Moving from Maryland to California
An interstate move, so the FMCSA's rules apply from the first quote. Between Baltimore and Los Angeles it is about 2,699 miles and 6 days on the road (about 49 hours of driving); the 75 city pairs we price between the two states run from 2,587 to 2,870 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.
- ~2,699 miBaltimore → Los Angeles
- 7–14 daysTypical transit
- $12,146+2-bedroom, movers
- 75City routes priced
In short
About 8,901 people moved from Maryland to California in 2024 (Census estimate, ±2,151), and about 11,078 went the other way. Between Baltimore and Los Angeles it is about 2,699 miles; a two-bedroom move with full-service movers runs $12,146 – $16,194 in our model, delivered in 7–14 days. 228 movers based in Maryland hold interstate authority.
Who moves from Maryland to California
The Census Bureau's 2024 survey puts the flow at about 8,901 people a year (±2,151), against about 11,078 (±3,398) from California to Maryland, so California loses about 2,177 people a year on this exchange. Maryland is the 15th-largest of the 50 states sending people to California; California took in about 406,873 from other states in all.
| From | To | People a year |
|---|---|---|
| Montgomery County | Los Angeles County | 808 ±271 |
| Anne Arundel County | San Diego County | 482 ±238 |
| Baltimore County | Los Angeles County | 429 ±284 |
| Montgomery County | Fresno County | 424 ±632* |
| Montgomery County | San Diego County | 414 ±214 |
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.
Baltimore to Los Angeles, 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 Maryland and California.
Cost of moving from Maryland to California
At about 2,699 miles, full-service movers should land around $12,146 – $16,194 for a two-bedroom home and $13,967 – $18,623 for three bedrooms. Load a container yourself and the two-bedroom figure drops to $8,745 – $11,660; a freight trailer is $5,830 – $7,773.
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $9,109 – $12,146 | $6,559 – $8,745 | $4,372 – $5,830 |
| 1 bedroom | $10,931 – $14,575 | $7,870 – $10,494 | $5,247 – $6,996 |
| 2 bedrooms | $12,146 – $16,194 | $8,745 – $11,660 | $5,830 – $7,773 |
| 3 bedrooms | $13,967 – $18,623 | $10,056 – $13,409 | $6,704 – $8,939 |
| 4 bedrooms | $15,789 – $21,052 | $11,368 – $15,158 | $7,579 – $10,105 |
| 5+ bedrooms | $18,218 – $24,291 | $13,117 – $17,490 | $8,745 – $11,660 |
Transport only, for an estimated 2,699 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 Maryland to California
Every pair of cities we cover in the two states, nearest first. 5 have a full route page with a map, transit and licensed movers.
| Route | Distance | Transit | 2 bedrooms | 3 bedrooms |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frederick to San Bernardino | ~2,587 mi | 7–14 days | $11,642 – $15,522 | $13,388 – $17,850 |
| Frederick to Moreno Valley | ~2,588 mi | 7–14 days | $11,646 – $15,528 | $13,393 – $17,857 |
| Frederick to Fontana | ~2,598 mi | 7–14 days | $11,691 – $15,588 | $13,445 – $17,926 |
| Frederick to Riverside | ~2,599 mi | 7–14 days | $11,696 – $15,594 | $13,450 – $17,933 |
| Frederick to Ontario | ~2,609 mi | 7–14 days | $11,741 – $15,654 | $13,502 – $18,002 |
