Fairbanks, AK → Santa Cruz, CA · Cross-country move

Movers from Fairbanks to Santa Cruz

About 2,586 road miles heading southeast. Typical two-bedroom cost $9,280–$13,810, delivery in 7–14 days, 29 carriers on the Fairbanks side and 27 in Santa Cruz.

2,586 miroad distance
45 hours (6 driving days)driving time
7–14 daysdelivery window
$9,280–$13,8102-bedroom estimate

Photo: Don DeBold from San Jose, CA, USA · CC BY 2.0

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Route summary

From: Fairbanks, Alaska
To: Santa Cruz, California
Road distance: ≈ 2,586 miles (2,191 straight-line)
Drive time: 45 hours (6 driving days)
Delivery window: 7–14 days
Move type: Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin: 29 (4 interstate)
Movers at destination: 27 (6 interstate)

Reverse: Santa Cruz → Fairbanks

Santa Cruz sits about 2,586 miles southeast of Fairbanks, which makes this an interstate relocation from Alaska to California that most movers classify as a cross-country move.

At this distance carriers price by shipment weight and mileage rather than by the hour. A two-bedroom home (around 5,000 lb of goods) typically costs $9,280 to $13,810 with a full-service mover, and delivery usually takes 7 to 14 days after pickup because long-haul trucks consolidate several households per trip. Driving it yourself takes about 45 hours (6 driving days).

On the Fairbanks side there are 29 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (4 of them authorized for interstate work), and 27 around Santa Cruz (6 interstate). For an interstate 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 Cruz.

Fairbanks has a population of about 32,000 and Santa Cruz about 62,000. Santa Cruz is the denser city (4,942 people per square mile versus 1,024 in Fairbanks), which often means shuttle trucks, parking restrictions or building move-in windows on delivery day. Note that California does collect a state income tax, unlike Alaska, so factor that into the cost-of-living comparison.

Cost of moving from Fairbanks to Santa Cruz

Full-service estimate for 2,586 miles, by home size
Home size	Est. weight	Low	Typical	High
Studio	2,000 lb	$3,710	$4,530	$5,520
1 Bedroom	3,000 lb	$5,570	$6,790	$8,290
2 Bedrooms	5,000 lb	$9,280	$11,320	$13,810
3 Bedrooms	8,000 lb	$14,850	$18,110	$22,100
4+ Bedrooms	11,000 lb	$20,420	$24,900	$30,380

Rental truck (DIY)

$3,560–$5,020

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

Portable container

$3,330–$4,890

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

Full-service mover

$9,280–$13,810

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

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Fairbanks, AK → Santa Cruz, 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 Fairbanks (origin)

Metcalf Trucking LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2349839
MC: 1059335
Based in: Fairbanks, AK 99709 (15 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 11 trucks, 11 drivers
USDOT registered: 2012

Call (435) 272-7743 Route Verify on FMCSA

Black Label Transportation LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3988849
MC: 1709128
Based in: North Pole, AK 99705 (12 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 2 trucks, 3 drivers
USDOT registered: 2022

Call (907) 388-4436 Route Verify on FMCSA

Mountain Trucking LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 1069052
MC: 446046
Based in: Fairbanks, AK 99709 (15 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 2 trucks, 2 drivers
USDOT registered: 2002

Call (907) 590-4922 Route Verify on FMCSA

Elsberry Trucking LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 1594611
MC: 961613
Based in: North Pole, AK 99705 (12 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 1 truck, 1 drivers
USDOT registered: 2007

Call (907) 488-0588 Route Verify on FMCSA

Moonlighting Construction INC

Intrastate carrier

USDOT: 1633146
Based in: Fairbanks, AK 99709 (15 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 13 trucks, 5 drivers
USDOT registered: 2007

Call (907) 457-6638 Route Verify on FMCSA

Dirty Deeds Auto

Intrastate carrier

Legal name: Dirty Deeds INC

USDOT: 1650238
Based in: North Pole, AK 99705 (12 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 8 trucks, 1 drivers
USDOT registered: 2007

Call (907) 488-1477 Route Verify on FMCSA

Axle Towing LLC

Intrastate carrier

USDOT: 4067541
Based in: North Pole, AK 99705 (12 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 5 trucks, 3 drivers
USDOT registered: 2023

Call (907) 488-5656 Route Verify on FMCSA

Classic Enterprises LLC

Intrastate carrier

USDOT: 2312319
Based in: Fairbanks, AK 99709 (15 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 4 trucks, 1 drivers
USDOT registered: 2012

Call (907) 479-6248 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 29 movers in Fairbanks

Near Santa Cruz (destination)

Lambert And Son Moving

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Bill Lambert

USDOT: 3528657
MC: 1220611
Based in: Santa Cruz, CA 95065 (5 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 4 trucks, 7 drivers
USDOT registered: 2020

Call (831) 777-4265 Route Verify on FMCSA

Edward W Grace

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 1559365
MC: 643222
Based in: Santa Cruz, CA 95062 (3 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 1 truck, 3 drivers
USDOT registered: 2006

Call (831) 465-6865 Route Verify on FMCSA

Denise Hoselton Living Tr

Interstate carrier

USDOT: 4197804
MC: 1618833
Based in: Brookdale, CA 95007 (10 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 1 truck, 1 drivers
USDOT registered: 2024

Call (831) 704-6804 Route Verify on FMCSA

Delivertron

Interstate carrier

Legal name: Delivertron LLC

USDOT: 3592367
Based in: Boulder Creek, CA 95006 (15 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 1 truck, 1 drivers
USDOT registered: 2021

Call (831) 293-4823 Route Verify on FMCSA

Locatelli Moving And Storage INC

Intrastate carrier

USDOT: 1891836
Based in: Santa Cruz, CA 95060 (4 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 7 trucks, 5 drivers
USDOT registered: 2009

Call (831) 425-7775 Route Verify on FMCSA

Coast Paper & Supply

Intrastate carrier

USDOT: 2666577
Based in: Santa Cruz, CA 95060 (4 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 4 trucks, 4 drivers
USDOT registered: 2015

Call (831) 423-3350 Route Verify on FMCSA

Rational Moving INC

Intrastate carrier

USDOT: 3393511
MC: 1565780
Based in: Scotts Valley, CA 95066 (7 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 3 trucks, 3 drivers
USDOT registered: 2020

Call (831) 425-1448 Route Verify on FMCSA

Full Load

Intrastate carrier

Legal name: Robert D Joseph

USDOT: 2773290
Based in: Santa Cruz, CA 95060 (4 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 2 trucks, 2 drivers
USDOT registered: 2015

Call (831) 419-5395 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 27 movers in Santa Cruz

Related routes

Other destinations from Fairbanks

Other origins to Santa Cruz

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to move from Fairbanks to Santa Cruz?

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $3,710 to $5,520 for a studio, $5,570 to $8,290 for a one-bedroom, $9,280 to $13,810 for a two-bedroom, $14,850 to $22,100 for a three-bedroom and $20,420 to $30,380 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Santa Cruz from Fairbanks?

About 2,586 road miles (2,191 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 45 hours (6 driving days).

How long will the movers take to deliver?

Expect a delivery window of 7 to 14 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.

Does my mover need interstate authority for this move?

Yes. Crossing from Alaska into California makes this an interstate move, so the carrier must hold active FMCSA operating authority (an MC number) in addition to its USDOT number. The company cards on this page flag which carriers are authorized for interstate work.

Is it cheaper to rent a truck or use a container for Fairbanks to Santa Cruz?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $3,560 to $5,020 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $3,330 to $4,890. 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 Fairbanks–Santa Cruz corridor.