Santa Ana, CA → Lake Charles, LA · Cross-country move
About 1,726 road miles heading east. Typical two-bedroom cost $6,780–$10,090, delivery in 5–10 days, 984 carriers on the Santa Ana side and 25 in Lake Charles.
Lake Charles sits about 1,726 miles east of Santa Ana, which makes this an interstate relocation from California to Louisiana 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 $6,780 to $10,090 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 Santa Ana side there are 984 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (394 of them authorized for interstate work), and 25 around Lake Charles (18 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 Lake Charles.
Santa Ana has a population of about 315,586 and Lake Charles about 80,000. Santa Ana is considerably denser (11,364 people per square mile versus 1,788), 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 Louisiana than in California, which tends to make destination-side services such as unpacking or storage cheaper than the same services back home.
| Home size | Est. weight | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | 2,000 lb | $2,710 | $3,310 | $4,030 |
| 1 Bedroom | 3,000 lb | $4,070 | $4,960 | $6,050 |
| 2 Bedrooms | 5,000 lb | $6,780 | $8,270 | $10,090 |
| 3 Bedrooms | 8,000 lb | $10,850 | $13,230 | $16,140 |
| 4+ Bedrooms | 11,000 lb | $14,910 | $18,190 | $22,190 |
$2,370–$3,350
One-way truck for the distance, mileage and fuel included; you load and drive.
$2,560–$3,770
Container delivered, you load, company transports; transit is slower than a mover.
$6,780–$10,090
Two-bedroom reference; crew loads, hauls and unloads.
Distance is pre-filled for Santa Ana, CA → Lake Charles, LA. 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: Home Express Delivery Service LLC
Legal name: James G Gobert INC
Legal name: Cbl Jones LLC
Legal name: Mike Hooks LLC
Typical full-service estimates for this route are $2,710 to $4,030 for a studio, $4,070 to $6,050 for a one-bedroom, $6,780 to $10,090 for a two-bedroom, $10,850 to $16,140 for a three-bedroom and $14,910 to $22,190 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.
About 1,726 road miles (1,463 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 30 hours (4 driving days).
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.
Yes. Crossing from California into Louisiana 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 $2,370 to $3,350 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $2,560 to $3,770. 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 Santa Ana–Lake Charles corridor.