Moving from California to Tennessee
An interstate move, so the FMCSA's rules apply from the first quote. Between Los Angeles and Nashville it is about 2,072 miles and 5 days on the road (about 38 hours of driving); the 100 city pairs we price between the two states run from 1,799 to 2,467 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.
- ~2,072 miLos Angeles → Nashville
- 7–14 daysTypical transit
- $9,324+2-bedroom, movers
- 100City routes priced
In short
About 19,670 people moved from California to Tennessee in 2024 (Census estimate, ±4,848), and about 7,972 went the other way. Between Los Angeles and Nashville it is about 2,072 miles; a two-bedroom move with full-service movers runs $9,324 – $12,432 in our model, delivered in 7–14 days. 431 movers based in California hold interstate authority.
Who moves from California to Tennessee
The Census Bureau's 2024 survey puts the flow at about 19,670 people a year (±4,848), against about 7,972 (±3,477) from Tennessee to California, so Tennessee gains about 11,698 people a year on this exchange. California sends more people to Tennessee than any other state; Tennessee took in about 191,844 from other states in all.
| From | To | People a year |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles County | Davidson County | 633 ±215 |
| San Joaquin County | Knox County | 629 ±973* |
| San Diego County | Shelby County | 426 ±196 |
| Los Angeles County | Williamson County | 380 ±235 |
| Alameda County | Montgomery County | 356 ±302 |
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 Nashville, 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 Tennessee.
Cost of moving from California to Tennessee
At about 2,072 miles, full-service movers should land around $9,324 – $12,432 for a two-bedroom home and $10,723 – $14,297 for three bedrooms. Load a container yourself and the two-bedroom figure drops to $6,713 – $8,951; a freight trailer is $4,476 – $5,967.
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $6,993 – $9,324 | $5,035 – $6,713 | $3,357 – $4,476 |
| 1 bedroom | $8,392 – $11,189 | $6,042 – $8,056 | $4,028 – $5,371 |
| 2 bedrooms | $9,324 – $12,432 | $6,713 – $8,951 | $4,476 – $5,967 |
| 3 bedrooms | $10,723 – $14,297 | $7,720 – $10,294 | $5,147 – $6,862 |
| 4 bedrooms | $12,121 – $16,162 | $8,727 – $11,636 | $5,818 – $7,758 |
| 5+ bedrooms | $13,986 – $18,648 | $10,070 – $13,427 | $6,713 – $8,951 |
Transport only, for an estimated 2,072 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 Tennessee
Every pair of cities we cover in the two states, nearest first. 10 have a full route page with a map, transit and licensed movers.
| Route | Distance | Transit | 2 bedrooms | 3 bedrooms |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moreno Valley to Memphis | ~1,799 mi | 7–14 days | $8,096 – $10,794 | $9,310 – $12,413 |
| San Bernardino to Memphis | ~1,802 mi | 7–14 days | $8,109 – $10,812 | $9,325 – $12,434 |
| Chula Vista to Memphis | ~1,809 mi | 7–14 days | $8,141 – $10,854 | $9,362 – $12,482 |
| Riverside to Memphis | ~1,811 mi | 7–14 days | $8,150 – $10,866 | $9,372 – $12,496 |
| Fontana to Memphis | ~1,813 mi | 7–14 days | $8,159 – $10,878 | $9,382 – $12,510 |
| San Diego to Memphis | ~1,817 mi | 7–14 days | $8,177 – $10,902 | $9,403 – $12,537 |
| Ontario to Memphis | ~1,824 mi | 7–14 days | $8,208 – $10,944 | $9,439 – $12,586 |
