($1,550+) Chesapeake, VA to Los Angeles, CA Movers

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Background image of a moving truck moving from Chesapeake, VA to Los Angeles, CA

Moving from Chesapeake, VA, to Los Angeles, CA, runs anywhere from $1,550 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $11,047 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 2,720 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 $2,390, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $11,047 or more.
  • Moving containers run $1,954 - $6,713, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,550 - $4,302.
  • Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Chesapeake, VA, to Los Angeles, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,496 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.

Compare moving options from Chesapeake, VA to Los Angeles, CA

Moving options from Chesapeake to Los Angeles fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $3,496 - $7,425 for a 2-3 bedroom home and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers cost about 26% less than full-service for the same size, and rental trucks land around 53% less, with both DIY options requiring you to load yourself. Covering 2,720 miles, this route usually takes 7 to 21 days from pickup to delivery.

Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 2,720-mile route from Chesapeake to Los Angeles, broken down by home size:

  • A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $2,390 - $5,404 with full-service movers, $1,954 - $3,832 with a container, $1,550 - $3,002 with a rental truck, or $1,656 - $3,350 by freight.
  • A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $3,496 - $7,425 full-service, $2,582 - $5,286 by container, $1,645 - $3,436 by rental truck, or $2,026 - $4,269 by freight.
  • A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $7,125 - $11,047 full-service, $3,323 - $6,713 by container, $2,059 - $4,302 by rental truck, or $2,767 - $5,650 by freight.

Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated October 30, 2026.

Professional moving
Professional
Safeway Moving
star star star star star 4.9 / 5
Read our full Safeway review
Best overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran-owned
Moving container
Container
Unlimited storage
3 container sizes
10% discount
Rental truck
Rental Truck
Budget Truck Rental
star star star star star 4.3 / 5
Read our full Budget review
Affordable pricing
Online estimates
Several discounts
Freight trailer
Freight
MovingYourself
star star star star star 4.5 / 5
Read our full MovingYourself review
Fast delivery
Nationwide
100+ miles moves

Full-service moving costs from Chesapeake, VA to Los Angeles, CA

A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 2,720-mile move from Chesapeake, Virginia, to Los Angeles, California, with prices running from $2,390 - $11,047. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $382 - $2,544 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between Chesapeake and Los Angeles are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, Chesapeake movers tend to run around $290 as a base rate plus $125/hour per mover, for comparison.

Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Chesapeake to Los Angeles:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,390 - $5,404
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,496 - $7,425
  • 4+ bedrooms: $7,125 - $11,047

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 Chesapeake to Los Angeles.

Pro tip: Moving company rates climb during peak moving season (May –-September) when demand peaks. Scheduling your move outside of that window can lead to noticeably lower costs and better availability.

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Specialty moving services from Chesapeake, VA to Los Angeles, CA

Specialty needs vary by market: 63% of Chesapeake movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Los Angeles, 56% of movers offer the same service.

Service When you need it Typical cost
Full packingFull crew packing68% of local movers$636 - $6,360
Storage in transitNew place not ready63% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK$254 - $1,526/mo
Shuttle feeTruck can't reach door$382 - $3,053
Full-value protectionMore than $0.60/lb coverage15% of local movers$300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value)
Small movesUnder ~2,000 lbs45% of local movers$1,272 - $3,816
Office / commercialWorkplace relocation$3,180 - $12,720
Car shippingSecond vehicle$953 - $1,810
Antiques & fine artFragile, high-value items24% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Atlantic Beach Movers$1,272 - $3,180
PianoAny piano type45% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage$1,018 - $4,452
Pool tableDisassembly & re-leveling15% of local movers$382 - $1,908
Hot tubHeavy, needs disconnect11% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Atlantic Beach Movers$827 - $2,544
Wine collectionClimate-controlled transport$382 - $19,080+
Pet relocationGround, air, or concierge$382 - $4,452+

What are the best full-service movers from Chesapeake to Los Angeles?

California Moving & Storage Association membership is a quick way to confirm a mover is legitimate in California, on top of the picks below.

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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 van lines are the smarter financial choice over local movers in Chesapeake, VA. Local companies can run 30% - 40% more at that range since they don't consolidate shipments the way interstate carriers do. If a direct, dedicated route with an average 2-day delivery appeals to you, a local mover could be worth it, but that convenience comes at a cost.

Moving container costs from Chesapeake, VA to Los Angeles, CA

Moving containers from Chesapeake, Virginia, to Los Angeles, California, cost between $1,954 and $6,713. 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 Los Angeles. If you go over that window, storage in Chesapeake adds around $100/month.

Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Chesapeake to Los Angeles:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,954 - $3,832
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,582 - $5,286
  • 4+ bedrooms: $3,323 - $6,713

What other costs come with moving containers?

  • Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $95 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $191 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 $890 in Chesapeake, VA, 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 Los Angeles, CA, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.

Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Virginia 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 $1,954. 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 $2,582 - $5,286.

What are the best moving containers Chesapeake to Los Angeles?

