Malibu, CA → San Diego, CA · Short-haul move
About 148 road miles heading southeast. Typical two-bedroom cost $2,640–$3,930, delivery in 1–2 days, 7 carriers on the Malibu side and 626 in San Diego.
The route from Malibu, CA to San Diego, CA covers roughly 148 miles by road, a southeast-bound trip that falls into the short-haul move category for pricing purposes.
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 3 h 15 min counted as billable travel time. A typical two-bedroom household lands between $2,640 and $3,930, 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 626 around San Diego (217 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 San Diego.
Malibu has a population of about 10,000 and San Diego about 1.4 million. San Diego is the denser city (4,256 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 | Est. weight | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | 2,000 lb | $1,540 | $1,880 | $2,290 |
| 1 Bedroom | 3,000 lb | $1,580 | $1,930 | $2,360 |
| 2 Bedrooms | 5,000 lb | $2,640 | $3,220 | $3,930 |
| 3 Bedrooms | 8,000 lb | $4,220 | $5,150 | $6,290 |
| 4+ Bedrooms | 11,000 lb | $5,810 | $7,080 | $8,640 |
$300–$430
One-way truck for the distance, mileage and fuel included; you load and drive.
$1,150–$1,690
Container delivered, you load, company transports; transit is slower than a mover.
$2,640–$3,930
Two-bedroom reference; crew loads, hauls and unloads.
Distance is pre-filled for Malibu, CA → San Diego, 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: Mat Parcel Express INC
Legal name: Walk With Me INC
Legal name: Ackley Enterprises INC
Legal name: Lovejoy'S Family Moving INC
Legal name: Allstate Van & Storage INC
Legal name: Sullivan Moving & Storage INC
Typical full-service estimates for this route are $1,540 to $2,290 for a studio, $1,580 to $2,360 for a one-bedroom, $2,640 to $3,930 for a two-bedroom, $4,220 to $6,290 for a three-bedroom and $5,810 to $8,640 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.
About 148 road miles (126 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 3 h 15 min.
Expect a delivery window of 1 to 2 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 Malibu and San Diego 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 $300 to $430 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,150 to $1,690. 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–San Diego corridor.