Santa Barbara, CA → Missoula, MT · Long-distance move

Movers from Santa Barbara to Missoula

About 1,075 road miles heading north. Typical two-bedroom cost $5,410–$8,050, delivery in 3–7 days, 27 carriers on the Santa Barbara side and 35 in Missoula.

1,075 miroad distance
19 h 14 mindriving time
3–7 daysdelivery window
$5,410–$8,0502-bedroom estimate

Photo: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0

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Route summary

From: Santa Barbara, California
To: Missoula, Montana
Road distance: ≈ 1,075 miles (911 straight-line)
Drive time: 19 h 14 min
Delivery window: 3–7 days
Move type: Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin: 27 (9 interstate)
Movers at destination: 35 (24 interstate)

Reverse: Missoula → Santa Barbara

Missoula sits about 1,075 miles north of Santa Barbara, which makes this an interstate relocation from California to Montana that most movers classify as a long-distance move.

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 $5,410 to $8,050 with a full-service mover, and delivery usually takes 3 to 7 days after pickup because long-haul trucks consolidate several households per trip. Driving it yourself takes about 19 h 14 min.

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 35 around Missoula (24 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 Missoula.

Santa Barbara has a population of about 88,000 and Missoula about 76,000. Santa Barbara is considerably denser (4,549 people per square mile versus 2,111), 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 Montana than in California, which tends to make destination-side services such as unpacking or storage cheaper than the same services back home.

Cost of moving from Santa Barbara to Missoula

Full-service estimate for 1,075 miles, by home size
Home size	Est. weight	Low	Typical	High
Studio	2,000 lb	$2,160	$2,640	$3,220
1 Bedroom	3,000 lb	$3,250	$3,960	$4,830
2 Bedrooms	5,000 lb	$5,410	$6,600	$8,050
3 Bedrooms	8,000 lb	$8,660	$10,560	$12,880
4+ Bedrooms	11,000 lb	$11,900	$14,510	$17,710

Rental truck (DIY)

$1,550–$2,190

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

Portable container

$1,980–$2,910

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

Full-service mover

$5,410–$8,050

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

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Santa Barbara, CA → Missoula, MT. 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 Missoula (destination)

Dsv Road Transport INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 30161
MC: 124692
Based in: Missoula, MT 59808 (7 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 421 trucks, 340 drivers
USDOT registered: 1974

Call (406) 728-2600 Route Verify on FMCSA

Montana Transfer

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Montana Transfer & Storage INC

USDOT: 514197
MC: 121089
Based in: Missoula, MT 59808 (7 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 15 trucks, 8 drivers
USDOT registered: 1993

Call (406) 728-8080 Route Verify on FMCSA

All Lanes Moving & Storage INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 917105
MC: 403277
Based in: Missoula, MT 59808 (7 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 5 trucks, 4 drivers
USDOT registered: 2000

Call (406) 251-7198 Route Verify on FMCSA

Biketernity LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3798296
MC: 1366116
Based in: Missoula, MT 59803 (7 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 4 trucks, 6 drivers
USDOT registered: 2022

Call (508) 864-1308 Route Verify on FMCSA

Two Men And A Truck Of Montana

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Darom LLC

USDOT: 2966913
MC: 7978
Based in: Missoula, MT 59802 (5 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 3 trucks, 6 drivers
USDOT registered: 2017

Call (406) 251-9818 Route Verify on FMCSA

Montana Roadside Services LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3331492
MC: 1061736
Based in: Missoula, MT 59802 (5 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 3 trucks, 4 drivers
USDOT registered: 2019

Call (406) 239-7596 Route Verify on FMCSA

Blue Sky Transportation

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Igor F Babak

USDOT: 1432706
MC: 541357
Based in: Missoula, MT 59808 (7 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 2 trucks, 3 drivers
USDOT registered: 2005

Call (406) 531-8979 Route Verify on FMCSA

Rosetti Transport LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 1749270
MC: 640376
Based in: Missoula, MT 59808 (7 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 2 trucks, 1 drivers
USDOT registered: 2008

Call (406) 570-2642 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 35 movers in Missoula

Related routes

Other destinations from Santa Barbara

Other origins to Missoula

Frequently asked questions

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

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $2,160 to $3,220 for a studio, $3,250 to $4,830 for a one-bedroom, $5,410 to $8,050 for a two-bedroom, $8,660 to $12,880 for a three-bedroom and $11,900 to $17,710 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Missoula from Santa Barbara?

About 1,075 road miles (911 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 19 h 14 min.

How long will the movers take to deliver?

Expect a delivery window of 3 to 7 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 Montana 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 Missoula?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $1,550 to $2,190 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,980 to $2,910. 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–Missoula corridor.