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Malibu, CA

Carlsbad, CA → Malibu, CA · Short-haul move

Movers from Carlsbad to Malibu

About 124 road miles heading northwest. Typical two-bedroom cost $2,530–$3,770, delivery in 1–2 days, 85 carriers on the Carlsbad side and 7 in Malibu.

  • 124 miroad distance
  • 2 h 50 mindriving time
  • 1–2 daysdelivery window
  • $2,530–$3,7702-bedroom estimate
Photo: The original uploader was Tillman at English Wikipedia. · CC BY-SA 2.0
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Route summary

Road distance
≈ 124 miles (105 straight-line)
Drive time
2 h 50 min
Delivery window
1–2 days
Move type
In-state (California)
Movers at origin
85 (27 interstate)
Movers at destination
7 (2 interstate)

Reverse: Malibu → Carlsbad

The route from Carlsbad, CA to Malibu, CA covers roughly 124 miles by road, a northwest-bound trip that falls into the short-haul move category for pricing purposes.

Because the two cities are close together, most companies quote this move by the hour: a crew of two to four movers plus a truck, with the drive of about 2 h 50 min counted as billable travel time. A typical two-bedroom household lands between $2,530 and $3,770, before packing or storage.

On the Carlsbad side there are 85 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (27 of them authorized for interstate work), and 7 around Malibu (2 interstate). For an in-state 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 Malibu.

Carlsbad has a population of about 112,260 and Malibu about 10,000. Carlsbad is considerably denser (3,036 people per square mile versus 537), so expect tighter loading conditions, parking permits or elevator reservations at the origin and easier truck access at the destination.

Cost of moving from Carlsbad to Malibu

Full-service estimate for 124 miles, by home size
Home sizeEst. weightLowTypicalHigh
Studio 2,000 lb $1,540 $1,880 $2,290
1 Bedroom 3,000 lb $1,540 $1,880 $2,290
2 Bedrooms 5,000 lb $2,530 $3,090 $3,770
3 Bedrooms 8,000 lb $4,050 $4,940 $6,030
4+ Bedrooms 11,000 lb $5,570 $6,790 $8,290

Rental truck (DIY)

$280–$390

One-way truck for the distance, mileage and fuel included; you load and drive.

Portable container

$1,130–$1,660

Container delivered, you load, company transports; transit is slower than a mover.

Full-service mover

$2,530–$3,770

Two-bedroom reference; crew loads, hauls and unloads.

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Carlsbad, CA → Malibu, CA. Adjust the other options to see your range.

—to—

Typical full-service range.

Estimates use market baselines described on the cost guide; your quotes will vary by inventory, access and date.

Moving companies for this route

Near Carlsbad (origin)

Altman Specialty Plants LLC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory
USDOT
440672
MC
277756
Based in
Vista, CA 92084 (8 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
311 trucks, 309 drivers
USDOT registered
1991
Call (760) 744-8191 Route Verify on FMCSA

Cronus Transportation INC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
1840993
MC
701726
Based in
Oceanside, CA 92057 (9 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
13 trucks, 13 drivers
USDOT registered
2008
Call (760) 618-0707 Route Verify on FMCSA

Online Trucking Logistics INC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
2159029
MC
750403
Based in
Vista, CA 92081 (4 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
8 trucks, 1 drivers
USDOT registered
2011
Call (760) 598-5800 Route Verify on FMCSA

Smooth Operator Logistics Co

Licensed interstate
USDOT
2660024
MC
1709631
Based in
Vista, CA 92083 (5 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
5 trucks, 4 drivers
USDOT registered
2015
Call (619) 941-9901 Route Verify on FMCSA

Resendiz Bros Trucking INC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
3398785
MC
1134994
Based in
Escondido, CA 92026 (11 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
5 trucks, 5 drivers
USDOT registered
2020
Call (760) 509-5808 Route Verify on FMCSA

Antida Trucking LLC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
2619707
MC
913842
Based in
San Diego, CA 92127 (12 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
5 trucks, 5 drivers
USDOT registered
2015
Call (619) 398-6994 Route Verify on FMCSA

A&r Moving & Transportation INC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
2925375
MC
987038
Based in
Carlsbad, CA 92011 (2 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
4 trucks, 6 drivers
USDOT registered
2016
Call (619) 807-0772 Route Verify on FMCSA

Servpro Of North Vista San Marcos

Interstate carrier

Legal name: Araya Construction INC

USDOT
2129355
Based in
San Marcos, CA 92069 (8 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
4 trucks, 4 drivers
USDOT registered
2011
Call (760) 758-3454 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 85 movers in Carlsbad

Near Malibu (destination)

Pleasant Relocation

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Success Trucking INC

USDOT
2526974
MC
877788
Based in
Agoura, CA 91301 (7 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
2 trucks, 2 drivers
USDOT registered
2014
Call (866) 317-9403 Route Verify on FMCSA

Reeds Furniture Agoura INC

Intrastate carrier
USDOT
2668399
Based in
Agoura Hills, CA 91301 (7 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
4 trucks, 4 drivers
USDOT registered
2015
Call (818) 597-7800 Route Verify on FMCSA

Relief Mart INC

Intrastate carrier
USDOT
2852806
Based in
Agoura Hills, CA 91301 (7 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
3 trucks, 4 drivers
USDOT registered
2016
Call (805) 379-4300 Route Verify on FMCSA

American Made Make Be-Leaves INC

Intrastate carrier
USDOT
4106169
Based in
Agoura Hills, CA 91301 (7 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
2 trucks, 4 drivers
USDOT registered
2023
Call (818) 879-3621 Route Verify on FMCSA

Malibu Hauling

Intrastate carrier

Legal name: Malibu Demolition INC

USDOT
2951137
Based in
Malibu, CA 90265 (6 mi from center)
Service
Local moves
Fleet
1 truck, 2 drivers
USDOT registered
2016
Call (310) 924-5226 Route Verify on FMCSA

We Are Movers INC

Intrastate carrier
USDOT
3404810
Based in
Calabasas, CA 91302 (8 mi from center)
Service
Local moves
Fleet
1 truck, 1 drivers
USDOT registered
2020
Call (310) 815-8304 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 7 movers in Malibu

Related routes

Other destinations from Carlsbad

Other origins to Malibu

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to move from Carlsbad to Malibu?

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $1,540 to $2,290 for a studio, $1,540 to $2,290 for a one-bedroom, $2,530 to $3,770 for a two-bedroom, $4,050 to $6,030 for a three-bedroom and $5,570 to $8,290 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Malibu from Carlsbad?

About 124 road miles (105 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 2 h 50 min.

How long will the movers take to deliver?

Expect a delivery window of 1 to 2 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.

Do I need an interstate-licensed mover for an in-state move?

No. Because both Carlsbad and Malibu are in California, this is an intrastate move regulated by the state rather than the FMCSA. Still, choosing a carrier with an active USDOT number is the easiest way to confirm the company is a registered motor carrier with insurance on file.

Is it cheaper to rent a truck or use a container for Carlsbad to Malibu?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $280 to $390 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,130 to $1,660. 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.

When is the least expensive time to book this move?

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 Carlsbad–Malibu corridor.