Pasadena, CA → San Diego, CA · Short-haul move

Movers from Pasadena to San Diego

About 129 road miles heading southeast. Typical two-bedroom cost $2,550–$3,800, delivery in 1–2 days, 822 carriers on the Pasadena side and 626 in San Diego.

129 miroad distance
2 h 55 mindriving time
1–2 daysdelivery window
$2,550–$3,8002-bedroom estimate

Photo: Dirk Hansen · CC BY-SA 3.0

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Route summary

From: Pasadena, California
To: San Diego, California
Road distance: ≈ 129 miles (109 straight-line)
Drive time: 2 h 55 min
Delivery window: 1–2 days
Move type: In-state (California)
Movers at origin: 822 (337 interstate)
Movers at destination: 626 (217 interstate)

Reverse: San Diego → Pasadena

San Diego sits about 129 miles southeast of Pasadena, so this is an in-state move that most movers classify as a short-haul move.

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 55 min counted as billable travel time. A typical two-bedroom household lands between $2,550 and $3,800, before packing or storage.

On the Pasadena side there are 822 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (337 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.

Pasadena has a population of about 135,804 and San Diego about 1.4 million. Pasadena is considerably denser (6,030 people per square mile versus 4,256), so expect tighter loading conditions, parking permits or elevator reservations at the origin and easier truck access at the destination.

Cost of moving from Pasadena to San Diego

Full-service estimate for 129 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	$2,550	$3,120	$3,800
3 Bedrooms	8,000 lb	$4,090	$4,990	$6,080
4+ Bedrooms	11,000 lb	$5,620	$6,850	$8,360

Rental truck (DIY)

$280–$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

$2,550–$3,800

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

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Pasadena, CA → San Diego, 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 Pasadena (origin)

White Arrow LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 577394
MC: 281042
Based in: Montebello, CA 90640 (10 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 414 trucks, 408 drivers
USDOT registered: 1994

Call (800) 501-5589 Route Verify on FMCSA

Dhe

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Dependable Highway Express INC

USDOT: 9853
MC: 139496
Based in: Los Angeles, CA 90023 (10 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 312 trucks, 240 drivers
USDOT registered: 1974

Call (323) 362-9399 Route Verify on FMCSA

T C I Transportation Services INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 480301
MC: 619388
Based in: Commerce, CA 90022 (10 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 205 trucks, 277 drivers
USDOT registered: 1992

Call (323) 269-3033 Route Verify on FMCSA

Hercules Forwarding LLC

Interstate carrier Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 424572
Based in: Vernon, CA 90058 (12 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 166 trucks, 163 drivers
USDOT registered: 1990

Call (323) 263-6100 Route Verify on FMCSA

Arru Group INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 4420956
MC: 1738102
Based in: Los Angeles, CA 90029 (10 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 52 trucks, 180 drivers
USDOT registered: 2025

Call (424) 335-1991 Route Verify on FMCSA

Ing Logistics

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 1778992
MC: 648911
Based in: Los Angeles, CA 90037 (14 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 50 trucks, 21 drivers
USDOT registered: 2008

Call (213) 944-0878 Route Verify on FMCSA

Saba Couriers LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3182236
MC: 127315
Based in: Burbank, CA 91505 (12 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 45 trucks, 45 drivers
USDOT registered: 2018

Call (818) 731-8259 Route Verify on FMCSA

Liberty Linehaul West INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 282762
MC: 208837
Based in: Montebello, CA 90640 (10 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 44 trucks, 53 drivers
USDOT registered: 1986

Call (323) 728-8900 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 822 movers in Pasadena

Near San Diego (destination)

Mat Express

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Mat Parcel Express INC

USDOT: 927424
MC: 400335
Based in: San Diego, CA 92110 (5 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 50 trucks, 64 drivers
USDOT registered: 2001

Call (619) 849-9600 Route Verify on FMCSA

Magic Mile LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3296634
MC: 1044843
Based in: Poway, CA 92064 (14 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 45 trucks, 70 drivers
USDOT registered: 2019

Call (619) 991-9424 Route Verify on FMCSA

Djw Logistics

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Walk With Me INC

USDOT: 3312065
MC: 1052279
Based in: Chula Vista, CA 91910 (13 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 30 trucks, 60 drivers
USDOT registered: 2019

Call (858) 294-3804 Route Verify on FMCSA

Zipity LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3476079
MC: 1145709
Based in: Coronado, CA 92118 (9 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 26 trucks, 45 drivers
USDOT registered: 2020

Call (949) 929-4199 Route Verify on FMCSA

Ackley Moving Services

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Ackley Enterprises INC

USDOT: 1868365
MC: 675281
Based in: Poway, CA 92064 (14 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 21 trucks, 19 drivers
USDOT registered: 2009

Call (858) 735-9587 Route Verify on FMCSA

Republic Moving & Storage

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Lovejoy'S Family Moving INC

USDOT: 3369820
MC: 778208
Based in: Chula Vista, CA 91914 (15 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 21 trucks, 20 drivers
USDOT registered: 2019

Call (951) 541-6710 Route Verify on FMCSA

Allstate Logistics

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Allstate Van & Storage INC

USDOT: 692879
MC: 321079
Based in: Poway, CA 92064 (14 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 18 trucks, 5 drivers
USDOT registered: 1997

Call (858) 746-1000 Route Verify on FMCSA

The Cms Companies

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Sullivan Moving & Storage INC

USDOT: 56181
MC: 127405
Based in: San Diego, CA 92111 (2 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 17 trucks, 42 drivers
USDOT registered: 1974

Call (253) 395-5432 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 626 movers in San Diego

Related routes

Other destinations from Pasadena

Other origins to San Diego

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to move from Pasadena to San Diego?

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, $2,550 to $3,800 for a two-bedroom, $4,090 to $6,080 for a three-bedroom and $5,620 to $8,360 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is San Diego from Pasadena?

About 129 road miles (109 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 2 h 55 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 Pasadena 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.

Is it cheaper to rent a truck or use a container for Pasadena to San Diego?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $280 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 Pasadena–San Diego corridor.