Moving from Pennsylvaniato California
An interstate move, so the FMCSA's rules apply from the first quote. Between Philadelphia and Los Angeles it is about 2,785 miles and 6 days on the road (about 51 hours of driving); the 125 city pairs we price between the two states run from 2,423 to 2,934 miles.
Prices from our published model, not quotes. Distances marked ~ are estimated from city coordinates. We do not move anyone.
Philadelphia 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 Pennsylvania and California.
Cost of moving from Pennsylvania to California
At about 2,785 miles, full-service movers should land around $12,533 – $16,710 for a two-bedroom home and $14,412 – $19,216 for three bedrooms. Load a container yourself and the two-bedroom figure drops to $9,023 – $12,031; a freight trailer is $6,016 – $8,021.
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $9,399 – $12,533 | $6,768 – $9,023 | $4,512 – $6,016 |
| 1 bedroom | $11,279 – $15,039 | $8,121 – $10,828 | $5,414 – $7,219 |
| 2 bedrooms | $12,533 – $16,710 | $9,023 – $12,031 | $6,016 – $8,021 |
| 3 bedrooms | $14,412 – $19,216 | $10,377 – $13,836 | $6,918 – $9,224 |
| 4 bedrooms | $16,292 – $21,723 | $11,730 – $15,641 | $7,820 – $10,427 |
| 5+ bedrooms | $18,799 – $25,065 | $13,535 – $18,047 | $9,023 – $12,031 |
Transport only, for an estimated 2,785 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 Pennsylvania to California
Every pair of cities we cover in the two states, nearest first. 77 have a full route page with a map, transit and licensed movers.
| Route | Distance | Transit | 2 bedrooms | 3 bedrooms |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Erie to San Bernardino | ~2,423 mi | 7–14 days | $10,904 – $14,538 | $12,539 – $16,719 |
| Pittsburgh to San Bernardino | ~2,425 mi | 7–14 days | $10,913 – $14,550 | $12,549 – $16,733 |
| Erie to Moreno Valley | ~2,426 mi | 7–14 days | $10,917 – $14,556 | $12,555 – $16,739 |
| Pittsburgh to Moreno Valley | ~2,426 mi | 7–14 days | $10,917 – $14,556 | $12,555 – $16,739 |
| Erie to Fontana | ~2,434 mi | 7–14 days | $10,953 – $14,604 | $12,596 – $16,795 |
| Erie to Riverside | ~2,436 mi | 7–14 days | $10,962 – $14,616 | $12,606 – $16,808 |
| Pittsburgh to Fontana | ~2,436 mi | 7–14 days | $10,962 – $14,616 | $12,606 – $16,808 |
| Pittsburgh to Riverside | ~2,437 mi | 7–14 days | $10,967 – $14,622 | $12,611 – $16,815 |
| Erie to Ontario | ~2,445 mi | 7–14 days | $11,003 – $14,670 | $12,653 – $16,871 |
| Pittsburgh to Ontario | ~2,447 mi | 7–14 days | $11,012 – $14,682 | $12,663 – $16,884 |
| Erie to Lancaster | ~2,456 mi | 7–14 days | $11,052 – $14,736 | $12,710 – $16,946 |
| Pittsburgh to Chula Vista | ~2,458 mi | 7–14 days | $11,061 – $14,748 | $12,720 – $16,960 |
| Erie to Anaheim | ~2,461 mi | 7–14 days | $11,075 – $14,766 | $12,736 – $16,981 |
| Pittsburgh to Anaheim | ~2,462 mi | 7–14 days | $11,079 – $14,772 | $12,741 – $16,988 |
| Pittsburgh to Lancaster | ~2,462 mi | 7–14 days | $11,079 – $14,772 | $12,741 – $16,988 |
