Downey, CA → Traverse City, MI · Cross-country move

Movers from Downey to Traverse City

About 2,214 road miles heading northeast. Typical two-bedroom cost $7,760–$11,540, delivery in 7–14 days, 1,488 carriers on the Downey side and 53 in Traverse City.

2,214 miroad distance
38 hours (5 driving days)driving time
7–14 daysdelivery window
$7,760–$11,5402-bedroom estimate

Photo: rossograph · CC BY-SA 4.0

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Route summary

From: Downey, California
To: Traverse City, Michigan
Road distance: ≈ 2,214 miles (1,876 straight-line)
Drive time: 38 hours (5 driving days)
Delivery window: 7–14 days
Move type: Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin: 1,488 (629 interstate)
Movers at destination: 53 (19 interstate)

Reverse: Traverse City → Downey

Moving from Downey to Traverse City is a cross-country move of roughly 2,214 road miles, heading northeast from California to Michigan.

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 $7,760 to $11,540 with a full-service mover, and delivery usually takes 7 to 14 days after pickup because long-haul trucks consolidate several households per trip. Driving it yourself takes about 38 hours (5 driving days).

On the Downey side there are 1,488 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (629 of them authorized for interstate work), and 53 around Traverse City (19 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 Traverse City.

Downey has a population of about 108,468 and Traverse City about 16,000. Downey is considerably denser (9,222 people per square mile versus 1,894), 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 Michigan 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 Downey to Traverse City

Full-service estimate for 2,214 miles, by home size
Home size	Est. weight	Low	Typical	High
Studio	2,000 lb	$3,100	$3,780	$4,620
1 Bedroom	3,000 lb	$4,660	$5,680	$6,930
2 Bedrooms	5,000 lb	$7,760	$9,460	$11,540
3 Bedrooms	8,000 lb	$12,410	$15,140	$18,470
4+ Bedrooms	11,000 lb	$17,070	$20,820	$25,400

Rental truck (DIY)

$3,030–$4,270

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

Portable container

$3,000–$4,410

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

Full-service mover

$7,760–$11,540

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

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Downey, CA → Traverse City, MI. 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 Downey (origin)

White Arrow LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 577394
MC: 281042
Based in: Montebello, CA 90640 (6 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 414 trucks, 408 drivers
USDOT registered: 1994

Call (800) 501-5589 Route Verify on FMCSA

Ecology Auto Parts INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 629013
MC: 324282
Based in: Cerritos, CA 90703 (6 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 676 trucks, 580 drivers
USDOT registered: 1996

Call (562) 921-9974 Route Verify on FMCSA

Dhe

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Dependable Highway Express INC

USDOT: 9853
MC: 139496
Based in: Los Angeles, CA 90023 (7 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 312 trucks, 240 drivers
USDOT registered: 1974

Call (323) 362-9399 Route Verify on FMCSA

Unis Transportation LLC

Interstate carrier

USDOT: 2247083
Based in: Buena Park, CA 90620 (9 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 260 trucks, 160 drivers
USDOT registered: 2011

Call (800) 858-9889 Route Verify on FMCSA

Elite Logistics Corporation

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 1069767
MC: 445668
Based in: Long Beach, CA 90805 (6 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 252 trucks, 95 drivers
USDOT registered: 2002

Call (310) 830-0013 Route Verify on FMCSA

T C I Transportation Services INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 480301
MC: 619388
Based in: Commerce, CA 90022 (6 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 205 trucks, 277 drivers
USDOT registered: 1992

Call (323) 269-3033 Route Verify on FMCSA

Hercules Forwarding LLC

Interstate carrier Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 424572
Based in: Vernon, CA 90058 (7 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 166 trucks, 163 drivers
USDOT registered: 1990

Call (323) 263-6100 Route Verify on FMCSA

Roadex Cy INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 1398199
MC: 589053
Based in: Carson, CA 90810 (10 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 80 trucks, 77 drivers
USDOT registered: 2005

Call (310) 878-9800 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 1,488 movers in Downey

Near Traverse City (destination)

Two Men And A Truck

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Nordic Movers INC

USDOT: 1469296
MC: 554951
Based in: Traverse City, MI 49684 (4 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 8 trucks, 6 drivers
USDOT registered: 2006

Call (231) 947-8880 Route Verify on FMCSA

Denoyer Brothers Moving & Storage INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 381828
MC: 134935
Based in: Traverse City, MI 49684 (4 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 4 trucks, 6 drivers
USDOT registered: 1990

Call (231) 946-4550 Route Verify on FMCSA

Cj Schueller LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 886575
MC: 1652579
Based in: Traverse City, MI 49685 (6 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 4 trucks, 8 drivers
USDOT registered: 2000

Call (231) 313-6085 Route Verify on FMCSA

Reliance Transport INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2414628
MC: 831188
Based in: Traverse City, MI 49685 (6 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 4 trucks, 5 drivers
USDOT registered: 2013

Call (231) 403-9030 Route Verify on FMCSA

Bayside Moving & Storage

Interstate carrier

Legal name: Able Forwarders INC

USDOT: 882204
Based in: Traverse City, MI 49684 (4 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 3 trucks, 2 drivers
USDOT registered: 2000

Call (231) 946-4593 Route Verify on FMCSA

Alfarhan Transportation LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 4172233
MC: 1604996
Based in: Traverse City, MI 49684 (4 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 1 truck, 1 drivers
USDOT registered: 2023

Call (313) 398-8488 Route Verify on FMCSA

Grey Kitty Labs LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 4312292
MC: 1681000
Based in: Traverse City, MI 49685 (6 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 1 truck, 1 drivers
USDOT registered: 2024

Call (425) 698-8595 Route Verify on FMCSA

Willow Trucking LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 4051865
MC: 1535580
Based in: Interlochen, MI 49643 (14 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 1 truck, 1 drivers
USDOT registered: 2023

Call (231) 632-7020 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 53 movers in Traverse City

Tips for this move

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.
Confirm which items the mover will not carry (plants, perishables, propane, some batteries).
Expect a delivery spread of one to two weeks; plan temporary housing in Traverse City accordingly.

Near Downey

Near Traverse City

Related routes

Other destinations from Downey

Other origins to Traverse City

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to move from Downey to Traverse City?

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $3,100 to $4,620 for a studio, $4,660 to $6,930 for a one-bedroom, $7,760 to $11,540 for a two-bedroom, $12,410 to $18,470 for a three-bedroom and $17,070 to $25,400 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Traverse City from Downey?

About 2,214 road miles (1,876 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 38 hours (5 driving days).

How long will the movers take to deliver?

Expect a delivery window of 7 to 14 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 Michigan 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 Downey to Traverse City?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $3,030 to $4,270 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $3,000 to $4,410. 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 Downey–Traverse City corridor.