Moving from Californiato 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, not quotes. Distances marked ~ are estimated from city coordinates. We do not move anyone.
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. 100 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.
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 2,072 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 Tennessee end
274 household-goods carriers are based in Tennessee — useful if you need a local crew after delivery. A local move inside Nashville runs about $475 – $775 for a two-bedroom home.
Timing the move
| Home size | October – April, mid-week | Summer weekend (+25%) |
|---|---|---|
| 2 bedrooms | $9,324 – $12,432 | $11,655 – $15,540 |
| 3 bedrooms | $10,723 – $14,297 | $13,404 – $17,871 |
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 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. Any move that crosses from California into Tennessee 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 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 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 $13,404 – $17,871 rather than $10,723 – $14,297.