| Frederick to Chula Vista | ~2,616 mi | 7–14 days | $11,772 – $15,696 | $13,538 – $18,050 |
| Frederick to San Diego | ~2,622 mi | 7–14 days | $11,799 – $15,732 | $13,569 – $18,092 |
| Frederick to Anaheim | ~2,624 mi | 7–14 days | $11,808 – $15,744 | $13,579 – $18,106 |
| Frederick to Lancaster | ~2,626 mi | 7–14 days | $11,817 – $15,756 | $13,590 – $18,119 |
| Frederick to Irvine | ~2,630 mi | 7–14 days | $11,835 – $15,780 | $13,610 – $18,147 |
| Frederick to Santa Ana | ~2,636 mi | 7–14 days | $11,862 – $15,816 | $13,641 – $18,188 |
| Baltimore to San Bernardino | ~2,637 mi | 7–14 days | $11,867 – $15,822 | $13,646 – $18,195 |
| Baltimore to Moreno Valley | ~2,638 mi | 7–14 days | $11,871 – $15,828 | $13,652 – $18,202 |
| Annapolis to Moreno Valley | ~2,647 mi | 7–14 days | $11,912 – $15,882 | $13,698 – $18,264 |
| Annapolis to San Bernardino | ~2,647 mi | 7–14 days | $11,912 – $15,882 | $13,698 – $18,264 |
| Frederick to Los Angeles | ~2,648 mi | 7–14 days | $11,916 – $15,888 | $13,703 – $18,271 |
| Baltimore to Fontana | ~2,649 mi | 7–14 days | $11,921 – $15,894 | $13,709 – $18,278 |
| Baltimore to Riverside | ~2,650 mi | 7–14 days | $11,925 – $15,900 | $13,714 – $18,285 |
| Frederick to Long Beach | ~2,654 mi | 7–14 days | $11,943 – $15,924 | $13,734 – $18,313 |
| Frederick to Santa Clarita | ~2,654 mi | 7–14 days | $11,943 – $15,924 | $13,734 – $18,313 |
| Annapolis to Fontana | ~2,658 mi | 7–14 days | $11,961 – $15,948 | $13,755 – $18,340 |
| Annapolis to Riverside | ~2,659 mi | 7–14 days | $11,966 – $15,954 | $13,760 – $18,347 |
| Baltimore to Ontario | ~2,660 mi | 7–14 days | $11,970 – $15,960 | $13,765 – $18,354 |
| Frederick to Bakersfield | ~2,661 mi | 7–14 days | $11,975 – $15,966 | $13,771 – $18,361 |
| Baltimore to Chula Vista | ~2,666 mi | 7–14 days | $11,997 – $15,996 | $13,797 – $18,395 |
| Annapolis to Ontario | ~2,669 mi | 7–14 days | $12,011 – $16,014 | $13,812 – $18,416 |
| Frederick to Fresno | ~2,671 mi | 7–14 days | $12,020 – $16,026 | $13,822 – $18,430 |
| Baltimore to San Diego | ~2,673 mi | 7–14 days | $12,029 – $16,038 | $13,833 – $18,444 |
| Annapolis to Chula Vista | ~2,674 mi | 7–14 days | $12,033 – $16,044 | $13,838 – $18,451 |
| Baltimore to Anaheim | ~2,675 mi | 7–14 days | $12,038 – $16,050 | $13,843 – $18,457 |
| Baltimore to Lancaster | ~2,676 mi | 7–14 days | $12,042 – $16,056 | $13,848 – $18,464 |
| Annapolis to San Diego | ~2,681 mi | 7–14 days | $12,065 – $16,086 | $13,874 – $18,499 |
| Baltimore to Irvine | ~2,681 mi | 7–14 days | $12,065 – $16,086 | $13,874 – $18,499 |
| Annapolis to Anaheim | ~2,684 mi | 7–14 days | $12,078 – $16,104 | $13,890 – $18,520 |
| Annapolis to Lancaster | ~2,686 mi | 7–14 days | $12,087 – $16,116 | $13,900 – $18,533 |
| Baltimore to Santa Ana | ~2,686 mi | 7–14 days | $12,087 – $16,116 | $13,900 – $18,533 |
| Annapolis to Irvine | ~2,690 mi | 7–14 days | $12,105 – $16,140 | $13,921 – $18,561 |
| Annapolis to Santa Ana | ~2,695 mi | 7–14 days | $12,128 – $16,170 | $13,947 – $18,595 |
| Baltimore to Los Angeles | ~2,699 mi | 7–14 days | $12,146 – $16,194 | $13,967 – $18,623 |
| Baltimore to Long Beach | ~2,704 mi | 7–14 days | $12,168 – $16,224 | $13,993 – $18,658 |
