Moving from California to Virginia
An interstate move, so the FMCSA's rules apply from the first quote. Between Los Angeles and Virginia Beach it is about 2,760 miles and 6 days on the road (about 50 hours of driving); the 125 city pairs we price between the two states run from 2,598 to 2,945 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.
- ~2,760 miLos Angeles → Virginia Beach
- 7–14 daysTypical transit
- $12,420+2-bedroom, movers
- 125City routes priced
In short
About 20,180 people moved from California to Virginia in 2024 (Census estimate, ±4,162), and about 18,100 went the other way. Between Los Angeles and Virginia Beach it is about 2,760 miles; a two-bedroom move with full-service movers runs $12,420 – $16,560 in our model, delivered in 7–14 days. 431 movers based in California hold interstate authority.
Who moves from California to Virginia
The Census Bureau's 2024 survey puts the flow at about 20,180 people a year (±4,162), against about 18,100 (±4,368) from Virginia to California, so Virginia gains about 2,080 people a year on this exchange. California is the 4th-largest of the 49 states sending people to Virginia; Virginia took in about 265,444 from other states in all.
| From | To | People a year |
|---|---|---|
| San Diego County | Virginia Beach City | 1,215 ±416 |
| Tulare County | Virginia Beach City | 1,160 ±1,069 |
| San Diego County | Fairfax County | 890 ±318 |
| San Diego County | Norfolk City | 748 ±338 |
| San Diego County | Prince William County | 441 ±279 |
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.
Los Angeles to Virginia Beach, 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 Virginia.
Cost of moving from California to Virginia
At about 2,760 miles, full-service movers should land around $12,420 – $16,560 for a two-bedroom home and $14,283 – $19,044 for three bedrooms. Load a container yourself and the two-bedroom figure drops to $8,942 – $11,923; a freight trailer is $5,962 – $7,949.
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $9,315 – $12,420 | $6,707 – $8,942 | $4,471 – $5,962 |
| 1 bedroom | $11,178 – $14,904 | $8,048 – $10,731 | $5,365 – $7,154 |
| 2 bedrooms | $12,420 – $16,560 | $8,942 – $11,923 | $5,962 – $7,949 |
| 3 bedrooms | $14,283 – $19,044 | $10,284 – $13,712 | $6,856 – $9,141 |
| 4 bedrooms | $16,146 – $21,528 | $11,625 – $15,500 | $7,750 – $10,333 |
| 5+ bedrooms | $18,630 – $24,840 | $13,414 – $17,885 | $8,942 – $11,923 |
Transport only, for an estimated 2,760 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 Virginia
Every pair of cities we cover in the two states, nearest first. 12 have a full route page with a map, transit and licensed movers.
| Route | Distance | Transit | 2 bedrooms | 3 bedrooms |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moreno Valley to Richmond | ~2,598 mi | 7–14 days | $11,691 – $15,588 | $13,445 – $17,926 |
| San Bernardino to Richmond | ~2,598 mi | 7–14 days | $11,691 – $15,588 | $13,445 – $17,926 |
| Riverside to Richmond | ~2,609 mi | 7–14 days | $11,741 – $15,654 | $13,502 – $18,002 |
| Fontana to Richmond | ~2,610 mi | 7–14 days | $11,745 – $15,660 | $13,507 – $18,009 |
