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

Movers from Carlsbad to Pasadena

About 102 road miles heading northwest. Typical two-bedroom cost $2,430–$3,620, delivery in 1–2 days, 85 carriers on the Carlsbad side and 822 in Pasadena.

102 miroad distance
2 h 28 mindriving time
1–2 daysdelivery window
$2,430–$3,6202-bedroom estimate

Photo: David Wakely · CC BY-SA 2.5

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Route summary

From: Carlsbad, California
To: Pasadena, California
Road distance: ≈ 102 miles (87 straight-line)
Drive time: 2 h 28 min
Delivery window: 1–2 days
Move type: In-state (California)
Movers at origin: 85 (27 interstate)
Movers at destination: 822 (337 interstate)

Reverse: Pasadena → Carlsbad

The route from Carlsbad, CA to Pasadena, CA covers roughly 102 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 28 min counted as billable travel time. A typical two-bedroom household lands between $2,430 and $3,620, 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 822 around Pasadena (337 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 Pasadena.

Carlsbad has a population of about 112,260 and Pasadena about 135,804. Pasadena is the denser city (6,030 people per square mile versus 3,036 in Carlsbad), which often means shuttle trucks, parking restrictions or building move-in windows on delivery day.

Cost of moving from Carlsbad to Pasadena

Full-service estimate for 102 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	$2,430	$2,970	$3,620
3 Bedrooms	8,000 lb	$3,890	$4,750	$5,790
4+ Bedrooms	11,000 lb	$5,350	$6,530	$7,960

Rental truck (DIY)

$250–$360

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

Portable container

$1,110–$1,630

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

Full-service mover

$2,430–$3,620

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

Moving cost calculator

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

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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 Pasadena (destination)

White Arrow LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 577394
MC: 281042
Based in: Montebello, CA 90640 (10 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 414 trucks, 408 drivers
USDOT registered: 1994

Call (800) 501-5589 Route Verify on FMCSA

Dhe

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Dependable Highway Express INC

USDOT: 9853
MC: 139496
Based in: Los Angeles, CA 90023 (10 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 312 trucks, 240 drivers
USDOT registered: 1974

Call (323) 362-9399 Route Verify on FMCSA

T C I Transportation Services INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 480301
MC: 619388
Based in: Commerce, CA 90022 (10 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 205 trucks, 277 drivers
USDOT registered: 1992

Call (323) 269-3033 Route Verify on FMCSA

Hercules Forwarding LLC

Interstate carrier Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 424572
Based in: Vernon, CA 90058 (12 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 166 trucks, 163 drivers
USDOT registered: 1990

Call (323) 263-6100 Route Verify on FMCSA

Arru Group INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 4420956
MC: 1738102
Based in: Los Angeles, CA 90029 (10 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 52 trucks, 180 drivers
USDOT registered: 2025

Call (424) 335-1991 Route Verify on FMCSA

Ing Logistics

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 1778992
MC: 648911
Based in: Los Angeles, CA 90037 (14 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 50 trucks, 21 drivers
USDOT registered: 2008

Call (213) 944-0878 Route Verify on FMCSA

Saba Couriers LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3182236
MC: 127315
Based in: Burbank, CA 91505 (12 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 45 trucks, 45 drivers
USDOT registered: 2018

Call (818) 731-8259 Route Verify on FMCSA

Liberty Linehaul West INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 282762
MC: 208837
Based in: Montebello, CA 90640 (10 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 44 trucks, 53 drivers
USDOT registered: 1986

Call (323) 728-8900 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 822 movers in Pasadena

Tips for this move

Group fragile items and tell the crew which boxes go in the cab or on top.
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 Pasadena is billed one way or round trip.
A single-day move is realistic here; schedule loading in the morning so the crew arrives in Pasadena with daylight to spare.

Near Carlsbad

Near Pasadena

Related routes

Other destinations from Carlsbad

Other origins to Pasadena

Frequently asked questions

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

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, $2,430 to $3,620 for a two-bedroom, $3,890 to $5,790 for a three-bedroom and $5,350 to $7,960 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Pasadena from Carlsbad?

About 102 road miles (87 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 2 h 28 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 Pasadena 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 Pasadena?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $250 to $360 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,110 to $1,630. 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–Pasadena corridor.