Santa Cruz, CA → Tacoma, WA · Long-distance move

Movers from Santa Cruz to Tacoma

About 838 road miles heading north. Typical two-bedroom cost $5,070–$7,540, delivery in 2–5 days, 27 carriers on the Santa Cruz side and 823 in Tacoma.

838 miroad distance
15 h 9 mindriving time
2–5 daysdelivery window
$5,070–$7,5402-bedroom estimate

Photo: Spicypepper999 · CC0

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Route summary

From: Santa Cruz, California
To: Tacoma, Washington
Road distance: ≈ 838 miles (710 straight-line)
Drive time: 15 h 9 min
Delivery window: 2–5 days
Move type: Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin: 27 (6 interstate)
Movers at destination: 823 (399 interstate)

Reverse: Tacoma → Santa Cruz

Tacoma sits about 838 miles north of Santa Cruz, which makes this an interstate relocation from California to Washington 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 $5,070 to $7,540 with a full-service mover, and delivery usually takes 2 to 5 days after pickup because long-haul trucks consolidate several households per trip. Driving it yourself takes about 15 h 9 min.

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 823 around Tacoma (399 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 Tacoma.

Santa Cruz has a population of about 62,000 and Tacoma about 229,816. The two cities have comparable density (4,942 and 4,413 people per square mile), so loading and unloading conditions are usually similar at both ends. Labor and living costs run lower in Washington than in California, which tends to make destination-side services such as unpacking or storage cheaper than the same services back home. Washington levies no state income tax on wages, a frequent reason people make this exact move.

Cost of moving from Santa Cruz to Tacoma

Full-service estimate for 838 miles, by home size
Home size	Est. weight	Low	Typical	High
Studio	2,000 lb	$2,030	$2,470	$3,010
1 Bedroom	3,000 lb	$3,040	$3,710	$4,520
2 Bedrooms	5,000 lb	$5,070	$6,180	$7,540
3 Bedrooms	8,000 lb	$8,100	$9,880	$12,060
4+ Bedrooms	11,000 lb	$11,140	$13,590	$16,580

Rental truck (DIY)

$1,160–$1,640

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

Portable container

$1,770–$2,600

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

Full-service mover

$5,070–$7,540

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

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Santa Cruz, CA → Tacoma, WA. 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 Tacoma (destination)

Cheema Freightlines LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 1486505
MC: 559877
Based in: Pacific, WA 98047 (10 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 458 trucks, 450 drivers
USDOT registered: 2006

Call (253) 733-5718 Route Verify on FMCSA

Stryder Motorfreight USA INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2044027
MC: 716626
Based in: Tacoma, WA 98421 (3 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 138 trucks, 97 drivers
USDOT registered: 2010

Call (253) 518-8940 Route Verify on FMCSA

Sysco Seattle INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 340091
MC: 1099756
Based in: Kent, WA 98032 (14 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 134 trucks, 122 drivers
USDOT registered: 1989

Call (206) 721-5796 Route Verify on FMCSA

Allstate Transport

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Seattle Port Consolidators INC

USDOT: 193828
MC: 148396
Based in: Tacoma, WA 98421 (3 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 111 trucks, 28 drivers
USDOT registered: 1974

Call (206) 682-8946 Route Verify on FMCSA

American Relocation Services Aff Aes Transportation

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: American Fast Freight INC

USDOT: 340754
MC: 207555
Based in: Fife, WA 98424 (5 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 86 trucks, 69 drivers
USDOT registered: 1989

Call (253) 888-6392 Route Verify on FMCSA

Blt Transport

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Blt Transport INC

USDOT: 2034807
MC: 714315
Based in: Kent, WA 98032 (14 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 86 trucks, 87 drivers
USDOT registered: 2010

Call (253) 236-4667 Route Verify on FMCSA

Nichols Trucking Company

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Nichols Transportation Company INC

USDOT: 3462097
MC: 1130435
Based in: Tacoma, WA 98421 (3 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 72 trucks, 127 drivers
USDOT registered: 2020

Call (253) 272-8495 Route Verify on FMCSA

Pacific Cascade Trucking LLC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 1740705
MC: 637497
Based in: Sumner, WA 98390 (11 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 62 trucks, 65 drivers
USDOT registered: 2008

Call (440) 333-1330 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 823 movers in Tacoma

Related routes

Other destinations from Santa Cruz

Other origins to Tacoma

Frequently asked questions

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

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $2,030 to $3,010 for a studio, $3,040 to $4,520 for a one-bedroom, $5,070 to $7,540 for a two-bedroom, $8,100 to $12,060 for a three-bedroom and $11,140 to $16,580 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Tacoma from Santa Cruz?

About 838 road miles (710 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 15 h 9 min.

How long will the movers take to deliver?

Expect a delivery window of 2 to 5 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 Washington 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 Tacoma?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $1,160 to $1,640 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,770 to $2,600. 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–Tacoma corridor.