Moving from New Jerseyto California
An interstate move, so the FMCSA's rules apply from the first quote. Between Newark and Los Angeles it is about 2,841 miles and 6 days on the road (about 52 hours of driving); the 75 city pairs we price between the two states run from 2,780 to 2,988 miles.
Prices from our published model, not quotes. Distances marked ~ are estimated from city coordinates. We do not move anyone.
Newark 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 New Jersey and California.
Cost of moving from New Jersey to California
At about 2,841 miles, full-service movers should land around $12,785 – $17,046 for a two-bedroom home and $14,702 – $19,603 for three bedrooms. Load a container yourself and the two-bedroom figure drops to $9,205 – $12,273; a freight trailer is $6,137 – $8,182.
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $9,588 – $12,785 | $6,904 – $9,205 | $4,602 – $6,137 |
| 1 bedroom | $11,506 – $15,341 | $8,284 – $11,046 | $5,523 – $7,364 |
| 2 bedrooms | $12,785 – $17,046 | $9,205 – $12,273 | $6,137 – $8,182 |
| 3 bedrooms | $14,702 – $19,603 | $10,586 – $14,114 | $7,057 – $9,409 |
| 4 bedrooms | $16,620 – $22,160 | $11,966 – $15,955 | $7,978 – $10,637 |
| 5+ bedrooms | $19,177 – $25,569 | $13,807 – $18,410 | $9,205 – $12,273 |
Transport only, for an estimated 2,841 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 New Jersey 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paterson to San Bernardino | ~2,780 mi | 7–14 days | $12,510 – $16,680 | $14,386 – $19,182 |
| Newark to San Bernardino | ~2,781 mi | 7–14 days | $12,515 – $16,686 | $14,392 – $19,189 |
| Newark to Moreno Valley | ~2,782 mi | 7–14 days | $12,519 – $16,692 | $14,397 – $19,196 |
| Paterson to Moreno Valley | ~2,782 mi | 7–14 days | $12,519 – $16,692 | $14,397 – $19,196 |
| Jersey City to San Bernardino | ~2,788 mi | 7–14 days | $12,546 – $16,728 | $14,428 – $19,237 |
| Jersey City to Moreno Valley | ~2,790 mi | 7–14 days | $12,555 – $16,740 | $14,438 – $19,251 |
| Paterson to Fontana | ~2,791 mi | 7–14 days | $12,560 – $16,746 | $14,443 – $19,258 |
| Newark to Fontana | ~2,792 mi | 7–14 days | $12,564 – $16,752 | $14,449 – $19,265 |
| Newark to Riverside | ~2,793 mi | 7–14 days | $12,569 – $16,758 | $14,454 – $19,272 |
| Paterson to Riverside | ~2,793 mi | 7–14 days | $12,569 – $16,758 | $14,454 – $19,272 |
| Jersey City to Fontana | ~2,800 mi | 7–14 days | $12,600 – $16,800 | $14,490 – $19,320 |
| Jersey City to Riverside | ~2,801 mi | 7–14 days | $12,605 – $16,806 | $14,495 – $19,327 |
| Paterson to Ontario | ~2,802 mi | 7–14 days | $12,609 – $16,812 | $14,500 – $19,334 |
| Newark to Ontario | ~2,803 mi | 7–14 days | $12,614 – $16,818 | $14,506 – $19,341 |
| Jersey City to Ontario | ~2,810 mi | 7–14 days | $12,645 – $16,860 | $14,542 – $19,389 |
| Newark to Chula Vista | ~2,815 mi | 7–14 days | $12,668 – $16,890 | $14,568 – $19,423 |
| Paterson to Chula Vista | ~2,815 mi | 7–14 days | $12,668 – $16,890 | $14,568 – $19,423 |
| Paterson to Lancaster | ~2,815 mi | 7–14 days | $12,668 – $16,890 | $14,568 – $19,423 |
| Newark to Lancaster | ~2,816 mi | 7–14 days | $12,672 – $16,896 | $14,573 – $19,430 |
| Newark to Anaheim | ~2,818 mi | 7–14 days | $12,681 – $16,908 | $14,583 – $19,444 |
| Paterson to Anaheim | ~2,818 mi | 7–14 days | $12,681 – $16,908 | $14,583 – $19,444 |
| Newark to San Diego | ~2,821 mi | 7–14 days | $12,695 – $16,926 | $14,599 – $19,465 |
