Moving from Virginia to California
An interstate move, so the FMCSA's rules apply from the first quote. Between Virginia Beach and Los Angeles it is about 2,760 miles and 6 days on the road (about 50 hours of driving); the 125 city pairs we price between the two states run from 2,598 to 2,945 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.
- ~2,760 miVirginia Beach → Los Angeles
- 7–14 daysTypical transit
- $12,420+2-bedroom, movers
- 125City routes priced
In short
About 18,100 people moved from Virginia to California in 2024 (Census estimate, ±4,368), and about 20,180 went the other way. Between Virginia Beach and Los Angeles it is about 2,760 miles; a two-bedroom move with full-service movers runs $12,420 – $16,560 in our model, delivered in 7–14 days. 263 movers based in Virginia hold interstate authority.
Who moves from Virginia to California
The Census Bureau's 2024 survey puts the flow at about 18,100 people a year (±4,368), against about 20,180 (±4,162) from California to Virginia, so California loses about 2,080 people a year on this exchange. Virginia is the 7th-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 |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach City | San Diego County | 1,384 ±467 |
| Fairfax County | Los Angeles County | 634 ±231 |
| Fairfax County | San Diego County | 590 ±265 |
| Stafford County | San Bernardino County | 569 ±539 |
| Norfolk City | San Diego County | 568 ±333 |
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.
Virginia Beach 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 Virginia and California.
Cost of moving from Virginia to California
At about 2,760 miles, full-service movers should land around $12,420 – $16,560 for a two-bedroom home and $14,283 – $19,044 for three bedrooms. Load a container yourself and the two-bedroom figure drops to $8,942 – $11,923; a freight trailer is $5,962 – $7,949.
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $9,315 – $12,420 | $6,707 – $8,942 | $4,471 – $5,962 |
| 1 bedroom | $11,178 – $14,904 | $8,048 – $10,731 | $5,365 – $7,154 |
| 2 bedrooms | $12,420 – $16,560 | $8,942 – $11,923 | $5,962 – $7,949 |
| 3 bedrooms | $14,283 – $19,044 | $10,284 – $13,712 | $6,856 – $9,141 |
| 4 bedrooms | $16,146 – $21,528 | $11,625 – $15,500 | $7,750 – $10,333 |
| 5+ bedrooms | $18,630 – $24,840 | $13,414 – $17,885 | $8,942 – $11,923 |
Transport only, for an estimated 2,760 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 Virginia to California
Every pair of cities we cover in the two states, nearest first. 15 have a full route page with a map, transit and licensed movers.
| Route | Distance | Transit | 2 bedrooms | 3 bedrooms |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Richmond to Moreno Valley | ~2,598 mi | 7–14 days | $11,691 – $15,588 | $13,445 – $17,926 |
| Richmond to San Bernardino | ~2,598 mi | 7–14 days | $11,691 – $15,588 | $13,445 – $17,926 |
| Richmond to Riverside | ~2,609 mi | 7–14 days | $11,741 – $15,654 | $13,502 – $18,002 |
| Arlington to San Bernardino | ~2,610 mi | 7–14 days | $11,745 – $15,660 | $13,507 – $18,009 |
| Richmond to Fontana | ~2,610 mi | 7–14 days | $11,745 – $15,660 | $13,507 – $18,009 |
| Arlington to Moreno Valley | ~2,611 mi | 7–14 days | $11,750 – $15,666 | $13,512 – $18,016 |
| Richmond to Chula Vista | ~2,620 mi | 7–14 days | $11,790 – $15,720 | $13,558 – $18,078 |
| Richmond to Ontario | ~2,620 mi | 7–14 days | $11,790 – $15,720 | $13,558 – $18,078 |