| San Bernardino to Arlington | ~2,610 mi | 7–14 days | $11,745 – $15,660 | $13,507 – $18,009 |
| Moreno Valley to Arlington | ~2,611 mi | 7–14 days | $11,750 – $15,666 | $13,512 – $18,016 |
| Chula Vista to Richmond | ~2,620 mi | 7–14 days | $11,790 – $15,720 | $13,558 – $18,078 |
| Ontario to Richmond | ~2,620 mi | 7–14 days | $11,790 – $15,720 | $13,558 – $18,078 |
| Fontana to Arlington | ~2,621 mi | 7–14 days | $11,795 – $15,726 | $13,564 – $18,085 |
| Riverside to Arlington | ~2,622 mi | 7–14 days | $11,799 – $15,732 | $13,569 – $18,092 |
| San Diego to Richmond | ~2,627 mi | 7–14 days | $11,822 – $15,762 | $13,595 – $18,126 |
| Ontario to Arlington | ~2,632 mi | 7–14 days | $11,844 – $15,792 | $13,621 – $18,161 |
| Anaheim to Richmond | ~2,635 mi | 7–14 days | $11,858 – $15,810 | $13,636 – $18,181 |
| Chula Vista to Arlington | ~2,637 mi | 7–14 days | $11,867 – $15,822 | $13,646 – $18,195 |
| Irvine to Richmond | ~2,640 mi | 7–14 days | $11,880 – $15,840 | $13,662 – $18,216 |
| Lancaster to Richmond | ~2,641 mi | 7–14 days | $11,885 – $15,846 | $13,667 – $18,223 |
| San Diego to Arlington | ~2,644 mi | 7–14 days | $11,898 – $15,864 | $13,683 – $18,244 |
| Santa Ana to Richmond | ~2,646 mi | 7–14 days | $11,907 – $15,876 | $13,693 – $18,257 |
| Anaheim to Arlington | ~2,647 mi | 7–14 days | $11,912 – $15,882 | $13,698 – $18,264 |
| Lancaster to Arlington | ~2,650 mi | 7–14 days | $11,925 – $15,900 | $13,714 – $18,285 |
| Irvine to Arlington | ~2,653 mi | 7–14 days | $11,939 – $15,918 | $13,729 – $18,306 |
| Santa Ana to Arlington | ~2,658 mi | 7–14 days | $11,961 – $15,948 | $13,755 – $18,340 |
| Los Angeles to Richmond | ~2,661 mi | 7–14 days | $11,975 – $15,966 | $13,771 – $18,361 |
| Long Beach to Richmond | ~2,664 mi | 7–14 days | $11,988 – $15,984 | $13,786 – $18,382 |
| Santa Clarita to Richmond | ~2,668 mi | 7–14 days | $12,006 – $16,008 | $13,807 – $18,409 |
| Los Angeles to Arlington | ~2,672 mi | 7–14 days | $12,024 – $16,032 | $13,828 – $18,437 |
| Long Beach to Arlington | ~2,677 mi | 7–14 days | $12,047 – $16,062 | $13,853 – $18,471 |
| Moreno Valley to Norfolk | ~2,677 mi | 7–14 days | $12,047 – $16,062 | $13,853 – $18,471 |
| Moreno Valley to Chesapeake | ~2,678 mi | 7–14 days | $12,051 – $16,068 | $13,859 – $18,478 |
| San Bernardino to Norfolk | ~2,678 mi | 7–14 days | $12,051 – $16,068 | $13,859 – $18,478 |
| Santa Clarita to Arlington | ~2,678 mi | 7–14 days | $12,051 – $16,068 | $13,859 – $18,478 |
| San Bernardino to Chesapeake | ~2,679 mi | 7–14 days | $12,056 – $16,074 | $13,864 – $18,485 |
| Bakersfield to Richmond | ~2,680 mi | 7–14 days | $12,060 – $16,080 | $13,869 – $18,492 |
| Bakersfield to Arlington | ~2,686 mi | 7–14 days | $12,087 – $16,116 | $13,900 – $18,533 |
| Fontana to Norfolk | ~2,689 mi | 7–14 days | $12,101 – $16,134 | $13,916 – $18,554 |
| Riverside to Norfolk | ~2,689 mi | 7–14 days | $12,101 – $16,134 | $13,916 – $18,554 |
| Fontana to Chesapeake | ~2,690 mi | 7–14 days | $12,105 – $16,140 | $13,921 – $18,561 |
| Riverside to Chesapeake | ~2,690 mi | 7–14 days | $12,105 – $16,140 | $13,921 – $18,561 |
| Chula Vista to Norfolk | ~2,697 mi | 7–14 days | $12,137 – $16,182 | $13,957 – $18,609 |
