Moving from Tennesseeto California
An interstate move, so the FMCSA's rules apply from the first quote. Between Nashville and Los Angeles it is about 2,072 miles and 5 days on the road (about 38 hours of driving); the 100 city pairs we price between the two states run from 1,799 to 2,467 miles.
Prices from our published model, not quotes. Distances marked ~ are estimated from city coordinates. We do not move anyone.
Nashville 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 Tennessee and California.
Cost of moving from Tennessee to California
At about 2,072 miles, full-service movers should land around $9,324 – $12,432 for a two-bedroom home and $10,723 – $14,297 for three bedrooms. Load a container yourself and the two-bedroom figure drops to $6,713 – $8,951; a freight trailer is $4,476 – $5,967.
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $6,993 – $9,324 | $5,035 – $6,713 | $3,357 – $4,476 |
| 1 bedroom | $8,392 – $11,189 | $6,042 – $8,056 | $4,028 – $5,371 |
| 2 bedrooms | $9,324 – $12,432 | $6,713 – $8,951 | $4,476 – $5,967 |
| 3 bedrooms | $10,723 – $14,297 | $7,720 – $10,294 | $5,147 – $6,862 |
| 4 bedrooms | $12,121 – $16,162 | $8,727 – $11,636 | $5,818 – $7,758 |
| 5+ bedrooms | $13,986 – $18,648 | $10,070 – $13,427 | $6,713 – $8,951 |
Transport only, for an estimated 2,072 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 Tennessee to California
Every pair of cities we cover in the two states, nearest first. 100 have a full route page with a map, transit and licensed movers.
| Route | Distance | Transit | 2 bedrooms | 3 bedrooms |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Memphis to Moreno Valley | ~1,799 mi | 7–14 days | $8,096 – $10,794 | $9,310 – $12,413 |
| Memphis to San Bernardino | ~1,802 mi | 7–14 days | $8,109 – $10,812 | $9,325 – $12,434 |
| Memphis to Chula Vista | ~1,809 mi | 7–14 days | $8,141 – $10,854 | $9,362 – $12,482 |
| Memphis to Riverside | ~1,811 mi | 7–14 days | $8,150 – $10,866 | $9,372 – $12,496 |
| Memphis to Fontana | ~1,813 mi | 7–14 days | $8,159 – $10,878 | $9,382 – $12,510 |
| Memphis to San Diego | ~1,817 mi | 7–14 days | $8,177 – $10,902 | $9,403 – $12,537 |
| Memphis to Ontario | ~1,824 mi | 7–14 days | $8,208 – $10,944 | $9,439 – $12,586 |
| Memphis to Anaheim | ~1,837 mi | 7–14 days | $8,267 – $11,022 | $9,506 – $12,675 |
| Memphis to Irvine | ~1,840 mi | 7–14 days | $8,280 – $11,040 | $9,522 – $12,696 |
| Memphis to Santa Ana | ~1,847 mi | 7–14 days | $8,312 – $11,082 | $9,558 – $12,744 |
| Memphis to Lancaster | ~1,852 mi | 7–14 days | $8,334 – $11,112 | $9,584 – $12,779 |
| Memphis to Los Angeles | ~1,865 mi | 7–14 days | $8,393 – $11,190 | $9,651 – $12,869 |
| Memphis to Long Beach | ~1,866 mi | 7–14 days | $8,397 – $11,196 | $9,657 – $12,875 |
| Memphis to Santa Clarita | ~1,877 mi | 7–14 days | $8,447 – $11,262 | $9,713 – $12,951 |
| Memphis to Bakersfield | ~1,900 mi | 7–14 days | $8,550 – $11,400 | $9,833 – $13,110 |
| Memphis to Oxnard | ~1,926 mi | 7–14 days | $8,667 – $11,556 | $9,967 – $13,289 |
| Memphis to Fresno | ~1,936 mi | 7–14 days | $8,712 – $11,616 | $10,019 – $13,358 |
