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

Movers from Santa Cruz to Tuscaloosa

About 2,309 road miles heading east. Typical two-bedroom cost $7,680–$11,420, delivery in 7–14 days, 27 carriers on the Santa Cruz side and 80 in Tuscaloosa.

2,309 miroad distance
40 hours (5 driving days)driving time
7–14 daysdelivery window
$7,680–$11,4202-bedroom estimate

Photo: RhYno12 · CC0

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Route summary

From: Santa Cruz, California
To: Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Road distance: ≈ 2,309 miles (1,957 straight-line)
Drive time: 40 hours (5 driving days)
Delivery window: 7–14 days
Move type: Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin: 27 (6 interstate)
Movers at destination: 80 (39 interstate)

Reverse: Tuscaloosa → Santa Cruz

The route from Santa Cruz, CA to Tuscaloosa, AL covers roughly 2,309 miles by road, a east-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 $7,680 to $11,420 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 40 hours (5 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 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 Cruz has a population of about 62,000 and Tuscaloosa about 114,316. Santa Cruz is considerably denser (4,942 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 Cruz to Tuscaloosa

Full-service estimate for 2,309 miles, by home size
Home size	Est. weight	Low	Typical	High
Studio	2,000 lb	$3,070	$3,740	$4,570
1 Bedroom	3,000 lb	$4,610	$5,620	$6,850
2 Bedrooms	5,000 lb	$7,680	$9,360	$11,420
3 Bedrooms	8,000 lb	$12,280	$14,980	$18,270
4+ Bedrooms	11,000 lb	$16,890	$20,590	$25,120

Rental truck (DIY)

$3,270–$4,620

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

Portable container

$3,080–$4,530

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

Full-service mover

$7,680–$11,420

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

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Santa Cruz, CA → Tuscaloosa, AL. 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 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

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.
Ask about consolidated versus dedicated truck options—dedicated is faster but costs more.

Near Santa Cruz

Near Tuscaloosa

Related routes

Other destinations from Santa Cruz

Other origins to Tuscaloosa

Frequently asked questions

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

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $3,070 to $4,570 for a studio, $4,610 to $6,850 for a one-bedroom, $7,680 to $11,420 for a two-bedroom, $12,280 to $18,270 for a three-bedroom and $16,890 to $25,120 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Tuscaloosa from Santa Cruz?

About 2,309 road miles (1,957 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 40 hours (5 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 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 Cruz to Tuscaloosa?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $3,270 to $4,620 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $3,080 to $4,530. 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–Tuscaloosa corridor.