Moving from Minnesotato California
An interstate move, so the FMCSA's rules apply from the first quote. Between Minneapolis and Los Angeles it is about 1,774 miles and 4 days on the road (about 32 hours of driving); the 75 city pairs we price between the two states run from 1,719 to 1,880 miles.
Prices from our published model, not quotes. Distances marked ~ are estimated from city coordinates. We do not move anyone.
Minneapolis 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 Minnesota and California.
Cost of moving from Minnesota to California
At about 1,774 miles, full-service movers should land around $7,983 – $10,644 for a two-bedroom home and $9,180 – $12,241 for three bedrooms. Load a container yourself and the two-bedroom figure drops to $5,748 – $7,664; a freight trailer is $3,832 – $5,109.
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $5,987 – $7,983 | $4,311 – $5,748 | $2,874 – $3,832 |
| 1 bedroom | $7,185 – $9,580 | $5,173 – $6,897 | $3,449 – $4,598 |
| 2 bedrooms | $7,983 – $10,644 | $5,748 – $7,664 | $3,832 – $5,109 |
| 3 bedrooms | $9,180 – $12,241 | $6,610 – $8,813 | $4,407 – $5,875 |
| 4 bedrooms | $10,378 – $13,837 | $7,472 – $9,963 | $4,981 – $6,642 |
| 5+ bedrooms | $11,975 – $15,966 | $8,622 – $11,496 | $5,748 – $7,664 |
Transport only, for an estimated 1,774 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 Minnesota to California
Every pair of cities we cover in the two states, nearest first. 51 have a full route page with a map, transit and licensed movers.
| Route | Distance | Transit | 2 bedrooms | 3 bedrooms |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis to San Bernardino | ~1,719 mi | 7–14 days | $7,736 – $10,314 | $8,896 – $11,861 |
| Minneapolis to Moreno Valley | ~1,725 mi | 7–14 days | $7,763 – $10,350 | $8,927 – $11,902 |
| Saint Paul to San Bernardino | ~1,728 mi | 7–14 days | $7,776 – $10,368 | $8,942 – $11,923 |
| Minneapolis to Fontana | ~1,730 mi | 7–14 days | $7,785 – $10,380 | $8,953 – $11,937 |
| Saint Paul to Moreno Valley | ~1,734 mi | 7–14 days | $7,803 – $10,404 | $8,973 – $11,965 |
| Minneapolis to Riverside | ~1,735 mi | 7–14 days | $7,808 – $10,410 | $8,979 – $11,971 |
| Rochester to San Bernardino | ~1,736 mi | 7–14 days | $7,812 – $10,416 | $8,984 – $11,978 |
| Minneapolis to Fresno | ~1,737 mi | 7–14 days | $7,817 – $10,422 | $8,989 – $11,985 |
| Saint Paul to Fontana | ~1,738 mi | 7–14 days | $7,821 – $10,428 | $8,994 – $11,992 |
| Minneapolis to Lancaster | ~1,740 mi | 7–14 days | $7,830 – $10,440 | $9,004 – $12,006 |
| Minneapolis to Ontario | ~1,741 mi | 7–14 days | $7,835 – $10,446 | $9,010 – $12,013 |
| Rochester to Moreno Valley | ~1,741 mi | 7–14 days | $7,835 – $10,446 | $9,010 – $12,013 |
| Saint Paul to Riverside | ~1,743 mi | 7–14 days | $7,844 – $10,458 | $9,020 – $12,027 |
| Minneapolis to Roseville | ~1,746 mi | 7–14 days | $7,857 – $10,476 | $9,036 – $12,047 |
| Rochester to Fontana | ~1,746 mi | 7–14 days | $7,857 – $10,476 | $9,036 – $12,047 |
| Saint Paul to Fresno | ~1,746 mi | 7–14 days | $7,857 – $10,476 | $9,036 – $12,047 |
| Saint Paul to Lancaster | ~1,748 mi | 7–14 days | $7,866 – $10,488 | $9,046 – $12,061 |
| Saint Paul to Ontario | ~1,749 mi | 7–14 days | $7,871 – $10,494 | $9,051 – $12,068 |
| Rochester to Riverside | ~1,750 mi | 7–14 days | $7,875 – $10,500 | $9,056 – $12,075 |
| Saint Paul to Roseville | ~1,755 mi | 7–14 days | $7,898 – $10,530 | $9,082 – $12,109 |
