Palmdale, CA → Carlsbad, CA · Short-haul move

Movers from Palmdale to Carlsbad

About 132 road miles heading southeast. Typical two-bedroom cost $2,570–$3,820, delivery in 1–2 days, 129 carriers on the Palmdale side and 85 in Carlsbad.

132 miroad distance
2 h 59 mindriving time
1–2 daysdelivery window
$2,570–$3,8202-bedroom estimate

Photo: Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA · CC BY-SA 2.0

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Route summary

From: Palmdale, California
To: Carlsbad, California
Road distance: ≈ 132 miles (111 straight-line)
Drive time: 2 h 59 min
Delivery window: 1–2 days
Move type: In-state (California)
Movers at origin: 129 (66 interstate)
Movers at destination: 85 (27 interstate)

Reverse: Carlsbad → Palmdale

Moving from Palmdale to Carlsbad is a short-haul move of roughly 132 road miles, heading southeast 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 2 h 59 min counted as billable travel time. A typical two-bedroom household lands between $2,570 and $3,820, before packing or storage.

On the Palmdale side there are 129 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (66 of them authorized for interstate work), and 85 around Carlsbad (27 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 Carlsbad.

Palmdale has a population of about 161,845 and Carlsbad about 112,260. Carlsbad is the denser city (3,036 people per square mile versus 1,597 in Palmdale), which often means shuttle trucks, parking restrictions or building move-in windows on delivery day.

Cost of moving from Palmdale to Carlsbad

Full-service estimate for 132 miles, by home size
Home size	Est. weight	Low	Typical	High
Studio	2,000 lb	$1,540	$1,880	$2,290
1 Bedroom	3,000 lb	$1,540	$1,880	$2,290
2 Bedrooms	5,000 lb	$2,570	$3,130	$3,820
3 Bedrooms	8,000 lb	$4,110	$5,010	$6,110
4+ Bedrooms	11,000 lb	$5,650	$6,890	$8,410

Rental truck (DIY)

$290–$400

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

Portable container

$1,140–$1,670

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

Full-service mover

$2,570–$3,820

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

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Palmdale, CA → Carlsbad, 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 Palmdale (origin)

Alpha Omega Consulting Enterprise LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 4384395
MC: 1719247
Based in: Palmdale, CA 93552 (5 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 36 trucks, 96 drivers
USDOT registered: 2025

Call (661) 389-2068 Route Verify on FMCSA

Freight Here LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3956591
MC: 1474260
Based in: Palmdale, CA 93550 (13 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 11 trucks, 10 drivers
USDOT registered: 2022

Call (661) 350-0674 Route Verify on FMCSA

The Best Trucks INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 746806
MC: 268822
Based in: Lancaster, CA 93535 (14 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 10 trucks, 10 drivers
USDOT registered: 1998

Call (626) 303-6200 Route Verify on FMCSA

Blue Track Express LLC

Interstate carrier

USDOT: 4548721
Based in: Lancaster, CA 93535 (14 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 7 trucks, 8 drivers
USDOT registered: 2026

Call (818) 399-2012 Route Verify on FMCSA

Antelope Valley Van & Storage Company

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Antelope Valley Refrigerating Company

USDOT: 34380
MC: 133696
Based in: Palmdale, CA 93550 (13 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 6 trucks, 5 drivers
USDOT registered: 1974

Call (661) 947-4121 Route Verify on FMCSA

Av Trans

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Antelope Investment Enterprises INC

USDOT: 3148907
MC: 103731
Based in: Palmdale, CA 93552 (5 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 4 trucks, 2 drivers
USDOT registered: 2018

Call (323) 855-2664 Route Verify on FMCSA

Av Supplies Express 2 Deliver Ship It 2go

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Av Supplies Distributors INC

USDOT: 4216491
MC: 1639401
Based in: Lancaster, CA 93534 (9 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 4 trucks, 4 drivers
USDOT registered: 2024

Call (661) 952-7887 Route Verify on FMCSA

Jabes Transportation

Licensed interstate

Legal name: The King Modular Systems Installation INC

USDOT: 2951860
MC: 1555690
Based in: Palmdale, CA 93552 (5 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 3 trucks, 4 drivers
USDOT registered: 2016

Call (323) 318-0716 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 129 movers in Palmdale

Near Carlsbad (destination)

Altman Specialty Plants LLC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 440672
MC: 277756
Based in: Vista, CA 92084 (8 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 311 trucks, 309 drivers
USDOT registered: 1991

Call (760) 744-8191 Route Verify on FMCSA

Cronus Transportation INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 1840993
MC: 701726
Based in: Oceanside, CA 92057 (9 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 13 trucks, 13 drivers
USDOT registered: 2008

Call (760) 618-0707 Route Verify on FMCSA

Online Trucking Logistics INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2159029
MC: 750403
Based in: Vista, CA 92081 (4 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 8 trucks, 1 drivers
USDOT registered: 2011

Call (760) 598-5800 Route Verify on FMCSA

Smooth Operator Logistics Co

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2660024
MC: 1709631
Based in: Vista, CA 92083 (5 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 5 trucks, 4 drivers
USDOT registered: 2015

Call (619) 941-9901 Route Verify on FMCSA

Resendiz Bros Trucking INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3398785
MC: 1134994
Based in: Escondido, CA 92026 (11 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 5 trucks, 5 drivers
USDOT registered: 2020

Call (760) 509-5808 Route Verify on FMCSA

Antida Trucking LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2619707
MC: 913842
Based in: San Diego, CA 92127 (12 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 5 trucks, 5 drivers
USDOT registered: 2015

Call (619) 398-6994 Route Verify on FMCSA

A&r Moving & Transportation INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2925375
MC: 987038
Based in: Carlsbad, CA 92011 (2 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 4 trucks, 6 drivers
USDOT registered: 2016

Call (619) 807-0772 Route Verify on FMCSA

Servpro Of North Vista San Marcos

Interstate carrier

Legal name: Araya Construction INC

USDOT: 2129355
Based in: San Marcos, CA 92069 (8 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 4 trucks, 4 drivers
USDOT registered: 2011

Call (760) 758-3454 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 85 movers in Carlsbad

Tips for this move

Group fragile items and tell the crew which boxes go in the cab or on top.
For a move under about 150 miles you can often choose between an hourly and a flat rate—ask for both.
Confirm whether travel time between Palmdale and Carlsbad is billed one way or round trip.
A single-day move is realistic here; schedule loading in the morning so the crew arrives in Carlsbad with daylight to spare.

Near Palmdale

Near Carlsbad

Related routes

Other destinations from Palmdale

Other origins to Carlsbad

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to move from Palmdale to Carlsbad?

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $1,540 to $2,290 for a studio, $1,540 to $2,290 for a one-bedroom, $2,570 to $3,820 for a two-bedroom, $4,110 to $6,110 for a three-bedroom and $5,650 to $8,410 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Carlsbad from Palmdale?

About 132 road miles (111 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 2 h 59 min.

How long will the movers take to deliver?

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.

Do I need an interstate-licensed mover for an in-state move?

No. Because both Palmdale and Carlsbad 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.

Is it cheaper to rent a truck or use a container for Palmdale to Carlsbad?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $290 to $400 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,140 to $1,670. 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 Palmdale–Carlsbad corridor.