| Frederick to Oxnard | ~2,704 mi | 7–14 days | $12,168 – $16,224 | $13,993 – $18,658 |
| Baltimore to Santa Clarita | ~2,705 mi | 7–14 days | $12,173 – $16,230 | $13,998 – $18,664 |
| Annapolis to Los Angeles | ~2,708 mi | 7–14 days | $12,186 – $16,248 | $14,014 – $18,685 |
| Baltimore to Bakersfield | ~2,712 mi | 7–14 days | $12,204 – $16,272 | $14,035 – $18,713 |
| Annapolis to Long Beach | ~2,713 mi | 7–14 days | $12,209 – $16,278 | $14,040 – $18,720 |
| Annapolis to Santa Clarita | ~2,714 mi | 7–14 days | $12,213 – $16,284 | $14,045 – $18,727 |
| Frederick to Roseville | ~2,718 mi | 7–14 days | $12,231 – $16,308 | $14,066 – $18,754 |
| Annapolis to Bakersfield | ~2,722 mi | 7–14 days | $12,249 – $16,332 | $14,086 – $18,782 |
| Baltimore to Fresno | ~2,722 mi | 7–14 days | $12,249 – $16,332 | $14,086 – $18,782 |
| Frederick to Modesto | ~2,724 mi | 7–14 days | $12,258 – $16,344 | $14,097 – $18,796 |
| Frederick to Sacramento | ~2,733 mi | 7–14 days | $12,299 – $16,398 | $14,143 – $18,858 |
| Annapolis to Fresno | ~2,734 mi | 7–14 days | $12,303 – $16,404 | $14,148 – $18,865 |
| Frederick to Stockton | ~2,735 mi | 7–14 days | $12,308 – $16,410 | $14,154 – $18,871 |
| Baltimore to Oxnard | ~2,755 mi | 7–14 days | $12,398 – $16,530 | $14,257 – $19,009 |
| Annapolis to Oxnard | ~2,764 mi | 7–14 days | $12,438 – $16,584 | $14,304 – $19,072 |
| Baltimore to Roseville | ~2,769 mi | 7–14 days | $12,461 – $16,614 | $14,330 – $19,106 |
| Baltimore to Modesto | ~2,775 mi | 7–14 days | $12,488 – $16,650 | $14,361 – $19,147 |
| Annapolis to Roseville | ~2,782 mi | 7–14 days | $12,519 – $16,692 | $14,397 – $19,196 |
| Baltimore to Sacramento | ~2,784 mi | 7–14 days | $12,528 – $16,704 | $14,407 – $19,210 |
| Frederick to Fremont | ~2,785 mi | 7–14 days | $12,533 – $16,710 | $14,412 – $19,216 |
| Baltimore to Stockton | ~2,786 mi | 7–14 days | $12,537 – $16,716 | $14,418 – $19,223 |
| Frederick to San Jose | ~2,786 mi | 7–14 days | $12,537 – $16,716 | $14,418 – $19,223 |
| Annapolis to Modesto | ~2,788 mi | 7–14 days | $12,546 – $16,728 | $14,428 – $19,237 |
| Annapolis to Sacramento | ~2,797 mi | 7–14 days | $12,587 – $16,782 | $14,474 – $19,299 |
| Frederick to Oakland | ~2,798 mi | 7–14 days | $12,591 – $16,788 | $14,480 – $19,306 |
| Annapolis to Stockton | ~2,799 mi | 7–14 days | $12,596 – $16,794 | $14,485 – $19,313 |
| Frederick to San Francisco | ~2,806 mi | 7–14 days | $12,627 – $16,836 | $14,521 – $19,361 |
| Baltimore to Fremont | ~2,836 mi | 7–14 days | $12,762 – $17,016 | $14,676 – $19,568 |
| Baltimore to San Jose | ~2,837 mi | 7–14 days | $12,767 – $17,022 | $14,681 – $19,575 |
| Annapolis to Fremont | ~2,848 mi | 7–14 days | $12,816 – $17,088 | $14,738 – $19,651 |
| Annapolis to San Jose | ~2,849 mi | 7–14 days | $12,821 – $17,094 | $14,744 – $19,658 |
| Baltimore to Oakland | ~2,849 mi | 7–14 days | $12,821 – $17,094 | $14,744 – $19,658 |
| Baltimore to San Francisco | ~2,857 mi | 7–14 days | $12,857 – $17,142 | $14,785 – $19,713 |
| Annapolis to Oakland | ~2,861 mi | 7–14 days | $12,875 – $17,166 | $14,806 – $19,741 |
| Annapolis to San Francisco | ~2,870 mi | 7–14 days | $12,915 – $17,220 | $14,852 – $19,803 |
Routes without a link are priced on estimated distance only; the calculator measures the exact drive.
