($1,133+) Milwaukee, WI to Long Beach, CA Movers
Moving from Milwaukee, WI, to Long Beach, CA, runs anywhere from $1,133 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $11,003 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 2,069 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 6 to 17 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 $2,475, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $11,003 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,646 - $5,691, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,133 - $3,450.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Milwaukee, WI, to Long Beach, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,348 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
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Compare moving options from Milwaukee, WI to Long Beach, CA
Moving options from Milwaukee to Long Beach fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $3,348 - $7,621 on this route, with movers handling all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 36% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 63% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This 2,069-mile route typically takes 6 to 17 days door to door.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 2,069-mile route from Milwaukee to Long Beach, broken down by home size:
- A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $2,475 - $5,580 with full-service movers, $1,646 - $2,915 with a container, $1,133 - $2,299 with a rental truck, or $1,453 - $2,679 by freight.
- A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $3,348 - $7,621 full-service, $2,149 - $4,172 by container, $1,239 - $2,629 by rental truck, or $1,620 - $3,304 by freight.
- A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $6,536 - $11,003 full-service, $2,833 - $5,691 by container, $1,612 - $3,450 by rental truck, or $2,289 - $4,599 by freight.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated November 2, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Milwaukee, WI to Long Beach, CA
Hiring full-service movers from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Long Beach, California, costs between $2,475 and $11,003. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 2,069-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $353 - $2,352, depending on the size of your home. Your final cost comes down to two things: the total weight of your shipment and the distance between Milwaukee and Long Beach. For a rough baseline, movers based in Milwaukee tend to start around $349 plus $105/hour per mover on local jobs, before long-distance pricing takes over for a move this size.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Milwaukee to Long Beach:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,475 - $5,580
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,348 - $7,621
- 4+ bedrooms: $6,536 - $11,003
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 Milwaukee to Long Beach.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Wisconsin to California. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: Peak moving season (May - September) limits truck availability and pushes up full-service moving costs. Booking during slower months can give you more scheduling room and a lower final price.
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Specialty moving services from Milwaukee, WI to Long Beach, CA
Specialty needs vary by market: 62% of Milwaukee movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Long Beach, 55% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing84% of local movers | $588 - $5,880 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready62% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $235 - $1,411/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $353 - $2,822 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage9% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs59% of local movers | $1,176 - $3,528 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,940 - $11,760 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $881 - $1,673 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items23% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Top Notch Moving and Storage | $1,176 - $2,940 |
| Piano | Any piano type31% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $941 - $4,116 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling7% of local movers | $353 - $1,764 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect14% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $764 - $2,352 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $353 - $17,640+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $353 - $4,116+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Milwaukee to Long Beach?
California Moving & Storage Association membership is a quick way to confirm a mover is legitimate in California, on top of the picks below.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing means no surprise charges on moving day, and their support team is consistently rated among the most responsive in the industry.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here, 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, with 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 carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Milwaukee, WI. At that distance, local movers often charge 30% - 40% more because they don't spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments the way national carriers do. If a direct route and faster delivery (averaging 2 days) are priorities, a local mover may be worth considering, but that service comes at a higher price.
Moving container costs from Milwaukee, WI to Long Beach, CA
Moving containers from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Long Beach, California, cost between $1,646 and $5,691. The container gets dropped at your door and you load it at your own pace. U-Haul gives you 3 days to load and PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're done, the company handles all the transportation. If you need extra time, storage in Milwaukee runs about $90/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Milwaukee to Long Beach:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,646 - $2,915
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,149 - $4,172
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,833 - $5,691
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $88 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $176 per month for larger units (12 - 16 feet).
- Moving labor: Containers don't come with loading help, so many customers hire hourly movers for the job. Two movers for about 5 hours will run you around $823 in Milwaukee, WI, per moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Standard coverage only reimburses by weight. Full-value protection gives you more complete coverage for higher-value items and typically costs 1% - 2% of your total declared value, around $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 shipment.
- Access: National providers generally operate in both cities, but verify that a facility near your Long Beach, CA, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Wisconsin 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 $1,646. Underestimating how much you have and needing an extra container means paying for another one, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise. For reference, a 2 - 3 bedroom home typically runs $2,149 - $4,172.
