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

Movers from Carlsbad to Palmdale

About 132 road miles heading northwest. Typical two-bedroom cost $2,570–$3,820, delivery in 1–2 days, 85 carriers on the Carlsbad side and 129 in Palmdale.

132 miroad distance
2 h 59 mindriving time
1–2 daysdelivery window
$2,570–$3,8202-bedroom estimate

Photo: G-BDXH · CC0

Open navigation Google Maps Apple Maps Waze

Route summary

From: Carlsbad, California
To: Palmdale, California
Road distance: ≈ 132 miles (111 straight-line)
Drive time: 2 h 59 min
Delivery window: 1–2 days
Move type: In-state (California)
Movers at origin: 85 (27 interstate)
Movers at destination: 129 (66 interstate)

Reverse: Palmdale → Carlsbad

Moving from Carlsbad to Palmdale is a short-haul move of roughly 132 road miles, heading northwest within California.

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 59 min counted as billable travel time. A typical two-bedroom household lands between $2,570 and $3,820, 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 129 around Palmdale (66 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 Palmdale.

Carlsbad has a population of about 112,260 and Palmdale about 161,845. Carlsbad is considerably denser (3,036 people per square mile versus 1,597), 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 Palmdale

Full-service estimate for 132 miles, by home size
Home size	Est. weight	Low	Typical	High
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	$2,570	$3,130	$3,820
3 Bedrooms	8,000 lb	$4,110	$5,010	$6,110
4+ Bedrooms	11,000 lb	$5,650	$6,890	$8,410

Rental truck (DIY)

$290–$400

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

Portable container

$1,140–$1,670

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

Full-service mover

$2,570–$3,820

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

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Carlsbad, CA → Palmdale, 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 Palmdale (destination)

Alpha Omega Consulting Enterprise LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 4384395
MC: 1719247
Based in: Palmdale, CA 93552 (5 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 36 trucks, 96 drivers
USDOT registered: 2025

Call (661) 389-2068 Route Verify on FMCSA

Freight Here LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3956591
MC: 1474260
Based in: Palmdale, CA 93550 (13 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 11 trucks, 10 drivers
USDOT registered: 2022

Call (661) 350-0674 Route Verify on FMCSA

The Best Trucks INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 746806
MC: 268822
Based in: Lancaster, CA 93535 (14 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 10 trucks, 10 drivers
USDOT registered: 1998

Call (626) 303-6200 Route Verify on FMCSA

Blue Track Express LLC

Interstate carrier

USDOT: 4548721
Based in: Lancaster, CA 93535 (14 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 7 trucks, 8 drivers
USDOT registered: 2026

Call (818) 399-2012 Route Verify on FMCSA

Antelope Valley Van & Storage Company

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Antelope Valley Refrigerating Company

USDOT: 34380
MC: 133696
Based in: Palmdale, CA 93550 (13 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 6 trucks, 5 drivers
USDOT registered: 1974

Call (661) 947-4121 Route Verify on FMCSA

Av Trans

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Antelope Investment Enterprises INC

USDOT: 3148907
MC: 103731
Based in: Palmdale, CA 93552 (5 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 4 trucks, 2 drivers
USDOT registered: 2018

Call (323) 855-2664 Route Verify on FMCSA

Av Supplies Express 2 Deliver Ship It 2go

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Av Supplies Distributors INC

USDOT: 4216491
MC: 1639401
Based in: Lancaster, CA 93534 (9 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 4 trucks, 4 drivers
USDOT registered: 2024

Call (661) 952-7887 Route Verify on FMCSA

Jabes Transportation

Licensed interstate

Legal name: The King Modular Systems Installation INC

USDOT: 2951860
MC: 1555690
Based in: Palmdale, CA 93552 (5 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 3 trucks, 4 drivers
USDOT registered: 2016

Call (323) 318-0716 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 129 movers in Palmdale

Tips for this move

For a move under about 150 miles you can often choose between an hourly and a flat rate—ask for both.
Confirm whether travel time between Carlsbad and Palmdale is billed one way or round trip.
A single-day move is realistic here; schedule loading in the morning so the crew arrives in Palmdale with daylight to spare.
Check California intrastate mover rules; many states require a state permit in addition to a USDOT number.

Near Carlsbad

Near Palmdale

Related routes

Other destinations from Carlsbad

Other origins to Palmdale

Frequently asked questions

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

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, $2,570 to $3,820 for a two-bedroom, $4,110 to $6,110 for a three-bedroom and $5,650 to $8,410 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Palmdale from Carlsbad?

About 132 road miles (111 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 2 h 59 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 Palmdale 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 Palmdale?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $290 to $400 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,140 to $1,670. 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–Palmdale corridor.