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Johnson City, TN

Santa Barbara, CA → Johnson City, TN · Cross-country move

Movers from Santa Barbara to Johnson City

About 2,472 road miles heading east. Typical two-bedroom cost $8,140–$12,110, delivery in 7–14 days, 27 carriers on the Santa Barbara side and 93 in Johnson City.

  • 2,472 miroad distance
  • 43 hours (5 driving days)driving time
  • 7–14 daysdelivery window
  • $8,140–$12,1102-bedroom estimate
Photo: Mrgriffter · CC BY-SA 4.0
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Route summary

Road distance
≈ 2,472 miles (2,095 straight-line)
Drive time
43 hours (5 driving days)
Delivery window
7–14 days
Move type
Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin
27 (9 interstate)
Movers at destination
93 (59 interstate)

Reverse: Johnson City → Santa Barbara

The route from Santa Barbara, CA to Johnson City, TN covers roughly 2,472 miles by road, a east-bound trip that falls into the cross-country 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 $8,140 to $12,110 with a full-service mover, and delivery usually takes 7 to 14 days after pickup because long-haul trucks consolidate several households per trip. Driving it yourself takes about 43 hours (5 driving days).

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 93 around Johnson City (59 interstate). For an interstate 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 Johnson City.

Santa Barbara has a population of about 88,000 and Johnson City about 74,000. Santa Barbara is considerably denser (4,549 people per square mile versus 1,633), so expect tighter loading conditions, parking permits or elevator reservations at the origin and easier truck access at the destination. Labor and living costs run lower in Tennessee than in California, which tends to make destination-side services such as unpacking or storage cheaper than the same services back home. Tennessee levies no state income tax on wages, a frequent reason people make this exact move.

Cost of moving from Santa Barbara to Johnson City

Full-service estimate for 2,472 miles, by home size
Home sizeEst. weightLowTypicalHigh
Studio 2,000 lb $3,250 $3,970 $4,840
1 Bedroom 3,000 lb $4,880 $5,950 $7,260
2 Bedrooms 5,000 lb $8,140 $9,920 $12,110
3 Bedrooms 8,000 lb $13,020 $15,880 $19,370
4+ Bedrooms 11,000 lb $17,900 $21,830 $26,630

Rental truck (DIY)

$3,440–$4,860

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

Portable container

$3,230–$4,740

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

Full-service mover

$8,140–$12,110

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

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Santa Barbara, CA → Johnson City, TN. Adjust the other options to see your range.

—to—

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 Johnson City (destination)

Cox Disposal INC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
701359
MC
66967
Based in
Bluff City, TN 37618 (13 mi from center)
Service
Local moves
Fleet
16 trucks, 8 drivers
USDOT registered
1997
Call (423) 538-4104 Route Verify on FMCSA

Sheepdog Transport

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Black Barn Farm LLC

USDOT
3545701
MC
136488
Based in
Elizabethton, TN 37643 (15 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
16 trucks, 16 drivers
USDOT registered
2021
Call (772) 323-8127 Route Verify on FMCSA

Eastern Tennessee Transport LLC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
2382126
MC
818191
Based in
Blountville, TN 37617 (13 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
15 trucks, 11 drivers
USDOT registered
2013
Call (423) 612-3377 Route Verify on FMCSA

Wcp Transportation LLC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
763762
MC
343871
Based in
Gray, TN 37615 (6 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
12 trucks, 10 drivers
USDOT registered
1998
Call (423) 232-0045 Route Verify on FMCSA

Tri City Logistics INC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
1577982
MC
598650
Based in
Kingsport, TN 37663 (10 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
12 trucks, 10 drivers
USDOT registered
2006
Call (423) 279-1771 Route Verify on FMCSA

Olivers Transport LLC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
3981761
MC
1491041
Based in
Elizabethton, TN 37643 (15 mi from center)
Service
Local moves
Fleet
12 trucks, 12 drivers
USDOT registered
2022
Call (423) 543-0028 Route Verify on FMCSA

J & L Trucking INC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
1411363
MC
534652
Based in
Piney Flats, TN 37686 (7 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
6 trucks, 5 drivers
USDOT registered
2005
Call (423) 946-3748 Route Verify on FMCSA

Bennett'S Moving Services

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Bms Enterprises LLC

USDOT
2917922
MC
1072695
Based in
Elizabethton, TN 37643 (15 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
6 trucks, 6 drivers
USDOT registered
2016
Call (423) 512-2850 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 93 movers in Johnson City

Related routes

Other destinations from Santa Barbara

Other origins to Johnson City

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to move from Santa Barbara to Johnson City?

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $3,250 to $4,840 for a studio, $4,880 to $7,260 for a one-bedroom, $8,140 to $12,110 for a two-bedroom, $13,020 to $19,370 for a three-bedroom and $17,900 to $26,630 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Johnson City from Santa Barbara?

About 2,472 road miles (2,095 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 43 hours (5 driving days).

How long will the movers take to deliver?

Expect a delivery window of 7 to 14 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.

Does my mover need interstate authority for this move?

Yes. Crossing from California into Tennessee makes this an interstate move, so the carrier must hold active FMCSA operating authority (an MC number) in addition to its USDOT number. The company cards on this page flag which carriers are authorized for interstate work.

Is it cheaper to rent a truck or use a container for Santa Barbara to Johnson City?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $3,440 to $4,860 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $3,230 to $4,740. 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–Johnson City corridor.