Hilo, HI → Santa Cruz, CA · Cross-country move

Movers from Hilo to Santa Cruz

About 2,738 road miles heading northeast. Typical two-bedroom cost $9,970–$14,830, delivery in 7–14 days, 19 carriers on the Hilo side and 27 in Santa Cruz.

2,738 miroad distance
47 hours (6 driving days)driving time
7–14 daysdelivery window
$9,970–$14,8302-bedroom estimate

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

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Route summary

From: Hilo, Hawaii
To: Santa Cruz, California
Road distance: ≈ 2,738 miles (2,320 straight-line)
Drive time: 47 hours (6 driving days)
Delivery window: 7–14 days
Move type: Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin: 19 (4 interstate)
Movers at destination: 27 (6 interstate)

Reverse: Santa Cruz → Hilo

Moving from Hilo to Santa Cruz is a cross-country move of roughly 2,738 road miles, heading northeast from Hawaii to California.

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 $9,970 to $14,830 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 47 hours (6 driving days).

On the Hilo side there are 19 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.

Hilo has a population of about 45,000 and Santa Cruz about 62,000. Santa Cruz is the denser city (4,942 people per square mile versus 824 in Hilo), which often means shuttle trucks, parking restrictions or building move-in windows on delivery day.

Cost of moving from Hilo to Santa Cruz

Full-service estimate for 2,738 miles, by home size
Home size	Est. weight	Low	Typical	High
Studio	2,000 lb	$3,990	$4,860	$5,930
1 Bedroom	3,000 lb	$5,980	$7,290	$8,900
2 Bedrooms	5,000 lb	$9,970	$12,150	$14,830
3 Bedrooms	8,000 lb	$15,950	$19,450	$23,730
4+ Bedrooms	11,000 lb	$21,930	$26,740	$32,620

Rental truck (DIY)

$3,860–$5,450

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

Portable container

$3,460–$5,090

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

Full-service mover

$9,970–$14,830

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

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Hilo, HI → Santa Cruz, 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 Hilo (origin)

Acr Water Hauling INC

Interstate carrier

USDOT: 1205380
Based in: Keaau, HI 96749 (8 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 19 trucks, 15 drivers
USDOT registered: 2004

Call (808) 966-7693 Route Verify on FMCSA

Hitco Moving & Storage

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: H Kono INC

USDOT: 30309
MC: 512899
Based in: Hilo, HI 96720 (10 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 19 trucks, 11 drivers
USDOT registered: 1974

Call (808) 935-0010 Route Verify on FMCSA

Island Cold Storage LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2190838
MC: 760358
Based in: Keaau, HI 96749 (8 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 11 trucks, 8 drivers
USDOT registered: 2011

Call (808) 933-2700 Route Verify on FMCSA

Kuwaye Trucking INC

Intrastate carrier

USDOT: 62964
Based in: Hilo, HI 96720 (10 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 13 trucks, 11 drivers
USDOT registered: 1974

Call (808) 935-2845 Route Verify on FMCSA

Mihara Transfer Incorporated

Intrastate carrier

USDOT: 62971
Based in: Hilo, HI 96720 (10 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 13 trucks, 9 drivers
USDOT registered: 1974

Call (808) 935-1597 Route Verify on FMCSA

Keaau Service Station INC

Intrastate carrier

USDOT: 762035
Based in: Kurtistown, HI 96760 (10 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 11 trucks, 6 drivers
USDOT registered: 1998

Call (808) 966-9373 Route Verify on FMCSA

Yamada Transfer INC

Intrastate carrier

USDOT: 129889
Based in: Hilo, HI 96720 (10 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 10 trucks, 9 drivers
USDOT registered: 1974

Call (808) 933-7338 Route Verify on FMCSA

Kai'S Trucking LLC

Intrastate carrier

USDOT: 1953191
Based in: Kurtistown, HI 96760 (10 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 8 trucks, 6 drivers
USDOT registered: 2009

Call (808) 935-0011 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 19 movers in Hilo

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 Hilo

Other origins to Santa Cruz

Frequently asked questions

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

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $3,990 to $5,930 for a studio, $5,980 to $8,900 for a one-bedroom, $9,970 to $14,830 for a two-bedroom, $15,950 to $23,730 for a three-bedroom and $21,930 to $32,620 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Santa Cruz from Hilo?

About 2,738 road miles (2,320 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 47 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 Hawaii 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 Hilo to Santa Cruz?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $3,860 to $5,450 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $3,460 to $5,090. 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 Hilo–Santa Cruz corridor.