| Minneapolis to Bakersfield | ~1,756 mi | 7–14 days | $7,902 – $10,536 | $9,087 – $12,116 |
| Rochester to Ontario | ~1,757 mi | 7–14 days | $7,907 – $10,542 | $9,092 – $12,123 |
| Minneapolis to Anaheim | ~1,758 mi | 7–14 days | $7,911 – $10,548 | $9,098 – $12,130 |
| Rochester to Lancaster | ~1,759 mi | 7–14 days | $7,916 – $10,554 | $9,103 – $12,137 |
| Minneapolis to Sacramento | ~1,762 mi | 7–14 days | $7,929 – $10,572 | $9,118 – $12,158 |
| Saint Paul to Bakersfield | ~1,764 mi | 7–14 days | $7,938 – $10,584 | $9,129 – $12,172 |
| Saint Paul to Anaheim | ~1,766 mi | 7–14 days | $7,947 – $10,596 | $9,139 – $12,185 |
| Minneapolis to Irvine | ~1,767 mi | 7–14 days | $7,952 – $10,602 | $9,144 – $12,192 |
| Rochester to Fresno | ~1,767 mi | 7–14 days | $7,952 – $10,602 | $9,144 – $12,192 |
| Minneapolis to Modesto | ~1,769 mi | 7–14 days | $7,961 – $10,614 | $9,155 – $12,206 |
| Minneapolis to Santa Ana | ~1,770 mi | 7–14 days | $7,965 – $10,620 | $9,160 – $12,213 |
| Minneapolis to Santa Clarita | ~1,770 mi | 7–14 days | $7,965 – $10,620 | $9,160 – $12,213 |
| Saint Paul to Sacramento | ~1,772 mi | 7–14 days | $7,974 – $10,632 | $9,170 – $12,227 |
| Minneapolis to Los Angeles | ~1,774 mi | 7–14 days | $7,983 – $10,644 | $9,180 – $12,241 |
| Minneapolis to Stockton | ~1,774 mi | 7–14 days | $7,983 – $10,644 | $9,180 – $12,241 |
| Rochester to Anaheim | ~1,774 mi | 7–14 days | $7,983 – $10,644 | $9,180 – $12,241 |
| Saint Paul to Irvine | ~1,776 mi | 7–14 days | $7,992 – $10,656 | $9,191 – $12,254 |
| Rochester to Bakersfield | ~1,779 mi | 7–14 days | $8,006 – $10,674 | $9,206 – $12,275 |
| Saint Paul to Modesto | ~1,779 mi | 7–14 days | $8,006 – $10,674 | $9,206 – $12,275 |
| Saint Paul to Santa Ana | ~1,779 mi | 7–14 days | $8,006 – $10,674 | $9,206 – $12,275 |
| Saint Paul to Santa Clarita | ~1,779 mi | 7–14 days | $8,006 – $10,674 | $9,206 – $12,275 |
| Minneapolis to Chula Vista | ~1,782 mi | 7–14 days | $8,019 – $10,692 | $9,222 – $12,296 |
| Saint Paul to Los Angeles | ~1,782 mi | 7–14 days | $8,019 – $10,692 | $9,222 – $12,296 |
| Rochester to Irvine | ~1,783 mi | 7–14 days | $8,024 – $10,698 | $9,227 – $12,303 |
| Saint Paul to Stockton | ~1,783 mi | 7–14 days | $8,024 – $10,698 | $9,227 – $12,303 |
| Minneapolis to Long Beach | ~1,785 mi | 7–14 days | $8,033 – $10,710 | $9,237 – $12,317 |
| Minneapolis to San Diego | ~1,785 mi | 7–14 days | $8,033 – $10,710 | $9,237 – $12,317 |
| Rochester to Roseville | ~1,785 mi | 7–14 days | $8,033 – $10,710 | $9,237 – $12,317 |
| Rochester to Santa Ana | ~1,787 mi | 7–14 days | $8,042 – $10,722 | $9,248 – $12,330 |
| Rochester to Santa Clarita | ~1,790 mi | 7–14 days | $8,055 – $10,740 | $9,263 – $12,351 |
| Saint Paul to Chula Vista | ~1,790 mi | 7–14 days | $8,055 – $10,740 | $9,263 – $12,351 |
| Rochester to Los Angeles | ~1,792 mi | 7–14 days | $8,064 – $10,752 | $9,274 – $12,365 |
| Rochester to Chula Vista | ~1,793 mi | 7–14 days | $8,069 – $10,758 | $9,279 – $12,372 |
| Saint Paul to Long Beach | ~1,793 mi | 7–14 days | $8,069 – $10,758 | $9,279 – $12,372 |
| Saint Paul to San Diego | ~1,793 mi | 7–14 days | $8,069 – $10,758 | $9,279 – $12,372 |
| Rochester to San Diego | ~1,796 mi | 7–14 days | $8,082 – $10,776 | $9,294 – $12,392 |
| Rochester to Sacramento | ~1,801 mi | 7–14 days | $8,105 – $10,806 | $9,320 – $12,427 |
| Rochester to Long Beach | ~1,802 mi | 7–14 days | $8,109 – $10,812 | $9,325 – $12,434 |
