Malibu, CA

Santa Maria, CA → Malibu, CA · Short-haul move

Movers from Santa Maria to Malibu

About 135 road miles heading southeast. Typical two-bedroom cost $2,580–$3,840, delivery in 1–2 days, 42 carriers on the Santa Maria side and 7 in Malibu.

  • 135 miroad distance
  • 3 h 2 mindriving time
  • 1–2 daysdelivery window
  • $2,580–$3,8402-bedroom estimate
Photo: The original uploader was Tillman at English Wikipedia. · CC BY-SA 2.0

Route summary

Road distance
≈ 135 miles (115 straight-line)
Drive time
3 h 2 min
Delivery window
1–2 days
Move type
In-state (California)
Movers at origin
42 (23 interstate)
Movers at destination
7 (2 interstate)

Reverse: Malibu → Santa Maria

Malibu sits about 135 miles southeast of Santa Maria, so this is an in-state move that most movers classify as a short-haul move.

Because the two cities are close together, most companies quote this move by the hour: a crew of two to four movers plus a truck, with the drive of about 3 h 2 min counted as billable travel time. A typical two-bedroom household lands between $2,580 and $3,840, before packing or storage.

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 7 around Malibu (2 interstate). For an in-state 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 Malibu.

Santa Maria has a population of about 111,390 and Malibu about 10,000. Santa Maria is considerably denser (4,812 people per square mile versus 537), so expect tighter loading conditions, parking permits or elevator reservations at the origin and easier truck access at the destination.

Cost of moving from Santa Maria to Malibu

Full-service estimate for 135 miles, by home size
Home sizeEst. weightLowTypicalHigh
Studio 2,000 lb $1,540 $1,880 $2,290
1 Bedroom 3,000 lb $1,550 $1,890 $2,300
2 Bedrooms 5,000 lb $2,580 $3,150 $3,840
3 Bedrooms 8,000 lb $4,130 $5,040 $6,150
4+ Bedrooms 11,000 lb $5,680 $6,930 $8,450

Rental truck (DIY)

$290–$410

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

Portable container

$1,140–$1,680

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

Full-service mover

$2,580–$3,840

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

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Santa Maria, CA → Malibu, CA. 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Zarate Trucking

Licensed interstate
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

All 42 movers in Santa Maria

Near Malibu (destination)

Pleasant Relocation

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory
USDOT
2526974
MC
877788
Based in
Agoura, CA 91301 (7 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
2 trucks, 2 drivers
USDOT registered
2014

Reeds Furniture Agoura INC

Intrastate carrier
USDOT
2668399
Based in
Agoura Hills, CA 91301 (7 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
4 trucks, 4 drivers
USDOT registered
2015

Relief Mart INC

Intrastate carrier
USDOT
2852806
Based in
Agoura Hills, CA 91301 (7 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
3 trucks, 4 drivers
USDOT registered
2016

American Made Make Be-Leaves INC

Intrastate carrier
USDOT
4106169
Based in
Agoura Hills, CA 91301 (7 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
2 trucks, 4 drivers
USDOT registered
2023

Malibu Hauling

Intrastate carrier
USDOT
2951137
Based in
Malibu, CA 90265 (6 mi from center)
Service
Local moves
Fleet
1 truck, 2 drivers
USDOT registered
2016

We Are Movers INC

Intrastate carrier
USDOT
3404810
Based in
Calabasas, CA 91302 (8 mi from center)
Service
Local moves
Fleet
1 truck, 1 drivers
USDOT registered
2020

All 7 movers in Malibu

Related routes

Frequently asked questions

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

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $1,540 to $2,290 for a studio, $1,550 to $2,300 for a one-bedroom, $2,580 to $3,840 for a two-bedroom, $4,130 to $6,150 for a three-bedroom and $5,680 to $8,450 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Malibu from Santa Maria?

About 135 road miles (115 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 3 h 2 min.

How long will the movers take to deliver?

Expect a delivery window of 1 to 2 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.

Do I need an interstate-licensed mover for an in-state move?

No. Because both Santa Maria and Malibu are in California, this is an intrastate move regulated by the state rather than the FMCSA. Still, choosing a carrier with an active USDOT number is the easiest way to confirm the company is a registered motor carrier with insurance on file.

Is it cheaper to rent a truck or use a container for Santa Maria to Malibu?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $290 to $410 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,140 to $1,680. 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–Malibu corridor.