What are the best moving containers Milwaukee 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 Milwaukee 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 Milwaukee:
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.8/5), 10 years in business
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.4/5), 33 years in business
- Brothers Moving & Storage (4.7/5), 13 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Milwaukee, WI to Long Beach, CA
Renting a moving truck for the 2,069-mile move from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Long Beach, California, costs between $1,133 and $3,450, before these typical add-ons:
- Fuel for the drive: $774 - $885
- Daily insurance: $35/day
- Equipment rentals: $8 - $24
- Milwaukee daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.59 - $0.69
| 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 Milwaukee to Long Beach based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,133 - $2,299
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,239 - $2,629
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,612 - $3,450
Pro tip: The base rate of $1,133 - $3,450 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Milwaukee to Long Beach. Fuel ($774 - $885), lodging at around $176/night, meals, and equipment rentals are all on top of that. Factor in roughly $600 - $1,200 more for meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging to get a realistic picture of what the move will actually cost.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Gas: Fuel adds $774 - $885 for the 2,069-mile drive, depending on whether your rental truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: You'll handle the heavy lifting unless you bring in help. Two movers in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, for about 5 hours typically costs around $823.
- Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
- Lodging: The 2,069-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $176 per night, adding $353 - $529 in hotel costs total.
- Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $59 and $353.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Milwaukee 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 Milwaukee, WI to Long Beach, CA
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Long Beach, California, when you want to do the loading yourself without having to drive a massive vehicle. The trailer is delivered, you pack it up, and the carrier handles the long haul.
What sets freight trailers apart is the pay-for-what-you-use pricing model. Each additional foot of trailer space you occupy adds to the cost. Pricing for a 2 - 3 bedroom move of this distance typically lands between $1,620 and $3,304.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Milwaukee to Long Beach:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,453 - $2,679
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,620 - $3,304
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,289 - $4,599
Pro tip: Freight trailers offer generous space but reward good packing strategy. The 4-foot ramp can be challenging for large or heavy pieces, and using the full 8-foot height takes careful stacking. Because you're billed by the linear foot, maximizing vertical space keeps your costs lower.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- More space: Freight trailers are billed by the section you fill. If you misjudge your shipment size, each extra foot of trailer space adds around $88 - $176 to your final bill.
- Peak season pricing: Expect higher rates during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) when trailer availability tightens across the country.
- Moving labor: Loading is on you unless you hire outside help. A half-day crew of two movers in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, typically costs $823.
What are the best freight companies from Milwaukee to Long Beach?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Best known as a top moving container option thanks to its DIY hybrid model (you load, they drive), MovingYourself also doubles as a strong freight choice with their 53-foot trucks and pay-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. In addition to their well-known container service, U-Pack offers freight trailers that follow the same pay-by-the-foot model with no deposits or upfront fees, making them one of the most flexible freight options for budget-conscious moves.
Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from Milwaukee to Long Beach, freight trailers are one of the fastest interstate options available, second only to renting a truck and driving it yourself. The tradeoff is that freight works best when you're ready to receive your belongings on the other end. If your timeline is tight on the receiving side or you need a short storage buffer, a moving container might be a better fit.
Cost of living: Milwaukee, WI 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 Milwaukee on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Milwaukee, WI | Long Beach, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 88 | 162 |
| Average rent | $1,250/mo | $2,075/mo |
| Median home value | $171,025 | $762,188 |
| Average income | $51,888/yr | $83,969/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 7.4% | 5.2% |
| State income tax | Up to 7.65% | Up to 13.3% |
| Walkability score | 62/100 | 73/100 |
| Safety index | 33.24/100 | 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 Milwaukee, WI guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from Wisconsin to California over the past 3 months, giving us some of the most up-to-date pricing data around. Running your move through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. There are 145 movers in our Wisconsin network to compare for this 2,069-mile move.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from Milwaukee, WI, 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 $2,475 - $11,003 on the 2,069-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,646 - $5,691 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $1,133 - $3,450 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $3,348 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 Milwaukee, WI, to Long Beach, CA
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Milwaukee, WI to Long Beach, CA?
Cutting 500 pounds from your shipment, roughly one bedroom's worth of items, saves approximately $200 - $400 on a full-service move on this route. Beyond that, staying organized matters just as much. A solid moving checklist keeps you on schedule and helps you avoid costly last-minute mistakes.
What do local movers charge in Milwaukee?
Local movers based in Milwaukee typically start around $349 as a base rate, plus $105/hour per mover. That's a useful baseline if you're hiring help just to load a rental truck or container rather than booking a full long-distance move. Rates in Long Beach run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
How long does a move from Milwaukee, WI to Long Beach, CA take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 6 to 17 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are often one of the faster options outside of driving yourself, though you'll need to be ready to receive your shipment on arrival. Driving a rental truck yourself puts the schedule entirely in your hands.
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 is the cheapest way to move from Milwaukee, WI 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 $1,239 - $2,629. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What percentage of Milwaukee movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 31% of movers in Milwaukee handle piano moves, and 23% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.