Tacoma, WA

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

Movers from Santa Maria to Tacoma

About 1,012 road miles heading north. Typical two-bedroom cost $5,580–$8,310, delivery in 3–7 days, 42 carriers on the Santa Maria side and 823 in Tacoma.

  • 1,012 miroad distance
  • 18 h 9 mindriving time
  • 3–7 daysdelivery window
  • $5,580–$8,3102-bedroom estimate
Photo: Spicypepper999 · CC0

Route summary

Road distance
≈ 1,012 miles (858 straight-line)
Drive time
18 h 9 min
Delivery window
3–7 days
Move type
Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin
42 (23 interstate)
Movers at destination
823 (399 interstate)

Reverse: Tacoma → Santa Maria

The route from Santa Maria, CA to Tacoma, WA covers roughly 1,012 miles by road, a north-bound trip that falls into the long-distance 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 $5,580 to $8,310 with a full-service mover, and delivery usually takes 3 to 7 days after pickup because long-haul trucks consolidate several households per trip. Driving it yourself takes about 18 h 9 min.

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 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 Maria has a population of about 111,390 and Tacoma about 229,816. The two cities have comparable density (4,812 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 Maria to Tacoma

Full-service estimate for 1,012 miles, by home size
Home sizeEst. weightLowTypicalHigh
Studio 2,000 lb $2,230 $2,720 $3,320
1 Bedroom 3,000 lb $3,350 $4,090 $4,980
2 Bedrooms 5,000 lb $5,580 $6,810 $8,310
3 Bedrooms 8,000 lb $8,930 $10,890 $13,290
4+ Bedrooms 11,000 lb $12,280 $14,980 $18,270

Rental truck (DIY)

$1,490–$2,100

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

Portable container

$1,920–$2,830

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

Full-service mover

$5,580–$8,310

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

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Santa Maria, 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 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 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

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

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

Allstate Transport

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

American Relocation Services Aff Aes Transportation

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory
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

Blt Transport

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory
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

Nichols Trucking Company

Licensed interstate
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

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

All 823 movers in Tacoma

Related routes

Frequently asked questions

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

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $2,230 to $3,320 for a studio, $3,350 to $4,980 for a one-bedroom, $5,580 to $8,310 for a two-bedroom, $8,930 to $13,290 for a three-bedroom and $12,280 to $18,270 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Tacoma from Santa Maria?

About 1,012 road miles (858 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 18 h 9 min.

How long will the movers take to deliver?

Expect a delivery window of 3 to 7 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 Maria to Tacoma?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $1,490 to $2,100 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,920 to $2,830. 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–Tacoma corridor.