Santa Barbara, CA → Tuscaloosa, AL · Cross-country move

Movers from Santa Barbara to Tuscaloosa

About 2,173 road miles heading east. Typical two-bedroom cost $7,440–$11,080, delivery in 5–10 days, 27 carriers on the Santa Barbara side and 80 in Tuscaloosa.

2,173 miroad distance
38 hours (5 driving days)driving time
5–10 daysdelivery window
$7,440–$11,0802-bedroom estimate

Photo: RhYno12 · CC0

Open navigation Google Maps Apple Maps Waze

Route summary

From: Santa Barbara, California
To: Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Road distance: ≈ 2,173 miles (1,842 straight-line)
Drive time: 38 hours (5 driving days)
Delivery window: 5–10 days
Move type: Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin: 27 (9 interstate)
Movers at destination: 80 (39 interstate)

Reverse: Tuscaloosa → Santa Barbara

Moving from Santa Barbara to Tuscaloosa is a cross-country move of roughly 2,173 road miles, heading east from California to Alabama.

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 $7,440 to $11,080 with a full-service mover, and delivery usually takes 5 to 10 days after pickup because long-haul trucks consolidate several households per trip. Driving it yourself takes about 38 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 80 around Tuscaloosa (39 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 Tuscaloosa.

Santa Barbara has a population of about 88,000 and Tuscaloosa about 114,316. Santa Barbara is considerably denser (4,549 people per square mile versus 1,609), 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 Alabama 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 Tuscaloosa

Full-service estimate for 2,173 miles, by home size
Home size	Est. weight	Low	Typical	High
Studio	2,000 lb	$2,980	$3,630	$4,430
1 Bedroom	3,000 lb	$4,470	$5,450	$6,650
2 Bedrooms	5,000 lb	$7,440	$9,080	$11,080
3 Bedrooms	8,000 lb	$11,910	$14,530	$17,720
4+ Bedrooms	11,000 lb	$16,380	$19,970	$24,370

Rental truck (DIY)

$2,980–$4,210

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

Portable container

$2,960–$4,350

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

Full-service mover

$7,440–$11,080

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

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Santa Barbara, CA → Tuscaloosa, AL. 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 Tuscaloosa (destination)

Awesome Moving Services

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 4357625
MC: 1704689
Based in: Tuscaloosa, AL 35401 (6 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 10,014 trucks, 8 drivers
USDOT registered: 2025

Call (205) 413-5196 Route Verify on FMCSA

Two Men And A Truck Of Tuscaloosa

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Jst INC

USDOT: 1310877
MC: 652647
Based in: Northport, AL 35473 (4 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 17 trucks, 17 drivers
USDOT registered: 2004

Call (205) 247-5050 Route Verify on FMCSA

Brittain Trucking INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 362876
MC: 214146
Based in: Tuscaloosa, AL 35401 (6 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 14 trucks, 16 drivers
USDOT registered: 1989

Call (205) 345-0115 Route Verify on FMCSA

B & V Wrecker Service INC

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Cbs Leasing LLC

USDOT: 911424
MC: 606283
Based in: Tuscaloosa, AL 35401 (6 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 4 trucks, 2 drivers
USDOT registered: 2000

Call (205) 345-5511 Route Verify on FMCSA

Cp Logistics LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3060563
MC: 72972907
Based in: Tuscaloosa, AL 35405 (8 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 4 trucks, 8 drivers
USDOT registered: 2017

Call (205) 826-5463 Route Verify on FMCSA

West Alabama Postal Express INC

Interstate carrier Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 301906
Based in: Cottondale, AL 35453 (10 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 4 trucks, 4 drivers
USDOT registered: 1987

Route Verify on FMCSA

Kmc Trucking LLC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 2348521
MC: 803764
Based in: Cottondale, AL 35453 (10 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 4 trucks, 4 drivers
USDOT registered: 2012

Call (205) 764-0499 Route Verify on FMCSA

Grs Logistics LLC

Interstate carrier

USDOT: 4492165
MC: 1775920
Based in: Tuscaloosa, AL 35401 (6 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 2 trucks, 1 drivers
USDOT registered: 2025

Call (205) 534-2027 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 80 movers in Tuscaloosa

Tips for this move

Ship the car separately if you plan to fly; auto transport is priced by the mile like household goods.
Confirm which items the mover will not carry (plants, perishables, propane, some batteries).
Expect a delivery spread of one to two weeks; plan temporary housing in Tuscaloosa accordingly.
Compare a full-service van line against a container service; for a small household the container often wins.

Near Santa Barbara

Near Tuscaloosa

Related routes

Other destinations from Santa Barbara

Other origins to Tuscaloosa

Frequently asked questions

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

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $2,980 to $4,430 for a studio, $4,470 to $6,650 for a one-bedroom, $7,440 to $11,080 for a two-bedroom, $11,910 to $17,720 for a three-bedroom and $16,380 to $24,370 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Tuscaloosa from Santa Barbara?

About 2,173 road miles (1,842 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 38 hours (5 driving days).

How long will the movers take to deliver?

Expect a delivery window of 5 to 10 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 Alabama 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 Tuscaloosa?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $2,980 to $4,210 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $2,960 to $4,350. 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–Tuscaloosa corridor.