Ann Arbor, MI

Santa Monica, CA → Ann Arbor, MI · Cross-country move

Movers from Santa Monica to Ann Arbor

About 2,311 road miles heading northeast. Typical two-bedroom cost $7,930–$11,800, delivery in 7–14 days, 603 carriers on the Santa Monica side and 229 in Ann Arbor.

  • 2,311 miroad distance
  • 40 hours (5 driving days)driving time
  • 7–14 daysdelivery window
  • $7,930–$11,8002-bedroom estimate
Photo: Flavinista · CC BY-SA 4.0

Route summary

Road distance
≈ 2,311 miles (1,958 straight-line)
Drive time
40 hours (5 driving days)
Delivery window
7–14 days
Move type
Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin
603 (222 interstate)
Movers at destination
229 (112 interstate)

Reverse: Ann Arbor → Santa Monica

Moving from Santa Monica to Ann Arbor is a cross-country move of roughly 2,311 road miles, heading northeast from California to Michigan.

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 $7,930 to $11,800 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 Monica side there are 603 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (222 of them authorized for interstate work), and 229 around Ann Arbor (112 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 Ann Arbor.

Santa Monica has a population of about 92,000 and Ann Arbor about 122,233. Santa Monica is considerably denser (11,069 people per square mile versus 4,392), 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 Michigan 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 Monica to Ann Arbor

Full-service estimate for 2,311 miles, by home size
Home sizeEst. weightLowTypicalHigh
Studio 2,000 lb $3,170 $3,870 $4,720
1 Bedroom 3,000 lb $4,760 $5,800 $7,080
2 Bedrooms 5,000 lb $7,930 $9,670 $11,800
3 Bedrooms 8,000 lb $12,690 $15,470 $18,870
4+ Bedrooms 11,000 lb $17,440 $21,270 $25,950

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

$7,930–$11,800

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

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Santa Monica, CA → Ann Arbor, MI. 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 Monica (origin)

Clutter INC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
2719785
MC
934868
Based in
Culver City, CA 90230 (6 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
191 trucks, 382 drivers
USDOT registered
2015

Arru Group INC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
4420956
MC
1738102
Based in
Los Angeles, CA 90029 (13 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
52 trucks, 180 drivers
USDOT registered
2025

Ing Logistics

Licensed interstate
USDOT
1778992
MC
648911
Based in
Los Angeles, CA 90037 (12 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
50 trucks, 21 drivers
USDOT registered
2008

Dsd Trucking INC

Interstate carrier Safety: Satisfactory
USDOT
465743
MC
309255
Based in
Redondo Beach, CA 90278 (12 mi from center)
Service
Local moves
Fleet
39 trucks, 31 drivers
USDOT registered
1991

Grt Logistics LLC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
3410979
MC
1099772
Based in
Los Angeles, CA 90008 (9 mi from center)
Service
Local moves
Fleet
35 trucks, 80 drivers
USDOT registered
2020

Harmony Home Remodels

Licensed interstate
USDOT
4468385
MC
1763223
Based in
Van Nuys, CA 91411 (12 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
33 trucks, 45 drivers
USDOT registered
2025

Dlvr

Licensed interstate
USDOT
3471374
MC
1136305
Based in
Culver City, CA 90230 (6 mi from center)
Service
Local moves
Fleet
25 trucks, 55 drivers
USDOT registered
2020

Melogistix INC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
3479671
MC
1141564
Based in
LA, CA 90019 (10 mi from center)
Service
Local moves
Fleet
25 trucks, 48 drivers
USDOT registered
2020

All 603 movers in Santa Monica

Near Ann Arbor (destination)

Xpo Logistics Freight INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory
USDOT
241829
MC
165377
Based in
Ann Arbor, MI 48105 (4 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
10,260 trucks, 12,986 drivers
USDOT registered
1984

A D Transport Express INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory
USDOT
296052
MC
192625
Based in
Canton, MI 48188 (13 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
500 trucks, 429 drivers
USDOT registered
1987

Whiteline Express LTD

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory
USDOT
186721
MC
163645
Based in
Plymouth, MI 48170 (12 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
266 trucks, 221 drivers
USDOT registered
1974

Saint Joseph Express

Licensed interstate
USDOT
3307370
MC
1049987
Based in
Ypsilanti, MI 48197 (7 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
38 trucks, 98 drivers
USDOT registered
2019

Pink Logistics LLC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
3093121
MC
73065
Based in
Ann Arbor, MI 48104 (1 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
30 trucks, 24 drivers
USDOT registered
2018

Bright Pledge Carriers LLC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
3454345
MC
1125919
Based in
Ann Arbor, MI 48108 (4 mi from center)
Service
Local moves
Fleet
30 trucks, 45 drivers
USDOT registered
2020

Pinnacle Express INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory
USDOT
610538
MC
293651
Based in
Ann Arbor, MI 48108 (4 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
25 trucks, 20 drivers
USDOT registered
1995

Nationwide Roadside Assistance

Licensed interstate
USDOT
2974615
MC
10764
Based in
Ypsilanti, MI 48198 (7 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
20 trucks, 40 drivers
USDOT registered
2017

All 229 movers in Ann Arbor

Related routes

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to move from Santa Monica to Ann Arbor?

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $3,170 to $4,720 for a studio, $4,760 to $7,080 for a one-bedroom, $7,930 to $11,800 for a two-bedroom, $12,690 to $18,870 for a three-bedroom and $17,440 to $25,950 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Ann Arbor from Santa Monica?

About 2,311 road miles (1,958 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 Michigan 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 Monica to Ann Arbor?

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 Monica–Ann Arbor corridor.