Columbia, MO → Lancaster, CA · Cross-country move

Movers from Columbia to Lancaster

About 1,716 road miles heading west. Typical two-bedroom cost $6,790–$10,110, delivery in 5–10 days, 53 carriers on the Columbia side and 105 in Lancaster.

1,716 miroad distance
30 hours (4 driving days)driving time
5–10 daysdelivery window
$6,790–$10,1102-bedroom estimate

Photo: USEPA Environmental-Protection-Agency · Public domain

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Route summary

From: Columbia, Missouri
To: Lancaster, California
Road distance: ≈ 1,716 miles (1,454 straight-line)
Drive time: 30 hours (4 driving days)
Delivery window: 5–10 days
Move type: Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin: 53 (33 interstate)
Movers at destination: 105 (57 interstate)

Reverse: Lancaster → Columbia

Lancaster sits about 1,716 miles west of Columbia, which makes this an interstate relocation from Missouri to California that most movers classify as a cross-country move.

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 $6,790 to $10,110 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 30 hours (4 driving days).

On the Columbia side there are 53 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (33 of them authorized for interstate work), and 105 around Lancaster (57 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 Lancaster.

Columbia has a population of about 130,851 and Lancaster about 170,084. The two cities have comparable density (1,899 and 1,840 people per square mile), so loading and unloading conditions are usually similar at both ends. California is a higher-cost state than Missouri, so budget a little more for destination-side help, deposits and first-month expenses.

Cost of moving from Columbia to Lancaster

Full-service estimate for 1,716 miles, by home size
Home size	Est. weight	Low	Typical	High
Studio	2,000 lb	$2,720	$3,310	$4,040
1 Bedroom	3,000 lb	$4,080	$4,970	$6,060
2 Bedrooms	5,000 lb	$6,790	$8,280	$10,110
3 Bedrooms	8,000 lb	$10,870	$13,260	$16,170
4+ Bedrooms	11,000 lb	$14,950	$18,230	$22,240

Rental truck (DIY)

$2,360–$3,340

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

Portable container

$2,550–$3,750

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

Full-service mover

$6,790–$10,110

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

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Columbia, MO → Lancaster, CA. 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 Columbia (origin)

Frontline Logistics LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3868668
MC: 1415661
Based in: Ashland, MO 65010 (12 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 50 trucks, 82 drivers
USDOT registered: 2022

Call (573) 528-5329 Route Verify on FMCSA

Ug Tech LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 4339877
MC: 1695533
Based in: Columbia, MO 65202 (5 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 20 trucks, 10 drivers
USDOT registered: 2024

Call (573) 968-5566 Route Verify on FMCSA

Two Men And A Truck-Columbia

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Tmt Mid Mo INC

USDOT: 2338804
MC: 798647
Based in: Columbia, MO 65201 (6 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 6 trucks, 16 drivers
USDOT registered: 2012

Call (573) 777-8660 Route Verify on FMCSA

Premier Moving And Storage INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 775481
MC: 347277
Based in: Columbia, MO 65202 (5 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 5 trucks, 5 drivers
USDOT registered: 1998

Call (573) 474-6158 Route Verify on FMCSA

Tiger Moving LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3424063
MC: 1546145
Based in: Columbia, MO 65202 (5 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 5 trucks, 5 drivers
USDOT registered: 2020

Call (573) 999-7821 Route Verify on FMCSA

F & Z Transport LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2432203
MC: 839812
Based in: Columbia, MO 65203 (5 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 4 trucks, 4 drivers
USDOT registered: 2013

Call (573) 999-4639 Route Verify on FMCSA

College Hunks Moving

Licensed interstate

Legal name: 4d Hauling LLC

USDOT: 3684511
MC: 1571093
Based in: Ashland, MO 65010 (12 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 3 trucks, 6 drivers
USDOT registered: 2021

Call (573) 303-1423 Route Verify on FMCSA

Jht Transportation LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2257095
MC: 23317
Based in: Jamestown, MO 65046 (14 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 3 trucks, 3 drivers
USDOT registered: 2011

Call (573) 533-8483 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 53 movers in Columbia

Near Lancaster (destination)

Warvet LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 4438298
MC: 1747298
Based in: Lancaster, CA 93536 (12 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 100 trucks, 4 drivers
USDOT registered: 2025

Call (254) 493-7509 Route Verify on FMCSA

Alpha Omega Consulting Enterprise LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 4384395
MC: 1719247
Based in: Palmdale, CA 93552 (11 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 36 trucks, 96 drivers
USDOT registered: 2025

Call (661) 389-2068 Route Verify on FMCSA

Av Supplies Express 2 Deliver Ship It 2go

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Av Supplies Distributors INC

USDOT: 4216491
MC: 1639401
Based in: Lancaster, CA 93534 (2 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 4 trucks, 4 drivers
USDOT registered: 2024

Call (661) 952-7887 Route Verify on FMCSA

Av Trans

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Antelope Investment Enterprises INC

USDOT: 3148907
MC: 103731
Based in: Palmdale, CA 93552 (11 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 4 trucks, 2 drivers
USDOT registered: 2018

Call (323) 855-2664 Route Verify on FMCSA

Jabes Transportation

Licensed interstate

Legal name: The King Modular Systems Installation INC

USDOT: 2951860
MC: 1555690
Based in: Palmdale, CA 93552 (11 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 3 trucks, 4 drivers
USDOT registered: 2016

Call (323) 318-0716 Route Verify on FMCSA

C & E Logistics LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3473111
MC: 1137379
Based in: Lancaster, CA 93536 (12 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 3 trucks, 3 drivers
USDOT registered: 2020

Call (323) 481-9394 Route Verify on FMCSA

Geo4road INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3975931
MC: 1487146
Based in: Lancaster, CA 93534 (2 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 2 trucks, 1 drivers
USDOT registered: 2022

Call (267) 228-9856 Route Verify on FMCSA

Leo'S Trucking & Moving LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 9348380
MC: 68741251
Based in: Lancaster, CA 93534 (2 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 2 trucks, 4 drivers
USDOT registered: 2026

Call (661) 802-2895 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 105 movers in Lancaster

Tips for this move

Compare a full-service van line against a container service; for a small household the container often wins.
Ask about consolidated versus dedicated truck options—dedicated is faster but costs more.
Read the FMCSA 'Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move' booklet the carrier must provide.
Ship the car separately if you plan to fly; auto transport is priced by the mile like household goods.

Near Columbia

Near Lancaster

Related routes

Other destinations from Columbia

Other origins to Lancaster

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to move from Columbia to Lancaster?

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $2,720 to $4,040 for a studio, $4,080 to $6,060 for a one-bedroom, $6,790 to $10,110 for a two-bedroom, $10,870 to $16,170 for a three-bedroom and $14,950 to $22,240 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Lancaster from Columbia?

About 1,716 road miles (1,454 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 30 hours (4 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 Missouri into California 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 Columbia to Lancaster?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $2,360 to $3,340 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $2,550 to $3,750. 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 Columbia–Lancaster corridor.