($1,545+) Wilmington, DE to Long Beach, CA Movers
Moving from Wilmington, DE, to Long Beach, CA, runs anywhere from $1,639 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $11,453 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 2,716 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 7 to 21 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.
- Full-service moves for smaller spaces (studio apartments and 1-bedrooms) start around $2,526, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $11,453 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,967 - $7,326, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,639 - $4,641.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Wilmington, DE, to Long Beach, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,775 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
Compare moving options from Wilmington, DE to Long Beach, CA
There are 3 main ways to move from Wilmington to Long Beach: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service handles labor and transportation for you, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route costing $3,775 - $7,621. Moving containers run about 30% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 60% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 7 to 21 days for this 2,716-mile route, depending on which option you go with.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 2,716-mile route from Wilmington to Long Beach, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $2,526 - $5,949 | $1,967 - $3,671 | $1,639 - $2,993 | $1,717 - $3,269 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $3,775 - $7,621 | $2,602 - $5,483 | $1,740 - $3,454 | $1,979 - $4,473 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $6,890 - $11,453 | $3,446 - $7,326 | $2,092 - $4,641 | $2,927 - $5,626 |
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Wilmington, DE to Long Beach, CA
Full-service movers for the 2,716-mile relocation from Wilmington, Delaware, to Long Beach, California, cost between $2,526 and $11,453. With a long-distance moving company, loading, transportation, and unloading are all taken care of. If you want to skip packing boxes, too, that can be added for $382 - $2,544, depending on your home size. What you pay in the end is mainly a function of how much your shipment weighs and how far it's traveling. As a point of reference, local movers in Wilmington typically charge a base rate around $334 plus $150 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Wilmington to Long Beach:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,526 - $5,949
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,775 - $7,621
- 4+ bedrooms: $6,890 - $11,453
Packing, storage, shuttle fees, and added coverage can stack on top of the base price. See the full add-ons and specialty services table below for what each runs from Wilmington to Long Beach.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Delaware to California. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: The summer months (May - September) are the busiest time of year for movers during peak moving season, which drives up prices and limits scheduling options. If you can move in the fall or winter, you'll likely find better rates and more flexibility.
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Specialty moving services from Wilmington, DE to Long Beach, CA
Specialty needs vary by market — 89% of Wilmington movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Long Beach, 87% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing97% of local movers | $636 - $6,360 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready89% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $254 - $1,526/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $382 - $3,053 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage39% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs39% of local movers | $1,272 - $3,816 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,180 - $12,720 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $953 - $1,810 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items63% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Move Crew LLC | $1,272 - $3,180 |
| Piano | Any piano type77% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Move Crew LLC | $1,018 - $4,452 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling39% of local movers | $382 - $1,908 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect23% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Move Crew LLC | $827 - $2,544 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $382 - $19,080+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $382 - $4,452+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Wilmington to Long Beach?
Movers licensed to operate in California are typically members of the California Moving & Storage Association, worth checking for before you book any of the three below.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 customer support, and 30 days of free storage are included with every move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list, with 30+ years in business since 1995. AVL is one of the few national carriers that uses full-time in-house crews instead of contracted labor.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, combining fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan that covers damage, loss, and breakage.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in Wilmington, DE. Van lines spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments, while local movers tend to charge 30% - 40% more for the same distance. A direct route with a local mover averages 2-day delivery, but that added speed typically carries a higher price tag.
Moving container costs from Wilmington, DE to Long Beach, CA
Moving containers from Wilmington, Delaware, to Long Beach, California, cost between $1,967 and $7,326. A container is delivered to your home and you load it on your own time. Loading windows vary by company: U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30. From there, the company takes over and transports it to Long Beach. If you go over that window, storage in Wilmington adds around $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Wilmington to Long Beach:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,967 - $3,671
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,602 - $5,483
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,446 - $7,326
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $95 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $191 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Long Beach, CA, if you need to retrieve anything while items are still in storage.
- Moving labor: Since you're responsible for loading the container yourself, many customers bring in hourly help. Based on moveBuddha data, hiring 2 movers for approximately 5 hours costs about $890 in Wilmington, DE. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection goes beyond the standard minimum and covers repair, replacement, or reimbursement at declared value. Pricing is typically 1% - 2% of your total shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 move.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Delaware to California move in the past 90 days. Our pricing data is drawn from 1,500+ monthly data points across our vetted mover network and refreshed every month.
Pro tip: Before ordering moving containers, take a careful inventory of everything you're moving. A typical 1-bedroom home weighs around 3,000 pounds and fits in a single container starting at $1,967. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $2,602 - $5,483, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Wilmington to Long Beach?
- Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
- U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
- MovingYourself (5.0/5 stars)
Want a hand without paying for full service? A container or truck move does not mean doing all the heavy lifting yourself. You can hire a labor-only crew in Wilmington to load and unload while you handle the drive, then book full help later if you change your mind. Three top-rated local crews for labor-only help in Wilmington:
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.9/5), 12 years in business
- Move Crew LLC (4.8/5), 0 years in business
- Bayshore Transportation System, Inc. (4.5/5), 53 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Wilmington, DE to Long Beach, CA
Truck rentals from Wilmington, Delaware, to Long Beach, California, range from $1,639 - $4,641 for the 2,716-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $1,099 - $1,256
- Daily insurance: $38/day
- Equipment rentals: $9 - $25
- Wilmington daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.99
| Home size | Typical truck size |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | 10 - 12 ft |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | 15 - 17 ft |
| 4+ bedrooms | 20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel) |
These are typical moving truck rental costs from Wilmington to Long Beach based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,639 - $2,993
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,740 - $3,454
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,092 - $4,641
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Wilmington to Long Beach starts at $1,639 - $4,641, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($1,099 - $1,256) , overnight lodging ($191/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for an additional $600 - $1,200 on top of your base rate to cover those costs.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $191 per night. Most long-distance moves with rental trucks require 1 - 3 overnight stops.