| Anaheim to Memphis | ~1,837 mi | 7–14 days | $8,267 – $11,022 | $9,506 – $12,675 |
| Irvine to Memphis | ~1,840 mi | 7–14 days | $8,280 – $11,040 | $9,522 – $12,696 |
| Santa Ana to Memphis | ~1,847 mi | 7–14 days | $8,312 – $11,082 | $9,558 – $12,744 |
| Lancaster to Memphis | ~1,852 mi | 7–14 days | $8,334 – $11,112 | $9,584 – $12,779 |
| Los Angeles to Memphis | ~1,865 mi | 7–14 days | $8,393 – $11,190 | $9,651 – $12,869 |
| Long Beach to Memphis | ~1,866 mi | 7–14 days | $8,397 – $11,196 | $9,657 – $12,875 |
| Santa Clarita to Memphis | ~1,877 mi | 7–14 days | $8,447 – $11,262 | $9,713 – $12,951 |
| Bakersfield to Memphis | ~1,900 mi | 7–14 days | $8,550 – $11,400 | $9,833 – $13,110 |
| Oxnard to Memphis | ~1,926 mi | 7–14 days | $8,667 – $11,556 | $9,967 – $13,289 |
| Fresno to Memphis | ~1,936 mi | 7–14 days | $8,712 – $11,616 | $10,019 – $13,358 |
| Moreno Valley to Nashville | ~2,007 mi | 7–14 days | $9,032 – $12,042 | $10,386 – $13,848 |
| Modesto to Memphis | ~2,008 mi | 7–14 days | $9,036 – $12,048 | $10,391 – $13,855 |
| San Bernardino to Nashville | ~2,009 mi | 7–14 days | $9,041 – $12,054 | $10,397 – $13,862 |
| Riverside to Nashville | ~2,019 mi | 7–14 days | $9,086 – $12,114 | $10,448 – $13,931 |
| Fontana to Nashville | ~2,020 mi | 7–14 days | $9,090 – $12,120 | $10,454 – $13,938 |
| Chula Vista to Nashville | ~2,022 mi | 7–14 days | $9,099 – $12,132 | $10,464 – $13,952 |
| Roseville to Memphis | ~2,024 mi | 7–14 days | $9,108 – $12,144 | $10,474 – $13,966 |
| Stockton to Memphis | ~2,026 mi | 7–14 days | $9,117 – $12,156 | $10,485 – $13,979 |
| San Diego to Nashville | ~2,030 mi | 7–14 days | $9,135 – $12,180 | $10,505 – $14,007 |
| Ontario to Nashville | ~2,031 mi | 7–14 days | $9,140 – $12,186 | $10,510 – $14,014 |
| Sacramento to Memphis | ~2,035 mi | 7–14 days | $9,158 – $12,210 | $10,531 – $14,042 |
| Anaheim to Nashville | ~2,044 mi | 7–14 days | $9,198 – $12,264 | $10,578 – $14,104 |
| Irvine to Nashville | ~2,049 mi | 7–14 days | $9,221 – $12,294 | $10,604 – $14,138 |
| Santa Ana to Nashville | ~2,055 mi | 7–14 days | $9,248 – $12,330 | $10,635 – $14,180 |
| Lancaster to Nashville | ~2,056 mi | 7–14 days | $9,252 – $12,336 | $10,640 – $14,186 |
| San Jose to Memphis | ~2,067 mi | 7–14 days | $9,302 – $12,402 | $10,697 – $14,262 |
| Fremont to Memphis | ~2,069 mi | 7–14 days | $9,311 – $12,414 | $10,707 – $14,276 |
| Los Angeles to Nashville | ~2,072 mi | 7–14 days | $9,324 – $12,432 | $10,723 – $14,297 |
| Long Beach to Nashville | ~2,074 mi | 7–14 days | $9,333 – $12,444 | $10,733 – $14,311 |
| Santa Clarita to Nashville | ~2,082 mi | 7–14 days | $9,369 – $12,492 | $10,774 – $14,366 |
| Oakland to Memphis | ~2,088 mi | 7–14 days | $9,396 – $12,528 | $10,805 – $14,407 |
| San Francisco to Memphis | ~2,097 mi | 7–14 days | $9,437 – $12,582 | $10,852 – $14,469 |
| Bakersfield to Nashville | ~2,101 mi | 7–14 days | $9,455 – $12,606 | $10,873 – $14,497 |
| Moreno Valley to Chattanooga | ~2,111 mi | 7–14 days | $9,500 – $12,666 | $10,924 – $14,566 |
| San Bernardino to Chattanooga | ~2,113 mi | 7–14 days | $9,509 – $12,678 | $10,935 – $14,580 |
| Chula Vista to Chattanooga | ~2,122 mi | 7–14 days | $9,549 – $12,732 | $10,981 – $14,642 |
| Riverside to Chattanooga | ~2,123 mi | 7–14 days | $9,554 – $12,738 | $10,987 – $14,649 |
| Fontana to Chattanooga | ~2,125 mi | 7–14 days | $9,563 – $12,750 | $10,997 – $14,663 |