  1. Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
  2. U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
  3. 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 Chesapeake 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 Chesapeake:

  • TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.4/5), 9 years in business
  • Atlantic Beach Movers (4.7/5), 20 years in business
  • College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.8/5), 0 years in business

Moving truck rental costs from Chesapeake, VA to Los Angeles, CA

Renting a moving truck for the 2,720-mile move from Chesapeake, Virginia, to Los Angeles, California, costs between $1,550 and $4,302, before these typical add-ons:

  • Fuel for the drive: $1,101 - $1,258
  • Daily insurance: $38/day
  • Equipment rentals: $9 - $25
  • Chesapeake daily rental rate: $19 - $39
  • Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.89
Home sizeTypical truck size
Studio / 1 bedroom10 - 12 ft
2 - 3 bedrooms15 - 17 ft
4+ bedrooms20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel)

These are typical moving truck rental costs from Chesapeake to Los Angeles based on home size:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,550 - $3,002
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,645 - $3,436
  • 4+ bedrooms: $2,059 - $4,302

Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $1,550 - $4,302 does not include fuel ($1,101 - $1,258), lodging ($191/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Chesapeake to Los Angeles typically runs more than the base rate alone, with meals, equipment, and other extras adding roughly $600 - $1,200 on top of fuel and lodging.

What other costs come with rental trucks?

  • Equipment: Tow dollies, appliance dollies, and moving pads are not included in the base rate. These extras often total between $95 and $445.
  • Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $191.
  • Gas: Expect fuel to run between $1,101 and $1,258 for the 2,720-mile drive, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
  • Moving labor: If you'd rather not do all the heavy lifting, budget around $890 for 2 movers in Chesapeake, Virginia, for about 5 hours.
  • Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.

What are the best moving truck rentals from Chesapeake to Los Angeles?

  1. Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
  2. Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
  3. 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 Chesapeake, VA to Los Angeles, CA

Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from Chesapeake, Virginia, to Los Angeles, California. Standard trailers run 28 feet long, and you're only charged for the portion you actually fill. The carrier drops the trailer off, you load it at your own pace, and they handle the drive to your new city.

Pricing is based entirely on the linear footage your shipment occupies, not the full trailer length. Most long-distance freight moves land somewhere between $1,145 and $4,269.

Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Chesapeake to Los Angeles:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,656 - $3,350
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,026 - $4,269
  • 4+ bedrooms: $2,767 - $5,650

Pro tip: Freight pricing rewards efficient packing. Trailers are 8 feet tall and accessed via a 4-foot ramp, so technique matters, especially for heavy pieces. Since each additional linear foot adds to your quote, packing strategically is one of the easiest ways to control costs.

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 Chesapeake, Virginia, for roughly five hours typically average $890.

What are the best freight companies from Chesapeake to Los Angeles?

  1. MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the best for large moves pick. While it's a top moving container option for the DIY hybrid setup (you handle the loading, they handle the driving), the same approach makes it a strong freight choice for 3 to 5+ bedroom homes that need 53 feet of trailer capacity with pay-as-you-go pricing.
  2. U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer here. In addition to their popular container service, U-Pack delivers a top-tier freight trailer option that uses the same pay-by-the-foot pricing model and skips deposits and upfront fees entirely.

Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from Chesapeake to Los Angeles, 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: Chesapeake, VA vs Los Angeles, CA

The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Los Angeles, side by side with Chesapeake on housing, income, and taxes.

Measure Chesapeake, VA Los Angeles, CA
Cost of living index104162
Average rent$1,800/mo$2,960/mo
Median home value$359,218$878,142
Average income$94,189/yr$80,366/yr
Unemployment rate5.0%10.6%
State income taxUp to 5.75%Up to 13.3%
Walkability score21/10069/100
Safety index70.88/10046.19/100
Air qualityGoodModerate

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 Los Angeles, CA to Chesapeake, VA guide.

Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:

In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from Virginia to California, so our pricing data stays current. Use our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and spot bad actors early. We track 262 movers licensed in Virginia, useful context for sizing up this 2,720-mile move.

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Our take

The 2,720-mile move from Chesapeake, VA, to Los Angeles, CA, costs between $2,390 and $11,047 with full-service movers, $1,954 - $6,713 with a moving container, and $1,550 - $4,302 for a rental truck. Your budget and how much heavy lifting you want to do are the two biggest factors in choosing the right option. If you go with full-service movers, Safeway Moving is our top recommendation, with transparent flat-rate pricing starting around $3,496 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage, and 24/7 customer support.

Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include County of Los Angeles and Los Angeles Unified School District.

FAQs: Moving from Chesapeake, VA, to Los Angeles, CA

What are some tips for saving money on a move from Chesapeake, VA to Los Angeles, 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 is the best time of year to move from Chesapeake, VA to Los Angeles, 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.

How long does a move from Chesapeake, VA to Los Angeles, CA take?

Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 7 to 21 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 extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?

The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($1,101 - $1,258), daily insurance ($38/day), and equipment rentals ($9 - $25) on top. Overnight stops can add another $191/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.

What is the cheapest way to move from Chesapeake, VA to Los Angeles, 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 $1,645 - $3,436. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.

What percentage of Chesapeake movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?

About 45% of movers in Chesapeake handle piano moves, and 24% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.