Malibu, CA → Santa Maria, CA · Short-haul move
About 135 road miles heading northwest. Typical two-bedroom cost $2,580–$3,840, delivery in 1–2 days, 7 carriers on the Malibu side and 42 in Santa Maria.
Moving from Malibu to Santa Maria is a short-haul move of roughly 135 road miles, heading northwest within California.
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 2 min counted as billable travel time. A typical two-bedroom household lands between $2,580 and $3,840, 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 42 around Santa Maria (23 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 Maria.
Malibu has a population of about 10,000 and Santa Maria about 111,390. Santa Maria is the denser city (4,812 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 | $1,550 | $1,890 | $2,300 |
| 2 Bedrooms | 5,000 lb | $2,580 | $3,150 | $3,840 |
| 3 Bedrooms | 8,000 lb | $4,130 | $5,040 | $6,150 |
| 4+ Bedrooms | 11,000 lb | $5,680 | $6,930 | $8,450 |
$290–$410
One-way truck for the distance, mileage and fuel included; you load and drive.
$1,140–$1,680
Container delivered, you load, company transports; transit is slower than a mover.
$2,580–$3,840
Two-bedroom reference; crew loads, hauls and unloads.
Distance is pre-filled for Malibu, CA → Santa Maria, 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: Francisco Javier Zarate
Typical full-service estimates for this route are $1,540 to $2,290 for a studio, $1,550 to $2,300 for a one-bedroom, $2,580 to $3,840 for a two-bedroom, $4,130 to $6,150 for a three-bedroom and $5,680 to $8,450 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.
About 135 road miles (115 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 3 h 2 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 Santa Maria 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 $290 to $410 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,140 to $1,680. 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–Santa Maria corridor.