- Equipment: Tow dollies, auto trailers, and specialty moving equipment can add between $83 and $413 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $1,099 - $1,256 in fuel for the 2,716-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $890 in Wilmington, Delaware, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Wilmington to Long Beach?
- Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
- Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
- U-Haul Truck Rental (4.2/5 stars)
The best truck rental companies for this route, based on moveBuddha's ratings.
Freight trailer costs from Wilmington, DE to Long Beach, CA
For larger DIY moves from Wilmington, Delaware, freight trailers give you plenty of room without putting you behind the wheel. Standard trailers are 28 feet long. You load the section you need, and the carrier transports everything to Long Beach, California.
Because freight companies bill by linear footage, your total is based on how much of the trailer you occupy, not the full length. For most medium-to-large moves on this route, pricing typically falls between $1,979 and $4,473.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Wilmington to Long Beach:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,717 - $3,269
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,979 - $4,473
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,927 - $5,626
Pro tip: Freight trailers come with a 4-foot loading ramp, which can be a challenge with bulky furniture. With 8 feet of vertical space available, stacking efficiently often requires a ladder and a plan. Since you're billed per linear foot, packing tight can make a real difference in your final cost.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- More space: Freight pricing is based on exactly how much of the trailer you fill. If your items take up more than expected, the added footage can increase your cost by between $95 and $191.
- Peak season impact: Moving during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) often means higher trailer rates as demand increases across the board.
- Moving labor: Unless you plan to load everything yourself, factor in labor costs. Two movers in Wilmington, Delaware, for roughly five hours typically average $890.
What are the best freight companies from Wilmington to Long Beach?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is our pick for best for large moves. The company is best known as a top moving container option for its hybrid model where you load and they drive, and that same model translates well to freight thanks to their 53-foot trucks and pay-by-the-foot pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Beyond their flagship container service, U-Pack also runs freight trailers with the same no-deposit, no-upfront-fee model, charging only for the linear footage you actually fill.
- Pipco Transportation, Inc. (4.66/5 stars): Pipco Transportation, Inc. is our pick for best locally owned freight company. Their locally owned and operated facilities mean you work with support staff who know the route and the area, giving you more responsive scheduling than national-only carriers typically offer.
Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Wilmington to Long Beach. If you have a hard move-in date and want your stuff there as soon as possible, freight is hard to beat. It's worth noting that freight works best when you're ready to receive your delivery, so if your move-in date is still up in the air or you'll need short-term storage, a moving container is likely the more practical choice.
Cost of living: Wilmington, DE vs Long Beach, CA
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Long Beach, side by side with Wilmington on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Wilmington, DE | Long Beach, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 104 | 162 |
| Average rent | $1,812/mo | $2,075/mo |
| Median home value | $224,861 | $762,188 |
| Average income | $55,269/yr | $83,969/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 10.3% | 5.2% |
| State income tax | Up to 6.6% | Up to 13.3% |
| Walkability score | 74/100 | 73/100 |
| Safety index | 32.68/100 | 41.42/100 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
Cost of living index is relative to the U.S. average of 100. Figures reflect the latest available city and state data.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Long Beach, CA to Wilmington, DE guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from Delaware to California, so our pricing data reflects what movers are actually charging right now. Check our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers, the best way to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and bad actors. We track 9 movers in Delaware, so you have real options to compare for this 2,716-mile move.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from Wilmington, DE, to Long Beach, CA, comes down to your budget and how much time and work you're able to put into it. Hands-off relocations handled by full-service movers range from $2,526 - $11,453 on the 2,716-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,967 - $7,326 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $1,639 - $4,641 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $3,775 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and 24/7 live support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include UTi Worldwide and Molina Healthcare.
FAQs: Moving from Wilmington, DE, to Long Beach, CA
What is the best time of year to move from Wilmington, DE to Long Beach, CA?
Aim for a move between October and March, when demand drops and rates tend to be lower across all service types. Peak season runs mid-May through mid-September, and weekends and month-end dates are pricier regardless of season. A midweek, mid-month date outside peak season is your best bet for saving money.
What size moving truck do I need for this route?
Rental trucks generally range from 10 to 26 feet. A 15- to 17-foot truck covers most 2-bedroom moves, while a smaller 10- to 12-foot truck works for a studio or 1-bedroom. Homes with 3 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
Is Long Beach a safe place to live?
Long Beach has a safety index of 41.42 out of 100 and a crime index of 58.58, compared to 32.68 and 67.32 in Wilmington. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What is the cheapest way to move from Wilmington, DE to Long Beach, CA?
Renting a moving truck is almost always the most affordable option, since you handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself. A 2-bedroom rental truck move on this route averages $1,740 - $3,454. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What are the best neighborhoods in Long Beach?
For families, Bixby Village, Los Altos, and Wrigley Heights are worth a look in Long Beach. If you're moving solo or without kids, Belmont Shore, Recreation Park, and Carroll Park tend to be popular picks instead.
What percentage of Wilmington movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 77% of movers in Wilmington handle piano moves, and 63% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.