Santa Barbara, CA → Irvine, CA · Short-haul move

Movers from Santa Barbara to Irvine

About 144 road miles heading southeast. Typical two-bedroom cost $2,620–$3,900, delivery in 1–2 days, 27 carriers on the Santa Barbara side and 625 in Irvine.

144 miroad distance
3 h 11 mindriving time
1–2 daysdelivery window
$2,620–$3,9002-bedroom estimate

Photo: Azusa Tarn · CC BY-SA 4.0

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Route summary

From: Santa Barbara, California
To: Irvine, California
Road distance: ≈ 144 miles (122 straight-line)
Drive time: 3 h 11 min
Delivery window: 1–2 days
Move type: In-state (California)
Movers at origin: 27 (9 interstate)
Movers at destination: 625 (239 interstate)

Reverse: Irvine → Santa Barbara

The route from Santa Barbara, CA to Irvine, CA covers roughly 144 miles by road, a southeast-bound trip that falls into the short-haul move category for pricing purposes.

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 3 h 11 min counted as billable travel time. A typical two-bedroom household lands between $2,620 and $3,900, before packing or storage.

On the Santa Barbara side there are 27 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (9 of them authorized for interstate work), and 625 around Irvine (239 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 Irvine.

Santa Barbara has a population of about 88,000 and Irvine about 318,764. The two cities have comparable density (4,549 and 4,690 people per square mile), so loading and unloading conditions are usually similar at both ends.

Cost of moving from Santa Barbara to Irvine

Full-service estimate for 144 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	$1,570	$1,920	$2,340
2 Bedrooms	5,000 lb	$2,620	$3,200	$3,900
3 Bedrooms	8,000 lb	$4,200	$5,120	$6,240
4+ Bedrooms	11,000 lb	$5,770	$7,040	$8,580

Rental truck (DIY)

$300–$420

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

Portable container

$1,150–$1,690

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

Full-service mover

$2,620–$3,900

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

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Santa Barbara, CA → Irvine, 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 Santa Barbara (origin)

Aussie Moving

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Aussie Moving INC

USDOT: 2424966
MC: 876037
Based in: Santa Barbara, CA 93101 (1 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 2 trucks, 3 drivers
USDOT registered: 2013

Call (805) 456-6498 Route Verify on FMCSA

Twentyfour7 Msi

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Twenty Four 7 Moving Specialists INC

USDOT: 1821147
MC: 661157
Based in: Carpinteria, CA 93013 (12 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 2 trucks, 5 drivers
USDOT registered: 2008

Call (805) 696-9247 Route Verify on FMCSA

Mammoth Van Lines

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Mammoth Moving Holding Corporation

USDOT: 374567
MC: 225136
Based in: Santa Barbara, CA 93111 (6 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 1 truck, 2 drivers
USDOT registered: 1989

Call (805) 968-8643 Route Verify on FMCSA

All Things Home Services LLC

Interstate carrier

USDOT: 8395520
Based in: Santa Barbara, CA 93111 (6 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 1 truck, 4 drivers
USDOT registered: 2026

Call (805) 245-3822 Route Verify on FMCSA

Bushnell Moving

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Kenneth Lee Bushnell

USDOT: 1355626
MC: 608117
Based in: Santa Barbara, CA 93105 (9 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 1 truck, 1 drivers
USDOT registered: 2005

Call (805) 682-5454 Route Verify on FMCSA

Santa Barbara Home Improvement Center

Intrastate carrier

Legal name: Santa Barbara Home Improvement Center INC

USDOT: 2735884
Based in: Santa Barbara, CA 93101 (1 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 3 trucks, 3 drivers
USDOT registered: 2015

Call (805) 963-7825 Route Verify on FMCSA

Mike'S Deliveries

Intrastate carrier

Legal name: Miguel A Barrios

USDOT: 3008579
Based in: Santa Barbara, CA 93101 (1 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 3 trucks, 3 drivers
USDOT registered: 2017

Call (805) 331-0318 Route Verify on FMCSA

Bright Delivery And Install INC

Intrastate carrier

USDOT: 3544323
Based in: Santa Barbara, CA 93101 (1 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 3 trucks, 3 drivers
USDOT registered: 2021

Call (805) 679-1020 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 27 movers in Santa Barbara

Near Irvine (destination)

Temco Logistics

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Home Express Delivery Service LLC

USDOT: 2714701
MC: 117140
Based in: Irvine, CA 92614 (4 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 2,493 trucks, 3,975 drivers
USDOT registered: 2015

Call (714) 552-9014 Route Verify on FMCSA

Line Drive Trucking INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2483381
MC: 859536
Based in: Anaheim, CA 92806 (12 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 79 trucks, 52 drivers
USDOT registered: 2014

Call (800) 899-0668 Route Verify on FMCSA

Tectonic Transport

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3293353
MC: 1043255
Based in: Santa Ana, CA 92707 (6 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 (2 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 (4 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 20 trucks, 20 drivers
USDOT registered: 2013

Call (661) 873-5730 Route Verify on FMCSA

Laverde Trucking INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 1156979
MC: 909517
Based in: Garden Grove, CA 92840 (12 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 16 trucks, 11 drivers
USDOT registered: 2003

Call (714) 726-0686 Route Verify on FMCSA

Maeflower Logistics

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Maeflower Logistics LLC

USDOT: 3405755
MC: 1097046
Based in: Mission Viejo, CA 92691 (8 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 15 trucks, 1 drivers
USDOT registered: 2020

Call (949) 216-0290 Route Verify on FMCSA

Pro Movers INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2211293
MC: 779807
Based in: Anaheim, CA 92806 (12 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 13 trucks, 19 drivers
USDOT registered: 2011

Call (714) 331-6556 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 625 movers in Irvine

Tips for this move

Confirm whether travel time between Santa Barbara and Irvine is billed one way or round trip.
A single-day move is realistic here; schedule loading in the morning so the crew arrives in Irvine with daylight to spare.
Check California intrastate mover rules; many states require a state permit in addition to a USDOT number.
Group fragile items and tell the crew which boxes go in the cab or on top.

Near Santa Barbara

Near Irvine

Related routes

Other destinations from Santa Barbara

Other origins to Irvine

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to move from Santa Barbara to Irvine?

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $1,540 to $2,290 for a studio, $1,570 to $2,340 for a one-bedroom, $2,620 to $3,900 for a two-bedroom, $4,200 to $6,240 for a three-bedroom and $5,770 to $8,580 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Irvine from Santa Barbara?

About 144 road miles (122 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 3 h 11 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 Santa Barbara and Irvine 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 Santa Barbara to Irvine?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $300 to $420 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,150 to $1,690. 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 Santa Barbara–Irvine corridor.