San Francisco, CA

Santa Barbara, CA → San Francisco, CA · Regional long-distance move

Movers from Santa Barbara to San Francisco

About 328 road miles heading northwest. Typical two-bedroom cost $3,450–$5,140, delivery in 1–3 days, 27 carriers on the Santa Barbara side and 899 in San Francisco.

  • 328 miroad distance
  • 6 h 21 mindriving time
  • 1–3 daysdelivery window
  • $3,450–$5,1402-bedroom estimate
Photo: Craig Howell from San Carlos, CA, USA · CC BY 2.0

Route summary

Road distance
≈ 328 miles (278 straight-line)
Drive time
6 h 21 min
Delivery window
1–3 days
Move type
In-state (California)
Movers at origin
27 (9 interstate)
Movers at destination
899 (270 interstate)

Reverse: San Francisco → Santa Barbara

The route from Santa Barbara, CA to San Francisco, CA covers roughly 328 miles by road, a northwest-bound trip that falls into the regional long-distance 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 $3,450 to $5,140 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 6 h 21 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 899 around San Francisco (270 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 San Francisco.

Santa Barbara has a population of about 88,000 and San Francisco about 826,079. San Francisco is the denser city (18,635 people per square mile versus 4,549 in Santa Barbara), which often means shuttle trucks, parking restrictions or building move-in windows on delivery day.

Cost of moving from Santa Barbara to San Francisco

Full-service estimate for 328 miles, by home size
Home sizeEst. weightLowTypicalHigh
Studio 2,000 lb $1,540 $1,880 $2,290
1 Bedroom 3,000 lb $2,070 $2,530 $3,080
2 Bedrooms 5,000 lb $3,450 $4,210 $5,140
3 Bedrooms 8,000 lb $5,520 $6,740 $8,220
4+ Bedrooms 11,000 lb $7,600 $9,260 $11,300

Rental truck (DIY)

$490–$690

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

Portable container

$1,310–$1,930

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

Full-service mover

$3,450–$5,140

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

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Santa Barbara, CA → San Francisco, 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
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

Twentyfour7 Msi

Licensed interstate
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

Mammoth Van Lines

Licensed interstate
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

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

Bushnell Moving

Licensed interstate
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

Santa Barbara Home Improvement Center

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

Mike'S Deliveries

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

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

All 27 movers in Santa Barbara

Near San Francisco (destination)

Air Container Transfer

Licensed interstate
USDOT
1701515
MC
624529
Based in
Brisbane, CA 94005 (6 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
60 trucks, 48 drivers
USDOT registered
2007

Nd Freights INC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
4049726
MC
1534271
Based in
Richmond, CA 94806 (15 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
54 trucks, 54 drivers
USDOT registered
2023

Lengner & Sons Express

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory
USDOT
154572
MC
156852
Based in
Oakland, CA 94607 (7 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
42 trucks, 40 drivers
USDOT registered
1974

Pcc Logistics

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory
USDOT
555398
MC
274237
Based in
San Leandro, CA 94577 (14 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
36 trucks, 43 drivers
USDOT registered
1994

Longdo Trucking Corp

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory
USDOT
1166104
MC
509402
Based in
Oakland, CA 94621 (12 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
30 trucks, 30 drivers
USDOT registered
2003

Forward Logistics INC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
2107877
MC
736145
Based in
South San Francisco, CA 94080 (8 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
29 trucks, 30 drivers
USDOT registered
2011

On Point Logistic Solutions INC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
3492133
MC
1149694
Based in
San Mateo, CA 94401 (15 mi from center)
Service
Local moves
Fleet
28 trucks, 40 drivers
USDOT registered
2020

Freight Line Express Trucking INC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
1279465
MC
559129
Based in
Burlingame, CA 94010 (14 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
23 trucks, 23 drivers
USDOT registered
2004

All 899 movers in San Francisco

Related routes

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to move from Santa Barbara to San Francisco?

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $1,540 to $2,290 for a studio, $2,070 to $3,080 for a one-bedroom, $3,450 to $5,140 for a two-bedroom, $5,520 to $8,220 for a three-bedroom and $7,600 to $11,300 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is San Francisco from Santa Barbara?

About 328 road miles (278 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 6 h 21 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 San Francisco 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 San Francisco?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $490 to $690 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,310 to $1,930. 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–San Francisco corridor.