Santa Ana, CA → Santa Monica, CA · Local move
About 47 road miles heading northwest. Typical two-bedroom cost $1,540–$2,300, delivery in 0–1 days, 984 carriers on the Santa Ana side and 603 in Santa Monica.
Santa Monica sits about 47 miles northwest of Santa Ana, so this is an in-state move that most movers classify as a local 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 28 min counted as billable travel time. A typical two-bedroom household lands between $1,540 and $2,300, before packing or storage.
On the Santa Ana side there are 984 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (394 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.
Santa Ana has a population of about 315,586 and Santa Monica about 92,000. The two cities have comparable density (11,364 and 11,069 people per square mile), so loading and unloading conditions are usually similar at both ends.
| Home size | Crew | Hours | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | 2 movers | 3–5 h | $840 | $1,020 | $1,250 |
| 1 Bedroom | 2 movers | 4–6 h | $970 | $1,190 | $1,450 |
| 2 Bedrooms | 3 movers | 5–8 h | $1,540 | $1,880 | $2,300 |
| 3 Bedrooms | 4 movers | 7–10 h | $2,370 | $2,890 | $3,520 |
| 4+ Bedrooms | 5 movers | 9–13 h | $3,510 | $4,280 | $5,220 |
$200–$280
One-way truck for the distance, mileage and fuel included; you load and drive.
$1,060–$1,560
Container delivered, you load, company transports; transit is slower than a mover.
$1,540–$2,300
Two-bedroom reference; crew loads, hauls and unloads.
Distance is pre-filled for Santa Ana, 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: Home Express Delivery Service LLC
Typical full-service estimates for this route are $840 to $1,250 for a studio, $970 to $1,450 for a one-bedroom, $1,540 to $2,300 for a two-bedroom, $2,370 to $3,520 for a three-bedroom and $3,510 to $5,220 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.
About 47 road miles (40 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 1 h 28 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 Santa Ana 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 $200 to $280 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,060 to $1,560. 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 Santa Ana–Santa Monica corridor.