Palo Alto, CA → Santa Ana, CA · Regional long-distance move

Movers from Palo Alto to Santa Ana

About 411 road miles heading southeast. Typical two-bedroom cost $3,830–$5,690, delivery in 1–3 days, 233 carriers on the Palo Alto side and 984 in Santa Ana.

411 miroad distance
7 h 47 mindriving time
1–3 daysdelivery window
$3,830–$5,6902-bedroom estimate

Photo: Coolsheep2 · CC BY-SA 4.0

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Route summary

From: Palo Alto, California
To: Santa Ana, California
Road distance: ≈ 411 miles (348 straight-line)
Drive time: 7 h 47 min
Delivery window: 1–3 days
Move type: In-state (California)
Movers at origin: 233 (62 interstate)
Movers at destination: 984 (394 interstate)

Reverse: Santa Ana → Palo Alto

The route from Palo Alto, CA to Santa Ana, CA covers roughly 411 miles by road, a southeast-bound trip that falls into the regional long-distance 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 $3,830 to $5,690 with a full-service mover, and delivery usually takes 1 to 3 days after pickup because long-haul trucks consolidate several households per trip. Driving it yourself takes about 7 h 47 min.

On the Palo Alto side there are 233 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (62 of them authorized for interstate work), and 984 around Santa Ana (394 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 Ana.

Palo Alto has a population of about 67,000 and Santa Ana about 315,586. Santa Ana is the denser city (11,364 people per square mile versus 2,851 in Palo Alto), which often means shuttle trucks, parking restrictions or building move-in windows on delivery day.

Cost of moving from Palo Alto to Santa Ana

Full-service estimate for 411 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	$2,300	$2,800	$3,420
2 Bedrooms	5,000 lb	$3,830	$4,670	$5,690
3 Bedrooms	8,000 lb	$6,120	$7,470	$9,110
4+ Bedrooms	11,000 lb	$8,420	$10,270	$12,530

Rental truck (DIY)

$570–$810

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

Portable container

$1,390–$2,040

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

Full-service mover

$3,830–$5,690

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

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Palo Alto, CA → Santa Ana, 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 Palo Alto (origin)

Piranha Ops LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3389468
MC: 1089109
Based in: San Jose, CA 95126 (13 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 49 trucks, 100 drivers
USDOT registered: 2020

Call (510) 798-4604 Route Verify on FMCSA

Kilam INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3251388
MC: 1023623
Based in: Fremont, CA 94538 (13 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 30 trucks, 68 drivers
USDOT registered: 2019

Call (415) 740-2340 Route Verify on FMCSA

Crown Worldwide Moving And Storage LLC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 2970
MC: 138953
Based in: Union City, CA 94587 (14 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 25 trucks, 18 drivers
USDOT registered: 1974

Call (510) 614-4105 Route Verify on FMCSA

Lucid USA INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3488549
MC: 1147342
Based in: Newark, CA 94560 (10 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 22 trucks, 38 drivers
USDOT registered: 2020

Call (341) 236-1056 Route Verify on FMCSA

Managed Facility Solutions

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Managed Facilities Solutions LLC

USDOT: 2974713
MC: 10809
Based in: San Jose, CA 95131 (14 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 22 trucks, 43 drivers
USDOT registered: 2017

Call (408) 920-0110 Route Verify on FMCSA

Careful Movers

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Careful Movers INC

USDOT: 1464935
MC: 553377
Based in: Union City, CA 94587 (14 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 14 trucks, 14 drivers
USDOT registered: 2006

Call (650) 595-8400 Route Verify on FMCSA

Arjak&agnes Sons Trucking

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3247717
MC: 1021407
Based in: Santa Clara, CA 95050 (11 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 7 trucks, 6 drivers
USDOT registered: 2019

Call (510) 359-9498 Route Verify on FMCSA

Mav Moving LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 4340425
MC: 77787146
Based in: Newark, CA 94560 (10 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 6 trucks, 3 drivers
USDOT registered: 2024

Call (510) 456-5745 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 233 movers in Palo Alto

Near Santa Ana (destination)

Temco Logistics

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Home Express Delivery Service LLC

USDOT: 2714701
MC: 117140
Based in: Irvine, CA 92614 (5 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 2,493 trucks, 3,975 drivers
USDOT registered: 2015

Call (714) 552-9014 Route Verify on FMCSA

Ecology Auto Parts INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 629013
MC: 324282
Based in: Cerritos, CA 90703 (14 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 676 trucks, 580 drivers
USDOT registered: 1996

Call (562) 921-9974 Route Verify on FMCSA

Unis Transportation LLC

Interstate carrier

USDOT: 2247083
Based in: Buena Park, CA 90620 (11 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 260 trucks, 160 drivers
USDOT registered: 2011

Call (800) 858-9889 Route Verify on FMCSA

Line Drive Trucking INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2483381
MC: 859536
Based in: Anaheim, CA 92806 (7 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 79 trucks, 52 drivers
USDOT registered: 2014

Call (800) 899-0668 Route Verify on FMCSA

Orange Courier INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 710576
MC: 327888
Based in: LA Mirada, CA 90638 (14 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 58 trucks, 75 drivers
USDOT registered: 1997

Call (714) 384-3600 Route Verify on FMCSA

Tectonic Transport

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3293353
MC: 1043255
Based in: Santa Ana, CA 92707 (2 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 50 trucks, 160 drivers
USDOT registered: 2019

Call (949) 664-9708 Route Verify on FMCSA

Apollo Couriers INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 1030265
MC: 987394
Based in: Irvine, CA 92618 (10 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 22 trucks, 2 drivers
USDOT registered: 2002

Call (310) 337-0377 Route Verify on FMCSA

Lgl INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2448815
MC: 845207
Based in: Irvine, CA 92603 (9 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 20 trucks, 20 drivers
USDOT registered: 2013

Call (661) 873-5730 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 984 movers in Santa Ana

Tips for this move

Get three written estimates; at this distance quotes can vary by a third for the same inventory.
Ask whether the carrier will use one truck end to end or transfer your goods at a terminal.
Weigh the cost of full-value protection against the released-value default of 60 cents per pound.
Book four to six weeks out for summer dates on the Palo Alto–Santa Ana corridor.

Near Palo Alto

Near Santa Ana

Related routes

Other destinations from Palo Alto

Other origins to Santa Ana

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to move from Palo Alto to Santa Ana?

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $1,540 to $2,290 for a studio, $2,300 to $3,420 for a one-bedroom, $3,830 to $5,690 for a two-bedroom, $6,120 to $9,110 for a three-bedroom and $8,420 to $12,530 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Santa Ana from Palo Alto?

About 411 road miles (348 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 7 h 47 min.

How long will the movers take to deliver?

Expect a delivery window of 1 to 3 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 Palo Alto and Santa Ana 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 Palo Alto to Santa Ana?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $570 to $810 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,390 to $2,040. 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 Palo Alto–Santa Ana corridor.