Moving from Missouri to California
An interstate move, so the FMCSA's rules apply from the first quote. Between Saint Louis and Los Angeles it is about 1,850 miles and 4 days on the road (about 34 hours of driving); the 100 city pairs we price between the two states run from 1,518 to 2,030 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.
- ~1,850 miSaint Louis → Los Angeles
- 7–14 daysTypical transit
- $8,325+2-bedroom, movers
- 100City routes priced
In short
About 5,144 people moved from Missouri to California in 2024 (Census estimate, ±1,672), and about 8,786 went the other way. Between Saint Louis and Los Angeles it is about 1,850 miles; a two-bedroom move with full-service movers runs $8,325 – $11,100 in our model, delivered in 7–14 days. 132 movers based in Missouri hold interstate authority.
Who moves from Missouri to California
The Census Bureau's 2024 survey puts the flow at about 5,144 people a year (±1,672), against about 8,786 (±2,191) from California to Missouri, so California loses about 3,642 people a year on this exchange. Missouri is the 25th-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 |
|---|---|---|
| St. Charles County | San Diego County | 401 ±633* |
| St. Louis County | Los Angeles County | 277 ±138 |
| St. Louis City | San Diego County | 262 ±164 |
| St. Louis County | San Bernardino County | 212 ±214* |
| St. Charles County | Los Angeles County | 205 ±145 |
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.
Saint Louis 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 Missouri and California.
Cost of moving from Missouri to California
At about 1,850 miles, full-service movers should land around $8,325 – $11,100 for a two-bedroom home and $9,574 – $12,765 for three bedrooms. Load a container yourself and the two-bedroom figure drops to $5,994 – $7,992; a freight trailer is $3,996 – $5,328.
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $6,244 – $8,325 | $4,496 – $5,994 | $2,997 – $3,996 |
| 1 bedroom | $7,493 – $9,990 | $5,395 – $7,193 | $3,596 – $4,795 |
| 2 bedrooms | $8,325 – $11,100 | $5,994 – $7,992 | $3,996 – $5,328 |
| 3 bedrooms | $9,574 – $12,765 | $6,893 – $9,191 | $4,595 – $6,127 |
| 4 bedrooms | $10,823 – $14,430 | $7,792 – $10,390 | $5,195 – $6,926 |
| 5+ bedrooms | $12,488 – $16,650 | $8,991 – $11,988 | $5,994 – $7,992 |
Transport only, for an estimated 1,850 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 Missouri to California
Every pair of cities we cover in the two states, nearest first. 7 have a full route page with a map, transit and licensed movers.
| Route | Distance | Transit | 2 bedrooms | 3 bedrooms |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas City to San Bernardino | ~1,518 mi | 7–14 days | $6,831 – $9,108 | $7,856 – $10,474 |
| Kansas City to Moreno Valley | ~1,519 mi | 7–14 days | $6,836 – $9,114 | $7,861 – $10,481 |
| Kansas City to Fontana | ~1,529 mi | 7–14 days | $6,881 – $9,174 | $7,913 – $10,550 |