| Fresno to Nashville | ~2,129 mi | 7–14 days | $9,581 – $12,774 | $11,018 – $14,690 |
| San Diego to Chattanooga | ~2,130 mi | 7–14 days | $9,585 – $12,780 | $11,023 – $14,697 |
| Oxnard to Nashville | ~2,132 mi | 7–14 days | $9,594 – $12,792 | $11,033 – $14,711 |
| Ontario to Chattanooga | ~2,135 mi | 7–14 days | $9,608 – $12,810 | $11,049 – $14,732 |
| Anaheim to Chattanooga | ~2,148 mi | 7–14 days | $9,666 – $12,888 | $11,116 – $14,821 |
| Irvine to Chattanooga | ~2,152 mi | 7–14 days | $9,684 – $12,912 | $11,137 – $14,849 |
| Santa Ana to Chattanooga | ~2,158 mi | 7–14 days | $9,711 – $12,948 | $11,168 – $14,890 |
| Lancaster to Chattanooga | ~2,163 mi | 7–14 days | $9,734 – $12,978 | $11,194 – $14,925 |
| Los Angeles to Chattanooga | ~2,177 mi | 7–14 days | $9,797 – $13,062 | $11,266 – $15,021 |
| Long Beach to Chattanooga | ~2,178 mi | 7–14 days | $9,801 – $13,068 | $11,271 – $15,028 |
| Santa Clarita to Chattanooga | ~2,188 mi | 7–14 days | $9,846 – $13,128 | $11,323 – $15,097 |
| Moreno Valley to Knoxville | ~2,194 mi | 7–14 days | $9,873 – $13,164 | $11,354 – $15,139 |
| San Bernardino to Knoxville | ~2,195 mi | 7–14 days | $9,878 – $13,170 | $11,359 – $15,146 |
| Modesto to Nashville | ~2,196 mi | 7–14 days | $9,882 – $13,176 | $11,364 – $15,152 |
| Riverside to Knoxville | ~2,206 mi | 7–14 days | $9,927 – $13,236 | $11,416 – $15,221 |
| Roseville to Nashville | ~2,206 mi | 7–14 days | $9,927 – $13,236 | $11,416 – $15,221 |
| Fontana to Knoxville | ~2,207 mi | 7–14 days | $9,932 – $13,242 | $11,421 – $15,228 |
| Chula Vista to Knoxville | ~2,208 mi | 7–14 days | $9,936 – $13,248 | $11,426 – $15,235 |
| Bakersfield to Chattanooga | ~2,210 mi | 7–14 days | $9,945 – $13,260 | $11,437 – $15,249 |
| Stockton to Nashville | ~2,212 mi | 7–14 days | $9,954 – $13,272 | $11,447 – $15,263 |
| San Diego to Knoxville | ~2,216 mi | 7–14 days | $9,972 – $13,296 | $11,468 – $15,290 |
| Ontario to Knoxville | ~2,217 mi | 7–14 days | $9,977 – $13,302 | $11,473 – $15,297 |
| Sacramento to Nashville | ~2,218 mi | 7–14 days | $9,981 – $13,308 | $11,478 – $15,304 |
| Anaheim to Knoxville | ~2,231 mi | 7–14 days | $10,040 – $13,386 | $11,545 – $15,394 |
| Irvine to Knoxville | ~2,235 mi | 7–14 days | $10,058 – $13,410 | $11,566 – $15,422 |
| Oxnard to Chattanooga | ~2,238 mi | 7–14 days | $10,071 – $13,428 | $11,582 – $15,442 |
| Santa Ana to Knoxville | ~2,241 mi | 7–14 days | $10,085 – $13,446 | $11,597 – $15,463 |
| Fresno to Chattanooga | ~2,242 mi | 7–14 days | $10,089 – $13,452 | $11,602 – $15,470 |
| Lancaster to Knoxville | ~2,242 mi | 7–14 days | $10,089 – $13,452 | $11,602 – $15,470 |
| San Jose to Nashville | ~2,256 mi | 7–14 days | $10,152 – $13,536 | $11,675 – $15,566 |
| Fremont to Nashville | ~2,257 mi | 7–14 days | $10,157 – $13,542 | $11,680 – $15,573 |
| Los Angeles to Knoxville | ~2,258 mi | 7–14 days | $10,161 – $13,548 | $11,685 – $15,580 |
| Long Beach to Knoxville | ~2,261 mi | 7–14 days | $10,175 – $13,566 | $11,701 – $15,601 |
| Santa Clarita to Knoxville | ~2,268 mi | 7–14 days | $10,206 – $13,608 | $11,737 – $15,649 |
| Oakland to Nashville | ~2,275 mi | 7–14 days | $10,238 – $13,650 | $11,773 – $15,698 |
| San Francisco to Nashville | ~2,283 mi | 7–14 days | $10,274 – $13,698 | $11,815 – $15,753 |
| Bakersfield to Knoxville | ~2,287 mi | 7–14 days | $10,292 – $13,722 | $11,835 – $15,780 |
