Moving from California to South Dakota
An interstate move, so the FMCSA's rules apply from the first quote. Between Los Angeles and Sioux Falls it is about 1,546 miles and 4 days on the road (about 28 hours of driving); the 50 city pairs we price between the two states run from 1,171 to 1,629 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.
- ~1,546 miLos Angeles → Sioux Falls
- 7–14 daysTypical transit
- $6,957+2-bedroom, movers
- 50City routes priced
In short
About 1,983 people moved from California to South Dakota in 2024 (Census estimate, ±862), and about 697 went the other way. Between Los Angeles and Sioux Falls it is about 1,546 miles; a two-bedroom move with full-service movers runs $6,957 – $9,276 in our model, delivered in 7–14 days. 431 movers based in California hold interstate authority.
Who moves from California to South Dakota
The Census Bureau's 2024 survey puts the flow at about 1,983 people a year (±862), against about 697 (±388) from South Dakota to California, so South Dakota gains about 1,286 people a year on this exchange. California is the 4th-largest of the 38 states sending people to South Dakota; South Dakota took in about 22,709 from other states in all.
| From | To | People a year |
|---|---|---|
| Ventura County | Lincoln County | 408 ±576* |
| San Diego County | Meade County | 288 ±359* |
| San Diego County | Minnehaha County | 229 ±203 |
| Alameda County | Lincoln County | 166 ±96 |
| San Diego County | Lincoln County | 158 ±120 |
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. * Margin as large as the estimate.
Los Angeles to Sioux Falls, 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 South Dakota.
Cost of moving from California to South Dakota
At about 1,546 miles, full-service movers should land around $6,957 – $9,276 for a two-bedroom home and $8,001 – $10,667 for three bedrooms. Load a container yourself and the two-bedroom figure drops to $5,009 – $6,679; a freight trailer is $3,339 – $4,452.
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $5,218 – $6,957 | $3,757 – $5,009 | $2,505 – $3,339 |
| 1 bedroom | $6,261 – $8,348 | $4,508 – $6,011 | $3,005 – $4,007 |
| 2 bedrooms | $6,957 – $9,276 | $5,009 – $6,679 | $3,339 – $4,452 |
| 3 bedrooms | $8,001 – $10,667 | $5,760 – $7,681 | $3,840 – $5,120 |
| 4 bedrooms | $9,044 – $12,059 | $6,512 – $8,682 | $4,341 – $5,788 |
| 5+ bedrooms | $10,436 – $13,914 | $7,514 – $10,018 | $5,009 – $6,679 |
Transport only, for an estimated 1,546 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 South Dakota
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roseville to Rapid City | ~1,171 mi | 3–7 days | $5,270 – $7,026 | $6,060 – $8,080 |
| Fresno to Rapid City | ~1,172 mi | 3–7 days | $5,274 – $7,032 | $6,065 – $8,087 |
| San Bernardino to Rapid City | ~1,186 mi | 3–7 days | $5,337 – $7,116 | $6,138 – $8,183 |
| Sacramento to Rapid City | ~1,187 mi | 3–7 days | $5,342 – $7,122 | $6,143 – $8,190 |
| Moreno Valley to Rapid City | ~1,195 mi | 3–7 days | $5,378 – $7,170 | $6,184 – $8,246 |
| Fontana to Rapid City | ~1,196 mi | 3–7 days | $5,382 – $7,176 | $6,189 – $8,252 |
| Lancaster to Rapid City | ~1,196 mi | 3–7 days | $5,382 – $7,176 | $6,189 – $8,252 |
| Modesto to Rapid City | ~1,198 mi | 3–7 days | $5,391 – $7,188 | $6,200 – $8,266 |
| Stockton to Rapid City | ~1,201 mi | 7–14 days | $5,405 – $7,206 | $6,215 – $8,287 |
| Bakersfield to Rapid City | ~1,203 mi | 7–14 days | $5,414 – $7,218 | $6,226 – $8,301 |
| Riverside to Rapid City | ~1,203 mi | 7–14 days | $5,414 – $7,218 | $6,226 – $8,301 |
| Ontario to Rapid City | ~1,206 mi | 7–14 days | $5,427 – $7,236 | $6,241 – $8,321 |
| Anaheim to Rapid City | ~1,224 mi | 7–14 days | $5,508 – $7,344 | $6,334 – $8,446 |
| Santa Clarita to Rapid City | ~1,227 mi | 7–14 days | $5,522 – $7,362 | $6,350 – $8,466 |
| Irvine to Rapid City | ~1,235 mi | 7–14 days | $5,558 – $7,410 | $6,391 – $8,522 |
| Los Angeles to Rapid City | ~1,235 mi | 7–14 days | $5,558 – $7,410 | $6,391 – $8,522 |
| Santa Ana to Rapid City | ~1,237 mi | 7–14 days | $5,567 – $7,422 | $6,401 – $8,535 |
| Long Beach to Rapid City | ~1,249 mi | 7–14 days | $5,621 – $7,494 | $6,464 – $8,618 |
| Fremont to Rapid City | ~1,255 mi | 7–14 days | $5,648 – $7,530 | $6,495 – $8,660 |
| San Jose to Rapid City | ~1,259 mi | 7–14 days | $5,666 – $7,554 | $6,515 – $8,687 |
| Oakland to Rapid City | ~1,261 mi | 7–14 days | $5,675 – $7,566 | $6,526 – $8,701 |
