San Mateo, CA → Santa Cruz, CA · Short-haul move
About 51 road miles heading south. Typical two-bedroom cost $1,570–$2,330, delivery in 1–2 days, 332 carriers on the San Mateo side and 27 in Santa Cruz.
Santa Cruz sits about 51 miles south of San Mateo, 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 1 h 35 min counted as billable travel time. A typical two-bedroom household lands between $1,570 and $2,330, before packing or storage.
On the San Mateo side there are 332 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (93 of them authorized for interstate work), and 27 around Santa Cruz (6 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 Cruz.
San Mateo has a population of about 103,337 and Santa Cruz about 62,000. San Mateo is considerably denser (8,732 people per square mile versus 4,942), so expect tighter loading conditions, parking permits or elevator reservations at the origin and easier truck access at the destination.
| Home size | Crew | Hours | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | 2 movers | 3–5 h | $860 | $1,050 | $1,270 |
| 1 Bedroom | 2 movers | 4–6 h | $990 | $1,210 | $1,470 |
| 2 Bedrooms | 3 movers | 5–8 h | $1,570 | $1,910 | $2,330 |
| 3 Bedrooms | 4 movers | 7–10 h | $2,400 | $2,920 | $3,570 |
| 4+ Bedrooms | 5 movers | 9–13 h | $3,550 | $4,330 | $5,280 |
$200–$290
One-way truck for the distance, mileage and fuel included; you load and drive.
$1,070–$1,570
Container delivered, you load, company transports; transit is slower than a mover.
$1,570–$2,330
Two-bedroom reference; crew loads, hauls and unloads.
Distance is pre-filled for San Mateo, CA → Santa Cruz, 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: Act 2 Services INC
Legal name: Pacific Coast Container INC
Legal name: Bill Lambert
Legal name: Delivertron LLC
Legal name: Robert D Joseph
Typical full-service estimates for this route are $860 to $1,270 for a studio, $990 to $1,470 for a one-bedroom, $1,570 to $2,330 for a two-bedroom, $2,400 to $3,570 for a three-bedroom and $3,550 to $5,280 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.
About 51 road miles (43 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 1 h 35 min.
For a move this short, loading and delivery normally happen on the same day. Most crews finish a two-bedroom home in 5 to 8 hours plus the drive.
No. Because both San Mateo and Santa Cruz 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 $200 to $290 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,070 to $1,570. 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 San Mateo–Santa Cruz corridor.