Moving from Virginiato 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, not quotes. Distances marked ~ are estimated from city coordinates. We do not move anyone.
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. 125 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.
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 2,760 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 Virginia
416 household-goods carriers in Virginia are active on the FMCSA register. The largest with interstate authority, by registered fleet:
- Hilldrup Moving & Storage, Stafford · USDOT 22302 · 297 trucks
- Service Transfer Inc, Chesapeake · USDOT 139659 · 240 trucks
- Jk Moving Services, Sterling · USDOT 1065394 · 173 trucks
- Stewart Moving And Storage, Midlothian · USDOT 1194537 · 95 trucks
- A&A Transfer Llc, Chantilly · USDOT 503883 · 62 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 | $12,420 – $16,560 | $15,525 – $20,700 |
| 3 bedrooms | $14,283 – $19,044 | $17,854 – $23,805 |
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 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. Any move that crosses from Virginia 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 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 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 $17,854 – $23,805 rather than $14,283 – $19,044.