Boston, MA → Santa Monica, CA · Cross-country move
About 3,074 road miles heading west. Typical two-bedroom cost $10,230–$15,210, delivery in 7–14 days, 918 carriers on the Boston side and 603 in Santa Monica.
Moving from Boston to Santa Monica is a cross-country move of roughly 3,074 road miles, heading west from Massachusetts to California.
At this distance carriers price by shipment weight and mileage rather than by the hour. A two-bedroom home (around 5,000 lb of goods) typically costs $10,230 to $15,210 with a full-service mover, and delivery usually takes 7 to 14 days after pickup because long-haul trucks consolidate several households per trip. Driving it yourself takes about 53 hours (6 driving days).
On the Boston side there are 918 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (554 of them authorized for interstate work), and 603 around Santa Monica (222 interstate). For an interstate move you can book from either end; movers near the origin handle loading and are usually the better first call, while a destination-side company can be useful if you need storage or delivery-day help in Santa Monica.
Boston has a population of about 672,973 and Santa Monica about 92,000. The two cities have comparable density (13,989 and 11,069 people per square mile), so loading and unloading conditions are usually similar at both ends.
| Home size | Est. weight | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | 2,000 lb | $4,090 | $4,990 | $6,090 |
| 1 Bedroom | 3,000 lb | $6,140 | $7,480 | $9,130 |
| 2 Bedrooms | 5,000 lb | $10,230 | $12,470 | $15,210 |
| 3 Bedrooms | 8,000 lb | $16,360 | $19,950 | $24,340 |
| 4+ Bedrooms | 11,000 lb | $22,500 | $27,430 | $33,470 |
$4,210–$5,940
One-way truck for the distance, mileage and fuel included; you load and drive.
$3,760–$5,530
Container delivered, you load, company transports; transit is slower than a mover.
$10,230–$15,210
Two-bedroom reference; crew loads, hauls and unloads.
Distance is pre-filled for Boston, MA → Santa Monica, CA. Adjust the other options to see your range.
Typical full-service range.
Estimates use market baselines described on the cost guide; your quotes will vary by inventory, access and date.
Legal name: Gentle Giant Interstate Company LLC
Legal name: Spike INC
Legal name: Usart Company INC
Typical full-service estimates for this route are $4,090 to $6,090 for a studio, $6,140 to $9,130 for a one-bedroom, $10,230 to $15,210 for a two-bedroom, $16,360 to $24,340 for a three-bedroom and $22,500 to $33,470 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.
About 3,074 road miles (2,605 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 53 hours (6 driving days).
Expect a delivery window of 7 to 14 days after pickup. Carriers give a spread rather than a fixed date because long-distance trucks carry several shipments; a dedicated truck or expedited service shortens the window for an extra fee.
Yes. Crossing from Massachusetts into California makes this an interstate move, so the carrier must hold active FMCSA operating authority (an MC number) in addition to its USDOT number. The company cards on this page flag which carriers are authorized for interstate work.
A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $4,210 to $5,940 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $3,760 to $5,530. Both save money versus a full-service crew but you do the loading, and container transit can take longer than a mover's delivery window.
Rates are highest in summer and around the last days of any month, when demand peaks. Mid-month, mid-week and winter dates are usually quoted below the standard rate. Booking four to eight weeks ahead gives you the widest choice of carriers on the Boston–Santa Monica corridor.