| Fresno to Richmond | ~2,697 mi | 7–14 days | $12,137 – $16,182 | $13,957 – $18,609 |
| Moreno Valley to Virginia Beach | ~2,697 mi | 7–14 days | $12,137 – $16,182 | $13,957 – $18,609 |
| Chula Vista to Chesapeake | ~2,698 mi | 7–14 days | $12,141 – $16,188 | $13,962 – $18,616 |
| Fresno to Arlington | ~2,698 mi | 7–14 days | $12,141 – $16,188 | $13,962 – $18,616 |
| San Bernardino to Virginia Beach | ~2,698 mi | 7–14 days | $12,141 – $16,188 | $13,962 – $18,616 |
| Ontario to Norfolk | ~2,700 mi | 7–14 days | $12,150 – $16,200 | $13,972 – $18,630 |
| Ontario to Chesapeake | ~2,701 mi | 7–14 days | $12,155 – $16,206 | $13,978 – $18,637 |
| San Diego to Norfolk | ~2,704 mi | 7–14 days | $12,168 – $16,224 | $13,993 – $18,658 |
| San Diego to Chesapeake | ~2,705 mi | 7–14 days | $12,173 – $16,230 | $13,998 – $18,664 |
| Fontana to Virginia Beach | ~2,709 mi | 7–14 days | $12,191 – $16,254 | $14,019 – $18,692 |
| Riverside to Virginia Beach | ~2,709 mi | 7–14 days | $12,191 – $16,254 | $14,019 – $18,692 |
| Anaheim to Norfolk | ~2,714 mi | 7–14 days | $12,213 – $16,284 | $14,045 – $18,727 |
| Anaheim to Chesapeake | ~2,715 mi | 7–14 days | $12,218 – $16,290 | $14,050 – $18,733 |
| Chula Vista to Virginia Beach | ~2,717 mi | 7–14 days | $12,227 – $16,302 | $14,060 – $18,747 |
| Oxnard to Richmond | ~2,718 mi | 7–14 days | $12,231 – $16,308 | $14,066 – $18,754 |
| Irvine to Norfolk | ~2,719 mi | 7–14 days | $12,236 – $16,314 | $14,071 – $18,761 |
| Irvine to Chesapeake | ~2,720 mi | 7–14 days | $12,240 – $16,320 | $14,076 – $18,768 |
| Ontario to Virginia Beach | ~2,720 mi | 7–14 days | $12,240 – $16,320 | $14,076 – $18,768 |
| Lancaster to Norfolk | ~2,721 mi | 7–14 days | $12,245 – $16,326 | $14,081 – $18,775 |
| Lancaster to Chesapeake | ~2,723 mi | 7–14 days | $12,254 – $16,338 | $14,092 – $18,789 |
| San Diego to Virginia Beach | ~2,725 mi | 7–14 days | $12,263 – $16,350 | $14,102 – $18,802 |
| Santa Ana to Norfolk | ~2,725 mi | 7–14 days | $12,263 – $16,350 | $14,102 – $18,802 |
| Santa Ana to Chesapeake | ~2,726 mi | 7–14 days | $12,267 – $16,356 | $14,107 – $18,809 |
| Oxnard to Arlington | ~2,728 mi | 7–14 days | $12,276 – $16,368 | $14,117 – $18,823 |
| Anaheim to Virginia Beach | ~2,734 mi | 7–14 days | $12,303 – $16,404 | $14,148 – $18,865 |
| Irvine to Virginia Beach | ~2,739 mi | 7–14 days | $12,326 – $16,434 | $14,174 – $18,899 |
| Los Angeles to Norfolk | ~2,740 mi | 7–14 days | $12,330 – $16,440 | $14,179 – $18,906 |
| Lancaster to Virginia Beach | ~2,741 mi | 7–14 days | $12,335 – $16,446 | $14,185 – $18,913 |
| Los Angeles to Chesapeake | ~2,742 mi | 7–14 days | $12,339 – $16,452 | $14,190 – $18,920 |
| Long Beach to Norfolk | ~2,744 mi | 7–14 days | $12,348 – $16,464 | $14,200 – $18,934 |
| Long Beach to Chesapeake | ~2,745 mi | 7–14 days | $12,353 – $16,470 | $14,205 – $18,940 |
| Santa Ana to Virginia Beach | ~2,745 mi | 7–14 days | $12,353 – $16,470 | $14,205 – $18,940 |
| Roseville to Arlington | ~2,748 mi | 7–14 days | $12,366 – $16,488 | $14,221 – $18,961 |
| Santa Clarita to Norfolk | ~2,748 mi | 7–14 days | $12,366 – $16,488 | $14,221 – $18,961 |
| Santa Clarita to Chesapeake | ~2,750 mi | 7–14 days | $12,375 – $16,500 | $14,231 – $18,975 |
