Lane · 2,790 mi
Moving from Los Angeles to New York
Our longest regular lane, and the one where the details cost the most: a permit at the Los Angeles end, a certificate of insurance for most Manhattan buildings, and a delivery window you should plan around rather than hope about.
- 7–12 days written spread
- One truck no partner transfer
- Binding price after survey
- USDOT 2138595 · MC-744411 checkable on FMCSA SAFER
- Distance
- 2,790 mi driving miles, door to door
- Transit
- 7–12 days driving days once loaded
- Typical 2-bed
- 4,000–6,000 lb shipment weight
- Storage
- 30 days included if the far end is not ready
Weight is what an interstate price is built on, so it is the number worth getting right at survey. We do not put a dollar figure on a web page: a 4,000 lb studio and a 6,000 lb two-bed are different moves, and a headline price that ignores that is a price that changes later.
What changes between the two ends
Coast to coast is the most predictable long haul there is — the mileage never changes. What changes is everything within a block of each door, and on this lane the two doors want different paperwork.
A permit at one end, an insurance certificate at the other
Los Angeles wants LADOT reached five working days before the date, and in the canyons it often wants a shuttle as well. Manhattan wants a certificate of insurance naming the building, which almost any managed building will demand before a crew is allowed past the lobby — and which is issued by the carrier, not by you. Neither end is difficult. Both ends are a reason a move fails on the day when somebody assumed the other city’s rule applied.
Weight, not volume
An interstate carrier prices by the weight of the shipment. Getting the inventory right at survey is what makes an estimate binding, and a binding estimate is what stops the number moving on loading day. A quote produced from cubic feet and a bedroom count is a guess with a bill attached.
The delivery window, and where the day goes
Seven to twelve driving days, written on the bill of lading. Book the flight and the lease around the far end of the spread rather than the near end — a truck crossing eight states in February is a truck that can lose a day to weather and still be on time.
The prose above used to stop there, and it left out the interesting part: where. The answer is usually the first day, not the last. I-40 crosses the Colorado Plateau at nearly 7,000 feet at Flagstaff and ADOT closes it for snow, diverting onto US 93 — so a January delay on a New York move is more likely to happen in northern Arizona than anywhere east of the Mississippi. Nobody expects that, which is exactly why it is worth planning around: if your date is fixed at the New York end, the load date is what moves.
What we do not do
We do not transfer your shipment to another carrier in Chicago to finish the run. One truck, one company, both ends. It is the single biggest reason cross-country moves go wrong when they go wrong.
What decides this move
Three things set the day, and the distance is not one of them
The mileage never changes. These do, and all three are settled at survey rather than on moving day.
7,000 ft I-40 at Flagstaff, day one of the haul
The plateau, not the prairie
Eastbound out of Los Angeles this lane runs I-15 to Barstow and then I-40 across northern Arizona — which crosses the Colorado Plateau at nearly 7,000 feet at Flagstaff. ADOT closes I-40 there for snow and ice and diverts traffic onto US 93. So on a winter move to New York the most likely place to lose a day is Arizona, roughly 300 miles into a 2,790-mile run, not Ohio or Pennsylvania. It is the reason the spread on this lane is written wide in January and tighter in June.
COI required by most managed buildings
The Manhattan building certificate
A Manhattan managed building will ask for a certificate of insurance naming it before a crew reaches the lift. It comes from the carrier and it takes days, not minutes, which is why it belongs in the survey rather than in the week of the move.
7–12 days on the bill of lading
The written spread
Both ends of the spread go on your paperwork. Book the far end, not the near end: a truck crossing eight states in winter can lose a day to weather and still be inside what was promised.
4,000–6,000 lb a typical two-bedroom
Weight is what sets the price
The price is built on weight, so the survey is where it is decided. A studio and a four-bedroom on this lane are thousands apart, and any number quoted before the inventory exists is a number that will move.
What it costs
What a Los Angeles to New York move involves
Weight and transit, which is the structure of the price. Not a dollar figure — a studio and a four-bedroom are thousands apart, and a headline number that ignores that is one that changes later.
| Home size | Typical weight | Transit | Usual arrangement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio or 1 bed one bedroom of contents | 2,000 – 3,500 lb | 7–12 days | shared trailer |
| 2 bedrooms the most common interstate move | 4,000 – 6,000 lb | 7–12 days | shared trailer |
| 3 bedrooms usually most of a trailer | 7,000 – 9,000 lb | 7–12 days | full trailer share |
| 4+ bedrooms often a truck of its own | 10,000 – 14,000 lb | 7–12 days | dedicated trailer |
Weight ranges are an industry rule of thumb, not a measurement of your home. Transit is driving days once loaded and both ends of the spread go on your paperwork. The only number that binds is the one after a survey.
Get a binding priceHow the run works
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Survey, and both ends
Video or in person. Fixes the inventory, the weight and the access at both ends — which is what makes the estimate binding.
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LADOT permit and the COI
LADOT at least five working days out for the Los Angeles end. The certificate of insurance for the New York building, issued by us and sent to the managing agent.
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Load day in Los Angeles
Wrapped, labeled and inventoried at your door, early enough to get out ahead of the freeways.
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Delivery inside the spread
Inside the written spread, unloaded and reassembled, packing debris taken away.
