A coast to coast move is one of the biggest relocations a family can make, especially when it means moving from the East Coast back to the West Coast. And National Van Lines booking data clearly shows this pattern, as over the past two years we’ve seen a large number of individuals and families moving back to the West Coast, especially from Florida. However, Florida does not stand alone here, as the data also shows many people are choosing to leave other East Coast states like New York, Virginia and North Carolina to head back to the West.
Today we’re using California as the main West Coast destination example since it represents the largest share of West Coast moves in the National Van Lines data. However, these coast to coast moves can also include destinations in Oregon and Washington. Of course, National Van Lines serves all 50 states.
| Corridor | Share of Coast to Coast Moves | Typical Transit Time* |
|---|---|---|
| Florida → California | 39.5% | 7 to 15 days |
| New York → California | 11.2% | 6 to 14 days |
* Average range only. Actual time may vary by route and household.
What Industry Data Says About Coast to Coast Moving
It’s no secret that the West Coast has some of the highest costs of living in the country (with California outpacing Oregon and Washington), and it’s a major reason why many people move in the first place. California still loses more residents than it gains overall. The most recent U.S. Census Bureau data shows a net loss of about 250,000 residents for California in a single year, more than any other state.
However, it doesn’t mean that people are no longer moving to the West Coast, and the US Census Bureau also shows two-way movement between California and other East Coast states like New York and Virginia. U-Haul’s 2026 midyear migration trends report shows an uptick in arrivals to California among Gen Z, which seems to indicate that younger generations are most likely to move to the Golden State.
So why does this matter? If you’re currently planning your own move back to the West Coast, you are not alone. Whatever is bringing you back, heading west is a major move that more and more people are considering, especially the younger generations.
Florida to California Leads the Coast to Coast Moving Trend
National Van Lines booking data shows Florida as the leading East Coast origin state for moves back to California over the past two years. Other East Coast states (including Virginia, North Carolina, New York, New Jersey, Georgia, Tennessee and South Carolina) also show movement back to California. Here are a couple of factors that likely explain this pattern.
- While the cost of living is high on the West Coast, it’s not the only locale in the United States with high costs. Some families may choose to head back because they prefer their previous lifestyle, or because the cost-of-living difference isn’t as significant as they expected. For example, someone who moved to New York City may find that the cost of living isn’t as beneficial in NYC as it was in Los Angeles or Sacramento.
- Remote and hybrid work has provided real flexibility over the past few years, giving people more choices about where they can live.
What to Know Before Making a Coast to Coast Move
A coast to coast move from the East to the West Coast (whether that’s California, Oregon or Washington) is not like a local move. It’s not even the same as moving across state lines to the next state over. Here’s what makes this type of move unique.
- Where you’re going will affect the route you encounter. A move to Los Angeles is much different logistically than a move to Portland or Seattle. The climate, terrain and even timing will change depending on your destination. We recommend getting a general sense of the highways and areas you’ll travel through by using something like Google Maps. You’ll see what kinds of geography and weather might be involved along the way.
- The distance between the East Coast and a state like California spans over 2,500 miles (varies by city of course). That’s a big number, but with the right planning and preparation, the move can feel more streamlined and efficient.
- Depending on your origin, you might need to prepare for big weather shifts. The more temperate weather on the West Coast might be very different from where you live now, especially if you’re residing in a humid state like South Carolina or Florida. Even if you’re celebrating the change, we recommend making sure you’re fully prepared for a different climate.
As part of being prepared, take a good look at what you wear. Before moving it may help to declutter and donate clothing and shoes that might not fit with your new destination, or that you simply no longer wear.
- Get ready for timezone shifts. Unlike a regional move, where you might lose or gain only a single hour, you’ll be traveling from Eastern Standard Time to Pacific Standard Time. This 3-hour difference is something to consider in advance so you’re not caught off-guard when it comes to periods of rest and activity.
A coast to coast move might have a lot of moving parts that are primarily due to the distance, but they are all things you can easily plan for. If you get the basics sorted out early-on you’ll help avoid feelings of stress as you prepare for the big change.
Why Choose National Van Lines for Your Coast to Coast Move
National Van Lines has been an employee-owned, long distance moving company since 1929. Coast to coast corridors like Florida to California represent the kind of long-haul, high-stakes moves that our history is built on.
“We’ve watched Florida to California pick up steadily over the past couple of years. It’s not the loudest trend in the industry, but it’s a real one, and it’s exactly why we pay attention to corridor level data instead of just national headlines.”
— Aaron Bacon, Director of Sales Development
Some van lines compete mainly on size or national footprint. National Van Lines competes on real corridor experience, an agent network built over nearly a century, and a level of accountability that comes from being employee-owned rather than answerable to outside investors.
A coast to coast move is not a move you want to leave to guesswork. Knowing which routes a mover actually understands – with insight backed by real data, not on assumptions – is part of choosing a company that can see the whole move through.
Start Your Coast to Coast Move With National Van Lines
If a coast to coast move is on your mind, the best next step is to get a real quote. Get a personalized quote from National Van Lines, or call 800-323-1962 to see exactly what your move to the West Coast could look like.