| Modesto to Arlington | ~2,753 mi | 7–14 days | $12,389 – $16,518 | $14,247 – $18,996 |
| Roseville to Richmond | ~2,755 mi | 7–14 days | $12,398 – $16,530 | $14,257 – $19,009 |
| Modesto to Richmond | ~2,756 mi | 7–14 days | $12,402 – $16,536 | $14,262 – $19,016 |
| Los Angeles to Virginia Beach | ~2,760 mi | 7–14 days | $12,420 – $16,560 | $14,283 – $19,044 |
| Bakersfield to Norfolk | ~2,762 mi | 7–14 days | $12,429 – $16,572 | $14,293 – $19,058 |
| Sacramento to Arlington | ~2,763 mi | 7–14 days | $12,434 – $16,578 | $14,299 – $19,065 |
| Bakersfield to Chesapeake | ~2,764 mi | 7–14 days | $12,438 – $16,584 | $14,304 – $19,072 |
| Long Beach to Virginia Beach | ~2,764 mi | 7–14 days | $12,438 – $16,584 | $14,304 – $19,072 |
| Stockton to Arlington | ~2,764 mi | 7–14 days | $12,438 – $16,584 | $14,304 – $19,072 |
| Santa Clarita to Virginia Beach | ~2,768 mi | 7–14 days | $12,456 – $16,608 | $14,324 – $19,099 |
| Stockton to Richmond | ~2,768 mi | 7–14 days | $12,456 – $16,608 | $14,324 – $19,099 |
| Sacramento to Richmond | ~2,769 mi | 7–14 days | $12,461 – $16,614 | $14,330 – $19,106 |
| Fresno to Norfolk | ~2,781 mi | 7–14 days | $12,515 – $16,686 | $14,392 – $19,189 |
| Bakersfield to Virginia Beach | ~2,782 mi | 7–14 days | $12,519 – $16,692 | $14,397 – $19,196 |
| Fresno to Chesapeake | ~2,783 mi | 7–14 days | $12,524 – $16,698 | $14,402 – $19,203 |
| Oxnard to Norfolk | ~2,799 mi | 7–14 days | $12,596 – $16,794 | $14,485 – $19,313 |
| Oxnard to Chesapeake | ~2,800 mi | 7–14 days | $12,600 – $16,800 | $14,490 – $19,320 |
| Fresno to Virginia Beach | ~2,801 mi | 7–14 days | $12,605 – $16,806 | $14,495 – $19,327 |
| Fremont to Arlington | ~2,813 mi | 7–14 days | $12,659 – $16,878 | $14,557 – $19,410 |
| San Jose to Arlington | ~2,814 mi | 7–14 days | $12,663 – $16,884 | $14,562 – $19,417 |
| Fremont to Richmond | ~2,817 mi | 7–14 days | $12,677 – $16,902 | $14,578 – $19,437 |
| San Jose to Richmond | ~2,817 mi | 7–14 days | $12,677 – $16,902 | $14,578 – $19,437 |
| Oxnard to Virginia Beach | ~2,819 mi | 7–14 days | $12,686 – $16,914 | $14,588 – $19,451 |
| Oakland to Arlington | ~2,827 mi | 7–14 days | $12,722 – $16,962 | $14,630 – $19,506 |
| Oakland to Richmond | ~2,831 mi | 7–14 days | $12,740 – $16,986 | $14,650 – $19,534 |
| San Francisco to Arlington | ~2,835 mi | 7–14 days | $12,758 – $17,010 | $14,671 – $19,561 |
| San Francisco to Richmond | ~2,840 mi | 7–14 days | $12,780 – $17,040 | $14,697 – $19,596 |
| Modesto to Norfolk | ~2,841 mi | 7–14 days | $12,785 – $17,046 | $14,702 – $19,603 |
| Roseville to Norfolk | ~2,841 mi | 7–14 days | $12,785 – $17,046 | $14,702 – $19,603 |
| Modesto to Chesapeake | ~2,844 mi | 7–14 days | $12,798 – $17,064 | $14,718 – $19,624 |
| Roseville to Chesapeake | ~2,845 mi | 7–14 days | $12,803 – $17,070 | $14,723 – $19,630 |
| Stockton to Norfolk | ~2,854 mi | 7–14 days | $12,843 – $17,124 | $14,769 – $19,693 |
| Sacramento to Norfolk | ~2,855 mi | 7–14 days | $12,848 – $17,130 | $14,775 – $19,699 |
| Stockton to Chesapeake | ~2,857 mi | 7–14 days | $12,857 – $17,142 | $14,785 – $19,713 |
| Sacramento to Chesapeake | ~2,858 mi | 7–14 days | $12,861 – $17,148 | $14,790 – $19,720 |