| Paterson to San Diego | ~2,821 mi | 7–14 days | $12,695 – $16,926 | $14,599 – $19,465 |
| Jersey City to Chula Vista | ~2,822 mi | 7–14 days | $12,699 – $16,932 | $14,604 – $19,472 |
| Jersey City to Lancaster | ~2,824 mi | 7–14 days | $12,708 – $16,944 | $14,614 – $19,486 |
| Paterson to Irvine | ~2,824 mi | 7–14 days | $12,708 – $16,944 | $14,614 – $19,486 |
| Newark to Irvine | ~2,825 mi | 7–14 days | $12,713 – $16,950 | $14,619 – $19,492 |
| Jersey City to Anaheim | ~2,826 mi | 7–14 days | $12,717 – $16,956 | $14,625 – $19,499 |
| Jersey City to San Diego | ~2,828 mi | 7–14 days | $12,726 – $16,968 | $14,635 – $19,513 |
| Paterson to Santa Ana | ~2,829 mi | 7–14 days | $12,731 – $16,974 | $14,640 – $19,520 |
| Newark to Santa Ana | ~2,830 mi | 7–14 days | $12,735 – $16,980 | $14,645 – $19,527 |
| Jersey City to Irvine | ~2,833 mi | 7–14 days | $12,749 – $16,998 | $14,661 – $19,548 |
| Jersey City to Santa Ana | ~2,837 mi | 7–14 days | $12,767 – $17,022 | $14,681 – $19,575 |
| Paterson to Los Angeles | ~2,840 mi | 7–14 days | $12,780 – $17,040 | $14,697 – $19,596 |
| Newark to Los Angeles | ~2,841 mi | 7–14 days | $12,785 – $17,046 | $14,702 – $19,603 |
| Paterson to Santa Clarita | ~2,844 mi | 7–14 days | $12,798 – $17,064 | $14,718 – $19,624 |
| Newark to Santa Clarita | ~2,845 mi | 7–14 days | $12,803 – $17,070 | $14,723 – $19,630 |
| Paterson to Bakersfield | ~2,847 mi | 7–14 days | $12,812 – $17,082 | $14,733 – $19,644 |
| Paterson to Long Beach | ~2,847 mi | 7–14 days | $12,812 – $17,082 | $14,733 – $19,644 |
| Newark to Bakersfield | ~2,848 mi | 7–14 days | $12,816 – $17,088 | $14,738 – $19,651 |
| Newark to Long Beach | ~2,848 mi | 7–14 days | $12,816 – $17,088 | $14,738 – $19,651 |
| Jersey City to Los Angeles | ~2,849 mi | 7–14 days | $12,821 – $17,094 | $14,744 – $19,658 |
| Paterson to Fresno | ~2,850 mi | 7–14 days | $12,825 – $17,100 | $14,749 – $19,665 |
| Newark to Fresno | ~2,852 mi | 7–14 days | $12,834 – $17,112 | $14,759 – $19,679 |
| Jersey City to Santa Clarita | ~2,853 mi | 7–14 days | $12,839 – $17,118 | $14,764 – $19,686 |
| Jersey City to Long Beach | ~2,855 mi | 7–14 days | $12,848 – $17,130 | $14,775 – $19,699 |
| Jersey City to Bakersfield | ~2,856 mi | 7–14 days | $12,852 – $17,136 | $14,780 – $19,706 |
| Jersey City to Fresno | ~2,860 mi | 7–14 days | $12,870 – $17,160 | $14,800 – $19,734 |
| Paterson to Roseville | ~2,886 mi | 7–14 days | $12,987 – $17,316 | $14,935 – $19,913 |
| Newark to Roseville | ~2,889 mi | 7–14 days | $13,001 – $17,334 | $14,951 – $19,934 |
| Paterson to Oxnard | ~2,894 mi | 7–14 days | $13,023 – $17,364 | $14,976 – $19,969 |
| Newark to Oxnard | ~2,895 mi | 7–14 days | $13,028 – $17,370 | $14,982 – $19,975 |
| Jersey City to Roseville | ~2,897 mi | 7–14 days | $13,037 – $17,382 | $14,992 – $19,989 |
| Paterson to Modesto | ~2,898 mi | 7–14 days | $13,041 – $17,388 | $14,997 – $19,996 |
| Newark to Modesto | ~2,900 mi | 7–14 days | $13,050 – $17,400 | $15,007 – $20,010 |
| Paterson to Sacramento | ~2,901 mi | 7–14 days | $13,055 – $17,406 | $15,013 – $20,017 |
| Jersey City to Oxnard | ~2,903 mi | 7–14 days | $13,064 – $17,418 | $15,023 – $20,031 |
| Newark to Sacramento | ~2,904 mi | 7–14 days | $13,068 – $17,424 | $15,028 – $20,038 |
| Paterson to Stockton | ~2,907 mi | 7–14 days | $13,082 – $17,442 | $15,044 – $20,058 |
