Santa Cruz, CA → Rochester, NY · Cross-country move

Movers from Santa Cruz to Rochester

About 2,784 road miles heading northeast. Typical two-bedroom cost $9,740–$14,500, delivery in 7–14 days, 27 carriers on the Santa Cruz side and 306 in Rochester.

2,784 miroad distance
48 hours (6 driving days)driving time
7–14 daysdelivery window
$9,740–$14,5002-bedroom estimate

Photo: Patrick Ashley · CC BY 2.0

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Route summary

From: Santa Cruz, California
To: Rochester, New York
Road distance: ≈ 2,784 miles (2,359 straight-line)
Drive time: 48 hours (6 driving days)
Delivery window: 7–14 days
Move type: Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin: 27 (6 interstate)
Movers at destination: 306 (95 interstate)

Reverse: Rochester → Santa Cruz

The route from Santa Cruz, CA to Rochester, NY covers roughly 2,784 miles by road, a northeast-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 $9,740 to $14,500 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 48 hours (6 driving days).

On the Santa Cruz side there are 27 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (6 of them authorized for interstate work), and 306 around Rochester (95 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 Rochester.

Santa Cruz has a population of about 62,000 and Rochester about 206,108. The two cities have comparable density (4,942 and 5,903 people per square mile), so loading and unloading conditions are usually similar at both ends.

Cost of moving from Santa Cruz to Rochester

Full-service estimate for 2,784 miles, by home size
Home size	Est. weight	Low	Typical	High
Studio	2,000 lb	$3,900	$4,750	$5,800
1 Bedroom	3,000 lb	$5,850	$7,130	$8,700
2 Bedrooms	5,000 lb	$9,740	$11,880	$14,500
3 Bedrooms	8,000 lb	$15,590	$19,010	$23,200
4+ Bedrooms	11,000 lb	$21,440	$26,140	$31,890

Rental truck (DIY)

$3,910–$5,520

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

Portable container

$3,500–$5,150

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

Full-service mover

$9,740–$14,500

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

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Santa Cruz, CA → Rochester, NY. 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 Cruz (origin)

Lambert And Son Moving

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Bill Lambert

USDOT: 3528657
MC: 1220611
Based in: Santa Cruz, CA 95065 (5 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 4 trucks, 7 drivers
USDOT registered: 2020

Call (831) 777-4265 Route Verify on FMCSA

Edward W Grace

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 1559365
MC: 643222
Based in: Santa Cruz, CA 95062 (3 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 1 truck, 3 drivers
USDOT registered: 2006

Call (831) 465-6865 Route Verify on FMCSA

Denise Hoselton Living Tr

Interstate carrier

USDOT: 4197804
MC: 1618833
Based in: Brookdale, CA 95007 (10 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 1 truck, 1 drivers
USDOT registered: 2024

Call (831) 704-6804 Route Verify on FMCSA

Delivertron

Interstate carrier

Legal name: Delivertron LLC

USDOT: 3592367
Based in: Boulder Creek, CA 95006 (15 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 1 truck, 1 drivers
USDOT registered: 2021

Call (831) 293-4823 Route Verify on FMCSA

Locatelli Moving And Storage INC

Intrastate carrier

USDOT: 1891836
Based in: Santa Cruz, CA 95060 (4 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 7 trucks, 5 drivers
USDOT registered: 2009

Call (831) 425-7775 Route Verify on FMCSA

Coast Paper & Supply

Intrastate carrier

USDOT: 2666577
Based in: Santa Cruz, CA 95060 (4 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 4 trucks, 4 drivers
USDOT registered: 2015

Call (831) 423-3350 Route Verify on FMCSA

Rational Moving INC

Intrastate carrier

USDOT: 3393511
MC: 1565780
Based in: Scotts Valley, CA 95066 (7 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 3 trucks, 3 drivers
USDOT registered: 2020

Call (831) 425-1448 Route Verify on FMCSA

Full Load

Intrastate carrier

Legal name: Robert D Joseph

USDOT: 2773290
Based in: Santa Cruz, CA 95060 (4 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 2 trucks, 2 drivers
USDOT registered: 2015

Call (831) 419-5395 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 27 movers in Santa Cruz

Near Rochester (destination)

US Commercial Freight INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 1858362
MC: 663221
Based in: Rochester, NY 14621 (2 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 301 trucks, 296 drivers
USDOT registered: 2009

Call (585) 266-1404 Route Verify on FMCSA

Wegmans Food Markets INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 185452
MC: 152450
Based in: Rochester, NY 14624 (6 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 216 trucks, 387 drivers
USDOT registered: 1974

Call (585) 279-4312 Route Verify on FMCSA

Custom Courier Solutions INC

Interstate carrier

USDOT: 1612855
Based in: Rochester, NY 14606 (4 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 39 trucks, 34 drivers
USDOT registered: 2007

Call (585) 568-1309 Route Verify on FMCSA

Cargo Transit INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2346265
MC: 802875
Based in: Rochester, NY 14626 (6 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 36 trucks, 36 drivers
USDOT registered: 2012

Call (585) 745-0216 Route Verify on FMCSA

Falcon Freight INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 2363517
MC: 810160
Based in: Rochester, NY 14613 (1 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 33 trucks, 38 drivers
USDOT registered: 2012

Call (585) 672-1496 Route Verify on FMCSA

Amj Home Delivery

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Amj Hd 23 INC

USDOT: 4058921
MC: 1539704
Based in: Rochester, NY 14623 (6 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 21 trucks, 12 drivers
USDOT registered: 2023

Call (905) 670-7111 Route Verify on FMCSA

Sheridan Brothers Moving INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 1203584
MC: 489094
Based in: Rochester, NY 14624 (6 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 19 trucks, 6 drivers
USDOT registered: 2004

Call (585) 254-9000 Route Verify on FMCSA

Juan C Medina DBA Rogue Logistic

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Roque Logistic INC

USDOT: 3428666
MC: 1110266
Based in: Rochester, NY 14616 (5 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 15 trucks, 16 drivers
USDOT registered: 2020

Call (201) 906-6164 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 306 movers in Rochester

Tips for this move

Compare a full-service van line against a container service; for a small household the container often wins.
Ask about consolidated versus dedicated truck options—dedicated is faster but costs more.
Read the FMCSA 'Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move' booklet the carrier must provide.
Ship the car separately if you plan to fly; auto transport is priced by the mile like household goods.

Near Santa Cruz

Near Rochester

Related routes

Other destinations from Santa Cruz

Other origins to Rochester

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to move from Santa Cruz to Rochester?

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $3,900 to $5,800 for a studio, $5,850 to $8,700 for a one-bedroom, $9,740 to $14,500 for a two-bedroom, $15,590 to $23,200 for a three-bedroom and $21,440 to $31,890 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Rochester from Santa Cruz?

About 2,784 road miles (2,359 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 48 hours (6 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 New York 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 Cruz to Rochester?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $3,910 to $5,520 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $3,500 to $5,150. 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 Cruz–Rochester corridor.