| Erie to Chula Vista | ~2,463 mi | 7–14 days | $11,084 – $14,778 | $12,746 – $16,995 |
| Pittsburgh to San Diego | ~2,464 mi | 7–14 days | $11,088 – $14,784 | $12,751 – $17,002 |
| Erie to Irvine | ~2,468 mi | 7–14 days | $11,106 – $14,808 | $12,772 – $17,029 |
| Erie to San Diego | ~2,469 mi | 7–14 days | $11,111 – $14,814 | $12,777 – $17,036 |
| Pittsburgh to Irvine | ~2,469 mi | 7–14 days | $11,111 – $14,814 | $12,777 – $17,036 |
| Erie to Santa Ana | ~2,473 mi | 7–14 days | $11,129 – $14,838 | $12,798 – $17,064 |
| Pittsburgh to Santa Ana | ~2,474 mi | 7–14 days | $11,133 – $14,844 | $12,803 – $17,071 |
| Erie to Los Angeles | ~2,483 mi | 7–14 days | $11,174 – $14,898 | $12,850 – $17,133 |
| Erie to Bakersfield | ~2,485 mi | 7–14 days | $11,183 – $14,910 | $12,860 – $17,147 |
| Erie to Fresno | ~2,485 mi | 7–14 days | $11,183 – $14,910 | $12,860 – $17,147 |
| Erie to Santa Clarita | ~2,485 mi | 7–14 days | $11,183 – $14,910 | $12,860 – $17,147 |
| Pittsburgh to Los Angeles | ~2,486 mi | 7–14 days | $11,187 – $14,916 | $12,865 – $17,153 |
| Erie to Long Beach | ~2,490 mi | 7–14 days | $11,205 – $14,940 | $12,886 – $17,181 |
| Pittsburgh to Santa Clarita | ~2,490 mi | 7–14 days | $11,205 – $14,940 | $12,886 – $17,181 |
| Pittsburgh to Long Beach | ~2,492 mi | 7–14 days | $11,214 – $14,952 | $12,896 – $17,195 |
| Pittsburgh to Bakersfield | ~2,495 mi | 7–14 days | $11,228 – $14,970 | $12,912 – $17,216 |
| Pittsburgh to Fresno | ~2,502 mi | 7–14 days | $11,259 – $15,012 | $12,948 – $17,264 |
| Erie to Roseville | ~2,518 mi | 7–14 days | $11,331 – $15,108 | $13,031 – $17,374 |
| Erie to Modesto | ~2,531 mi | 7–14 days | $11,390 – $15,186 | $13,098 – $17,464 |
| Erie to Sacramento | ~2,533 mi | 7–14 days | $11,399 – $15,198 | $13,108 – $17,478 |
| Erie to Oxnard | ~2,535 mi | 7–14 days | $11,408 – $15,210 | $13,119 – $17,492 |
| Erie to Stockton | ~2,539 mi | 7–14 days | $11,426 – $15,234 | $13,139 – $17,519 |
| Pittsburgh to Oxnard | ~2,540 mi | 7–14 days | $11,430 – $15,240 | $13,145 – $17,526 |
| Pittsburgh to Roseville | ~2,545 mi | 7–14 days | $11,453 – $15,270 | $13,170 – $17,561 |
| Pittsburgh to Modesto | ~2,553 mi | 7–14 days | $11,489 – $15,318 | $13,212 – $17,616 |
| Pittsburgh to Sacramento | ~2,559 mi | 7–14 days | $11,516 – $15,354 | $13,243 – $17,657 |
| Pittsburgh to Stockton | ~2,563 mi | 7–14 days | $11,534 – $15,378 | $13,264 – $17,685 |
| Erie to Fremont | ~2,591 mi | 7–14 days | $11,660 – $15,546 | $13,408 – $17,878 |
| Erie to San Jose | ~2,593 mi | 7–14 days | $11,669 – $15,558 | $13,419 – $17,892 |
| Erie to Oakland | ~2,601 mi | 7–14 days | $11,705 – $15,606 | $13,460 – $17,947 |
| Erie to San Francisco | ~2,610 mi | 7–14 days | $11,745 – $15,660 | $13,507 – $18,009 |
| Pittsburgh to Fremont | ~2,613 mi | 7–14 days | $11,759 – $15,678 | $13,522 – $18,030 |
| Pittsburgh to San Jose | ~2,614 mi | 7–14 days | $11,763 – $15,684 | $13,527 – $18,037 |
| Harrisburg to San Bernardino | ~2,616 mi | 7–14 days | $11,772 – $15,696 | $13,538 – $18,050 |
