The most iconic cross-country route in the country — nearly 2,800 miles from the Atlantic to the Pacific — run weekly by licensed, insured carriers. Transparent cubic-footage pricing, a dedicated relocation coordinator, and an estimated 10–14 day delivery window you can plan around.
Distance
2,790 mi
Transit time
10-14 days
Service
Weekly
No obligation · Response in 30–60 minutes
Overview
Moving from New York to Los Angeles is the definitive coast-to-coast relocation — roughly 2,790 miles from the East Coast to Southern California. Quick Ship Van Lines coordinates this route weekly with licensed, carefully selected carriers who handle both ends of a demanding corridor: tight NYC pickups with co-op and elevator rules, and LA deliveries with parking and access restrictions. Whether you’re relocating a Manhattan studio, a Brooklyn family apartment, or a two-bedroom co-op full of art, you get upfront pricing based on the cubic footage of your inventory, a dedicated relocation coordinator from quote to delivery, and an estimated 10–14 day transit window. Because so many people make this move each year, carrier competition keeps pricing sharper than other routes of similar distance. We’ve helped 1,000+ families make the jump, and most quote requests get a response in 30–60 minutes.
Route Details
2,790 miles
10-14 business days
I-78 W to I-81 S to I-40 W through TN, AR, OK, TX, NM, AZ to CA (or I-80 W northern route)
New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and 6-9 additional states depending on route (via I-40 or I-80)
Eastern → Pacific (-3 hours)
October - March; avoid peak summer demand that drives premium pricing on this high-demand corridor
Summer (June–August) is peak demand on this corridor and carries premium pricing. Moving October through April can run 15–25% cheaper with faster scheduling and better availability. Carriers choose the southern I-40 route or the northern I-80 route depending on their other stops and the season — the northern route can be affected by winter weather across Wyoming and Utah, so cross-country moves in deep winter are often routed south. Booking 3–4 weeks ahead is recommended on this high-demand lane.
Pricing
New York to Los Angeles is one of the most expensive routes simply due to distance — but also one of the most competitive, because so many people make the move every year. Estimates below are by home size, based on the cubic footage your inventory takes on the truck. Your final price depends on inventory, building access, and specialty items — get an accurate upfront quote in about 60 seconds.
$3,200 - $5,200
~250 cubic ft of inventory
$5,000 - $8,000
Couple or small family
Most common
$7,500 - $11,500
Average family home
$10,500 - $15,000+
Larger homes / specialty items
What affects your New York to Los Angeles moving cost
Final pricing may vary if inventory or service requirements change prior to pickup.
Real-World Examples
Three real scenarios from real customers. Names and final costs are taken straight from completed moves on this route.
Jordan
Move
Manhattan, NY → Los Angeles, CA
Inventory
Futon, desk, two bookshelves with screenplays & reference books, vintage typewriter, 12 boxes — typical studio
$3,800
13 days
“NYC pickup required a shuttle truck due to a narrow street — disclosed and priced into the estimate upfront.”
The Okafor Family
Move
Brooklyn, NY → Pasadena, CA
Inventory
Full 3-bedroom apartment: baby grand piano, three kids’ bedroom sets, home gym, 70+ boxes
$9,800
14 days
“Piano required specialty handling (priced separately at $800). Brooklyn building elevator access arranged in advance by coordinator.”
Susan & Frank
Move
Manhattan, NY → Santa Monica, CA
Inventory
2-bedroom co-op: bedroom furniture, lifetime book & art collection, personal items — ~5,500 lbs total
$6,400
12 days
“Custom crating arranged for a bronze sculpture and two signed lithographs. Move coordinated around co-op closing timeline.”
Good to Know
Three things every New York-to-Los Angeles mover should know before pickup day.
California is strict on timing: new residents must obtain a California driver’s license within 10 days and register a vehicle within 20 days, and registration requires a smog check. Voter registration is available online through the California Secretary of State. Coming from NYC, remember to close out any E-ZPass account tied to your New York registration.
Los Angeles brings its own access challenges on the delivery end — restricted street parking, hillside and canyon streets that can’t fit a 53-foot trailer, and permit rules in some neighborhoods. Your coordinator plans truck access and any shuttle or permit needs so delivery day runs smoothly.
Despite its reputation, LA is often cheaper than Manhattan — rent averages roughly 15–25% less than comparable Manhattan apartments. That said, LA effectively requires a car (budget $300–$600/month for payment, insurance, gas, and parking), which offsets some of the housing savings. On income tax, California tops out at 13.3% versus New York State’s 10.9% plus New York City’s additional 3.876% — so many NYC residents actually see their combined rate stay similar or improve.
More Ways We Help
Rather than drive 2,790 miles, many customers ship a car alongside the household move — and since LA all but requires one, it’s worth having your vehicle arrive with you. Open transport on this coast-to-coast route typically runs $1,100–$1,500 and enclosed transport for luxury or classic vehicles runs $1,700–$2,400, with vehicle transit usually 7–10 days.
Full or partial packing is available, along with short-term storage if your LA move-in date falls after your New York move-out date — common when a co-op closing or lease start doesn’t line up. Ask your coordinator to build either into your quote.
Pianos, antiques, artwork, sculpture, and collections are common on this route and are handled by experienced crews, with custom crating available for fragile or high-value pieces making the cross-country trip. Flag any specialty items when you request your quote so the right equipment, crating, and team are scheduled.
Why Quick Ship
Reviews
FAQs
Carriers typically take one of two paths: the southern route via I-78 to I-81 to I-40 West through Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona; or the northern route via I-80 West through Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska, Wyoming, Utah, and Nevada. Which one depends on the carrier’s other pickups and deliveries and the season — winter weather often pushes moves to the southern route.
Plan on an estimated 10–14 business days door to door for a professionally coordinated move, depending on shipment size and whether your items travel on a dedicated or consolidated truck. Your coordinator confirms a delivery window before the truck leaves New York.
Yes. New York is Eastern Time and Los Angeles is Pacific Time — a 3-hour difference. When it’s 12 PM in New York, it’s 9 AM in LA. Factor this into delivery scheduling and utility setup on the West Coast.
Full-service moves on this route typically range from $3,200 for a studio to $15,000+ for a 4+ bedroom home, based on the cubic footage of your inventory. Get an exact number with a free quote — most requests get a response in 30–60 minutes.
Most NYC co-ops and condos require an advance elevator reservation, specific move-out hours (often weekdays, 9 AM–5 PM), and a certificate of insurance from the carrier. Some buildings charge a refundable move-out deposit of $500–$1,000. Your coordinator handles the insurance certificate and helps you navigate the building’s requirements.
Yes — and since LA is car-dependent, most customers do. Open transport typically costs $1,100–$1,500, enclosed transport for luxury or classic vehicles runs $1,700–$2,400, and vehicle transit is usually 7–10 days. We can bundle it with your household move.
It depends on what you own. For a studio or 1-bedroom with basic furniture, selling and rebuying sometimes makes sense. For a 2+ bedroom move with quality furniture, moving is almost always cheaper than replacing everything. Your coordinator can help you run the numbers during the estimate.
October through April is off-peak, running roughly 15–25% cheaper than the June–August summer rush, with better availability and faster scheduling. Mid-month dates are typically cheaper than month-end.
Join 1,000+ families who chose Quick Ship Van Lines for a stress-free move. Request a quote and we’ll get back to you in 30–60 minutes with a free, no-obligation estimate.
Explore More
