Carlsbad, CA → Bismarck, ND · Cross-country move

Movers from Carlsbad to Bismarck

About 1,514 road miles heading northeast. Typical two-bedroom cost $6,560–$9,760, delivery in 5–10 days, 85 carriers on the Carlsbad side and 42 in Bismarck.

1,514 miroad distance
26 hours (3 driving days)driving time
5–10 daysdelivery window
$6,560–$9,7602-bedroom estimate

Photo: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0

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Route summary

From: Carlsbad, California
To: Bismarck, North Dakota
Road distance: ≈ 1,514 miles (1,283 straight-line)
Drive time: 26 hours (3 driving days)
Delivery window: 5–10 days
Move type: Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin: 85 (27 interstate)
Movers at destination: 42 (32 interstate)

Reverse: Bismarck → Carlsbad

The route from Carlsbad, CA to Bismarck, ND covers roughly 1,514 miles by road, a northeast-bound trip that falls into the cross-country move category for pricing purposes.

At this distance carriers price by shipment weight and mileage rather than by the hour. A two-bedroom home (around 5,000 lb of goods) typically costs $6,560 to $9,760 with a full-service mover, and delivery usually takes 5 to 10 days after pickup because long-haul trucks consolidate several households per trip. Driving it yourself takes about 26 hours (3 driving days).

On the Carlsbad side there are 85 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (27 of them authorized for interstate work), and 42 around Bismarck (32 interstate). For an interstate move you can book from either end; movers near the origin handle loading and are usually the better first call, while a destination-side company can be useful if you need storage or delivery-day help in Bismarck.

Carlsbad has a population of about 112,260 and Bismarck about 76,000. Carlsbad is considerably denser (3,036 people per square mile versus 2,123), so expect tighter loading conditions, parking permits or elevator reservations at the origin and easier truck access at the destination. Labor and living costs run lower in North Dakota than in California, which tends to make destination-side services such as unpacking or storage cheaper than the same services back home.

Cost of moving from Carlsbad to Bismarck

Full-service estimate for 1,514 miles, by home size
Home size	Est. weight	Low	Typical	High
Studio	2,000 lb	$2,620	$3,200	$3,910
1 Bedroom	3,000 lb	$3,940	$4,800	$5,860
2 Bedrooms	5,000 lb	$6,560	$8,000	$9,760
3 Bedrooms	8,000 lb	$10,500	$12,800	$15,620
4+ Bedrooms	11,000 lb	$14,440	$17,610	$21,480

Rental truck (DIY)

$2,160–$3,040

One-way truck for the distance, mileage and fuel included; you load and drive.

Portable container

$2,370–$3,490

Container delivered, you load, company transports; transit is slower than a mover.

Full-service mover

$6,560–$9,760

Two-bedroom reference; crew loads, hauls and unloads.

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Carlsbad, CA → Bismarck, ND. Adjust the other options to see your range.

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Typical full-service range.

Estimates use market baselines described on the cost guide; your quotes will vary by inventory, access and date.

Moving companies for this route

Near Carlsbad (origin)

Altman Specialty Plants LLC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 440672
MC: 277756
Based in: Vista, CA 92084 (8 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 311 trucks, 309 drivers
USDOT registered: 1991

Call (760) 744-8191 Route Verify on FMCSA

Cronus Transportation INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 1840993
MC: 701726
Based in: Oceanside, CA 92057 (9 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 13 trucks, 13 drivers
USDOT registered: 2008

Call (760) 618-0707 Route Verify on FMCSA

Online Trucking Logistics INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2159029
MC: 750403
Based in: Vista, CA 92081 (4 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 8 trucks, 1 drivers
USDOT registered: 2011

Call (760) 598-5800 Route Verify on FMCSA

Smooth Operator Logistics Co

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2660024
MC: 1709631
Based in: Vista, CA 92083 (5 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 5 trucks, 4 drivers
USDOT registered: 2015

Call (619) 941-9901 Route Verify on FMCSA

Resendiz Bros Trucking INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3398785
MC: 1134994
Based in: Escondido, CA 92026 (11 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 5 trucks, 5 drivers
USDOT registered: 2020

