Glendale, CA → Santa Monica, CA · Local move
About 22 road miles heading southwest. Typical two-bedroom cost $1,390–$2,080, delivery in 0–1 days, 1,585 carriers on the Glendale side and 603 in Santa Monica.
Santa Monica sits about 22 miles southwest of Glendale, so this is an in-state move that most movers classify as a local 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 41 min counted as billable travel time. A typical two-bedroom household lands between $1,390 and $2,080, before packing or storage.
On the Glendale side there are 1,585 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (649 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.
Glendale has a population of about 187,160 and Santa Monica about 92,000. Santa Monica is the denser city (11,069 people per square mile versus 6,444 in Glendale), which often means shuttle trucks, parking restrictions or building move-in windows on delivery day.
| Home size | Crew | Hours | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | 2 movers | 3–5 h | $730 | $890 | $1,080 |
| 1 Bedroom | 2 movers | 4–6 h | $860 | $1,050 | $1,280 |
| 2 Bedrooms | 3 movers | 5–8 h | $1,390 | $1,700 | $2,080 |
| 3 Bedrooms | 4 movers | 7–10 h | $2,180 | $2,660 | $3,240 |
| 4+ Bedrooms | 5 movers | 9–13 h | $3,280 | $4,010 | $4,890 |
$170–$240
One-way truck for the distance, mileage and fuel included; you load and drive.
$1,040–$1,530
Container delivered, you load, company transports; transit is slower than a mover.
$1,390–$2,080
Two-bedroom reference; crew loads, hauls and unloads.
Distance is pre-filled for Glendale, CA → Santa Monica, 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: Dependable Highway Express INC
Legal name: Zurich Transport LLC
Typical full-service estimates for this route are $730 to $1,080 for a studio, $860 to $1,280 for a one-bedroom, $1,390 to $2,080 for a two-bedroom, $2,180 to $3,240 for a three-bedroom and $3,280 to $4,890 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.
About 22 road miles (19 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 41 min.
For a move this short, loading and delivery normally happen on the same day. Most crews finish a two-bedroom home in 5 to 8 hours plus the drive.
No. Because both Glendale 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.
A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $170 to $240 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,040 to $1,530. 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 Glendale–Santa Monica corridor.