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Palo Alto, CA

Santa Barbara, CA → Palo Alto, CA · Regional long-distance move

Movers from Santa Barbara to Palo Alto

About 292 road miles heading northwest. Typical two-bedroom cost $3,290–$4,890, delivery in 1–3 days, 27 carriers on the Santa Barbara side and 233 in Palo Alto.

  • 292 miroad distance
  • 5 h 44 mindriving time
  • 1–3 daysdelivery window
  • $3,290–$4,8902-bedroom estimate
Photo: Sanfranman59 · CC BY-SA 3.0
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Route summary

Road distance
≈ 292 miles (247 straight-line)
Drive time
5 h 44 min
Delivery window
1–3 days
Move type
In-state (California)
Movers at origin
27 (9 interstate)
Movers at destination
233 (62 interstate)

Reverse: Palo Alto → Santa Barbara

Palo Alto sits about 292 miles northwest of Santa Barbara, so this is an in-state move that most movers classify as a regional 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 $3,290 to $4,890 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 5 h 44 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 233 around Palo Alto (62 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 Palo Alto.

Santa Barbara has a population of about 88,000 and Palo Alto about 67,000. Santa Barbara is considerably denser (4,549 people per square mile versus 2,851), so expect tighter loading conditions, parking permits or elevator reservations at the origin and easier truck access at the destination.

Cost of moving from Santa Barbara to Palo Alto

Full-service estimate for 292 miles, by home size
Home sizeEst. weightLowTypicalHigh
Studio 2,000 lb $1,540 $1,880 $2,290
1 Bedroom 3,000 lb $1,970 $2,410 $2,940
2 Bedrooms 5,000 lb $3,290 $4,010 $4,890
3 Bedrooms 8,000 lb $5,260 $6,420 $7,830
4+ Bedrooms 11,000 lb $7,240 $8,830 $10,770

Rental truck (DIY)

$450–$640

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

Portable container

$1,280–$1,880

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

Full-service mover

$3,290–$4,890

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

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Santa Barbara, CA → Palo Alto, CA. 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 Palo Alto (destination)

Piranha Ops LLC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
3389468
MC
1089109
Based in
San Jose, CA 95126 (13 mi from center)
Service
Local moves
Fleet
49 trucks, 100 drivers
USDOT registered
2020
Call (510) 798-4604 Route Verify on FMCSA

Kilam INC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
3251388
MC
1023623
Based in
Fremont, CA 94538 (13 mi from center)
Service
Local moves
Fleet
30 trucks, 68 drivers
USDOT registered
2019
Call (415) 740-2340 Route Verify on FMCSA

Crown Worldwide Moving And Storage LLC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory
USDOT
2970
MC
138953
Based in
Union City, CA 94587 (14 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
25 trucks, 18 drivers
USDOT registered
1974
Call (510) 614-4105 Route Verify on FMCSA

Lucid USA INC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
3488549
MC
1147342
Based in
Newark, CA 94560 (10 mi from center)
Service
Local moves
Fleet
22 trucks, 38 drivers
USDOT registered
2020
Call (341) 236-1056 Route Verify on FMCSA

Managed Facility Solutions

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Managed Facilities Solutions LLC

USDOT
2974713
MC
10809
Based in
San Jose, CA 95131 (14 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
22 trucks, 43 drivers
USDOT registered
2017
Call (408) 920-0110 Route Verify on FMCSA

Careful Movers

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Careful Movers INC

USDOT
1464935
MC
553377
Based in
Union City, CA 94587 (14 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
14 trucks, 14 drivers
USDOT registered
2006
Call (650) 595-8400 Route Verify on FMCSA

Arjak&agnes Sons Trucking

Licensed interstate
USDOT
3247717
MC
1021407
Based in
Santa Clara, CA 95050 (11 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
7 trucks, 6 drivers
USDOT registered
2019
Call (510) 359-9498 Route Verify on FMCSA

Mav Moving LLC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
4340425
MC
77787146
Based in
Newark, CA 94560 (10 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
6 trucks, 3 drivers
USDOT registered
2024
Call (510) 456-5745 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 233 movers in Palo Alto

Related routes

Other destinations from Santa Barbara

Other origins to Palo Alto

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to move from Santa Barbara to Palo Alto?

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $1,540 to $2,290 for a studio, $1,970 to $2,940 for a one-bedroom, $3,290 to $4,890 for a two-bedroom, $5,260 to $7,830 for a three-bedroom and $7,240 to $10,770 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Palo Alto from Santa Barbara?

About 292 road miles (247 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 5 h 44 min.

How long will the movers take to deliver?

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.

Do I need an interstate-licensed mover for an in-state move?

No. Because both Santa Barbara and Palo Alto 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 Palo Alto?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $450 to $640 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,280 to $1,880. 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–Palo Alto corridor.