| Arlington to Fontana | ~2,621 mi | 7–14 days | $11,795 – $15,726 | $13,564 – $18,085 |
| Arlington to Riverside | ~2,622 mi | 7–14 days | $11,799 – $15,732 | $13,569 – $18,092 |
| Richmond to San Diego | ~2,627 mi | 7–14 days | $11,822 – $15,762 | $13,595 – $18,126 |
| Arlington to Ontario | ~2,632 mi | 7–14 days | $11,844 – $15,792 | $13,621 – $18,161 |
| Richmond to Anaheim | ~2,635 mi | 7–14 days | $11,858 – $15,810 | $13,636 – $18,181 |
| Arlington to Chula Vista | ~2,637 mi | 7–14 days | $11,867 – $15,822 | $13,646 – $18,195 |
| Richmond to Irvine | ~2,640 mi | 7–14 days | $11,880 – $15,840 | $13,662 – $18,216 |
| Richmond to Lancaster | ~2,641 mi | 7–14 days | $11,885 – $15,846 | $13,667 – $18,223 |
| Arlington to San Diego | ~2,644 mi | 7–14 days | $11,898 – $15,864 | $13,683 – $18,244 |
| Richmond to Santa Ana | ~2,646 mi | 7–14 days | $11,907 – $15,876 | $13,693 – $18,257 |
| Arlington to Anaheim | ~2,647 mi | 7–14 days | $11,912 – $15,882 | $13,698 – $18,264 |
| Arlington to Lancaster | ~2,650 mi | 7–14 days | $11,925 – $15,900 | $13,714 – $18,285 |
| Arlington to Irvine | ~2,653 mi | 7–14 days | $11,939 – $15,918 | $13,729 – $18,306 |
| Arlington to Santa Ana | ~2,658 mi | 7–14 days | $11,961 – $15,948 | $13,755 – $18,340 |
| Richmond to Los Angeles | ~2,661 mi | 7–14 days | $11,975 – $15,966 | $13,771 – $18,361 |
| Richmond to Long Beach | ~2,664 mi | 7–14 days | $11,988 – $15,984 | $13,786 – $18,382 |
| Richmond to Santa Clarita | ~2,668 mi | 7–14 days | $12,006 – $16,008 | $13,807 – $18,409 |
| Arlington to Los Angeles | ~2,672 mi | 7–14 days | $12,024 – $16,032 | $13,828 – $18,437 |
| Arlington to Long Beach | ~2,677 mi | 7–14 days | $12,047 – $16,062 | $13,853 – $18,471 |
| Norfolk to Moreno Valley | ~2,677 mi | 7–14 days | $12,047 – $16,062 | $13,853 – $18,471 |
| Arlington to Santa Clarita | ~2,678 mi | 7–14 days | $12,051 – $16,068 | $13,859 – $18,478 |
| Chesapeake to Moreno Valley | ~2,678 mi | 7–14 days | $12,051 – $16,068 | $13,859 – $18,478 |
| Norfolk to San Bernardino | ~2,678 mi | 7–14 days | $12,051 – $16,068 | $13,859 – $18,478 |
| Chesapeake to San Bernardino | ~2,679 mi | 7–14 days | $12,056 – $16,074 | $13,864 – $18,485 |
| Richmond to Bakersfield | ~2,680 mi | 7–14 days | $12,060 – $16,080 | $13,869 – $18,492 |
| Arlington to Bakersfield | ~2,686 mi | 7–14 days | $12,087 – $16,116 | $13,900 – $18,533 |
| Norfolk to Fontana | ~2,689 mi | 7–14 days | $12,101 – $16,134 | $13,916 – $18,554 |
| Norfolk to Riverside | ~2,689 mi | 7–14 days | $12,101 – $16,134 | $13,916 – $18,554 |
| Chesapeake to Fontana | ~2,690 mi | 7–14 days | $12,105 – $16,140 | $13,921 – $18,561 |
| Chesapeake to Riverside | ~2,690 mi | 7–14 days | $12,105 – $16,140 | $13,921 – $18,561 |
| Norfolk to Chula Vista | ~2,697 mi | 7–14 days | $12,137 – $16,182 | $13,957 – $18,609 |
| Richmond to Fresno | ~2,697 mi | 7–14 days | $12,137 – $16,182 | $13,957 – $18,609 |
| Virginia Beach to Moreno Valley | ~2,697 mi | 7–14 days | $12,137 – $16,182 | $13,957 – $18,609 |
| Arlington to Fresno | ~2,698 mi | 7–14 days | $12,141 – $16,188 | $13,962 – $18,616 |
| Chesapeake to Chula Vista | ~2,698 mi | 7–14 days | $12,141 – $16,188 | $13,962 – $18,616 |
| Virginia Beach to San Bernardino | ~2,698 mi | 7–14 days | $12,141 – $16,188 | $13,962 – $18,616 |
| Norfolk to Ontario | ~2,700 mi | 7–14 days | $12,150 – $16,200 | $13,972 – $18,630 |
| Chesapeake to Ontario | ~2,701 mi | 7–14 days | $12,155 – $16,206 | $13,978 – $18,637 |