| Harrisburg to Moreno Valley | ~2,618 mi | 7–14 days | $11,781 – $15,708 | $13,548 – $18,064 |
| Pittsburgh to Oakland | ~2,625 mi | 7–14 days | $11,813 – $15,750 | $13,584 – $18,112 |
| Harrisburg to Fontana | ~2,628 mi | 7–14 days | $11,826 – $15,768 | $13,600 – $18,133 |
| Harrisburg to Riverside | ~2,629 mi | 7–14 days | $11,831 – $15,774 | $13,605 – $18,140 |
| Pittsburgh to San Francisco | ~2,634 mi | 7–14 days | $11,853 – $15,804 | $13,631 – $18,175 |
| Harrisburg to Ontario | ~2,639 mi | 7–14 days | $11,876 – $15,834 | $13,657 – $18,209 |
| Harrisburg to Chula Vista | ~2,649 mi | 7–14 days | $11,921 – $15,894 | $13,709 – $18,278 |
| Harrisburg to Lancaster | ~2,653 mi | 7–14 days | $11,939 – $15,918 | $13,729 – $18,306 |
| Harrisburg to Anaheim | ~2,654 mi | 7–14 days | $11,943 – $15,924 | $13,734 – $18,313 |
| Harrisburg to San Diego | ~2,655 mi | 7–14 days | $11,948 – $15,930 | $13,740 – $18,319 |
| Harrisburg to Irvine | ~2,660 mi | 7–14 days | $11,970 – $15,960 | $13,765 – $18,354 |
| Harrisburg to Santa Ana | ~2,665 mi | 7–14 days | $11,993 – $15,990 | $13,791 – $18,388 |
| Harrisburg to Los Angeles | ~2,677 mi | 7–14 days | $12,047 – $16,062 | $13,853 – $18,471 |
| Harrisburg to Santa Clarita | ~2,682 mi | 7–14 days | $12,069 – $16,092 | $13,879 – $18,506 |
| Harrisburg to Long Beach | ~2,683 mi | 7–14 days | $12,074 – $16,098 | $13,885 – $18,513 |
| Harrisburg to Bakersfield | ~2,686 mi | 7–14 days | $12,087 – $16,116 | $13,900 – $18,533 |
| Harrisburg to Fresno | ~2,693 mi | 7–14 days | $12,119 – $16,158 | $13,936 – $18,582 |
| Allentown to San Bernardino | ~2,702 mi | 7–14 days | $12,159 – $16,212 | $13,983 – $18,644 |
| Allentown to Moreno Valley | ~2,703 mi | 7–14 days | $12,164 – $16,218 | $13,988 – $18,651 |
| Allentown to Fontana | ~2,713 mi | 7–14 days | $12,209 – $16,278 | $14,040 – $18,720 |
| Allentown to Riverside | ~2,714 mi | 7–14 days | $12,213 – $16,284 | $14,045 – $18,727 |
| Allentown to Ontario | ~2,724 mi | 7–14 days | $12,258 – $16,344 | $14,097 – $18,796 |
| Philadelphia to San Bernardino | ~2,724 mi | 7–14 days | $12,258 – $16,344 | $14,097 – $18,796 |
| Philadelphia to Moreno Valley | ~2,725 mi | 7–14 days | $12,263 – $16,350 | $14,102 – $18,802 |
| Harrisburg to Oxnard | ~2,732 mi | 7–14 days | $12,294 – $16,392 | $14,138 – $18,851 |
| Allentown to Chula Vista | ~2,735 mi | 7–14 days | $12,308 – $16,410 | $14,154 – $18,871 |
| Harrisburg to Roseville | ~2,735 mi | 7–14 days | $12,308 – $16,410 | $14,154 – $18,871 |
| Philadelphia to Fontana | ~2,735 mi | 7–14 days | $12,308 – $16,410 | $14,154 – $18,871 |
| Philadelphia to Riverside | ~2,736 mi | 7–14 days | $12,312 – $16,416 | $14,159 – $18,878 |
| Allentown to Lancaster | ~2,738 mi | 7–14 days | $12,321 – $16,428 | $14,169 – $18,892 |
| Allentown to Anaheim | ~2,739 mi | 7–14 days | $12,326 – $16,434 | $14,174 – $18,899 |
| Allentown to San Diego | ~2,742 mi | 7–14 days | $12,339 – $16,452 | $14,190 – $18,920 |