| Nashville to Moreno Valley | ~2,007 mi | 7–14 days | $9,032 – $12,042 | $10,386 – $13,848 |
| Memphis to Modesto | ~2,008 mi | 7–14 days | $9,036 – $12,048 | $10,391 – $13,855 |
| Nashville to San Bernardino | ~2,009 mi | 7–14 days | $9,041 – $12,054 | $10,397 – $13,862 |
| Nashville to Riverside | ~2,019 mi | 7–14 days | $9,086 – $12,114 | $10,448 – $13,931 |
| Nashville to Fontana | ~2,020 mi | 7–14 days | $9,090 – $12,120 | $10,454 – $13,938 |
| Nashville to Chula Vista | ~2,022 mi | 7–14 days | $9,099 – $12,132 | $10,464 – $13,952 |
| Memphis to Roseville | ~2,024 mi | 7–14 days | $9,108 – $12,144 | $10,474 – $13,966 |
| Memphis to Stockton | ~2,026 mi | 7–14 days | $9,117 – $12,156 | $10,485 – $13,979 |
| Nashville to San Diego | ~2,030 mi | 7–14 days | $9,135 – $12,180 | $10,505 – $14,007 |
| Nashville to Ontario | ~2,031 mi | 7–14 days | $9,140 – $12,186 | $10,510 – $14,014 |
| Memphis to Sacramento | ~2,035 mi | 7–14 days | $9,158 – $12,210 | $10,531 – $14,042 |
| Nashville to Anaheim | ~2,044 mi | 7–14 days | $9,198 – $12,264 | $10,578 – $14,104 |
| Nashville to Irvine | ~2,049 mi | 7–14 days | $9,221 – $12,294 | $10,604 – $14,138 |
| Nashville to Santa Ana | ~2,055 mi | 7–14 days | $9,248 – $12,330 | $10,635 – $14,180 |
| Nashville to Lancaster | ~2,056 mi | 7–14 days | $9,252 – $12,336 | $10,640 – $14,186 |
| Memphis to San Jose | ~2,067 mi | 7–14 days | $9,302 – $12,402 | $10,697 – $14,262 |
| Memphis to Fremont | ~2,069 mi | 7–14 days | $9,311 – $12,414 | $10,707 – $14,276 |
| Nashville to Los Angeles | ~2,072 mi | 7–14 days | $9,324 – $12,432 | $10,723 – $14,297 |
| Nashville to Long Beach | ~2,074 mi | 7–14 days | $9,333 – $12,444 | $10,733 – $14,311 |
| Nashville to Santa Clarita | ~2,082 mi | 7–14 days | $9,369 – $12,492 | $10,774 – $14,366 |
| Memphis to Oakland | ~2,088 mi | 7–14 days | $9,396 – $12,528 | $10,805 – $14,407 |
| Memphis to San Francisco | ~2,097 mi | 7–14 days | $9,437 – $12,582 | $10,852 – $14,469 |
| Nashville to Bakersfield | ~2,101 mi | 7–14 days | $9,455 – $12,606 | $10,873 – $14,497 |
| Chattanooga to Moreno Valley | ~2,111 mi | 7–14 days | $9,500 – $12,666 | $10,924 – $14,566 |
| Chattanooga to San Bernardino | ~2,113 mi | 7–14 days | $9,509 – $12,678 | $10,935 – $14,580 |
| Chattanooga to Chula Vista | ~2,122 mi | 7–14 days | $9,549 – $12,732 | $10,981 – $14,642 |
| Chattanooga to Riverside | ~2,123 mi | 7–14 days | $9,554 – $12,738 | $10,987 – $14,649 |
| Chattanooga to Fontana | ~2,125 mi | 7–14 days | $9,563 – $12,750 | $10,997 – $14,663 |
| Nashville to Fresno | ~2,129 mi | 7–14 days | $9,581 – $12,774 | $11,018 – $14,690 |
| Chattanooga to San Diego | ~2,130 mi | 7–14 days | $9,585 – $12,780 | $11,023 – $14,697 |
| Nashville to Oxnard | ~2,132 mi | 7–14 days | $9,594 – $12,792 | $11,033 – $14,711 |
| Chattanooga to Ontario | ~2,135 mi | 7–14 days | $9,608 – $12,810 | $11,049 – $14,732 |
| Chattanooga to Anaheim | ~2,148 mi | 7–14 days | $9,666 – $12,888 | $11,116 – $14,821 |
| Chattanooga to Irvine | ~2,152 mi | 7–14 days | $9,684 – $12,912 | $11,137 – $14,849 |
| Chattanooga to Santa Ana | ~2,158 mi | 7–14 days | $9,711 – $12,948 | $11,168 – $14,890 |