| Norfolk to San Diego | ~2,704 mi | 7–14 days | $12,168 – $16,224 | $13,993 – $18,658 |
| Chesapeake to San Diego | ~2,705 mi | 7–14 days | $12,173 – $16,230 | $13,998 – $18,664 |
| Virginia Beach to Fontana | ~2,709 mi | 7–14 days | $12,191 – $16,254 | $14,019 – $18,692 |
| Virginia Beach to Riverside | ~2,709 mi | 7–14 days | $12,191 – $16,254 | $14,019 – $18,692 |
| Norfolk to Anaheim | ~2,714 mi | 7–14 days | $12,213 – $16,284 | $14,045 – $18,727 |
| Chesapeake to Anaheim | ~2,715 mi | 7–14 days | $12,218 – $16,290 | $14,050 – $18,733 |
| Virginia Beach to Chula Vista | ~2,717 mi | 7–14 days | $12,227 – $16,302 | $14,060 – $18,747 |
| Richmond to Oxnard | ~2,718 mi | 7–14 days | $12,231 – $16,308 | $14,066 – $18,754 |
| Norfolk to Irvine | ~2,719 mi | 7–14 days | $12,236 – $16,314 | $14,071 – $18,761 |
| Chesapeake to Irvine | ~2,720 mi | 7–14 days | $12,240 – $16,320 | $14,076 – $18,768 |
| Virginia Beach to Ontario | ~2,720 mi | 7–14 days | $12,240 – $16,320 | $14,076 – $18,768 |
| Norfolk to Lancaster | ~2,721 mi | 7–14 days | $12,245 – $16,326 | $14,081 – $18,775 |
| Chesapeake to Lancaster | ~2,723 mi | 7–14 days | $12,254 – $16,338 | $14,092 – $18,789 |
| Norfolk to Santa Ana | ~2,725 mi | 7–14 days | $12,263 – $16,350 | $14,102 – $18,802 |
| Virginia Beach to San Diego | ~2,725 mi | 7–14 days | $12,263 – $16,350 | $14,102 – $18,802 |
| Chesapeake to Santa Ana | ~2,726 mi | 7–14 days | $12,267 – $16,356 | $14,107 – $18,809 |
| Arlington to Oxnard | ~2,728 mi | 7–14 days | $12,276 – $16,368 | $14,117 – $18,823 |
| Virginia Beach to Anaheim | ~2,734 mi | 7–14 days | $12,303 – $16,404 | $14,148 – $18,865 |
| Virginia Beach to Irvine | ~2,739 mi | 7–14 days | $12,326 – $16,434 | $14,174 – $18,899 |
| Norfolk to Los Angeles | ~2,740 mi | 7–14 days | $12,330 – $16,440 | $14,179 – $18,906 |
| Virginia Beach to Lancaster | ~2,741 mi | 7–14 days | $12,335 – $16,446 | $14,185 – $18,913 |
| Chesapeake to Los Angeles | ~2,742 mi | 7–14 days | $12,339 – $16,452 | $14,190 – $18,920 |
| Norfolk to Long Beach | ~2,744 mi | 7–14 days | $12,348 – $16,464 | $14,200 – $18,934 |
| Chesapeake to Long Beach | ~2,745 mi | 7–14 days | $12,353 – $16,470 | $14,205 – $18,940 |
| Virginia Beach to Santa Ana | ~2,745 mi | 7–14 days | $12,353 – $16,470 | $14,205 – $18,940 |
| Arlington to Roseville | ~2,748 mi | 7–14 days | $12,366 – $16,488 | $14,221 – $18,961 |
| Norfolk to Santa Clarita | ~2,748 mi | 7–14 days | $12,366 – $16,488 | $14,221 – $18,961 |
| Chesapeake to Santa Clarita | ~2,750 mi | 7–14 days | $12,375 – $16,500 | $14,231 – $18,975 |
| Arlington to Modesto | ~2,753 mi | 7–14 days | $12,389 – $16,518 | $14,247 – $18,996 |
| Richmond to Roseville | ~2,755 mi | 7–14 days | $12,398 – $16,530 | $14,257 – $19,009 |
| Richmond to Modesto | ~2,756 mi | 7–14 days | $12,402 – $16,536 | $14,262 – $19,016 |
| Virginia Beach to Los Angeles | ~2,760 mi | 7–14 days | $12,420 – $16,560 | $14,283 – $19,044 |
| Norfolk to Bakersfield | ~2,762 mi | 7–14 days | $12,429 – $16,572 | $14,293 – $19,058 |
| Arlington to Sacramento | ~2,763 mi | 7–14 days | $12,434 – $16,578 | $14,299 – $19,065 |
| Arlington to Stockton | ~2,764 mi | 7–14 days | $12,438 – $16,584 | $14,304 – $19,072 |
| Chesapeake to Bakersfield | ~2,764 mi | 7–14 days | $12,438 – $16,584 | $14,304 – $19,072 |
| Virginia Beach to Long Beach | ~2,764 mi | 7–14 days | $12,438 – $16,584 | $14,304 – $19,072 |
| Richmond to Stockton | ~2,768 mi | 7–14 days | $12,456 – $16,608 | $14,324 – $19,099 |