| Harrisburg to Modesto | ~2,744 mi | 7–14 days | $12,348 – $16,464 | $14,200 – $18,934 |
| Allentown to Irvine | ~2,746 mi | 7–14 days | $12,357 – $16,476 | $14,211 – $18,947 |
| Philadelphia to Ontario | ~2,746 mi | 7–14 days | $12,357 – $16,476 | $14,211 – $18,947 |
| Harrisburg to Sacramento | ~2,750 mi | 7–14 days | $12,375 – $16,500 | $14,231 – $18,975 |
| Allentown to Santa Ana | ~2,751 mi | 7–14 days | $12,380 – $16,506 | $14,236 – $18,982 |
| Harrisburg to Stockton | ~2,753 mi | 7–14 days | $12,389 – $16,518 | $14,247 – $18,996 |
| Philadelphia to Chula Vista | ~2,755 mi | 7–14 days | $12,398 – $16,530 | $14,257 – $19,009 |
| Philadelphia to Anaheim | ~2,761 mi | 7–14 days | $12,425 – $16,566 | $14,288 – $19,051 |
| Philadelphia to Lancaster | ~2,761 mi | 7–14 days | $12,425 – $16,566 | $14,288 – $19,051 |
| Philadelphia to San Diego | ~2,761 mi | 7–14 days | $12,425 – $16,566 | $14,288 – $19,051 |
| Allentown to Los Angeles | ~2,763 mi | 7–14 days | $12,434 – $16,578 | $14,299 – $19,065 |
| Allentown to Santa Clarita | ~2,767 mi | 7–14 days | $12,452 – $16,602 | $14,319 – $19,092 |
| Philadelphia to Irvine | ~2,767 mi | 7–14 days | $12,452 – $16,602 | $14,319 – $19,092 |
| Allentown to Long Beach | ~2,769 mi | 7–14 days | $12,461 – $16,614 | $14,330 – $19,106 |
| Allentown to Bakersfield | ~2,770 mi | 7–14 days | $12,465 – $16,620 | $14,335 – $19,113 |
| Philadelphia to Santa Ana | ~2,772 mi | 7–14 days | $12,474 – $16,632 | $14,345 – $19,127 |
| Allentown to Fresno | ~2,775 mi | 7–14 days | $12,488 – $16,650 | $14,361 – $19,147 |
| Philadelphia to Los Angeles | ~2,785 mi | 7–14 days | $12,533 – $16,710 | $14,412 – $19,216 |
| Philadelphia to Santa Clarita | ~2,789 mi | 7–14 days | $12,551 – $16,734 | $14,433 – $19,244 |
| Philadelphia to Long Beach | ~2,790 mi | 7–14 days | $12,555 – $16,740 | $14,438 – $19,251 |
| Philadelphia to Bakersfield | ~2,795 mi | 7–14 days | $12,578 – $16,770 | $14,464 – $19,285 |
| Philadelphia to Fresno | ~2,802 mi | 7–14 days | $12,609 – $16,812 | $14,500 – $19,334 |
| Harrisburg to Fremont | ~2,804 mi | 7–14 days | $12,618 – $16,824 | $14,511 – $19,348 |
| Harrisburg to San Jose | ~2,805 mi | 7–14 days | $12,623 – $16,830 | $14,516 – $19,354 |
| Allentown to Roseville | ~2,814 mi | 7–14 days | $12,663 – $16,884 | $14,562 – $19,417 |
| Harrisburg to Oakland | ~2,816 mi | 7–14 days | $12,672 – $16,896 | $14,573 – $19,430 |
| Allentown to Oxnard | ~2,817 mi | 7–14 days | $12,677 – $16,902 | $14,578 – $19,437 |
| Allentown to Modesto | ~2,824 mi | 7–14 days | $12,708 – $16,944 | $14,614 – $19,486 |
| Harrisburg to San Francisco | ~2,825 mi | 7–14 days | $12,713 – $16,950 | $14,619 – $19,492 |
| Allentown to Sacramento | ~2,829 mi | 7–14 days | $12,731 – $16,974 | $14,640 – $19,520 |
| Allentown to Stockton | ~2,834 mi | 7–14 days | $12,753 – $17,004 | $14,666 – $19,555 |
| Philadelphia to Oxnard | ~2,840 mi | 7–14 days | $12,780 – $17,040 | $14,697 – $19,596 |
| Philadelphia to Roseville | ~2,844 mi | 7–14 days | $12,798 – $17,064 | $14,718 – $19,624 |