| Modesto to Virginia Beach | ~2,860 mi | 7–14 days | $12,870 – $17,160 | $14,800 – $19,734 |
| Roseville to Virginia Beach | ~2,861 mi | 7–14 days | $12,875 – $17,166 | $14,806 – $19,741 |
| Stockton to Virginia Beach | ~2,873 mi | 7–14 days | $12,929 – $17,238 | $14,868 – $19,824 |
| Sacramento to Virginia Beach | ~2,874 mi | 7–14 days | $12,933 – $17,244 | $14,873 – $19,831 |
| San Jose to Norfolk | ~2,901 mi | 7–14 days | $13,055 – $17,406 | $15,013 – $20,017 |
| Fremont to Norfolk | ~2,902 mi | 7–14 days | $13,059 – $17,412 | $15,018 – $20,024 |
| San Jose to Chesapeake | ~2,904 mi | 7–14 days | $13,068 – $17,424 | $15,028 – $20,038 |
| Fremont to Chesapeake | ~2,905 mi | 7–14 days | $13,073 – $17,430 | $15,033 – $20,044 |
| Oakland to Norfolk | ~2,916 mi | 7–14 days | $13,122 – $17,496 | $15,090 – $20,120 |
| Oakland to Chesapeake | ~2,919 mi | 7–14 days | $13,136 – $17,514 | $15,106 – $20,141 |
| Fremont to Virginia Beach | ~2,921 mi | 7–14 days | $13,145 – $17,526 | $15,116 – $20,155 |
| San Jose to Virginia Beach | ~2,921 mi | 7–14 days | $13,145 – $17,526 | $15,116 – $20,155 |
| San Francisco to Norfolk | ~2,925 mi | 7–14 days | $13,163 – $17,550 | $15,137 – $20,182 |
| San Francisco to Chesapeake | ~2,928 mi | 7–14 days | $13,176 – $17,568 | $15,152 – $20,203 |
| Oakland to Virginia Beach | ~2,936 mi | 7–14 days | $13,212 – $17,616 | $15,194 – $20,258 |
| San Francisco to Virginia Beach | ~2,945 mi | 7–14 days | $13,253 – $17,670 | $15,240 – $20,320 |
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 Virginia end, 411 are based in the state, useful for a local crew after delivery: movers in Virginia, moving costs in Virginia, or the reverse trip, Virginia 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 Virginia moving FAQ
How much does it cost to move from California to Virginia?
Between the two states' main cities, Los Angeles and Virginia Beach, the distance is about 2,760 miles. From our model that is $12,420 – $16,560 for a two-bedroom home and $14,283 – $19,044 for three bedrooms with full-service movers, transport only. A container you load yourself is about $8,942 – $11,923 for the two-bedroom home; a freight trailer about $5,962 – $7,949. Across the 125 city pairs we price between California and Virginia, distances run from 2,598 to 2,945 miles, so use the table for your own cities.
How long does a move from California to Virginia take?
Los Angeles to Virginia Beach is 6 days on the road (about 50 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 Virginia?
Yes. A move from California into Virginia 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 Virginia?
Load a freight trailer yourself: about $5,962 – $7,949 for a two-bedroom home over 2,760 miles against $12,420 – $16,560 with full-service movers. A container, about $8,942 – $11,923, splits the difference and gives you days to load.
How many people move from California to Virginia each year?
The Census Bureau's 2024 American Community Survey estimates about 20,180 people (±4,162) moved from California to Virginia that year, against about 18,100 (±4,368) from Virginia to California. That makes California the 4th-largest source of new residents for Virginia among the states.