| Virginia Beach to Santa Clarita | ~2,768 mi | 7–14 days | $12,456 – $16,608 | $14,324 – $19,099 |
| Richmond to Sacramento | ~2,769 mi | 7–14 days | $12,461 – $16,614 | $14,330 – $19,106 |
| Norfolk to Fresno | ~2,781 mi | 7–14 days | $12,515 – $16,686 | $14,392 – $19,189 |
| Virginia Beach to Bakersfield | ~2,782 mi | 7–14 days | $12,519 – $16,692 | $14,397 – $19,196 |
| Chesapeake to Fresno | ~2,783 mi | 7–14 days | $12,524 – $16,698 | $14,402 – $19,203 |
| Norfolk to Oxnard | ~2,799 mi | 7–14 days | $12,596 – $16,794 | $14,485 – $19,313 |
| Chesapeake to Oxnard | ~2,800 mi | 7–14 days | $12,600 – $16,800 | $14,490 – $19,320 |
| Virginia Beach to Fresno | ~2,801 mi | 7–14 days | $12,605 – $16,806 | $14,495 – $19,327 |
| Arlington to Fremont | ~2,813 mi | 7–14 days | $12,659 – $16,878 | $14,557 – $19,410 |
| Arlington to San Jose | ~2,814 mi | 7–14 days | $12,663 – $16,884 | $14,562 – $19,417 |
| Richmond to Fremont | ~2,817 mi | 7–14 days | $12,677 – $16,902 | $14,578 – $19,437 |
| Richmond to San Jose | ~2,817 mi | 7–14 days | $12,677 – $16,902 | $14,578 – $19,437 |
| Virginia Beach to Oxnard | ~2,819 mi | 7–14 days | $12,686 – $16,914 | $14,588 – $19,451 |
| Arlington to Oakland | ~2,827 mi | 7–14 days | $12,722 – $16,962 | $14,630 – $19,506 |
| Richmond to Oakland | ~2,831 mi | 7–14 days | $12,740 – $16,986 | $14,650 – $19,534 |
| Arlington to San Francisco | ~2,835 mi | 7–14 days | $12,758 – $17,010 | $14,671 – $19,561 |
| Richmond to San Francisco | ~2,840 mi | 7–14 days | $12,780 – $17,040 | $14,697 – $19,596 |
| Norfolk to Modesto | ~2,841 mi | 7–14 days | $12,785 – $17,046 | $14,702 – $19,603 |
| Norfolk to Roseville | ~2,841 mi | 7–14 days | $12,785 – $17,046 | $14,702 – $19,603 |
| Chesapeake to Modesto | ~2,844 mi | 7–14 days | $12,798 – $17,064 | $14,718 – $19,624 |
| Chesapeake to Roseville | ~2,845 mi | 7–14 days | $12,803 – $17,070 | $14,723 – $19,630 |
| Norfolk to Stockton | ~2,854 mi | 7–14 days | $12,843 – $17,124 | $14,769 – $19,693 |
| Norfolk to Sacramento | ~2,855 mi | 7–14 days | $12,848 – $17,130 | $14,775 – $19,699 |
| Chesapeake to Stockton | ~2,857 mi | 7–14 days | $12,857 – $17,142 | $14,785 – $19,713 |
| Chesapeake to Sacramento | ~2,858 mi | 7–14 days | $12,861 – $17,148 | $14,790 – $19,720 |
| Virginia Beach to Modesto | ~2,860 mi | 7–14 days | $12,870 – $17,160 | $14,800 – $19,734 |
| Virginia Beach to Roseville | ~2,861 mi | 7–14 days | $12,875 – $17,166 | $14,806 – $19,741 |
| Virginia Beach to Stockton | ~2,873 mi | 7–14 days | $12,929 – $17,238 | $14,868 – $19,824 |
| Virginia Beach to Sacramento | ~2,874 mi | 7–14 days | $12,933 – $17,244 | $14,873 – $19,831 |
| Norfolk to San Jose | ~2,901 mi | 7–14 days | $13,055 – $17,406 | $15,013 – $20,017 |
| Norfolk to Fremont | ~2,902 mi | 7–14 days | $13,059 – $17,412 | $15,018 – $20,024 |
| Chesapeake to San Jose | ~2,904 mi | 7–14 days | $13,068 – $17,424 | $15,028 – $20,038 |
| Chesapeake to Fremont | ~2,905 mi | 7–14 days | $13,073 – $17,430 | $15,033 – $20,044 |
| Norfolk to Oakland | ~2,916 mi | 7–14 days | $13,122 – $17,496 | $15,090 – $20,120 |
| Chesapeake to Oakland | ~2,919 mi | 7–14 days | $13,136 – $17,514 | $15,106 – $20,141 |
| Virginia Beach to Fremont | ~2,921 mi | 7–14 days | $13,145 – $17,526 | $15,116 – $20,155 |
| Virginia Beach to San Jose | ~2,921 mi | 7–14 days | $13,145 – $17,526 | $15,116 – $20,155 |
| Norfolk to San Francisco | ~2,925 mi | 7–14 days | $13,163 – $17,550 | $15,137 – $20,182 |