| Kansas City to Riverside | ~1,530 mi | 7–14 days | $6,885 – $9,180 | $7,918 – $10,557 |
| Kansas City to Ontario | ~1,540 mi | 7–14 days | $6,930 – $9,240 | $7,969 – $10,626 |
| Kansas City to Chula Vista | ~1,550 mi | 7–14 days | $6,975 – $9,300 | $8,021 – $10,695 |
| Kansas City to Anaheim | ~1,555 mi | 7–14 days | $6,998 – $9,330 | $8,047 – $10,729 |
| Kansas City to Lancaster | ~1,556 mi | 7–14 days | $7,002 – $9,336 | $8,052 – $10,736 |
| Kansas City to San Diego | ~1,556 mi | 7–14 days | $7,002 – $9,336 | $8,052 – $10,736 |
| Kansas City to Irvine | ~1,561 mi | 7–14 days | $7,025 – $9,366 | $8,078 – $10,771 |
| Kansas City to Santa Ana | ~1,566 mi | 7–14 days | $7,047 – $9,396 | $8,104 – $10,805 |
| Kansas City to Los Angeles | ~1,579 mi | 7–14 days | $7,106 – $9,474 | $8,171 – $10,895 |
| Kansas City to Santa Clarita | ~1,584 mi | 7–14 days | $7,128 – $9,504 | $8,197 – $10,930 |
| Kansas City to Long Beach | ~1,585 mi | 7–14 days | $7,133 – $9,510 | $8,202 – $10,936 |
| Springfield to Moreno Valley | ~1,585 mi | 7–14 days | $7,133 – $9,510 | $8,202 – $10,936 |
| Springfield to San Bernardino | ~1,586 mi | 7–14 days | $7,137 – $9,516 | $8,208 – $10,943 |
| Kansas City to Bakersfield | ~1,593 mi | 7–14 days | $7,169 – $9,558 | $8,244 – $10,992 |
| Springfield to Fontana | ~1,597 mi | 7–14 days | $7,187 – $9,582 | $8,264 – $11,019 |
| Springfield to Riverside | ~1,597 mi | 7–14 days | $7,187 – $9,582 | $8,264 – $11,019 |
| Springfield to Chula Vista | ~1,605 mi | 7–14 days | $7,223 – $9,630 | $8,306 – $11,074 |
| Kansas City to Fresno | ~1,608 mi | 7–14 days | $7,236 – $9,648 | $8,321 – $11,095 |
| Springfield to Ontario | ~1,608 mi | 7–14 days | $7,236 – $9,648 | $8,321 – $11,095 |
| Springfield to San Diego | ~1,612 mi | 7–14 days | $7,254 – $9,672 | $8,342 – $11,123 |
| Springfield to Anaheim | ~1,622 mi | 7–14 days | $7,299 – $9,732 | $8,394 – $11,192 |
| Springfield to Irvine | ~1,627 mi | 7–14 days | $7,322 – $9,762 | $8,420 – $11,226 |
| Springfield to Lancaster | ~1,631 mi | 7–14 days | $7,340 – $9,786 | $8,440 – $11,254 |
| Springfield to Santa Ana | ~1,633 mi | 7–14 days | $7,349 – $9,798 | $8,451 – $11,268 |
| Kansas City to Oxnard | ~1,635 mi | 7–14 days | $7,358 – $9,810 | $8,461 – $11,281 |
| Springfield to Los Angeles | ~1,649 mi | 7–14 days | $7,421 – $9,894 | $8,534 – $11,378 |
| Springfield to Long Beach | ~1,652 mi | 7–14 days | $7,434 – $9,912 | $8,549 – $11,399 |
| Columbia to Moreno Valley | ~1,656 mi | 7–14 days | $7,452 – $9,936 | $8,570 – $11,426 |
| Columbia to San Bernardino | ~1,656 mi | 7–14 days | $7,452 – $9,936 | $8,570 – $11,426 |
| Springfield to Santa Clarita | ~1,657 mi | 7–14 days | $7,457 – $9,942 | $8,575 – $11,433 |
| Columbia to Fontana | ~1,667 mi | 7–14 days | $7,502 – $10,002 | $8,627 – $11,502 |
| Kansas City to Modesto | ~1,667 mi | 7–14 days | $7,502 – $10,002 | $8,627 – $11,502 |
| Columbia to Riverside | ~1,668 mi | 7–14 days | $7,506 – $10,008 | $8,632 – $11,509 |
