Johnson City, TN → Chico, CA · Cross-country move

Movers from Johnson City to Chico

About 2,527 road miles heading west. Typical two-bedroom cost $8,230–$12,250, delivery in 7–14 days, 93 carriers on the Johnson City side and 47 in Chico.

2,527 miroad distance
44 hours (5 driving days)driving time
7–14 daysdelivery window
$8,230–$12,2502-bedroom estimate

Photo: Travisthurston · CC BY-SA 3.0

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Route summary

From: Johnson City, Tennessee
To: Chico, California
Road distance: ≈ 2,527 miles (2,141 straight-line)
Drive time: 44 hours (5 driving days)
Delivery window: 7–14 days
Move type: Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin: 93 (59 interstate)
Movers at destination: 47 (22 interstate)

Reverse: Chico → Johnson City

Moving from Johnson City to Chico is a cross-country move of roughly 2,527 road miles, heading west from Tennessee to California.

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 $8,230 to $12,250 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 44 hours (5 driving days).

On the Johnson City side there are 93 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (59 of them authorized for interstate work), and 47 around Chico (22 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 Chico.

Johnson City has a population of about 74,000 and Chico about 105,081. Chico is the denser city (2,976 people per square mile versus 1,633 in Johnson City), which often means shuttle trucks, parking restrictions or building move-in windows on delivery day. California is a higher-cost state than Tennessee, so budget a little more for destination-side help, deposits and first-month expenses. Note that California does collect a state income tax, unlike Tennessee, so factor that into the cost-of-living comparison.

Cost of moving from Johnson City to Chico

Full-service estimate for 2,527 miles, by home size
Home size	Est. weight	Low	Typical	High
Studio	2,000 lb	$3,290	$4,020	$4,900
1 Bedroom	3,000 lb	$4,940	$6,020	$7,350
2 Bedrooms	5,000 lb	$8,230	$10,040	$12,250
3 Bedrooms	8,000 lb	$13,170	$16,060	$19,600
4+ Bedrooms	11,000 lb	$18,110	$22,090	$26,950

Rental truck (DIY)

$3,500–$4,940

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

Portable container

$3,280–$4,820

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

Full-service mover

$8,230–$12,250

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

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Johnson City, TN → Chico, 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 Johnson City (origin)

Cox Disposal INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 701359
MC: 66967
Based in: Bluff City, TN 37618 (13 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 16 trucks, 8 drivers
USDOT registered: 1997

Call (423) 538-4104 Route Verify on FMCSA

Sheepdog Transport

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Black Barn Farm LLC

USDOT: 3545701
MC: 136488
Based in: Elizabethton, TN 37643 (15 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 16 trucks, 16 drivers
USDOT registered: 2021

Call (772) 323-8127 Route Verify on FMCSA

Eastern Tennessee Transport LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2382126
MC: 818191
Based in: Blountville, TN 37617 (13 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 15 trucks, 11 drivers
USDOT registered: 2013

Call (423) 612-3377 Route Verify on FMCSA

Wcp Transportation LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 763762
MC: 343871
Based in: Gray, TN 37615 (6 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 12 trucks, 10 drivers
USDOT registered: 1998

Call (423) 232-0045 Route Verify on FMCSA

Tri City Logistics INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 1577982
MC: 598650
Based in: Kingsport, TN 37663 (10 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 12 trucks, 10 drivers
USDOT registered: 2006

Call (423) 279-1771 Route Verify on FMCSA

Olivers Transport LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3981761
MC: 1491041
Based in: Elizabethton, TN 37643 (15 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 12 trucks, 12 drivers
USDOT registered: 2022

Call (423) 543-0028 Route Verify on FMCSA

J & L Trucking INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 1411363
MC: 534652
Based in: Piney Flats, TN 37686 (7 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 6 trucks, 5 drivers
USDOT registered: 2005

Call (423) 946-3748 Route Verify on FMCSA

Bennett'S Moving Services

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Bms Enterprises LLC

USDOT: 2917922
MC: 1072695
Based in: Elizabethton, TN 37643 (15 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 6 trucks, 6 drivers
USDOT registered: 2016

Call (423) 512-2850 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 93 movers in Johnson City

Near Chico (destination)

S And L Food Sales

Licensed interstate

Legal name: S&l Meat Sales Company

USDOT: 2616732
MC: 1018786
Based in: Chico, CA 95927 (0 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 25 trucks, 26 drivers
USDOT registered: 2015

Call (530) 343-7953 Verify on FMCSA

Murdock'S Moving & Hauling INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3421940
MC: 1416634
Based in: Chico, CA 95973 (8 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 10 trucks, 12 drivers
USDOT registered: 2020

Call (530) 354-8089 Route Verify on FMCSA

Two Men And A Truck

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Dream Moore Incorporated

USDOT: 1632139
MC: 601878
Based in: Chico, CA 95928 (6 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 9 trucks, 13 drivers
USDOT registered: 2007

Call (530) 895-8871 Route Verify on FMCSA

Cleanrite Cleaning & Restoration

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Cleanrite INC

USDOT: 2672752
MC: 1291331
Based in: Chico, CA 95973 (8 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 9 trucks, 6 drivers
USDOT registered: 2015

Call (530) 891-0333 Route Verify on FMCSA

Straight Path Transport INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2460069
MC: 849884
Based in: Chico, CA 95926 (2 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 2 trucks, 1 drivers
USDOT registered: 2013

Call (530) 720-8915 Route Verify on FMCSA

Zepeda'S Trucking

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Ulises Zepeda

USDOT: 3369808
MC: 1080234
Based in: Chico, CA 95928 (6 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 1 truck, 1 drivers
USDOT registered: 2019

Call (530) 519-5521 Route Verify on FMCSA

We Move Anything

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Wade Logan

USDOT: 1216126
MC: 507371
Based in: Chico, CA 95973 (8 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 1 truck, 1 drivers
USDOT registered: 2004

Call (530) 896-0348 Route Verify on FMCSA

Lifestyle Auto LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 4350535
MC: 1700995
Based in: Chico, CA 95973 (8 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 1 truck, 1 drivers
USDOT registered: 2025

Call (754) 317-8314 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 47 movers in Chico

Related routes

Other destinations from Johnson City

Other origins to Chico

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to move from Johnson City to Chico?

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $3,290 to $4,900 for a studio, $4,940 to $7,350 for a one-bedroom, $8,230 to $12,250 for a two-bedroom, $13,170 to $19,600 for a three-bedroom and $18,110 to $26,950 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Chico from Johnson City?

About 2,527 road miles (2,141 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 44 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 Tennessee 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 Johnson City to Chico?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $3,500 to $4,940 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $3,280 to $4,820. 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 Johnson City–Chico corridor.