| Jersey City to Modesto | ~2,908 mi | 7–14 days | $13,086 – $17,448 | $15,049 – $20,065 |
| Newark to Stockton | ~2,909 mi | 7–14 days | $13,091 – $17,454 | $15,054 – $20,072 |
| Jersey City to Sacramento | ~2,912 mi | 7–14 days | $13,104 – $17,472 | $15,070 – $20,093 |
| Jersey City to Stockton | ~2,917 mi | 7–14 days | $13,127 – $17,502 | $15,095 – $20,127 |
| Paterson to Fremont | ~2,958 mi | 7–14 days | $13,311 – $17,748 | $15,308 – $20,410 |
| Paterson to San Jose | ~2,959 mi | 7–14 days | $13,316 – $17,754 | $15,313 – $20,417 |
| Newark to Fremont | ~2,960 mi | 7–14 days | $13,320 – $17,760 | $15,318 – $20,424 |
| Newark to San Jose | ~2,962 mi | 7–14 days | $13,329 – $17,772 | $15,328 – $20,438 |
| Jersey City to Fremont | ~2,968 mi | 7–14 days | $13,356 – $17,808 | $15,359 – $20,479 |
| Paterson to Oakland | ~2,969 mi | 7–14 days | $13,361 – $17,814 | $15,365 – $20,486 |
| Jersey City to San Jose | ~2,970 mi | 7–14 days | $13,365 – $17,820 | $15,370 – $20,493 |
| Newark to Oakland | ~2,972 mi | 7–14 days | $13,374 – $17,832 | $15,380 – $20,507 |
| Paterson to San Francisco | ~2,977 mi | 7–14 days | $13,397 – $17,862 | $15,406 – $20,541 |
| Jersey City to Oakland | ~2,979 mi | 7–14 days | $13,406 – $17,874 | $15,416 – $20,555 |
| Newark to San Francisco | ~2,980 mi | 7–14 days | $13,410 – $17,880 | $15,421 – $20,562 |
| Jersey City to San Francisco | ~2,988 mi | 7–14 days | $13,446 – $17,928 | $15,463 – $20,617 |
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 2,841 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 New Jersey
589 household-goods carriers in New Jersey are active on the FMCSA register. The largest with interstate authority, by registered fleet:
- Flower Transfer Logistics, Sewell · USDOT 346532 · 134 trucks
- Budd Van Lines Inc, Somerset · USDOT 185771 · 124 trucks
- Great Moving & Storage Inc, South Plainfiel · USDOT 3547419 · 70 trucks
- Arena Van Lines Inc, Piscataway · USDOT 3249356 · 29 trucks
- All American Moving & Storage Inc, North Bergen · USDOT 585130 · 22 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 | $12,785 – $17,046 | $15,981 – $21,308 |
| 3 bedrooms | $14,702 – $19,603 | $18,378 – $24,504 |
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 New Jersey
New Jersey to California moving FAQ
How much does it cost to move from New Jersey to California?
Between the two states' main cities, Newark and Los Angeles, the distance is about 2,841 miles. From our model that is $12,785 – $17,046 for a two-bedroom home and $14,702 – $19,603 for three bedrooms with full-service movers, transport only. A container you load yourself is about $9,205 – $12,273 for the two-bedroom home; a freight trailer about $6,137 – $8,182. Across the 75 city pairs we price between New Jersey and California, distances run from 2,780 to 2,988 miles, so use the table for your own cities.
How long does a move from New Jersey to California take?
Newark to Los Angeles is 6 days on the road (about 52 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 New Jersey to California?
Yes. Any move that crosses from New Jersey 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 New Jersey to California?
Load a freight trailer yourself: about $6,137 – $8,182 for a two-bedroom home over 2,841 miles against $12,785 – $17,046 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 $18,378 – $24,504 rather than $14,702 – $19,603.