El Cajon, CA → Pasadena, CA · Short-haul move

Movers from El Cajon to Pasadena

About 137 road miles heading northwest. Typical two-bedroom cost $2,590–$3,850, delivery in 1–2 days, 339 carriers on the El Cajon side and 822 in Pasadena.

137 miroad distance
3 h 4 mindriving time
1–2 daysdelivery window
$2,590–$3,8502-bedroom estimate

Photo: David Wakely · CC BY-SA 2.5

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Route summary

From: El Cajon, California
To: Pasadena, California
Road distance: ≈ 137 miles (116 straight-line)
Drive time: 3 h 4 min
Delivery window: 1–2 days
Move type: In-state (California)
Movers at origin: 339 (105 interstate)
Movers at destination: 822 (337 interstate)

Reverse: Pasadena → El Cajon

Pasadena sits about 137 miles northwest of El Cajon, 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 3 h 4 min counted as billable travel time. A typical two-bedroom household lands between $2,590 and $3,850, before packing or storage.

On the El Cajon side there are 339 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (105 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.

El Cajon has a population of about 101,755 and Pasadena about 135,804. The two cities have comparable density (7,325 and 6,030 people per square mile), so loading and unloading conditions are usually similar at both ends.

Cost of moving from El Cajon to Pasadena

Full-service estimate for 137 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	$1,550	$1,900	$2,310
2 Bedrooms	5,000 lb	$2,590	$3,160	$3,850
3 Bedrooms	8,000 lb	$4,150	$5,060	$6,170
4+ Bedrooms	11,000 lb	$5,700	$6,950	$8,480

Rental truck (DIY)

$290–$410

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

Portable container

$1,140–$1,680

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

Full-service mover

$2,590–$3,850

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

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for El Cajon, 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 El Cajon (origin)

Magic Mile LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3296634
MC: 1044843
Based in: Poway, CA 92064 (13 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 45 trucks, 70 drivers
USDOT registered: 2019

Call (619) 991-9424 Route Verify on FMCSA

Djw Logistics

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Walk With Me INC

USDOT: 3312065
MC: 1052279
Based in: Chula Vista, CA 91910 (13 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 30 trucks, 60 drivers
USDOT registered: 2019

Call (858) 294-3804 Route Verify on FMCSA

Republic Moving & Storage

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Lovejoy'S Family Moving INC

USDOT: 3369820
MC: 778208
Based in: Chula Vista, CA 91914 (9 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 21 trucks, 20 drivers
USDOT registered: 2019

Call (951) 541-6710 Route Verify on FMCSA

Ackley Moving Services

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Ackley Enterprises INC

USDOT: 1868365
MC: 675281
Based in: Poway, CA 92064 (13 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 21 trucks, 19 drivers
USDOT registered: 2009

Call (858) 735-9587 Route Verify on FMCSA

Allstate Logistics

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Allstate Van & Storage INC

USDOT: 692879
MC: 321079
Based in: Poway, CA 92064 (13 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 18 trucks, 5 drivers
USDOT registered: 1997

Call (858) 746-1000 Route Verify on FMCSA

The Cms Companies

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Sullivan Moving & Storage INC

USDOT: 56181
MC: 127405
Based in: San Diego, CA 92111 (12 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 17 trucks, 42 drivers
USDOT registered: 1974

Call (253) 395-5432 Route Verify on FMCSA

B One LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2271280
MC: 780878
Based in: El Cajon, CA 92020 (1 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 16 trucks, 11 drivers
USDOT registered: 2012

Call (619) 215-5125 Route Verify on FMCSA

C & D Towing Specialists

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: C & D Towing Specialists INC

USDOT: 1057657
MC: 442792
Based in: El Cajon, CA 92020 (1 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 13 trucks, 19 drivers
USDOT registered: 2002

Call (619) 463-8697 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 339 movers in El Cajon

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

Related routes

Other destinations from El Cajon

Other origins to Pasadena

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to move from El Cajon to Pasadena?

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, $4,150 to $6,170 for a three-bedroom and $5,700 to $8,480 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Pasadena from El Cajon?

About 137 road miles (116 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 3 h 4 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 El Cajon 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 El Cajon to Pasadena?

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.

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 El Cajon–Pasadena corridor.