Fairfield, CA → Santa Maria, CA · Regional long-distance move
About 291 road miles heading south. Typical two-bedroom cost $3,290–$4,890, delivery in 1–3 days, 112 carriers on the Fairfield side and 42 in Santa Maria.
The route from Fairfield, CA to Santa Maria, CA covers roughly 291 miles by road, a south-bound trip that falls into the regional long-distance move category for pricing purposes.
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 $3,290 to $4,890 with a full-service mover, and delivery usually takes 1 to 3 days after pickup because long-haul trucks consolidate several households per trip. Driving it yourself takes about 5 h 43 min.
On the Fairfield side there are 112 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (39 of them authorized for interstate work), and 42 around Santa Maria (23 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 Maria.
Fairfield has a population of about 122,489 and Santa Maria about 111,390. Santa Maria is the denser city (4,812 people per square mile versus 2,882 in Fairfield), which often means shuttle trucks, parking restrictions or building move-in windows on delivery day.
| Home size | Est. weight | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | 2,000 lb | $1,540 | $1,880 | $2,290 |
| 1 Bedroom | 3,000 lb | $1,970 | $2,400 | $2,930 |
| 2 Bedrooms | 5,000 lb | $3,290 | $4,010 | $4,890 |
| 3 Bedrooms | 8,000 lb | $5,260 | $6,410 | $7,820 |
| 4+ Bedrooms | 11,000 lb | $7,230 | $8,810 | $10,750 |
$450–$630
One-way truck for the distance, mileage and fuel included; you load and drive.
$1,280–$1,880
Container delivered, you load, company transports; transit is slower than a mover.
$3,290–$4,890
Two-bedroom reference; crew loads, hauls and unloads.
Distance is pre-filled for Fairfield, CA → Santa Maria, 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: Sharjo LLC
Legal name: Cassil Freight INC
Legal name: Metropolitan Van & Storage INC
Legal name: Durkee Drayage Company
Legal name: Francisco Javier Zarate
Typical full-service estimates for this route are $1,540 to $2,290 for a studio, $1,970 to $2,930 for a one-bedroom, $3,290 to $4,890 for a two-bedroom, $5,260 to $7,820 for a three-bedroom and $7,230 to $10,750 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.
About 291 road miles (246 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 5 h 43 min.
Expect a delivery window of 1 to 3 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 Fairfield and Santa Maria 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 $450 to $630 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,280 to $1,880. 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 Fairfield–Santa Maria corridor.