If you’re planning a long-distance move from Los Angeles, you’ve probably already Googled three different versions of the same question: “How long does it take to move from LA to [City]?”
And you probably got three different answers.
I book and coordinate long-distance moves out of LA all the time at United Prime Van Lines, and here’s the honest truth:
There is no one fixed number of days.
But there are very clear ranges and patterns depending on where you’re going, the time of year, and your flexibility. Let’s walk through it like we would on a phone call. By the end, you should have a realistic idea of how long your move will take—and what you can do to control it.
Most people imagine long-distance moving like a UPS delivery: The truck picks up your stuff in LA, drives straight there, and drops it off.
In reality, unless you pay for a premium "Exclusive Use" truck, your move is planned in delivery windows.
The Three Stages of Your Move:
The big variable is Stage 3: Transit. Let’s break it down by region.
These are realistic ranges for standard consolidated moves (where your shipment shares space on a truck to save money).
Destinations: Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Northern California.
Why: Freight time is fast, but trucks often make multiple stops along the I-5 or I-10 corridors.
Destinations: Colorado, Texas, Illinois.
Why: The driver likely has a pickup in LA, another in the Valley, a drop-off in Phoenix, and then your delivery in Denver. The route is rarely a straight line.
Destinations: New York, Florida, DC.
Why: This is a cross-country haul. We build in buffers for weather, traffic, weigh stations, and mandatory driver rest periods (DOT laws).
Distance is only the starting point. Here are the five factors that speed up or slow down your move.
Example A: LA to Phoenix (2-Bedroom Apt)
Example B: LA to Denver (3-Bedroom House)
Example C: LA to NYC (1-Bedroom Apt)
Tell us early: "I start my new job on the 10th." We can suggest the right service level (Standard vs. Expedited) to meet that date.
Even with the fastest move, there is a gap between handing over your keys in LA and getting your bed in the new city. Pack a suitcase with:
If we strip away the noise, here is the bottom line for moving from LA:
My job—and what we do every day at United Prime Van Lines—is to take your real-life situation and give you a window you can plan your life around.
If you want to know, "Realistically, how long will it take to get my stuff to Texas?", check out our Long-Distance Moving page or give us a call. We’ll walk through it step by step.
