Moving from Marylandto 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, not quotes. Distances marked ~ are estimated from city coordinates. We do not move anyone.
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. 27 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.
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 2,699 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 Maryland
421 household-goods carriers in Maryland are active on the FMCSA register. The largest with interstate authority, by registered fleet:
- Eagle Van Lines Inc, Temple Hills · USDOT 388638 · 72 trucks
- Town And Country Movers Inc, Gaithersburg · USDOT 418499 · 64 trucks
- Perry Moving Services, Baltimore · USDOT 966254 · 28 trucks
- Jk Moving Services, Gaithersburg · USDOT 1300300 · 26 trucks
- District Moving Companies Inc, Waldorf · USDOT 985878 · 24 trucks
At the California end
1,617 household-goods carriers are based in California — useful if you need a local crew after delivery. A local move inside Los Angeles runs about $475 – $775 for a two-bedroom home.
Timing the move
| Home size | October – April, mid-week | Summer weekend (+25%) |
|---|---|---|
| 2 bedrooms | $12,146 – $16,194 | $15,183 – $20,243 |
| 3 bedrooms | $13,967 – $18,623 | $17,459 – $23,279 |
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 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. Any move that crosses from Maryland into California 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 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 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 $17,459 – $23,279 rather than $13,967 – $18,623.