Moving from Pennsylvania to 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 (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.
- ~2,785 miPhiladelphia → Los Angeles
- 7–14 daysTypical transit
- $12,533+2-bedroom, movers
- 125City routes priced
In short
About 9,266 people moved from Pennsylvania to California in 2024 (Census estimate, ±2,532), and about 10,777 went the other way. Between Philadelphia and Los Angeles it is about 2,785 miles; a two-bedroom move with full-service movers runs $12,533 – $16,710 in our model, delivered in 7–14 days. 223 movers based in Pennsylvania hold interstate authority.
Who moves from Pennsylvania to California
The Census Bureau's 2024 survey puts the flow at about 9,266 people a year (±2,532), against about 10,777 (±2,315) from California to Pennsylvania, so California loses about 1,511 people a year on this exchange. Pennsylvania is the 14th-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 |
|---|---|---|
| Allegheny County | Santa Clara County | 1,012 ±360 |
| Philadelphia County | Los Angeles County | 967 ±310 |
| Allegheny County | Los Angeles County | 584 ±226 |
| Philadelphia County | San Diego County | 380 ±175 |
| Montgomery County | Los Angeles County | 370 ±281 |
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.
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. 20 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.
Roadside inspections: interstate movers based in Pennsylvania
139 of the 223 interstate movers listed here had at least one roadside inspection in the 24 months to September 13, 2026, 783 inspections in all. Inspectors put the vehicle out of service in 63 of 422 vehicle inspections (14.9%), below the 19.0% for listed movers nationally. Drivers were put out of service in 130 of 783 driver inspections (16.6%, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forest Hills Transfer & Storage IncGreensburg, PA · USDOT 85531 | 35 | 3 of 20 | 0 of 35 |
| J Cawley Moving LLCHanover Township, PA · USDOT 2117707 | 28 | 0 of 21 | 1 of 28 |
| Bright Eye Movers and Cleaners LLCCamp Hill, PA · USDOT 3597545 | 27 | 5 of 15 | 17 of 27 |
| Superior Moving & Storage IncPhiladelphia, PA · USDOT 390115 | 26 | 2 of 14 | 4 of 26 |
| South Hills Movers IncBethel Park, PA · USDOT 98045 | 26 | 0 of 4 | 1 of 26 |
| We-Haul Moving LLCBethlehem, PA · USDOT 967376 | 25 | 2 of 12 | 2 of 25 |
FMCSA Safety Measurement System carrier summary, 24-month window. How the comparison is calculated.
Licensed movers at both ends
355 listed household-goods carriers are based in Pennsylvania, 223 of them with interstate authority, which this move requires; the Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania. The federal rules for the move itself are in who regulates movers and binding vs non-binding estimates.
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. A move from Pennsylvania into California is regulated by the FMCSA, so the carrier needs active interstate operating authority as well as a USDOT number. Of the 355 listed movers based in Pennsylvania, 223 hold that authority; the rest can only move you within Pennsylvania.
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, about $9,023 – $12,031, splits the difference and gives you days to load.
How many people move from Pennsylvania to California each year?
The Census Bureau's 2024 American Community Survey estimates about 9,266 people (±2,532) moved from Pennsylvania to California that year, against about 10,777 (±2,315) from California to Pennsylvania. That makes Pennsylvania the 14th-largest source of new residents for California among the states.