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

Movers from Johnson City to Malibu

About 2,417 road miles heading west. Typical two-bedroom cost $8,040–$11,960, delivery in 7–14 days, 93 carriers on the Johnson City side and 7 in Malibu.

2,417 miroad distance
42 hours (5 driving days)driving time
7–14 daysdelivery window
$8,040–$11,9602-bedroom estimate

Photo: The original uploader was Tillman at English Wikipedia. · CC BY-SA 2.0

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Route summary

From: Johnson City, Tennessee
To: Malibu, California
Road distance: ≈ 2,417 miles (2,048 straight-line)
Drive time: 42 hours (5 driving days)
Delivery window: 7–14 days
Move type: Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin: 93 (59 interstate)
Movers at destination: 7 (2 interstate)

Reverse: Malibu → Johnson City

Moving from Johnson City to Malibu is a cross-country move of roughly 2,417 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 $8,040 to $11,960 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 42 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 7 around Malibu (2 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 Malibu.

Johnson City has a population of about 74,000 and Malibu about 10,000. Johnson City is considerably denser (1,633 people per square mile versus 537), so expect tighter loading conditions, parking permits or elevator reservations at the origin and easier truck access at the destination. 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 Malibu

Full-service estimate for 2,417 miles, by home size
Home size	Est. weight	Low	Typical	High
Studio	2,000 lb	$3,220	$3,920	$4,790
1 Bedroom	3,000 lb	$4,820	$5,880	$7,180
2 Bedrooms	5,000 lb	$8,040	$9,810	$11,960
3 Bedrooms	8,000 lb	$12,870	$15,690	$19,140
4+ Bedrooms	11,000 lb	$17,690	$21,570	$26,320

Rental truck (DIY)

$3,380–$4,780

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

Portable container

$3,180–$4,670

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

Full-service mover

$8,040–$11,960

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

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Johnson City, TN → Malibu, 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 Malibu (destination)

Pleasant Relocation

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Success Trucking INC

USDOT: 2526974
MC: 877788
Based in: Agoura, CA 91301 (7 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 2 trucks, 2 drivers
USDOT registered: 2014

Call (866) 317-9403 Route Verify on FMCSA

Reeds Furniture Agoura INC

Intrastate carrier

USDOT: 2668399
Based in: Agoura Hills, CA 91301 (7 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 4 trucks, 4 drivers
USDOT registered: 2015

Call (818) 597-7800 Route Verify on FMCSA

Relief Mart INC

Intrastate carrier

USDOT: 2852806
Based in: Agoura Hills, CA 91301 (7 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 3 trucks, 4 drivers
USDOT registered: 2016

Call (805) 379-4300 Route Verify on FMCSA

American Made Make Be-Leaves INC

Intrastate carrier

USDOT: 4106169
Based in: Agoura Hills, CA 91301 (7 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 2 trucks, 4 drivers
USDOT registered: 2023

Call (818) 879-3621 Route Verify on FMCSA

Malibu Hauling

Intrastate carrier

Legal name: Malibu Demolition INC

USDOT: 2951137
Based in: Malibu, CA 90265 (6 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 1 truck, 2 drivers
USDOT registered: 2016

Call (310) 924-5226 Route Verify on FMCSA

We Are Movers INC

Intrastate carrier

USDOT: 3404810
Based in: Calabasas, CA 91302 (8 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 1 truck, 1 drivers
USDOT registered: 2020

Call (310) 815-8304 Route Verify on FMCSA

Epallet INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 4073779
MC: 1548234
Based in: Agoura Hills, CA 91301 (7 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
USDOT registered: 2023

Call (833) 372-5538 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 7 movers in Malibu

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 Johnson City

Near Malibu

Related routes

Other destinations from Johnson City

Other origins to Malibu

Frequently asked questions

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

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $3,220 to $4,790 for a studio, $4,820 to $7,180 for a one-bedroom, $8,040 to $11,960 for a two-bedroom, $12,870 to $19,140 for a three-bedroom and $17,690 to $26,320 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Malibu from Johnson City?

About 2,417 road miles (2,048 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 42 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 Malibu?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $3,380 to $4,780 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $3,180 to $4,670. 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–Malibu corridor.