| Philadelphia to Modesto | ~2,853 mi | 7–14 days | $12,839 – $17,118 | $14,764 – $19,686 |
| Philadelphia to Sacramento | ~2,859 mi | 7–14 days | $12,866 – $17,154 | $14,795 – $19,727 |
| Philadelphia to Stockton | ~2,863 mi | 7–14 days | $12,884 – $17,178 | $14,816 – $19,755 |
| Allentown to Fremont | ~2,884 mi | 7–14 days | $12,978 – $17,304 | $14,925 – $19,900 |
| Allentown to San Jose | ~2,886 mi | 7–14 days | $12,987 – $17,316 | $14,935 – $19,913 |
| Allentown to Oakland | ~2,896 mi | 7–14 days | $13,032 – $17,376 | $14,987 – $19,982 |
| Allentown to San Francisco | ~2,905 mi | 7–14 days | $13,073 – $17,430 | $15,033 – $20,044 |
| Philadelphia to Fremont | ~2,913 mi | 7–14 days | $13,109 – $17,478 | $15,075 – $20,100 |
| Philadelphia to San Jose | ~2,914 mi | 7–14 days | $13,113 – $17,484 | $15,080 – $20,107 |
| Philadelphia to Oakland | ~2,925 mi | 7–14 days | $13,163 – $17,550 | $15,137 – $20,182 |
| Philadelphia to San Francisco | ~2,934 mi | 7–14 days | $13,203 – $17,604 | $15,183 – $20,245 |
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 2,785 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 Pennsylvania
363 household-goods carriers in Pennsylvania are active on the FMCSA register. The largest with interstate authority, by registered fleet:
- South Hills Movers Inc, Bethel Park · USDOT 98045 · 42 trucks
- Weleski Transfer Inc, Tarentum · USDOT 681016 · 36 trucks
- George Moving & Storage Inc, Freedom · USDOT 880213 · 32 trucks
- Parks Moving & Storage Inc, Warrendale · USDOT 46028 · 31 trucks
- Lytle'S Transfer & Storage Inc, Tipton · USDOT 120958 · 29 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 | $12,533 – $16,710 | $15,666 – $20,888 |
| 3 bedrooms | $14,412 – $19,216 | $18,015 – $24,020 |
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 Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania to California moving FAQ
How much does it cost to move from Pennsylvania to California?
Between the two states' main cities, Philadelphia and Los Angeles, the distance is about 2,785 miles. From our model that is $12,533 – $16,710 for a two-bedroom home and $14,412 – $19,216 for three bedrooms with full-service movers, transport only. A container you load yourself is about $9,023 – $12,031 for the two-bedroom home; a freight trailer about $6,016 – $8,021. Across the 125 city pairs we price between Pennsylvania and California, distances run from 2,423 to 2,934 miles, so use the table for your own cities.
How long does a move from Pennsylvania to California take?
Philadelphia to Los Angeles is 6 days on the road (about 51 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 Pennsylvania to California?
Yes. Any move that crosses from Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania to California?
Load a freight trailer yourself: about $6,016 – $8,021 for a two-bedroom home over 2,785 miles against $12,533 – $16,710 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 $18,015 – $24,020 rather than $14,412 – $19,216.