Costa Mesa, CA → Downey, CA · Local move
About 27 road miles heading northwest. Typical two-bedroom cost $1,420–$2,120, delivery in 0–1 days, 425 carriers on the Costa Mesa side and 1,488 in Downey.
The route from Costa Mesa, CA to Downey, CA covers roughly 27 miles by road, a northwest-bound trip that falls into the local 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 51 min counted as billable travel time. A typical two-bedroom household lands between $1,420 and $2,120, before packing or storage.
On the Costa Mesa side there are 425 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (150 of them authorized for interstate work), and 1,488 around Downey (629 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 Downey.
Costa Mesa has a population of about 108,881 and Downey about 108,468. Downey is the denser city (9,222 people per square mile versus 7,083 in Costa Mesa), which often means shuttle trucks, parking restrictions or building move-in windows on delivery day.
| Home size | Crew | Hours | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | 2 movers | 3–5 h | $750 | $920 | $1,120 |
| 1 Bedroom | 2 movers | 4–6 h | $880 | $1,080 | $1,310 |
| 2 Bedrooms | 3 movers | 5–8 h | $1,420 | $1,740 | $2,120 |
| 3 Bedrooms | 4 movers | 7–10 h | $2,220 | $2,700 | $3,300 |
| 4+ Bedrooms | 5 movers | 9–13 h | $3,330 | $4,060 | $4,950 |
$180–$250
One-way truck for the distance, mileage and fuel included; you load and drive.
$1,040–$1,540
Container delivered, you load, company transports; transit is slower than a mover.
$1,420–$2,120
Two-bedroom reference; crew loads, hauls and unloads.
Distance is pre-filled for Costa Mesa, CA → Downey, 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: Home Express Delivery Service LLC
Legal name: Dependable Highway Express INC
Typical full-service estimates for this route are $750 to $1,120 for a studio, $880 to $1,310 for a one-bedroom, $1,420 to $2,120 for a two-bedroom, $2,220 to $3,300 for a three-bedroom and $3,330 to $4,950 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.
About 27 road miles (23 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 51 min.
For a move this short, loading and delivery normally happen on the same day. Most crews finish a two-bedroom home in 5 to 8 hours plus the drive.
No. Because both Costa Mesa and Downey 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.
A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $180 to $250 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,040 to $1,540. 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 Costa Mesa–Downey corridor.