Santa Maria, CA → Bismarck, ND · Cross-country move

Movers from Santa Maria to Bismarck

About 1,545 road miles heading northeast. Typical two-bedroom cost $6,620–$9,840, delivery in 5–10 days, 42 carriers on the Santa Maria side and 42 in Bismarck.

1,545 miroad distance
27 hours (4 driving days)driving time
5–10 daysdelivery window
$6,620–$9,8402-bedroom estimate

Photo: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0

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Route summary

From: Santa Maria, California
To: Bismarck, North Dakota
Road distance: ≈ 1,545 miles (1,309 straight-line)
Drive time: 27 hours (4 driving days)
Delivery window: 5–10 days
Move type: Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin: 42 (23 interstate)
Movers at destination: 42 (32 interstate)

Reverse: Bismarck → Santa Maria

The route from Santa Maria, CA to Bismarck, ND covers roughly 1,545 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 $6,620 to $9,840 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 27 hours (4 driving days).

On the Santa Maria side there are 42 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (23 of them authorized for interstate work), and 42 around Bismarck (32 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 Bismarck.

Santa Maria has a population of about 111,390 and Bismarck about 76,000. Santa Maria is considerably denser (4,812 people per square mile versus 2,123), 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 North Dakota 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 Maria to Bismarck

Full-service estimate for 1,545 miles, by home size
Home size	Est. weight	Low	Typical	High
Studio	2,000 lb	$2,650	$3,230	$3,940
1 Bedroom	3,000 lb	$3,970	$4,840	$5,910
2 Bedrooms	5,000 lb	$6,620	$8,070	$9,840
3 Bedrooms	8,000 lb	$10,590	$12,910	$15,750
4+ Bedrooms	11,000 lb	$14,560	$17,750	$21,660

Rental truck (DIY)

$2,190–$3,090

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

Portable container

$2,400–$3,530

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

Full-service mover

$6,620–$9,840

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

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Santa Maria, CA → Bismarck, ND. 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 Maria (origin)

Johnboy'S Towing INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2383920
MC: 818987
Based in: Oceano, CA 93445 (13 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 17 trucks, 8 drivers
USDOT registered: 2013

Call (805) 474-4357 Route Verify on FMCSA

International Van Lines INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 153048
MC: 11663
Based in: Santa Maria, CA 93454 (11 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 9 trucks, 8 drivers
USDOT registered: 1974

Call (805) 925-2912 Route Verify on FMCSA

Sarabia Transports LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2844846
MC: 953585
Based in: Santa Maria, CA 93455 (6 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 4 trucks, 4 drivers
USDOT registered: 2016

Route Verify on FMCSA

Rivera Logistics LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2807289
MC: 1030656
Based in: Santa Maria, CA 93454 (11 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 4 trucks, 4 drivers
USDOT registered: 2015

Call (805) 260-9847 Route Verify on FMCSA

Cal Coast Ag Services LLC

Interstate carrier

USDOT: 4380715
Based in: Santa Maria, CA 93455 (6 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 3 trucks, 1 drivers
USDOT registered: 2025

Call (805) 922-8406 Route Verify on FMCSA

Triple A Express INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2356410
MC: 807169
Based in: Santa Maria, CA 93454 (11 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 3 trucks, 4 drivers
USDOT registered: 2012

Call (805) 868-5364 Route Verify on FMCSA

Louie'S Central Coast Movers & Laborers INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2069509
MC: 723441
Based in: Santa Maria, CA 93454 (11 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 2 trucks, 4 drivers
USDOT registered: 2010

Call (805) 925-7923 Route Verify on FMCSA

Zarate Trucking

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Francisco Javier Zarate

USDOT: 1968090
MC: 698504
Based in: Santa Maria, CA 93458 (3 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 1 truck, 1 drivers
USDOT registered: 2009

Call (805) 260-9063 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 42 movers in Santa Maria

Near Bismarck (destination)

Ccfs

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Crosscountry Freight Solutions INC

USDOT: 313378
MC: 209657
Based in: Bismarck, ND 58501 (3 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 450 trucks, 507 drivers
USDOT registered: 1988

Call (701) 222-8498 Route Verify on FMCSA

P & B Transportation INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 653395
MC: 302954
Based in: Bismarck, ND 58501 (3 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 75 trucks, 65 drivers
USDOT registered: 1996

Call (701) 221-2465 Route Verify on FMCSA

Aaction Movers

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Asp INC

USDOT: 212818
MC: 228559
Based in: Bismarck, ND 58501 (3 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 37 trucks, 20 drivers
USDOT registered: 1982

Call (701) 223-5535 Route Verify on FMCSA

Delabarre Trucking LLC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 1318666
MC: 510389
Based in: Bismarck, ND 58501 (3 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 22 trucks, 20 drivers
USDOT registered: 2005

Call (701) 226-2349 Route Verify on FMCSA

North Central Transportation INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 911282
MC: 395087
Based in: Mandan, ND 58554 (9 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 19 trucks, 17 drivers
USDOT registered: 2000

Call (701) 663-0976 Route Verify on FMCSA

Four Winds Trucking LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2369162
MC: 812625
Based in: Mandan, ND 58554 (9 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 16 trucks, 17 drivers
USDOT registered: 2013

Call (701) 751-1237 Route Verify on FMCSA

Liberty Cargo Company

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3080375
MC: 1169375
Based in: Bismarck, ND 58503 (6 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 15 trucks, 8 drivers
USDOT registered: 2017

Call (701) 975-3281 Route Verify on FMCSA

Bountiful Trucking LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2416881
MC: 834675
Based in: Bismarck, ND 58503 (6 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 12 trucks, 10 drivers
USDOT registered: 2013

Call (701) 400-6295 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 42 movers in Bismarck

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 Bismarck accordingly.
Compare a full-service van line against a container service; for a small household the container often wins.

Near Santa Maria

Near Bismarck

Related routes

Other destinations from Santa Maria

Other origins to Bismarck

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to move from Santa Maria to Bismarck?

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $2,650 to $3,940 for a studio, $3,970 to $5,910 for a one-bedroom, $6,620 to $9,840 for a two-bedroom, $10,590 to $15,750 for a three-bedroom and $14,560 to $21,660 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Bismarck from Santa Maria?

About 1,545 road miles (1,309 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 27 hours (4 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 North Dakota 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 Maria to Bismarck?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $2,190 to $3,090 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $2,400 to $3,530. 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 Maria–Bismarck corridor.