| Chesapeake to San Francisco | ~2,928 mi | 7–14 days | $13,176 – $17,568 | $15,152 – $20,203 |
| Virginia Beach to Oakland | ~2,936 mi | 7–14 days | $13,212 – $17,616 | $15,194 – $20,258 |
| Virginia Beach to San Francisco | ~2,945 mi | 7–14 days | $13,253 – $17,670 | $15,240 – $20,320 |
Routes without a link are priced on estimated distance only; the calculator measures the exact drive.
Roadside inspections: interstate movers based in Virginia
107 of the 263 interstate movers listed here had at least one roadside inspection in the 24 months to September 13, 2026, 1,338 inspections in all. Inspectors put the vehicle out of service in 164 of 765 vehicle inspections (21.4%), above the 19.0% for listed movers nationally. Drivers were put out of service in 163 of 1,338 driver inspections (12.2%, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service Transfer IncChesapeake, VA · USDOT 139659 | 426 | 50 of 247 | 3 of 426 |
| JK Moving ServicesSterling, VA · USDOT 1065394 | 107 | 7 of 57 | 8 of 107 |
| Stewart Moving and StorageMidlothian, VA · USDOT 1194537 | 102 | 13 of 50 | 9 of 102 |
| Quality Services MovingLorton, VA · USDOT 819924 | 54 | 16 of 32 | 11 of 54 |
| Hampton Roads Moving & StorageSuffolk, VA · USDOT 1581633 | 46 | 10 of 25 | 2 of 46 |
| Apple MovingChesapeake, VA · USDOT 163678 | 40 | 4 of 22 | 4 of 40 |
FMCSA Safety Measurement System carrier summary, 24-month window. How the comparison is calculated.
Licensed movers at both ends
411 listed household-goods carriers are based in Virginia, 263 of them with interstate authority, which this move requires; the Virginia 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 Virginia. The federal rules for the move itself are in who regulates movers and binding vs non-binding estimates.
Other moves from Virginia
Virginia to California moving FAQ
How much does it cost to move from Virginia to California?
Between the two states' main cities, Virginia Beach and Los Angeles, the distance is about 2,760 miles. From our model that is $12,420 – $16,560 for a two-bedroom home and $14,283 – $19,044 for three bedrooms with full-service movers, transport only. A container you load yourself is about $8,942 – $11,923 for the two-bedroom home; a freight trailer about $5,962 – $7,949. Across the 125 city pairs we price between Virginia and California, distances run from 2,598 to 2,945 miles, so use the table for your own cities.
How long does a move from Virginia to California take?
Virginia Beach to Los Angeles is 6 days on the road (about 50 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 Virginia to California?
Yes. A move from Virginia into California is regulated by the FMCSA, so the carrier needs active interstate operating authority as well as a USDOT number. Of the 411 listed movers based in Virginia, 263 hold that authority; the rest can only move you within Virginia.
What is the cheapest way to move from Virginia to California?
Load a freight trailer yourself: about $5,962 – $7,949 for a two-bedroom home over 2,760 miles against $12,420 – $16,560 with full-service movers. A container, about $8,942 – $11,923, splits the difference and gives you days to load.
How many people move from Virginia to California each year?
The Census Bureau's 2024 American Community Survey estimates about 18,100 people (±4,368) moved from Virginia to California that year, against about 20,180 (±4,162) from California to Virginia. That makes Virginia the 7th-largest source of new residents for California among the states.