| Chattanooga to Lancaster | ~2,163 mi | 7–14 days | $9,734 – $12,978 | $11,194 – $14,925 |
| Chattanooga to Los Angeles | ~2,177 mi | 7–14 days | $9,797 – $13,062 | $11,266 – $15,021 |
| Chattanooga to Long Beach | ~2,178 mi | 7–14 days | $9,801 – $13,068 | $11,271 – $15,028 |
| Chattanooga to Santa Clarita | ~2,188 mi | 7–14 days | $9,846 – $13,128 | $11,323 – $15,097 |
| Knoxville to Moreno Valley | ~2,194 mi | 7–14 days | $9,873 – $13,164 | $11,354 – $15,139 |
| Knoxville to San Bernardino | ~2,195 mi | 7–14 days | $9,878 – $13,170 | $11,359 – $15,146 |
| Nashville to Modesto | ~2,196 mi | 7–14 days | $9,882 – $13,176 | $11,364 – $15,152 |
| Knoxville to Riverside | ~2,206 mi | 7–14 days | $9,927 – $13,236 | $11,416 – $15,221 |
| Nashville to Roseville | ~2,206 mi | 7–14 days | $9,927 – $13,236 | $11,416 – $15,221 |
| Knoxville to Fontana | ~2,207 mi | 7–14 days | $9,932 – $13,242 | $11,421 – $15,228 |
| Knoxville to Chula Vista | ~2,208 mi | 7–14 days | $9,936 – $13,248 | $11,426 – $15,235 |
| Chattanooga to Bakersfield | ~2,210 mi | 7–14 days | $9,945 – $13,260 | $11,437 – $15,249 |
| Nashville to Stockton | ~2,212 mi | 7–14 days | $9,954 – $13,272 | $11,447 – $15,263 |
| Knoxville to San Diego | ~2,216 mi | 7–14 days | $9,972 – $13,296 | $11,468 – $15,290 |
| Knoxville to Ontario | ~2,217 mi | 7–14 days | $9,977 – $13,302 | $11,473 – $15,297 |
| Nashville to Sacramento | ~2,218 mi | 7–14 days | $9,981 – $13,308 | $11,478 – $15,304 |
| Knoxville to Anaheim | ~2,231 mi | 7–14 days | $10,040 – $13,386 | $11,545 – $15,394 |
| Knoxville to Irvine | ~2,235 mi | 7–14 days | $10,058 – $13,410 | $11,566 – $15,422 |
| Chattanooga to Oxnard | ~2,238 mi | 7–14 days | $10,071 – $13,428 | $11,582 – $15,442 |
| Knoxville to Santa Ana | ~2,241 mi | 7–14 days | $10,085 – $13,446 | $11,597 – $15,463 |
| Chattanooga to Fresno | ~2,242 mi | 7–14 days | $10,089 – $13,452 | $11,602 – $15,470 |
| Knoxville to Lancaster | ~2,242 mi | 7–14 days | $10,089 – $13,452 | $11,602 – $15,470 |
| Nashville to San Jose | ~2,256 mi | 7–14 days | $10,152 – $13,536 | $11,675 – $15,566 |
| Nashville to Fremont | ~2,257 mi | 7–14 days | $10,157 – $13,542 | $11,680 – $15,573 |
| Knoxville to Los Angeles | ~2,258 mi | 7–14 days | $10,161 – $13,548 | $11,685 – $15,580 |
| Knoxville to Long Beach | ~2,261 mi | 7–14 days | $10,175 – $13,566 | $11,701 – $15,601 |
| Knoxville to Santa Clarita | ~2,268 mi | 7–14 days | $10,206 – $13,608 | $11,737 – $15,649 |
| Nashville to Oakland | ~2,275 mi | 7–14 days | $10,238 – $13,650 | $11,773 – $15,698 |
| Nashville to San Francisco | ~2,283 mi | 7–14 days | $10,274 – $13,698 | $11,815 – $15,753 |
| Knoxville to Bakersfield | ~2,287 mi | 7–14 days | $10,292 – $13,722 | $11,835 – $15,780 |
| Chattanooga to Modesto | ~2,312 mi | 7–14 days | $10,404 – $13,872 | $11,965 – $15,953 |
| Knoxville to Fresno | ~2,314 mi | 7–14 days | $10,413 – $13,884 | $11,975 – $15,967 |
| Knoxville to Oxnard | ~2,318 mi | 7–14 days | $10,431 – $13,908 | $11,996 – $15,994 |
| Chattanooga to Roseville | ~2,324 mi | 7–14 days | $10,458 – $13,944 | $12,027 – $16,036 |
| Chattanooga to Stockton | ~2,328 mi | 7–14 days | $10,476 – $13,968 | $12,047 – $16,063 |
