster to Allentown | ~2,738 mi | 7–14 days | $12,321 – $16,428 | $14,169 – $18,892 |
| Anaheim to Allentown | ~2,739 mi | 7–14 days | $12,326 – $16,434 | $14,174 – $18,899 |
| San Diego to Allentown | ~2,742 mi | 7–14 days | $12,339 – $16,452 | $14,190 – $18,920 |
| Modesto to Harrisburg | ~2,744 mi | 7–14 days | $12,348 – $16,464 | $14,200 – $18,934 |
| Irvine to Allentown | ~2,746 mi | 7–14 days | $12,357 – $16,476 | $14,211 – $18,947 |
| Ontario to Philadelphia | ~2,746 mi | 7–14 days | $12,357 – $16,476 | $14,211 – $18,947 |
| Sacramento to Harrisburg | ~2,750 mi | 7–14 days | $12,375 – $16,500 | $14,231 – $18,975 |
| Santa Ana to Allentown | ~2,751 mi | 7–14 days | $12,380 – $16,506 | $14,236 – $18,982 |
| Stockton to Harrisburg | ~2,753 mi | 7–14 days | $12,389 – $16,518 | $14,247 – $18,996 |
| Chula Vista to Philadelphia | ~2,755 mi | 7–14 days | $12,398 – $16,530 | $14,257 – $19,009 |
| Anaheim to Philadelphia | ~2,761 mi | 7–14 days | $12,425 – $16,566 | $14,288 – $19,051 |
| Lancaster to Philadelphia | ~2,761 mi | 7–14 days | $12,425 – $16,566 | $14,288 – $19,051 |
| San Diego to Philadelphia | ~2,761 mi | 7–14 days | $12,425 – $16,566 | $14,288 – $19,051 |
| Los Angeles to Allentown | ~2,763 mi | 7–14 days | $12,434 – $16,578 | $14,299 – $19,065 |
| Irvine to Philadelphia | ~2,767 mi | 7–14 days | $12,452 – $16,602 | $14,319 – $19,092 |
| Santa Clarita to Allentown | ~2,767 mi | 7–14 days | $12,452 – $16,602 | $14,319 – $19,092 |
| Long Beach to Allentown | ~2,769 mi | 7–14 days | $12,461 – $16,614 | $14,330 – $19,106 |
| Bakersfield to Allentown | ~2,770 mi | 7–14 days | $12,465 – $16,620 | $14,335 – $19,113 |
| Santa Ana to Philadelphia | ~2,772 mi | 7–14 days | $12,474 – $16,632 | $14,345 – $19,127 |
| Fresno to Allentown | ~2,775 mi | 7–14 days | $12,488 – $16,650 | $14,361 – $19,147 |
| Los Angeles to Philadelphia | ~2,785 mi | 7–14 days | $12,533 – $16,710 | $14,412 – $19,216 |
| Santa Clarita to Philadelphia | ~2,789 mi | 7–14 days | $12,551 – $16,734 | $14,433 – $19,244 |
| Long Beach to Philadelphia | ~2,790 mi | 7–14 days | $12,555 – $16,740 | $14,438 – $19,251 |
| Bakersfield to Philadelphia | ~2,795 mi | 7–14 days | $12,578 – $16,770 | $14,464 – $19,285 |
| Fresno to Philadelphia | ~2,802 mi | 7–14 days | $12,609 – $16,812 | $14,500 – $19,334 |
| Fremont to Harrisburg | ~2,804 mi | 7–14 days | $12,618 – $16,824 | $14,511 – $19,348 |
| San Jose to Harrisburg | ~2,805 mi | 7–14 days | $12,623 – $16,830 | $14,516 – $19,354 |
| Roseville to Allentown | ~2,814 mi | 7–14 days | $12,663 – $16,884 | $14,562 – $19,417 |
| Oakland to Harrisburg | ~2,816 mi | 7–14 days | $12,672 – $16,896 | $14,573 – $19,430 |
| Oxnard to Allentown | ~2,817 mi | 7–14 days | $12,677 – $16,902 | $14,578 – $19,437 |
| Modesto to Allentown | ~2,824 mi | 7–14 days | $12,708 – $16,944 | $14,614 – $19,486 |
| San Francisco to Harrisburg | ~2,825 mi | 7–14 days | $12,713 – $16,950 | $14,619 – $19,492 |
| Sacramento to Allentown | ~2,829 mi | 7–14 days | $12,731 – $16,974 | $14,640 – $19,520 |
