San Mateo, CA → Santa Monica, CA · Regional long-distance move
About 384 road miles heading southeast. Typical two-bedroom cost $3,700–$5,510, delivery in 1–3 days, 332 carriers on the San Mateo side and 603 in Santa Monica.
The route from San Mateo, CA to Santa Monica, CA covers roughly 384 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 $3,700 to $5,510 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 19 min.
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 603 around Santa Monica (222 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 Monica.
San Mateo has a population of about 103,337 and Santa Monica about 92,000. The two cities have comparable density (8,732 and 11,069 people per square mile), so loading and unloading conditions are usually similar at both ends.
| Home size | Est. weight | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | 2,000 lb | $1,540 | $1,880 | $2,290 |
| 1 Bedroom | 3,000 lb | $2,220 | $2,710 | $3,310 |
| 2 Bedrooms | 5,000 lb | $3,700 | $4,520 | $5,510 |
| 3 Bedrooms | 8,000 lb | $5,930 | $7,230 | $8,820 |
| 4+ Bedrooms | 11,000 lb | $8,150 | $9,940 | $12,130 |
$540–$770
One-way truck for the distance, mileage and fuel included; you load and drive.
$1,360–$2,000
Container delivered, you load, company transports; transit is slower than a mover.
$3,700–$5,510
Two-bedroom reference; crew loads, hauls and unloads.
Distance is pre-filled for San Mateo, CA → 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: Act 2 Services INC
Legal name: Pacific Coast Container INC
Typical full-service estimates for this route are $1,540 to $2,290 for a studio, $2,220 to $3,310 for a one-bedroom, $3,700 to $5,510 for a two-bedroom, $5,930 to $8,820 for a three-bedroom and $8,150 to $12,130 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.
About 384 road miles (325 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 7 h 19 min.
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.
No. Because both San Mateo and Santa Monica 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 $540 to $770 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,360 to $2,000. 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 Monica corridor.