| Kansas City to Roseville | ~1,670 mi | 7–14 days | $7,515 – $10,020 | $8,642 – $11,523 |
| Springfield to Bakersfield | ~1,674 mi | 7–14 days | $7,533 – $10,044 | $8,663 – $11,551 |
| Columbia to Ontario | ~1,678 mi | 7–14 days | $7,551 – $10,068 | $8,684 – $11,578 |
| Kansas City to Stockton | ~1,681 mi | 7–14 days | $7,565 – $10,086 | $8,699 – $11,599 |
| Kansas City to Sacramento | ~1,683 mi | 7–14 days | $7,574 – $10,098 | $8,710 – $11,613 |
| Columbia to Chula Vista | ~1,685 mi | 7–14 days | $7,583 – $10,110 | $8,720 – $11,626 |
| Columbia to San Diego | ~1,692 mi | 7–14 days | $7,614 – $10,152 | $8,756 – $11,675 |
| Columbia to Anaheim | ~1,693 mi | 7–14 days | $7,619 – $10,158 | $8,761 – $11,682 |
| Columbia to Lancaster | ~1,695 mi | 7–14 days | $7,628 – $10,170 | $8,772 – $11,695 |
| Columbia to Irvine | ~1,699 mi | 7–14 days | $7,646 – $10,194 | $8,792 – $11,723 |
| Springfield to Fresno | ~1,700 mi | 7–14 days | $7,650 – $10,200 | $8,797 – $11,730 |
| Columbia to Santa Ana | ~1,704 mi | 7–14 days | $7,668 – $10,224 | $8,818 – $11,758 |
| Springfield to Oxnard | ~1,707 mi | 7–14 days | $7,682 – $10,242 | $8,834 – $11,778 |
| Columbia to Los Angeles | ~1,717 mi | 7–14 days | $7,727 – $10,302 | $8,885 – $11,847 |
| Columbia to Long Beach | ~1,722 mi | 7–14 days | $7,749 – $10,332 | $8,911 – $11,882 |
| Columbia to Santa Clarita | ~1,723 mi | 7–14 days | $7,754 – $10,338 | $8,917 – $11,889 |
| Kansas City to Fremont | ~1,728 mi | 7–14 days | $7,776 – $10,368 | $8,942 – $11,923 |
| Kansas City to San Jose | ~1,728 mi | 7–14 days | $7,776 – $10,368 | $8,942 – $11,923 |
| Columbia to Bakersfield | ~1,733 mi | 7–14 days | $7,799 – $10,398 | $8,968 – $11,958 |
| Kansas City to Oakland | ~1,744 mi | 7–14 days | $7,848 – $10,464 | $9,025 – $12,034 |
| Columbia to Fresno | ~1,749 mi | 7–14 days | $7,871 – $10,494 | $9,051 – $12,068 |
| Kansas City to San Francisco | ~1,752 mi | 7–14 days | $7,884 – $10,512 | $9,067 – $12,089 |
| Springfield to Modesto | ~1,767 mi | 7–14 days | $7,952 – $10,602 | $9,144 – $12,192 |
| Columbia to Oxnard | ~1,773 mi | 7–14 days | $7,979 – $10,638 | $9,175 – $12,234 |
| Springfield to Roseville | ~1,777 mi | 7–14 days | $7,997 – $10,662 | $9,196 – $12,261 |
| Springfield to Stockton | ~1,783 mi | 7–14 days | $8,024 – $10,698 | $9,227 – $12,303 |
| Saint Louis to Moreno Valley | ~1,788 mi | 7–14 days | $8,046 – $10,728 | $9,253 – $12,337 |
| Saint Louis to San Bernardino | ~1,788 mi | 7–14 days | $8,046 – $10,728 | $9,253 – $12,337 |
| Springfield to Sacramento | ~1,789 mi | 7–14 days | $8,051 – $10,734 | $9,258 – $12,344 |
| Saint Louis to Fontana | ~1,799 mi | 7–14 days | $8,096 – $10,794 | $9,310 – $12,413 |
| Saint Louis to Riverside | ~1,800 mi | 7–14 days | $8,100 – $10,800 | $9,315 – $12,420 |
| Columbia to Modesto | ~1,808 mi | 7–14 days | $8,136 – $10,848 | $9,356 – $12,475 |
| Saint Louis to Ontario | ~1,810 mi | 7–14 days | $8,145 – $10,860 | $9,367 – $12,489 |
