Malibu, CA → Costa Mesa, CA · Short-haul move
About 64 road miles heading southeast. Typical two-bedroom cost $1,650–$2,450, delivery in 1–2 days, 7 carriers on the Malibu side and 425 in Costa Mesa.
Costa Mesa sits about 64 miles southeast of Malibu, so this is an in-state move that most movers classify as a short-haul 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 1 h 48 min counted as billable travel time. A typical two-bedroom household lands between $1,650 and $2,450, before packing or storage.
On the Malibu side there are 7 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (2 of them authorized for interstate work), and 425 around Costa Mesa (150 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 Costa Mesa.
Malibu has a population of about 10,000 and Costa Mesa about 108,881. Costa Mesa is the denser city (7,083 people per square mile versus 537 in Malibu), 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 | $910 | $1,120 | $1,360 |
| 1 Bedroom | 2 movers | 4–6 h | $1,050 | $1,280 | $1,560 |
| 2 Bedrooms | 3 movers | 5–8 h | $1,650 | $2,010 | $2,450 |
| 3 Bedrooms | 4 movers | 7–10 h | $2,500 | $3,040 | $3,710 |
| 4+ Bedrooms | 5 movers | 9–13 h | $3,660 | $4,470 | $5,450 |
$220–$300
One-way truck for the distance, mileage and fuel included; you load and drive.
$1,080–$1,580
Container delivered, you load, company transports; transit is slower than a mover.
$1,650–$2,450
Two-bedroom reference; crew loads, hauls and unloads.
Distance is pre-filled for Malibu, CA → Costa Mesa, 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: Success Trucking INC
Legal name: Malibu Demolition INC
Legal name: Home Express Delivery Service LLC
Typical full-service estimates for this route are $910 to $1,360 for a studio, $1,050 to $1,560 for a one-bedroom, $1,650 to $2,450 for a two-bedroom, $2,500 to $3,710 for a three-bedroom and $3,660 to $5,450 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.
About 64 road miles (55 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 1 h 48 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 Malibu and Costa Mesa 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 $220 to $300 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,080 to $1,580. 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 Malibu–Costa Mesa corridor.