Roadside inspections: interstate movers based in Maryland
163 of the 228 interstate movers listed here had at least one roadside inspection in the 24 months to September 13, 2026, 1,592 inspections in all. Inspectors put the vehicle out of service in 149 of 1,068 vehicle inspections (14.0%), below the 19.0% for listed movers nationally. Drivers were put out of service in 312 of 1,592 driver inspections (19.6%, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eagle Van Lines IncTemple Hills, MD · USDOT 388638 | 94 | 20 of 53 | 18 of 94 |
| Town and Country Movers IncGaithersburg, MD · USDOT 418499 | 75 | 10 of 53 | 10 of 75 |
| New Horizon Movers IncGlen Burnie, MD · USDOT 4371650 | 61 | 9 of 40 | 15 of 61 |
| Re Moving America LLCGermantown, MD · USDOT 3580779 | 53 | 4 of 23 | 28 of 53 |
| Graceful Transitions MovingFrederick, MD · USDOT 2637395 | 47 | 2 of 42 | 1 of 47 |
| Zip Van Lines LLCRockville, MD · USDOT 4013353 | 43 | 3 of 22 | 6 of 43 |
FMCSA Safety Measurement System carrier summary, 24-month window. How the comparison is calculated.
Licensed movers at both ends
414 listed household-goods carriers are based in Maryland, 228 of them with interstate authority, which this move requires; the Maryland directory ranks them. At the California end, 1,592 are based in the state, useful for a local crew after delivery: movers in California, moving costs in California, or the reverse trip, California to Maryland. The federal rules for the move itself are in who regulates movers and binding vs non-binding estimates.
Other moves from Maryland
Maryland to California moving FAQ
How much does it cost to move from Maryland to California?
Between the two states' main cities, Baltimore and Los Angeles, the distance is about 2,699 miles. From our model that is $12,146 – $16,194 for a two-bedroom home and $13,967 – $18,623 for three bedrooms with full-service movers, transport only. A container you load yourself is about $8,745 – $11,660 for the two-bedroom home; a freight trailer about $5,830 – $7,773. Across the 75 city pairs we price between Maryland and California, distances run from 2,587 to 2,870 miles, so use the table for your own cities.
How long does a move from Maryland to California take?
Baltimore to Los Angeles is 6 days on the road (about 49 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 Maryland to California?
Yes. A move from Maryland into California is regulated by the FMCSA, so the carrier needs active interstate operating authority as well as a USDOT number. Of the 414 listed movers based in Maryland, 228 hold that authority; the rest can only move you within Maryland.
What is the cheapest way to move from Maryland to California?
Load a freight trailer yourself: about $5,830 – $7,773 for a two-bedroom home over 2,699 miles against $12,146 – $16,194 with full-service movers. A container, about $8,745 – $11,660, splits the difference and gives you days to load.
How many people move from Maryland to California each year?
The Census Bureau's 2024 American Community Survey estimates about 8,901 people (±2,151) moved from Maryland to California that year, against about 11,078 (±3,398) from California to Maryland. That makes Maryland the 15th-largest source of new residents for California among the states.