Costa Mesa, CA → San Diego, CA · Short-haul move
About 87 road miles heading southeast. Typical two-bedroom cost $1,780–$2,650, delivery in 1–2 days, 425 carriers on the Costa Mesa side and 626 in San Diego.
San Diego sits about 87 miles southeast of Costa Mesa, so this is an in-state move that most movers classify as a short-haul move.
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 12 min counted as billable travel time. A typical two-bedroom household lands between $1,780 and $2,650, 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 626 around San Diego (217 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 San Diego.
Costa Mesa has a population of about 108,881 and San Diego about 1.4 million. Costa Mesa is considerably denser (7,083 people per square mile versus 4,256), so expect tighter loading conditions, parking permits or elevator reservations at the origin and easier truck access at the destination.
| Home size | Crew | Hours | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | 2 movers | 3–5 h | $1,020 | $1,240 | $1,510 |
| 1 Bedroom | 2 movers | 4–6 h | $1,150 | $1,400 | $1,710 |
| 2 Bedrooms | 3 movers | 5–8 h | $1,780 | $2,180 | $2,650 |
| 3 Bedrooms | 4 movers | 7–10 h | $2,670 | $3,250 | $3,970 |
| 4+ Bedrooms | 5 movers | 9–13 h | $3,870 | $4,720 | $5,760 |
$240–$340
One-way truck for the distance, mileage and fuel included; you load and drive.
$1,100–$1,610
Container delivered, you load, company transports; transit is slower than a mover.
$1,780–$2,650
Two-bedroom reference; crew loads, hauls and unloads.
Distance is pre-filled for Costa Mesa, CA → San Diego, 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: Mat Parcel Express INC
Legal name: Walk With Me INC
Legal name: Ackley Enterprises INC
Legal name: Lovejoy'S Family Moving INC
Legal name: Allstate Van & Storage INC
Legal name: Sullivan Moving & Storage INC
Typical full-service estimates for this route are $1,020 to $1,510 for a studio, $1,150 to $1,710 for a one-bedroom, $1,780 to $2,650 for a two-bedroom, $2,670 to $3,970 for a three-bedroom and $3,870 to $5,760 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.
About 87 road miles (74 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 2 h 12 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 San Diego 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 $240 to $340 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,100 to $1,610. 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–San Diego corridor.