Protection
Moving insurance: what your belongings are covered for
Two levels, and the one you get by default is the better one. Released value is free and pays 60 cents a pound — you have to ask for it. Full value protection is the federal default if you make no written choice, and it is what we quote.
- 60¢ / lb
- released value — free, but you have to choose it
- Full value
- the federal default if you choose nothing
- $100 / lb
- extraordinary value — declare it in writing
Full value protection is the federal default. Released value is the one you have to ask for.
What each level actually paysGet a price for Los Angeles to New York
Two ZIP codes and a date. A coordinator calls you back — no deposit, no call center.
Other lanes we run
Transit is driving days once loaded, not calendar days from booking. Both ends of the spread go on your paperwork.
On the road and at the door
From customers on our long-haul lanes
“They were on time with pick up and delivery considering I was under a time constraint to leave Washington and settle in in Cali.”
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Sarahi S.
Read on YelpGoing with these guys was definitely one of the best decisions I've made in an extremely hectic week. We're expecting my father in law to move in with us, and we're moving apartments all in a couple of days so I needed the move to be flawless. Read the full review Read less
Going with these guys was definitely one of the best decisions I've made in an extremely hectic week. We're expecting my father in law to move in with us, and we're moving apartments all in a couple of days so I needed the move to be flawless. We actually have a lot, I mean a giant collection of artwork and I was worried because we have had some disturbing experiences with movers in the past. However, I have to say Cross Country Movers was by far the best i have ever dealt with. They packed every single piece with care and extra padding and moved it thoughtfully. They would also always check in with me to see which piece should be next to be moved in. I was expecting all of this to be done in two days but this was all done in 1 day. I was so relieved to have saved so much time. This gave us more time to prepare our new home and we were able to have my father-in-law come in a day earlier than expected. The team was pleasant and better yet, professional. Usually with movers I feel like I am organizing a daycare with a bunch of grown men who don't really want to be there, but Cross Country Movers were different. They were very considerate, reliable, hard working, and all had a great attitude. And their prices are pretty good, this was money well spent… And to be honest even if their prices were more expensive I wouldn't mind paying it. Trust me, they are worth every dollar. Highly recommended. They will undoubtedly be my go to moving team from now on.
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Darrell B.
Read on GoogleSuch a relief! I had a regrettable experience with a broker who tried to charge me four times the initial quote, even though I had been clear about the items to be moved during five separate phone calls and a video call. Read the full review Read less
Such a relief! I had a regrettable experience with a broker who tried to charge me four times the initial quote, even though I had been clear about the items to be moved during five separate phone calls and a video call. Thankfully, a friend recommended a fantastic moving company to me. I went through their website which was incredibly detailed, covering many aspects of moving and potential scams to be aware of. It stood out from the vague websites of other moving companies. It was clear to me that this was the moving company I needed. A very helpful lady answered all my questions and even came out with her partner to give me an estimate the next day. The owner of the company, although a bit energetic and straightforward, proved his expertise during the loading process. He demonstrated exceptional problem-solving skills, especially when faced with getting some pieces out of a tight spot. We had made alterations to our finished basement after furnishing it, but they skillfully moved a 1000lb safe with precision and ease. Upon arriving in Modesto, they asked to unload a day earlier than anticipated, which made me very happy. The owner and the lady were both there working with the rest of the team to unload and set us up. Despite the extreme heat, they didn't waste any time. Every room was set up, boxes were neatly stacked as per my request, trash was collected, and the entire project was well organized. The entire move went without a hitch. Their team, which included several technicians, was truly impressive.
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William W.
Read on YelpBefore in my life, I certainly used professional moving services, namely, I ordered a truck for transportation of furniture without movers' services,so we coped with it somehow by ourselves but in this time the movers were needed ASAP. Read the full review Read less
Before in my life, I certainly used professional moving services, namely, I ordered a truck for transportation of furniture without movers' services,so we coped with it somehow by ourselves but in this time the movers were needed ASAP. I learned that there is a bunch of worthy moving companies. So I esteemed, compared those and found that it is better to work directly with Cross Country Movers .WHY? Firstly, comparing prices- this company is more accessible and appropriate, Secondly, there're lots of good reviews, Thirdly, there is responsive staff who knows their business, and Fourth, the guys even cleaned up the garbage! I couldn't be happier with their service, because I would never be able to manage all these moving and packing on my own. On the whole, I am so satisfied! read less
Both ends of this lane
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Movers in Los Angeles
the origin, and the LADOT permit
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Movers in New York
the destination, and the building COI
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Auto transport
ship the car rather than drive it
What does it cost?
It depends on weight, and honestly so. A studio and a four-bedroom on the same lane are thousands apart. A coordinator can give you a real number in about ten minutes on the phone, and a binding one after a survey.
Can I fly out before my things arrive?
Yes, and most people do. Somebody over eighteen has to receive the delivery and check the inventory against the sheet, but it does not have to be you.
What if my New York building will not let the truck in?
Very common in Manhattan. We check at survey and price a shuttle if the street or the loading dock cannot take a 53-foot trailer.
Is there a cheaper time of year?
Yes. Summer is peak in both directions and prices reflect it. October to April is quieter, and a mid-month, mid-week load is cheaper than the first of the month.
Get a price for Los Angeles to New York
Eight fields, and the last two are how a coordinator reaches you. Nothing here commits you to anything.