El Cajon, CA → Santa Monica, CA · Short-haul move

Movers from El Cajon to Santa Monica

About 144 road miles heading northwest. Typical two-bedroom cost $2,620–$3,900, delivery in 1–2 days, 339 carriers on the El Cajon side and 603 in Santa Monica.

144 miroad distance
3 h 11 mindriving time
1–2 daysdelivery window
$2,620–$3,9002-bedroom estimate

Photo: User:User2004 · Public domain

Open navigation Google Maps Apple Maps Waze

Route summary

From: El Cajon, California
To: Santa Monica, California
Road distance: ≈ 144 miles (122 straight-line)
Drive time: 3 h 11 min
Delivery window: 1–2 days
Move type: In-state (California)
Movers at origin: 339 (105 interstate)
Movers at destination: 603 (222 interstate)

Reverse: Santa Monica → El Cajon

Santa Monica sits about 144 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 11 min counted as billable travel time. A typical two-bedroom household lands between $2,620 and $3,900, 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 603 around Santa Monica (222 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 Monica.

El Cajon has a population of about 101,755 and Santa Monica about 92,000. Santa Monica is the denser city (11,069 people per square mile versus 7,325 in El Cajon), which often means shuttle trucks, parking restrictions or building move-in windows on delivery day.

Cost of moving from El Cajon to Santa Monica

Full-service estimate for 144 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	$1,570	$1,920	$2,340
2 Bedrooms	5,000 lb	$2,620	$3,200	$3,900
3 Bedrooms	8,000 lb	$4,200	$5,120	$6,240
4+ Bedrooms	11,000 lb	$5,770	$7,040	$8,580

Rental truck (DIY)

$300–$420

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

Portable container

$1,150–$1,690

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

Full-service mover

$2,620–$3,900

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

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for El Cajon, CA → Santa Monica, CA. Adjust the other options to see your range.

—to—

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 Santa Monica (destination)

Clutter INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2719785
MC: 934868
Based in: Culver City, CA 90230 (6 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 191 trucks, 382 drivers
USDOT registered: 2015

Call (877) 626-1887 Route Verify on FMCSA

Arru Group INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 4420956
MC: 1738102
Based in: Los Angeles, CA 90029 (13 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 (12 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 50 trucks, 21 drivers
USDOT registered: 2008

Call (213) 944-0878 Route Verify on FMCSA

Dsd Trucking INC

Interstate carrier Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 465743
MC: 309255
Based in: Redondo Beach, CA 90278 (12 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 39 trucks, 31 drivers
USDOT registered: 1991

Call (310) 725-1999 Route Verify on FMCSA

Grt Logistics LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3410979
MC: 1099772
Based in: Los Angeles, CA 90008 (9 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 35 trucks, 80 drivers
USDOT registered: 2020

Call (310) 508-6676 Route Verify on FMCSA

Harmony Home Remodels

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 4468385
MC: 1763223
Based in: Van Nuys, CA 91411 (12 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 33 trucks, 45 drivers
USDOT registered: 2025

Call (818) 747-3439 Route Verify on FMCSA

Dlvr

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3471374
MC: 1136305
Based in: Culver City, CA 90230 (6 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 25 trucks, 55 drivers
USDOT registered: 2020

Route Verify on FMCSA

Melogistix INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3479671
MC: 1141564
Based in: LA, CA 90019 (10 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 25 trucks, 48 drivers
USDOT registered: 2020

Call (323) 377-8628 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 603 movers in Santa Monica

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 El Cajon and Santa Monica is billed one way or round trip.
A single-day move is realistic here; schedule loading in the morning so the crew arrives in Santa Monica with daylight to spare.

Near El Cajon

Near Santa Monica

Related routes

Other destinations from El Cajon

Other origins to Santa Monica

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to move from El Cajon to Santa Monica?

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $1,540 to $2,290 for a studio, $1,570 to $2,340 for a one-bedroom, $2,620 to $3,900 for a two-bedroom, $4,200 to $6,240 for a three-bedroom and $5,770 to $8,580 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Santa Monica from El Cajon?

About 144 road miles (122 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 3 h 11 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 Santa Monica 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 Santa Monica?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $300 to $420 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,150 to $1,690. 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–Santa Monica corridor.