Moving From Virginia to California

Quick Reaction Moving & Storage handles coast-to-coast moves from Northern Virginia to California, from Los Angeles to San Diego and the bases around it. As a veteran-owned long-distance moving company based in Lorton, we pack, load, and deliver your household across about 2,650 miles, with storage in Lorton when your dates do not line up. San Diego County is one of the top destinations for people leaving Virginia, according to Census data reported by Axios. Book a free in-home or virtual estimate to plan your California move.

Our Virginia to California Moving Services

Our long-distance movers handle the full move from your Northern Virginia home to your California address. For a trip this long, add full or partial packing services and tell us about pianos, gun safes, or antiques in the estimate. Our interstate authority is USDOT #3566336 and MC #1217560, listed on the FMCSA Protect Your Move site. Quick Reaction is fully licensed, insured, and bonded, BBB A+ rated, and a Certified ProMover. Service members, veterans, first responders, seniors, and educators moving west can ask about our discounts.

Virginia to California Moving Costs

A full-service move from Virginia to California typically costs $1,400 to $13,430, depending on home size, based on recent quotes collected by moveBuddha. Their data puts the route at about 2,649 miles. These are market figures, not our rates. Your price comes from a free estimate of your household.

Home size	Full-service movers	Moving container	Rental truck
Studio or 1 bedroom	$1,400 to $5,780	$1,460 to $3,680	$1,730 to $3,250
2 to 3 bedrooms	$4,260 to $7,930	$2,710 to $5,580	$1,820 to $3,750
4 or more bedrooms	$7,940 to $13,430	$3,690 to $7,600	$2,200 to $4,790

A DIY rental truck saves less on this route than it seems, once you add fuel, lodging, and days off work for a cross-country drive. For a cross-country move, cutting weight before the estimate is the single biggest way to save.

Moving crew taking a break on the tailgate of the truck

How Your Long-Distance Move Works

Our Simple Process

01

Free estimate. Walk us through your home in person or by video for a clear price.
02

The plan. We set the route, the timeline, and the delivery window up front.
03

Load day. One accountable team packs, loads, and heads out.
04

Delivery. The same team unloads and sets up in your new state, on schedule.

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Southern California Destinations

Los Angeles

Moves here often end at apartment buildings and hillside homes with tight streets and limited truck parking. Tell us about the delivery address early so we can plan where the truck will stand.

San Diego

A major Navy and Marine Corps region, which is why so many San Diego moves from Northern Virginia are PCS moves. If you have orders, contact your new base's relocation office before you set a delivery date.

San Francisco Bay Area

Steep streets and scarce parking make truck placement the main planning job. In San Francisco, the SFMTA issues temporary no-parking signs for moving vans, and you need to apply at least 5 business days ahead.

Sacramento

The state capital and suburbs like Roseville and Elk Grove are mostly single-family homes with driveway access. Summer heat in the Central Valley is intense, so a morning delivery is the easier plan.

California New-Resident Deadlines

California moves faster than most states on paperwork. These deadlines come from the California DMV.

Driver license within 10 days. Per the DMV’s license requirements, you must get a California license within 10 days of becoming a resident.
Vehicle registration within 20 days. The New California Resident portal says to register your vehicle within 20 days of becoming a resident.
Check smog and insurance rules. Confirm with the DMV what your vehicle needs before you register it.

Update everything else with our change of address checklist.

Mover stacking boxes inside a moving truck

What California Inspects at the Border

California runs border protection stations that check incoming vehicles for plant pests, according to the California Department of Food and Agriculture. The CDFA asks travelers to declare all fruits, vegetables, and plants, which includes nursery stock, hay, and firewood.

Give away or use up fresh produce before you leave Virginia.
Do not bring firewood.
If you are driving houseplants yourself, keep them easy to reach for inspection.
Questions go to the CDFA at (916) 654-0312.

Get a Free Long-Distance Moving Estimate

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to move from Virginia to California?

Full-service moves typically cost $1,400 to $13,430, depending on home size, per moveBuddha data. Get a free estimate for your exact price.

How far is it from Virginia to California?

About 2,649 miles on average, according to moveBuddha route data.

Can I bring plants when I move to California?

Plants and produce must be declared at California’s border stations and may be inspected. Firewood should stay behind.

How soon do I need a California driver license?

Within 10 days of becoming a California resident, according to the DMV.

Do you move military families to San Diego?

Yes. Our military movers handle PCS moves from Northern Virginia, including moves arranged under a PPM.

Rating

4.8

Read our 100 Reviews

Patrick Rash

These guys did a great job, came last minute and was amazing.

Isaac Choi

Friendly crew of hard workers got the job done even in pouring rain

Laura Cash

We had a great experience with Quick Reaction. Estimate was spot on with no surprises and the crew was so nice and friendly throughout the day. Thank you!

Yvette Dawn E

The Company did an amazing job and it was a last minute call for help. If you need this military worker call

Chris Abel

These guys are awsome and fast. The know their craft and are outstanding

Claudia Hesky

Jamal, Justin, Scott, Dom, Demante did amazing! I have used them twice and never dossappointed.

Katie j

Scott, Lonnie, Jamaal, Justin were fast professional, and careful. Great customer service and kept us updated and checked when they had them.

Michael Morley

Great experience with Patt and Luke, quick and easy and very personable. Second time using the company, will keep using them!

Mandy Burch

I was very impressed with the punctuality, professionalism, and politeness of our movers and the extreme care with which they moved our furniture! Will definitely hire again for our next move!

gladys sajbel

Definitely great job taking all my now I will wait until they deliver to my new house

William Fonda

Luke, Howell, Dom, and Scott were amazing - finished early and no broken items.

Jon Van

Fast, adaptive, professional, high value support and execution. Request for quote responded to within 24 hours. I had a unique move requirement and they were able to adapt to the requirement and quickly change their norms and standard pricing which would have otherwise made the request financially infeasible. On the day of, the mover came with multiple tools and equipment to be able to adapt to whatever challenges they were faced with. They operated safely taking into account and clearly communicating needs to maintain safety for occupants, the movers and the property. The move was completed faster than expected. Pricing was clear and up front and payment was easy. Recommend to any and all who may be in need of their services.

Get a Quote (571) 946-0781