Moving from Tennessee to 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 (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.
- ~2,072 miNashville → Los Angeles
- 7–14 daysTypical transit
- $9,324+2-bedroom, movers
- 100City routes priced
In short
About 7,972 people moved from Tennessee to California in 2024 (Census estimate, ±3,477), and about 19,670 went the other way. Between Nashville and Los Angeles it is about 2,072 miles; a two-bedroom move with full-service movers runs $9,324 – $12,432 in our model, delivered in 7–14 days. 132 movers based in Tennessee hold interstate authority.
Who moves from Tennessee to California
The Census Bureau's 2024 survey puts the flow at about 7,972 people a year (±3,477), against about 19,670 (±4,848) from California to Tennessee, so California loses about 11,698 people a year on this exchange. Tennessee is the 18th-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 |
|---|---|---|
| Davidson County | Los Angeles County | 551 ±168 |
| Davidson County | San Diego County | 387 ±407* |
| Shelby County | Los Angeles County | 356 ±231 |
| Shelby County | Mendocino County | 301 ±390* |
| Knox County | Los Angeles County | 214 ±128 |
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.
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. 14 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.
Roadside inspections: interstate movers based in Tennessee
70 of the 132 interstate movers listed here had at least one roadside inspection in the 24 months to September 13, 2026, 480 inspections in all. Inspectors put the vehicle out of service in 50 of 273 vehicle inspections (18.3%), about the same as the 19.0% for listed movers nationally. Drivers were put out of service in 105 of 479 driver inspections (21.9%, against 13.0%). None has an acute or critical violation from an FMCSA investigation in the past 12 months.
| Carrier | Inspections | Vehicle out of service | Driver out of service |
|---|---|---|---|
| Talent's Moving & Storage IncChattanooga, TN · USDOT 3854391 | 52 | 9 of 34 | 10 of 52 |
| Colonial Van Lines IncClarkrange, TN · USDOT 4071435 | 33 | 4 of 16 | 1 of 33 |
| Big League Movers IncMemphis, TN · USDOT 1999318 | 31 | 3 of 20 | 12 of 31 |
| Boundless Moving and StorageCleveland, TN · USDOT 2798532 | 27 | 1 of 16 | 6 of 27 |
| Rowe Transfer IncKnoxville, TN · USDOT 1079919 | 25 | 3 of 13 | 0 of 25 |
| Justpro Moving LLCSpring Hill, TN · USDOT 3925031 | 20 | 1 of 10 | 3 of 20 |
FMCSA Safety Measurement System carrier summary, 24-month window. How the comparison is calculated.
Licensed movers at both ends
266 listed household-goods carriers are based in Tennessee, 132 of them with interstate authority, which this move requires; the Tennessee 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 Tennessee. The federal rules for the move itself are in who regulates movers and binding vs non-binding estimates.
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. A move from Tennessee into California is regulated by the FMCSA, so the carrier needs active interstate operating authority as well as a USDOT number. Of the 266 listed movers based in Tennessee, 132 hold that authority; the rest can only move you within Tennessee.
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, about $6,713 – $8,951, splits the difference and gives you days to load.
How many people move from Tennessee to California each year?
The Census Bureau's 2024 American Community Survey estimates about 7,972 people (±3,477) moved from Tennessee to California that year, against about 19,670 (±4,848) from California to Tennessee. That makes Tennessee the 18th-largest source of new residents for California among the states.