| Columbia to Roseville | ~1,811 mi | 7–14 days | $8,150 – $10,866 | $9,372 – $12,496 |
| Saint Louis to Chula Vista | ~1,815 mi | 7–14 days | $8,168 – $10,890 | $9,393 – $12,524 |
| Saint Louis to San Diego | ~1,821 mi | 7–14 days | $8,195 – $10,926 | $9,424 – $12,565 |
| Columbia to Stockton | ~1,822 mi | 7–14 days | $8,199 – $10,932 | $9,429 – $12,572 |
| Columbia to Sacramento | ~1,824 mi | 7–14 days | $8,208 – $10,944 | $9,439 – $12,586 |
| Saint Louis to Anaheim | ~1,825 mi | 7–14 days | $8,213 – $10,950 | $9,444 – $12,593 |
| Springfield to San Jose | ~1,826 mi | 7–14 days | $8,217 – $10,956 | $9,450 – $12,599 |
| Springfield to Fremont | ~1,828 mi | 7–14 days | $8,226 – $10,968 | $9,460 – $12,613 |
| Saint Louis to Lancaster | ~1,829 mi | 7–14 days | $8,231 – $10,974 | $9,465 – $12,620 |
| Saint Louis to Irvine | ~1,831 mi | 7–14 days | $8,240 – $10,986 | $9,475 – $12,634 |
| Saint Louis to Santa Ana | ~1,836 mi | 7–14 days | $8,262 – $11,016 | $9,501 – $12,668 |
| Springfield to Oakland | ~1,845 mi | 7–14 days | $8,303 – $11,070 | $9,548 – $12,731 |
| Saint Louis to Los Angeles | ~1,850 mi | 7–14 days | $8,325 – $11,100 | $9,574 – $12,765 |
| Saint Louis to Long Beach | ~1,854 mi | 7–14 days | $8,343 – $11,124 | $9,594 – $12,793 |
| Springfield to San Francisco | ~1,854 mi | 7–14 days | $8,343 – $11,124 | $9,594 – $12,793 |
| Saint Louis to Santa Clarita | ~1,856 mi | 7–14 days | $8,352 – $11,136 | $9,605 – $12,806 |
| Saint Louis to Bakersfield | ~1,867 mi | 7–14 days | $8,402 – $11,202 | $9,662 – $12,882 |
| Columbia to Fremont | ~1,869 mi | 7–14 days | $8,411 – $11,214 | $9,672 – $12,896 |
| Columbia to San Jose | ~1,869 mi | 7–14 days | $8,411 – $11,214 | $9,672 – $12,896 |
| Columbia to Oakland | ~1,885 mi | 7–14 days | $8,483 – $11,310 | $9,755 – $13,007 |
| Saint Louis to Fresno | ~1,885 mi | 7–14 days | $8,483 – $11,310 | $9,755 – $13,007 |
| Columbia to San Francisco | ~1,893 mi | 7–14 days | $8,519 – $11,358 | $9,796 – $13,062 |
| Saint Louis to Oxnard | ~1,907 mi | 7–14 days | $8,582 – $11,442 | $9,869 – $13,158 |
| Saint Louis to Modesto | ~1,945 mi | 7–14 days | $8,753 – $11,670 | $10,065 – $13,421 |
| Saint Louis to Roseville | ~1,948 mi | 7–14 days | $8,766 – $11,688 | $10,081 – $13,441 |
| Saint Louis to Stockton | ~1,959 mi | 7–14 days | $8,816 – $11,754 | $10,138 – $13,517 |
| Saint Louis to Sacramento | ~1,961 mi | 7–14 days | $8,825 – $11,766 | $10,148 – $13,531 |
| Saint Louis to Fremont | ~2,006 mi | 7–14 days | $9,027 – $12,036 | $10,381 – $13,841 |
| Saint Louis to San Jose | ~2,006 mi | 7–14 days | $9,027 – $12,036 | $10,381 – $13,841 |
| Saint Louis to Oakland | ~2,021 mi | 7–14 days | $9,095 – $12,126 | $10,459 – $13,945 |
| Saint Louis to San Francisco | ~2,030 mi | 7–14 days | $9,135 – $12,180 | $10,505 – $14,007 |
Routes without a link are priced on estimated distance only; the calculator measures the exact drive.
