Santa Monica, CA → Austin, TX · Long-distance move

Movers from Santa Monica to Austin

About 1,461 road miles heading east. Typical two-bedroom cost $6,430–$9,570, delivery in 3–7 days, 603 carriers on the Santa Monica side and 868 in Austin.

1,461 miroad distance
25 hours (3 driving days)driving time
3–7 daysdelivery window
$6,430–$9,5702-bedroom estimate

Photo: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0

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Route summary

From: Santa Monica, California
To: Austin, Texas
Road distance: ≈ 1,461 miles (1,238 straight-line)
Drive time: 25 hours (3 driving days)
Delivery window: 3–7 days
Move type: Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin: 603 (222 interstate)
Movers at destination: 868 (241 interstate)

Reverse: Austin → Santa Monica

The route from Santa Monica, CA to Austin, TX covers roughly 1,461 miles by road, a east-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 $6,430 to $9,570 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 25 hours (3 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 868 around Austin (241 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 Austin.

Santa Monica has a population of about 92,000 and Austin about 1 million. Santa Monica is considerably denser (11,069 people per square mile versus 3,007), 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 Texas than in California, which tends to make destination-side services such as unpacking or storage cheaper than the same services back home. Texas levies no state income tax on wages, a frequent reason people make this exact move.

Cost of moving from Santa Monica to Austin

Full-service estimate for 1,461 miles, by home size
Home size	Est. weight	Low	Typical	High
Studio	2,000 lb	$2,570	$3,140	$3,830
1 Bedroom	3,000 lb	$3,860	$4,700	$5,740
2 Bedrooms	5,000 lb	$6,430	$7,840	$9,570
3 Bedrooms	8,000 lb	$10,290	$12,550	$15,310
4+ Bedrooms	11,000 lb	$14,140	$17,250	$21,040

Rental truck (DIY)

$2,100–$2,970

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

Portable container

$2,320–$3,420

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

Full-service mover

$6,430–$9,570

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

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Santa Monica, CA → Austin, TX. 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

Call (877) 626-1887 Route Verify on FMCSA

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

Call (424) 335-1991 Route Verify on FMCSA

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

Call (213) 944-0878 Route Verify on FMCSA

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

Call (310) 725-1999 Route Verify on FMCSA

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

Call (310) 508-6676 Route Verify on FMCSA

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

Call (818) 747-3439 Route Verify on FMCSA

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

Route Verify on FMCSA

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

Call (323) 377-8628 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 603 movers in Santa Monica

Near Austin (destination)

Apple Moving

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Apple Moving LLC

USDOT: 3538096
MC: 1361596
Based in: Austin, TX 78759 (7 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 185 trucks, 120 drivers
USDOT registered: 2020

Call (757) 397-1248 Route Verify on FMCSA

Doxa LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2608633
MC: 917444
Based in: Austin, TX 78750 (10 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 114 trucks, 78 drivers
USDOT registered: 2015

Call (737) 444-7778 Route Verify on FMCSA

Spur Freight Services INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2190438
MC: 1544165
Based in: Austin, TX 78753 (8 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 106 trucks, 101 drivers
USDOT registered: 2011

Call (866) 250-8589 Route Verify on FMCSA

Aifleet

Licensed interstate

Legal name: The Ai Fleet INC

USDOT: 3443025
MC: 1118730
Based in: Austin, TX 78701 (2 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 72 trucks, 73 drivers
USDOT registered: 2020

Call (737) 937-6883 Route Verify on FMCSA

Lvs Logistics LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3903424
MC: 1438723
Based in: Austin, TX 78729 (11 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 67 trucks, 67 drivers
USDOT registered: 2022

Call (781) 266-7968 Route Verify on FMCSA

Square Cow Moovers

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Square Cow Moovers LLC

USDOT: 1748594
MC: 640166
Based in: Cedar Park, TX 78613 (15 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 62 trucks, 84 drivers
USDOT registered: 2008

Call (512) 401-6683 Route Verify on FMCSA

Azuma

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Azuma Leasing LLC

USDOT: 4074353
MC: 1548580
Based in: Austin, TX 78705 (1 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 39 trucks, 39 drivers
USDOT registered: 2023

Call (512) 233-5019 Route Verify on FMCSA

Cadogan Tate Texas Cadogan Tate Austin Cadogan Tate Dallas

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: White Glove Storage And Delivery LLC

USDOT: 1598596
MC: 591409
Based in: Austin, TX 78744 (9 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 26 trucks, 30 drivers
USDOT registered: 2007

Call (512) 490-1500 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 868 movers in Austin

Related routes

Other destinations from Santa Monica

Other origins to Austin

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to move from Santa Monica to Austin?

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $2,570 to $3,830 for a studio, $3,860 to $5,740 for a one-bedroom, $6,430 to $9,570 for a two-bedroom, $10,290 to $15,310 for a three-bedroom and $14,140 to $21,040 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Austin from Santa Monica?

About 1,461 road miles (1,238 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 25 hours (3 driving days).

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 Texas 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 Austin?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $2,100 to $2,970 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $2,320 to $3,420. 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–Austin corridor.