| Rochester to Modesto | ~1,804 mi | 7–14 days | $8,118 – $10,824 | $9,336 – $12,448 |
| Rochester to Stockton | ~1,810 mi | 7–14 days | $8,145 – $10,860 | $9,367 – $12,489 |
| Minneapolis to Oxnard | ~1,818 mi | 7–14 days | $8,181 – $10,908 | $9,408 – $12,544 |
| Minneapolis to Fremont | ~1,827 mi | 7–14 days | $8,222 – $10,962 | $9,455 – $12,606 |
| Saint Paul to Oxnard | ~1,827 mi | 7–14 days | $8,222 – $10,962 | $9,455 – $12,606 |
| Minneapolis to San Jose | ~1,831 mi | 7–14 days | $8,240 – $10,986 | $9,475 – $12,634 |
| Minneapolis to Oakland | ~1,834 mi | 7–14 days | $8,253 – $11,004 | $9,491 – $12,655 |
| Saint Paul to Fremont | ~1,837 mi | 7–14 days | $8,267 – $11,022 | $9,506 – $12,675 |
| Rochester to Oxnard | ~1,839 mi | 7–14 days | $8,276 – $11,034 | $9,517 – $12,689 |
| Saint Paul to San Jose | ~1,840 mi | 7–14 days | $8,280 – $11,040 | $9,522 – $12,696 |
| Minneapolis to San Francisco | ~1,843 mi | 7–14 days | $8,294 – $11,058 | $9,538 – $12,717 |
| Saint Paul to Oakland | ~1,844 mi | 7–14 days | $8,298 – $11,064 | $9,543 – $12,724 |
| Saint Paul to San Francisco | ~1,852 mi | 7–14 days | $8,334 – $11,112 | $9,584 – $12,779 |
| Rochester to Fremont | ~1,863 mi | 7–14 days | $8,384 – $11,178 | $9,641 – $12,855 |
| Rochester to San Jose | ~1,866 mi | 7–14 days | $8,397 – $11,196 | $9,657 – $12,875 |
| Rochester to Oakland | ~1,871 mi | 7–14 days | $8,420 – $11,226 | $9,682 – $12,910 |
| Rochester to San Francisco | ~1,880 mi | 7–14 days | $8,460 – $11,280 | $9,729 – $12,972 |
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 1,774 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 Minnesota
277 household-goods carriers in Minnesota are active on the FMCSA register. The largest with interstate authority, by registered fleet:
- Bay And Bay, Eagan · USDOT 125630 · 360 trucks
- Berger Transfer & Storage Inc, Saint Paul · USDOT 125665 · 221 trucks
- C T X, Rush City · USDOT 493429 · 74 trucks
- Polman Transfer Inc, Wadena · USDOT 116195 · 66 trucks
- Lohse Transfer Inc, Maple Lake · USDOT 294301 · 61 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 | $7,983 – $10,644 | $9,979 – $13,305 |
| 3 bedrooms | $9,180 – $12,241 | $11,475 – $15,301 |
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 Minnesota
Minnesota to California moving FAQ
How much does it cost to move from Minnesota to California?
Between the two states' main cities, Minneapolis and Los Angeles, the distance is about 1,774 miles. From our model that is $7,983 – $10,644 for a two-bedroom home and $9,180 – $12,241 for three bedrooms with full-service movers, transport only. A container you load yourself is about $5,748 – $7,664 for the two-bedroom home; a freight trailer about $3,832 – $5,109. Across the 75 city pairs we price between Minnesota and California, distances run from 1,719 to 1,880 miles, so use the table for your own cities.
How long does a move from Minnesota to California take?
Minneapolis to Los Angeles is 4 days on the road (about 32 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 Minnesota to California?
Yes. Any move that crosses from Minnesota 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 Minnesota to California?
Load a freight trailer yourself: about $3,832 – $5,109 for a two-bedroom home over 1,774 miles against $7,983 – $10,644 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 $11,475 – $15,301 rather than $9,180 – $12,241.