Roadside inspections: interstate movers based in Missouri
51 of the 132 interstate movers listed here had at least one roadside inspection in the 24 months to September 13, 2026, 2,422 inspections in all. Inspectors put the vehicle out of service in 298 of 1,266 vehicle inspections (23.5%), above the 19.0% for listed movers nationally. Drivers were put out of service in 131 of 2,416 driver inspections (5.4%, against 13.0%). 1 carrier has an acute or critical violation found in an FMCSA investigation in the past 12 months.
| Carrier | Inspections | Vehicle out of service | Driver out of service |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Van LinesFenton, MO · USDOT 77949 | 2,112 | 268 of 1,102 | 71 of 2,110 |
| Carlyle Van Lines IncWarrensburg, MO · USDOT 279780 | 78 | 10 of 35 | 5 of 78 |
| Day Transfer Company IncCape Girardeau, MO · USDOT 2441154 | 45 | 11 of 27 | 6 of 45 |
| Modern Piano MovingSullivan, MO · USDOT 454870 | 19 | 0 of 8 | 1 of 19 |
| Pack and Load Moving and Storage LLCSaint Louis, MO · USDOT 4345256 | 15 | 0 of 8 | 7 of 15 |
| All My Sons Moving & Storage of Kansas LLCKansas City, MO · USDOT 1980643 | 11 | 0 of 8 | 0 of 11 |
FMCSA Safety Measurement System carrier summary, 24-month window. How the comparison is calculated.
Licensed movers at both ends
238 listed household-goods carriers are based in Missouri, 132 of them with interstate authority, which this move requires; the Missouri 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 Missouri. The federal rules for the move itself are in who regulates movers and binding vs non-binding estimates.
Other moves from Missouri
Missouri to California moving FAQ
How much does it cost to move from Missouri to California?
Between the two states' main cities, Saint Louis and Los Angeles, the distance is about 1,850 miles. From our model that is $8,325 – $11,100 for a two-bedroom home and $9,574 – $12,765 for three bedrooms with full-service movers, transport only. A container you load yourself is about $5,994 – $7,992 for the two-bedroom home; a freight trailer about $3,996 – $5,328. Across the 100 city pairs we price between Missouri and California, distances run from 1,518 to 2,030 miles, so use the table for your own cities.
How long does a move from Missouri to California take?
Saint Louis to Los Angeles is 4 days on the road (about 34 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 Missouri to California?
Yes. A move from Missouri into California is regulated by the FMCSA, so the carrier needs active interstate operating authority as well as a USDOT number. Of the 238 listed movers based in Missouri, 132 hold that authority; the rest can only move you within Missouri.
What is the cheapest way to move from Missouri to California?
Load a freight trailer yourself: about $3,996 – $5,328 for a two-bedroom home over 1,850 miles against $8,325 – $11,100 with full-service movers. A container, about $5,994 – $7,992, splits the difference and gives you days to load.
How many people move from Missouri to California each year?
The Census Bureau's 2024 American Community Survey estimates about 5,144 people (±1,672) moved from Missouri to California that year, against about 8,786 (±2,191) from California to Missouri. That makes Missouri the 25th-largest source of new residents for California among the states.