| Chattanooga to Sacramento | ~2,336 mi | 7–14 days | $10,512 – $14,016 | $12,089 – $16,118 |
| Chattanooga to San Jose | ~2,371 mi | 7–14 days | $10,670 – $14,226 | $12,270 – $16,360 |
| Chattanooga to Fremont | ~2,373 mi | 7–14 days | $10,679 – $14,238 | $12,280 – $16,374 |
| Knoxville to Modesto | ~2,380 mi | 7–14 days | $10,710 – $14,280 | $12,317 – $16,422 |
| Knoxville to Roseville | ~2,389 mi | 7–14 days | $10,751 – $14,334 | $12,363 – $16,484 |
| Chattanooga to Oakland | ~2,391 mi | 7–14 days | $10,760 – $14,346 | $12,373 – $16,498 |
| Knoxville to Stockton | ~2,396 mi | 7–14 days | $10,782 – $14,376 | $12,399 – $16,532 |
| Chattanooga to San Francisco | ~2,400 mi | 7–14 days | $10,800 – $14,400 | $12,420 – $16,560 |
| Knoxville to Sacramento | ~2,401 mi | 7–14 days | $10,805 – $14,406 | $12,425 – $16,567 |
| Knoxville to San Jose | ~2,440 mi | 7–14 days | $10,980 – $14,640 | $12,627 – $16,836 |
| Knoxville to Fremont | ~2,441 mi | 7–14 days | $10,985 – $14,646 | $12,632 – $16,843 |
| Knoxville to Oakland | ~2,458 mi | 7–14 days | $11,061 – $14,748 | $12,720 – $16,960 |
| Knoxville to San Francisco | ~2,467 mi | 7–14 days | $11,102 – $14,802 | $12,767 – $17,022 |
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 2,072 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 Tennessee
274 household-goods carriers in Tennessee are active on the FMCSA register. The largest with interstate authority, by registered fleet:
- Colonial Van Lines Inc, Clarkrange · USDOT 4071435 · 24 trucks
- Big League Movers Inc, Memphis · USDOT 1999318 · 20 trucks
- Lanigan Worldwide Moving & Warehousing Inc, Memphis · USDOT 296790 · 20 trucks
- Rowe Transfer Inc, Knoxville · USDOT 1079919 · 17 trucks
- Guardian Moving Systems Inc, Memphis · USDOT 534684 · 17 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 | $9,324 – $12,432 | $11,655 – $15,540 |
| 3 bedrooms | $10,723 – $14,297 | $13,404 – $17,871 |
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 Tennessee
Tennessee to California moving FAQ
How much does it cost to move from Tennessee to California?
Between the two states' main cities, Nashville and Los Angeles, the distance is about 2,072 miles. From our model that is $9,324 – $12,432 for a two-bedroom home and $10,723 – $14,297 for three bedrooms with full-service movers, transport only. A container you load yourself is about $6,713 – $8,951 for the two-bedroom home; a freight trailer about $4,476 – $5,967. Across the 100 city pairs we price between Tennessee and California, distances run from 1,799 to 2,467 miles, so use the table for your own cities.
How long does a move from Tennessee to California take?
Nashville to Los Angeles is 5 days on the road (about 38 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 Tennessee to California?
Yes. Any move that crosses from Tennessee 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 Tennessee to California?
Load a freight trailer yourself: about $4,476 – $5,967 for a two-bedroom home over 2,072 miles against $9,324 – $12,432 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 $13,404 – $17,871 rather than $10,723 – $14,297.