Richmond, VA → Santa Monica, CA · Cross-country move
About 2,707 road miles heading west. Typical two-bedroom cost $8,930–$13,290, delivery in 7–14 days, 400 carriers on the Richmond side and 603 in Santa Monica.
Moving from Richmond to Santa Monica is a cross-country move of roughly 2,707 road miles, heading west from Virginia 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 $8,930 to $13,290 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 47 hours (6 driving days).
On the Richmond side there are 400 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (215 of them authorized for interstate work), and 603 around Santa Monica (222 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 Santa Monica.
Richmond has a population of about 237,257 and Santa Monica about 92,000. Santa Monica is the denser city (11,069 people per square mile versus 3,783 in Richmond), which often means shuttle trucks, parking restrictions or building move-in windows on delivery day. California is a higher-cost state than Virginia, so budget a little more for destination-side help, deposits and first-month expenses.
| Home size | Est. weight | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | 2,000 lb | $3,570 | $4,360 | $5,320 |
| 1 Bedroom | 3,000 lb | $5,360 | $6,540 | $7,970 |
| 2 Bedrooms | 5,000 lb | $8,930 | $10,890 | $13,290 |
| 3 Bedrooms | 8,000 lb | $14,290 | $17,430 | $21,270 |
| 4+ Bedrooms | 11,000 lb | $19,650 | $23,970 | $29,240 |
$3,830–$5,410
One-way truck for the distance, mileage and fuel included; you load and drive.
$3,440–$5,050
Container delivered, you load, company transports; transit is slower than a mover.
$8,930–$13,290
Two-bedroom reference; crew loads, hauls and unloads.
Distance is pre-filled for Richmond, VA → Santa Monica, CA. Adjust the other options to see your range.
Typical full-service range.
Estimates use market baselines described on the cost guide; your quotes will vary by inventory, access and date.
Legal name: Tforce Freight INC
Legal name: The Wes Stewart Corporation
Legal name: Rcs Moving LLC
Legal name: D1 Moving LLC
Legal name: Centre Carriers Corp
Typical full-service estimates for this route are $3,570 to $5,320 for a studio, $5,360 to $7,970 for a one-bedroom, $8,930 to $13,290 for a two-bedroom, $14,290 to $21,270 for a three-bedroom and $19,650 to $29,240 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.
About 2,707 road miles (2,294 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 47 hours (6 driving days).
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.
Yes. Crossing from Virginia 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.
A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $3,830 to $5,410 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $3,440 to $5,050. 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.
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 Richmond–Santa Monica corridor.