Minneapolis, MN → Santa Monica, CA · Cross-country move
About 1,810 road miles heading west. Typical two-bedroom cost $7,240–$10,770, delivery in 5–10 days, 1,248 carriers on the Minneapolis side and 603 in Santa Monica.
The route from Minneapolis, MN to Santa Monica, CA covers roughly 1,810 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 $7,240 to $10,770 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 31 hours (4 driving days).
On the Minneapolis side there are 1,248 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (529 of them authorized for interstate work), and 603 around Santa Monica (222 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 Monica.
Minneapolis has a population of about 430,324 and Santa Monica about 92,000. Santa Monica is the denser city (11,069 people per square mile versus 7,962 in Minneapolis), which often means shuttle trucks, parking restrictions or building move-in windows on delivery day. California is a higher-cost state than Minnesota, so budget a little more for destination-side help, deposits and first-month expenses.
| Home size | Est. weight | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | 2,000 lb | $2,900 | $3,530 | $4,310 |
| 1 Bedroom | 3,000 lb | $4,340 | $5,300 | $6,460 |
| 2 Bedrooms | 5,000 lb | $7,240 | $8,830 | $10,770 |
| 3 Bedrooms | 8,000 lb | $11,590 | $14,130 | $17,240 |
| 4+ Bedrooms | 11,000 lb | $15,930 | $19,430 | $23,700 |
$2,610–$3,680
One-way truck for the distance, mileage and fuel included; you load and drive.
$2,640–$3,880
Container delivered, you load, company transports; transit is slower than a mover.
$7,240–$10,770
Two-bedroom reference; crew loads, hauls and unloads.
Distance is pre-filled for Minneapolis, MN → Santa Monica, 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: Bay And Bay Transfer Co INC
Legal name: Dedicated Logistics LLC
Legal name: Select Comfort Retail Corporation
Legal name: Statewide Transportation LLC
Legal name: Portable Storage Of Mn LLC
Legal name: Jefferson Partners Lp
Legal name: Young Men'S Christian Association Ymca Of The Greater Twin C
Typical full-service estimates for this route are $2,900 to $4,310 for a studio, $4,340 to $6,460 for a one-bedroom, $7,240 to $10,770 for a two-bedroom, $11,590 to $17,240 for a three-bedroom and $15,930 to $23,700 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.
About 1,810 road miles (1,534 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 31 hours (4 driving days).
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.
Yes. Crossing from Minnesota 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.
A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $2,610 to $3,680 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $2,640 to $3,880. 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 Minneapolis–Santa Monica corridor.