Moving from Californiato 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, not quotes. Distances marked ~ are estimated from city coordinates. We do not move anyone.
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. 125 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.
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 2,760 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 Virginia end
416 household-goods carriers are based in Virginia — useful if you need a local crew after delivery. A local move inside Virginia Beach runs about $475 – $775 for a two-bedroom home.
Timing the move
| Home size | October – April, mid-week | Summer weekend (+25%) |
|---|---|---|
| 2 bedrooms | $12,420 – $16,560 | $15,525 – $20,700 |
| 3 bedrooms | $14,283 – $19,044 | $17,854 – $23,805 |
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 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. Any move that crosses from California into Virginia 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 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 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 $17,854 – $23,805 rather than $14,283 – $19,044.