| Stockton to Allentown | ~2,834 mi | 7–14 days | $12,753 – $17,004 | $14,666 – $19,555 |
| Oxnard to Philadelphia | ~2,840 mi | 7–14 days | $12,780 – $17,040 | $14,697 – $19,596 |
| Roseville to Philadelphia | ~2,844 mi | 7–14 days | $12,798 – $17,064 | $14,718 – $19,624 |
| Modesto to Philadelphia | ~2,853 mi | 7–14 days | $12,839 – $17,118 | $14,764 – $19,686 |
| Sacramento to Philadelphia | ~2,859 mi | 7–14 days | $12,866 – $17,154 | $14,795 – $19,727 |
| Stockton to Philadelphia | ~2,863 mi | 7–14 days | $12,884 – $17,178 | $14,816 – $19,755 |
| Fremont to Allentown | ~2,884 mi | 7–14 days | $12,978 – $17,304 | $14,925 – $19,900 |
| San Jose to Allentown | ~2,886 mi | 7–14 days | $12,987 – $17,316 | $14,935 – $19,913 |
| Oakland to Allentown | ~2,896 mi | 7–14 days | $13,032 – $17,376 | $14,987 – $19,982 |
| San Francisco to Allentown | ~2,905 mi | 7–14 days | $13,073 – $17,430 | $15,033 – $20,044 |
| Fremont to Philadelphia | ~2,913 mi | 7–14 days | $13,109 – $17,478 | $15,075 – $20,100 |
| San Jose to Philadelphia | ~2,914 mi | 7–14 days | $13,113 – $17,484 | $15,080 – $20,107 |
| Oakland to Philadelphia | ~2,925 mi | 7–14 days | $13,163 – $17,550 | $15,137 – $20,182 |
| San Francisco to Philadelphia | ~2,934 mi | 7–14 days | $13,203 – $17,604 | $15,183 – $20,245 |
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 2,785 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 Pennsylvania end
363 household-goods carriers are based in Pennsylvania — useful if you need a local crew after delivery. A local move inside Philadelphia runs about $475 – $775 for a two-bedroom home.
Timing the move
| Home size | October – April, mid-week | Summer weekend (+25%) |
|---|---|---|
| 2 bedrooms | $12,533 – $16,710 | $15,666 – $20,888 |
| 3 bedrooms | $14,412 – $19,216 | $18,015 – $24,020 |
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 Pennsylvania moving FAQ
How much does it cost to move from California to Pennsylvania?
Between the two states' main cities, Los Angeles and Philadelphia, the distance is about 2,785 miles. From our model that is $12,533 – $16,710 for a two-bedroom home and $14,412 – $19,216 for three bedrooms with full-service movers, transport only. A container you load yourself is about $9,023 – $12,031 for the two-bedroom home; a freight trailer about $6,016 – $8,021. Across the 125 city pairs we price between California and Pennsylvania, distances run from 2,423 to 2,934 miles, so use the table for your own cities.
How long does a move from California to Pennsylvania take?
Los Angeles to Philadelphia is 6 days on the road (about 51 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 Pennsylvania?
Yes. Any move that crosses from California into Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania?
Load a freight trailer yourself: about $6,016 – $8,021 for a two-bedroom home over 2,785 miles against $12,533 – $16,710 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 $18,015 – $24,020 rather than $14,412 – $19,216.