Joliet, IL → Santa Maria, CA · Cross-country move

Movers from Joliet to Santa Maria

About 2,123 road miles heading west. Typical two-bedroom cost $7,870–$11,710, delivery in 5–10 days, 694 carriers on the Joliet side and 42 in Santa Maria.

2,123 miroad distance
37 hours (5 driving days)driving time
5–10 daysdelivery window
$7,870–$11,7102-bedroom estimate

Photo: John Margolies · Public domain

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Route summary

From: Joliet, Illinois
To: Santa Maria, California
Road distance: ≈ 2,123 miles (1,800 straight-line)
Drive time: 37 hours (5 driving days)
Delivery window: 5–10 days
Move type: Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin: 694 (561 interstate)
Movers at destination: 42 (23 interstate)

Reverse: Santa Maria → Joliet

The route from Joliet, IL to Santa Maria, CA covers roughly 2,123 miles by road, a west-bound trip that falls into the cross-country 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 $7,870 to $11,710 with a full-service mover, and delivery usually takes 5 to 10 days after pickup because long-haul trucks consolidate several households per trip. Driving it yourself takes about 37 hours (5 driving days).

On the Joliet side there are 694 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (561 of them authorized for interstate work), and 42 around Santa Maria (23 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 Maria.

Joliet has a population of about 152,241 and Santa Maria about 111,390. Santa Maria is the denser city (4,812 people per square mile versus 2,331 in Joliet), which often means shuttle trucks, parking restrictions or building move-in windows on delivery day. California is a higher-cost state than Illinois, so budget a little more for destination-side help, deposits and first-month expenses.

Cost of moving from Joliet to Santa Maria

Full-service estimate for 2,123 miles, by home size
Home size	Est. weight	Low	Typical	High
Studio	2,000 lb	$3,150	$3,840	$4,690
1 Bedroom	3,000 lb	$4,720	$5,760	$7,030
2 Bedrooms	5,000 lb	$7,870	$9,600	$11,710
3 Bedrooms	8,000 lb	$12,600	$15,360	$18,740
4+ Bedrooms	11,000 lb	$17,320	$21,120	$25,770

Rental truck (DIY)

$2,930–$4,140

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

Portable container

$2,910–$4,290

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

Full-service mover

$7,870–$11,710

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

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Joliet, IL → Santa Maria, 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 Joliet (origin)

Forsage INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2588231
MC: 907486
Based in: Channahon, IL 60410 (7 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 600 trucks, 600 drivers
USDOT registered: 2015

Call (630) 423-5001 Route Verify on FMCSA

Em Cargo LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3073738
MC: 62685
Based in: Lemont, IL 60439 (14 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 260 trucks, 260 drivers
USDOT registered: 2017

Call (708) 669-0406 Route Verify on FMCSA

Legacy Express Trucking INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 1744355
MC: 772181
Based in: Joliet, IL 60435 (2 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 205 trucks, 165 drivers
USDOT registered: 2008

Call (708) 897-0580 Route Verify on FMCSA

Vynera Transportation INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 1585417
MC: 586954
Based in: Romeoville, IL 60446 (8 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 185 trucks, 185 drivers
USDOT registered: 2006

Call (815) 630-5362 Route Verify on FMCSA

Prima Express INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 1313194
MC: 527982
Based in: Joliet, IL 60432 (6 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 165 trucks, 150 drivers
USDOT registered: 2004

Call (815) 372-9190 Route Verify on FMCSA

Tva Logistics INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2555496
MC: 890930
Based in: Plainfield, IL 60544 (8 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 150 trucks, 163 drivers
USDOT registered: 2014

Call (815) 306-0330 Route Verify on FMCSA

Road King Express INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2578534
MC: 902373
Based in: Romeoville, IL 60446 (8 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 138 trucks, 124 drivers
USDOT registered: 2015

Call (708) 377-9699 Route Verify on FMCSA

Zmile INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3342792
MC: 1067250
Based in: Romeoville, IL 60446 (8 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 120 trucks, 120 drivers
USDOT registered: 2019

Call (630) 339-2721 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 694 movers in Joliet

Near Santa Maria (destination)

Johnboy'S Towing INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2383920
MC: 818987
Based in: Oceano, CA 93445 (13 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 17 trucks, 8 drivers
USDOT registered: 2013

Call (805) 474-4357 Route Verify on FMCSA

International Van Lines INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 153048
MC: 11663
Based in: Santa Maria, CA 93454 (11 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 9 trucks, 8 drivers
USDOT registered: 1974

Call (805) 925-2912 Route Verify on FMCSA

Sarabia Transports LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2844846
MC: 953585
Based in: Santa Maria, CA 93455 (6 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 4 trucks, 4 drivers
USDOT registered: 2016

Route Verify on FMCSA

Rivera Logistics LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2807289
MC: 1030656
Based in: Santa Maria, CA 93454 (11 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 4 trucks, 4 drivers
USDOT registered: 2015

Call (805) 260-9847 Route Verify on FMCSA

Cal Coast Ag Services LLC

Interstate carrier

USDOT: 4380715
Based in: Santa Maria, CA 93455 (6 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 3 trucks, 1 drivers
USDOT registered: 2025

Call (805) 922-8406 Route Verify on FMCSA

Triple A Express INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2356410
MC: 807169
Based in: Santa Maria, CA 93454 (11 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 3 trucks, 4 drivers
USDOT registered: 2012

Call (805) 868-5364 Route Verify on FMCSA

Louie'S Central Coast Movers & Laborers INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2069509
MC: 723441
Based in: Santa Maria, CA 93454 (11 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 2 trucks, 4 drivers
USDOT registered: 2010

Call (805) 925-7923 Route Verify on FMCSA

Zarate Trucking

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Francisco Javier Zarate

USDOT: 1968090
MC: 698504
Based in: Santa Maria, CA 93458 (3 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 1 truck, 1 drivers
USDOT registered: 2009

Call (805) 260-9063 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 42 movers in Santa Maria

Tips for this move

Compare a full-service van line against a container service; for a small household the container often wins.
Ask about consolidated versus dedicated truck options—dedicated is faster but costs more.
Read the FMCSA 'Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move' booklet the carrier must provide.
Ship the car separately if you plan to fly; auto transport is priced by the mile like household goods.

Near Joliet

Near Santa Maria

Related routes

Other destinations from Joliet

Other origins to Santa Maria

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to move from Joliet to Santa Maria?

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $3,150 to $4,690 for a studio, $4,720 to $7,030 for a one-bedroom, $7,870 to $11,710 for a two-bedroom, $12,600 to $18,740 for a three-bedroom and $17,320 to $25,770 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Santa Maria from Joliet?

About 2,123 road miles (1,800 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 37 hours (5 driving days).

How long will the movers take to deliver?

Expect a delivery window of 5 to 10 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 Illinois 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 Joliet to Santa Maria?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $2,930 to $4,140 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $2,910 to $4,290. 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 Joliet–Santa Maria corridor.