Costa Mesa, CA → Santa Barbara, CA · Short-haul move
About 136 road miles heading northwest. Typical two-bedroom cost $2,590–$3,850, delivery in 1–2 days, 425 carriers on the Costa Mesa side and 27 in Santa Barbara.
The route from Costa Mesa, CA to Santa Barbara, CA covers roughly 136 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 3 h 3 min counted as billable travel time. A typical two-bedroom household lands between $2,590 and $3,850, 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 27 around Santa Barbara (9 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 Santa Barbara.
Costa Mesa has a population of about 108,881 and Santa Barbara about 88,000. Costa Mesa is considerably denser (7,083 people per square mile versus 4,549), so expect tighter loading conditions, parking permits or elevator reservations at the origin and easier truck access at the destination.
| Home size | Est. weight | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | 2,000 lb | $1,540 | $1,880 | $2,290 |
| 1 Bedroom | 3,000 lb | $1,550 | $1,890 | $2,310 |
| 2 Bedrooms | 5,000 lb | $2,590 | $3,150 | $3,850 |
| 3 Bedrooms | 8,000 lb | $4,140 | $5,050 | $6,160 |
| 4+ Bedrooms | 11,000 lb | $5,690 | $6,940 | $8,470 |
$290–$410
One-way truck for the distance, mileage and fuel included; you load and drive.
$1,140–$1,680
Container delivered, you load, company transports; transit is slower than a mover.
$2,590–$3,850
Two-bedroom reference; crew loads, hauls and unloads.
Distance is pre-filled for Costa Mesa, CA → Santa Barbara, 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: Aussie Moving INC
Legal name: Twenty Four 7 Moving Specialists INC
Legal name: Mammoth Moving Holding Corporation
Legal name: Kenneth Lee Bushnell
Legal name: Santa Barbara Home Improvement Center INC
Legal name: Miguel A Barrios
Typical full-service estimates for this route are $1,540 to $2,290 for a studio, $1,550 to $2,310 for a one-bedroom, $2,590 to $3,850 for a two-bedroom, $4,140 to $6,160 for a three-bedroom and $5,690 to $8,470 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.
About 136 road miles (115 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 3 h 3 min.
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.
No. Because both Costa Mesa and Santa Barbara 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 $290 to $410 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,140 to $1,680. 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–Santa Barbara corridor.