| Chula Vista to Rapid City | ~1,265 mi | 7–14 days | $5,693 – $7,590 | $6,546 – $8,729 |
| San Diego to Rapid City | ~1,266 mi | 7–14 days | $5,697 – $7,596 | $6,552 – $8,735 |
| San Francisco to Rapid City | ~1,269 mi | 7–14 days | $5,711 – $7,614 | $6,567 – $8,756 |
| Oxnard to Rapid City | ~1,273 mi | 7–14 days | $5,729 – $7,638 | $6,588 – $8,784 |
| San Bernardino to Sioux Falls | ~1,490 mi | 7–14 days | $6,705 – $8,940 | $7,711 – $10,281 |
| Moreno Valley to Sioux Falls | ~1,496 mi | 7–14 days | $6,732 – $8,976 | $7,742 – $10,322 |
| Fontana to Sioux Falls | ~1,501 mi | 7–14 days | $6,755 – $9,006 | $7,768 – $10,357 |
| Riverside to Sioux Falls | ~1,505 mi | 7–14 days | $6,773 – $9,030 | $7,788 – $10,384 |
| Lancaster to Sioux Falls | ~1,512 mi | 7–14 days | $6,804 – $9,072 | $7,825 – $10,433 |
| Ontario to Sioux Falls | ~1,512 mi | 7–14 days | $6,804 – $9,072 | $7,825 – $10,433 |
| Fresno to Sioux Falls | ~1,516 mi | 7–14 days | $6,822 – $9,096 | $7,845 – $10,460 |
| Anaheim to Sioux Falls | ~1,529 mi | 7–14 days | $6,881 – $9,174 | $7,913 – $10,550 |
| Bakersfield to Sioux Falls | ~1,530 mi | 7–14 days | $6,885 – $9,180 | $7,918 – $10,557 |
| Roseville to Sioux Falls | ~1,534 mi | 7–14 days | $6,903 – $9,204 | $7,938 – $10,585 |
| Irvine to Sioux Falls | ~1,538 mi | 7–14 days | $6,921 – $9,228 | $7,959 – $10,612 |
| Santa Ana to Sioux Falls | ~1,541 mi | 7–14 days | $6,935 – $9,246 | $7,975 – $10,633 |
| Santa Clarita to Sioux Falls | ~1,543 mi | 7–14 days | $6,944 – $9,258 | $7,985 – $10,647 |
| Los Angeles to Sioux Falls | ~1,546 mi | 7–14 days | $6,957 – $9,276 | $8,001 – $10,667 |
| Sacramento to Sioux Falls | ~1,550 mi | 7–14 days | $6,975 – $9,300 | $8,021 – $10,695 |
| Chula Vista to Sioux Falls | ~1,552 mi | 7–14 days | $6,984 – $9,312 | $8,032 – $10,709 |
| Modesto to Sioux Falls | ~1,553 mi | 7–14 days | $6,989 – $9,318 | $8,037 – $10,716 |
| San Diego to Sioux Falls | ~1,555 mi | 7–14 days | $6,998 – $9,330 | $8,047 – $10,729 |
| Long Beach to Sioux Falls | ~1,556 mi | 7–14 days | $7,002 – $9,336 | $8,052 – $10,736 |
| Stockton to Sioux Falls | ~1,559 mi | 7–14 days | $7,016 – $9,354 | $8,068 – $10,757 |
| Oxnard to Sioux Falls | ~1,591 mi | 7–14 days | $7,160 – $9,546 | $8,233 – $10,978 |
| Fremont to Sioux Falls | ~1,612 mi | 7–14 days | $7,254 – $9,672 | $8,342 – $11,123 |
| San Jose to Sioux Falls | ~1,615 mi | 7–14 days | $7,268 – $9,690 | $8,358 – $11,143 |
| Oakland to Sioux Falls | ~1,620 mi | 7–14 days | $7,290 – $9,720 | $8,383 – $11,178 |
| San Francisco to Sioux Falls | ~1,629 mi | 7–14 days | $7,331 – $9,774 | $8,430 – $11,240 |
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 South Dakota end, 19 are based in the state, useful for a local crew after delivery: movers in South Dakota, moving costs in South Dakota, or the reverse trip, South Dakota 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 South Dakota moving FAQ
How much does it cost to move from California to South Dakota?
Between the two states' main cities, Los Angeles and Sioux Falls, the distance is about 1,546 miles. From our model that is $6,957 – $9,276 for a two-bedroom home and $8,001 – $10,667 for three bedrooms with full-service movers, transport only. A container you load yourself is about $5,009 – $6,679 for the two-bedroom home; a freight trailer about $3,339 – $4,452. Across the 50 city pairs we price between California and South Dakota, distances run from 1,171 to 1,629 miles, so use the table for your own cities.
How long does a move from California to South Dakota take?
Los Angeles to Sioux Falls is 4 days on the road (about 28 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 South Dakota?
Yes. A move from California into South Dakota 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 South Dakota?
Load a freight trailer yourself: about $3,339 – $4,452 for a two-bedroom home over 1,546 miles against $6,957 – $9,276 with full-service movers. A container, about $5,009 – $6,679, splits the difference and gives you days to load.
How many people move from California to South Dakota each year?
The Census Bureau's 2024 American Community Survey estimates about 1,983 people (±862) moved from California to South Dakota that year, against about 697 (±388) from South Dakota to California. That makes California the 4th-largest source of new residents for South Dakota among the states.