Call (760) 509-5808 Route Verify on FMCSA

Antida Trucking LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2619707
MC: 913842
Based in: San Diego, CA 92127 (12 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 5 trucks, 5 drivers
USDOT registered: 2015

Call (619) 398-6994 Route Verify on FMCSA

A&r Moving & Transportation INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2925375
MC: 987038
Based in: Carlsbad, CA 92011 (2 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 4 trucks, 6 drivers
USDOT registered: 2016

Call (619) 807-0772 Route Verify on FMCSA

Servpro Of North Vista San Marcos

Interstate carrier

Legal name: Araya Construction INC

USDOT: 2129355
Based in: San Marcos, CA 92069 (8 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 4 trucks, 4 drivers
USDOT registered: 2011

Call (760) 758-3454 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 85 movers in Carlsbad

Near Bismarck (destination)

Ccfs

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Crosscountry Freight Solutions INC

USDOT: 313378
MC: 209657
Based in: Bismarck, ND 58501 (3 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 450 trucks, 507 drivers
USDOT registered: 1988

Call (701) 222-8498 Route Verify on FMCSA

P & B Transportation INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 653395
MC: 302954
Based in: Bismarck, ND 58501 (3 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 75 trucks, 65 drivers
USDOT registered: 1996

Call (701) 221-2465 Route Verify on FMCSA

Aaction Movers

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Asp INC

USDOT: 212818
MC: 228559
Based in: Bismarck, ND 58501 (3 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 37 trucks, 20 drivers
USDOT registered: 1982

Call (701) 223-5535 Route Verify on FMCSA

Delabarre Trucking LLC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 1318666
MC: 510389
Based in: Bismarck, ND 58501 (3 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 22 trucks, 20 drivers
USDOT registered: 2005

Call (701) 226-2349 Route Verify on FMCSA

North Central Transportation INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 911282
MC: 395087
Based in: Mandan, ND 58554 (9 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 19 trucks, 17 drivers
USDOT registered: 2000

Call (701) 663-0976 Route Verify on FMCSA

Four Winds Trucking LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2369162
MC: 812625
Based in: Mandan, ND 58554 (9 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 16 trucks, 17 drivers
USDOT registered: 2013

Call (701) 751-1237 Route Verify on FMCSA

Liberty Cargo Company

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3080375
MC: 1169375
Based in: Bismarck, ND 58503 (6 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 15 trucks, 8 drivers
USDOT registered: 2017

Call (701) 975-3281 Route Verify on FMCSA

Bountiful Trucking LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2416881
MC: 834675
Based in: Bismarck, ND 58503 (6 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 12 trucks, 10 drivers
USDOT registered: 2013

Call (701) 400-6295 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 42 movers in Bismarck

Related routes

Other destinations from Carlsbad

Other origins to Bismarck

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to move from Carlsbad to Bismarck?

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $2,620 to $3,910 for a studio, $3,940 to $5,860 for a one-bedroom, $6,560 to $9,760 for a two-bedroom, $10,500 to $15,620 for a three-bedroom and $14,440 to $21,480 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Bismarck from Carlsbad?

About 1,514 road miles (1,283 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 26 hours (3 driving days).

How long will the movers take to deliver?

Expect a delivery window of 5 to 10 days after pickup. Carriers give a spread rather than a fixed date because long-distance trucks carry several shipments; a dedicated truck or expedited service shortens the window for an extra fee.

Does my mover need interstate authority for this move?

Yes. Crossing from California into North Dakota makes this an interstate move, so the carrier must hold active FMCSA operating authority (an MC number) in addition to its USDOT number. The company cards on this page flag which carriers are authorized for interstate work.

Is it cheaper to rent a truck or use a container for Carlsbad to Bismarck?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $2,160 to $3,040 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $2,370 to $3,490. Both save money versus a full-service crew but you do the loading, and container transit can take longer than a mover's delivery window.

When is the least expensive time to book this move?

Rates are highest in summer and around the last days of any month, when demand peaks. Mid-month, mid-week and winter dates are usually quoted below the standard rate. Booking four to eight weeks ahead gives you the widest choice of carriers on the Carlsbad–Bismarck corridor.