| Modesto to Chattanooga | ~2,312 mi | 7–14 days | $10,404 – $13,872 | $11,965 – $15,953 |
| Fresno to Knoxville | ~2,314 mi | 7–14 days | $10,413 – $13,884 | $11,975 – $15,967 |
| Oxnard to Knoxville | ~2,318 mi | 7–14 days | $10,431 – $13,908 | $11,996 – $15,994 |
| Roseville to Chattanooga | ~2,324 mi | 7–14 days | $10,458 – $13,944 | $12,027 – $16,036 |
| Stockton to Chattanooga | ~2,328 mi | 7–14 days | $10,476 – $13,968 | $12,047 – $16,063 |
| Sacramento to Chattanooga | ~2,336 mi | 7–14 days | $10,512 – $14,016 | $12,089 – $16,118 |
| San Jose to Chattanooga | ~2,371 mi | 7–14 days | $10,670 – $14,226 | $12,270 – $16,360 |
| Fremont to Chattanooga | ~2,373 mi | 7–14 days | $10,679 – $14,238 | $12,280 – $16,374 |
| Modesto to Knoxville | ~2,380 mi | 7–14 days | $10,710 – $14,280 | $12,317 – $16,422 |
| Roseville to Knoxville | ~2,389 mi | 7–14 days | $10,751 – $14,334 | $12,363 – $16,484 |
| Oakland to Chattanooga | ~2,391 mi | 7–14 days | $10,760 – $14,346 | $12,373 – $16,498 |
| Stockton to Knoxville | ~2,396 mi | 7–14 days | $10,782 – $14,376 | $12,399 – $16,532 |
| San Francisco to Chattanooga | ~2,400 mi | 7–14 days | $10,800 – $14,400 | $12,420 – $16,560 |
| Sacramento to Knoxville | ~2,401 mi | 7–14 days | $10,805 – $14,406 | $12,425 – $16,567 |
| San Jose to Knoxville | ~2,440 mi | 7–14 days | $10,980 – $14,640 | $12,627 – $16,836 |
| Fremont to Knoxville | ~2,441 mi | 7–14 days | $10,985 – $14,646 | $12,632 – $16,843 |
| Oakland to Knoxville | ~2,458 mi | 7–14 days | $11,061 – $14,748 | $12,720 – $16,960 |
| San Francisco to Knoxville | ~2,467 mi | 7–14 days | $11,102 – $14,802 | $12,767 – $17,022 |
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 Tennessee end, 266 are based in the state, useful for a local crew after delivery: movers in Tennessee, moving costs in Tennessee, or the reverse trip, Tennessee 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 Tennessee moving FAQ
How much does it cost to move from California to Tennessee?
Between the two states' main cities, Los Angeles and Nashville, the distance is about 2,072 miles. From our model that is $9,324 – $12,432 for a two-bedroom home and $10,723 – $14,297 for three bedrooms with full-service movers, transport only. A container you load yourself is about $6,713 – $8,951 for the two-bedroom home; a freight trailer about $4,476 – $5,967. Across the 100 city pairs we price between California and Tennessee, distances run from 1,799 to 2,467 miles, so use the table for your own cities.
How long does a move from California to Tennessee take?
Los Angeles to Nashville is 5 days on the road (about 38 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 Tennessee?
Yes. A move from California into Tennessee 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 Tennessee?
Load a freight trailer yourself: about $4,476 – $5,967 for a two-bedroom home over 2,072 miles against $9,324 – $12,432 with full-service movers. A container, about $6,713 – $8,951, splits the difference and gives you days to load.
How many people move from California to Tennessee each year?
The Census Bureau's 2024 American Community Survey estimates about 19,670 people (±4,848) moved from California to Tennessee that year, against about 7,972 (±3,477) from Tennessee to California. No other state sends more people to Tennessee.