Santa Monica, CA → Birmingham, AL · Cross-country move

Movers from Santa Monica to Birmingham

About 2,140 road miles heading east. Typical two-bedroom cost $7,390–$10,990, delivery in 5–10 days, 603 carriers on the Santa Monica side and 395 in Birmingham.

2,140 miroad distance
37 hours (5 driving days)driving time
5–10 daysdelivery window
$7,390–$10,9902-bedroom estimate

Photo: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0

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Route summary

From: Santa Monica, California
To: Birmingham, Alabama
Road distance: ≈ 2,140 miles (1,814 straight-line)
Drive time: 37 hours (5 driving days)
Delivery window: 5–10 days
Move type: Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin: 603 (222 interstate)
Movers at destination: 395 (208 interstate)

Reverse: Birmingham → Santa Monica

Birmingham sits about 2,140 miles east of Santa Monica, which makes this an interstate relocation from California to Alabama that most movers classify as a cross-country move.

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 $7,390 to $10,990 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 37 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 395 around Birmingham (208 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 Birmingham.

Santa Monica has a population of about 92,000 and Birmingham about 195,893. Santa Monica is considerably denser (11,069 people per square mile versus 1,366), 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 Alabama 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 Birmingham

Full-service estimate for 2,140 miles, by home size
Home size	Est. weight	Low	Typical	High
Studio	2,000 lb	$2,960	$3,600	$4,400
1 Bedroom	3,000 lb	$4,430	$5,410	$6,600
2 Bedrooms	5,000 lb	$7,390	$9,010	$10,990
3 Bedrooms	8,000 lb	$11,820	$14,420	$17,590
4+ Bedrooms	11,000 lb	$16,260	$19,820	$24,180

Rental truck (DIY)

$2,950–$4,160

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

Portable container

$2,930–$4,310

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

Full-service mover

$7,390–$10,990

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

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Santa Monica, CA → Birmingham, AL. 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 Birmingham (destination)

Buddy Moore Trucking INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 843883
MC: 370920
Based in: Birmingham, AL 35222 (2 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 359 trucks, 354 drivers
USDOT registered: 1999

Call (205) 949-2260 Route Verify on FMCSA

Dixie Trucking Company LLC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 2263023
MC: 822669
Based in: Birmingham, AL 35217 (6 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 117 trucks, 117 drivers
USDOT registered: 2012

Call (205) 841-1930 Route Verify on FMCSA

Deep South Freight

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Tvs INC

USDOT: 273403
MC: 163871
Based in: Birmingham, AL 35204 (3 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 109 trucks, 107 drivers
USDOT registered: 1986

Call (205) 326-0490 Route Verify on FMCSA

Americas Thrift Stores INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Alabama Thrift Stores INC

USDOT: 446588
MC: 656355
Based in: Irondale, AL 35210 (7 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 71 trucks, 71 drivers
USDOT registered: 1991

Call (205) 856-1234 Route Verify on FMCSA

New Latitude Moving Admiral Movers Motivated Movers

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Move & Store LLC

USDOT: 2179652
MC: 765956
Based in: Birmingham, AL 35211 (6 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 52 trucks, 52 drivers
USDOT registered: 2011

Call (855) 624-4537 Route Verify on FMCSA

U-Haul

Licensed interstate

Legal name: U-Haul Company Of Alabama INC

USDOT: 428450
MC: 881025
Based in: Birmingham, AL 35216 (8 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 52 trucks, 73 drivers
USDOT registered: 1990

Call (602) 263-6811 Route Verify on FMCSA

Associated Grocers Of The South INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 187921
MC: 432768
Based in: Birmingham, AL 35217 (6 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 51 trucks, 48 drivers
USDOT registered: 1974

Call (205) 808-4915 Route Verify on FMCSA

Thompson Delivery Services Colwright

Licensed interstate

Legal name: McCorquodale Transfer LLC

USDOT: 713589
MC: 352161
Based in: Birmingham, AL 35203 (1 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 31 trucks, 35 drivers
USDOT registered: 1997

Call (205) 870-7474 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 395 movers in Birmingham

Tips for this move

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 Birmingham accordingly.
Compare a full-service van line against a container service; for a small household the container often wins.
Ask about consolidated versus dedicated truck options—dedicated is faster but costs more.

Near Santa Monica

Near Birmingham

Related routes

Other destinations from Santa Monica

Other origins to Birmingham

Frequently asked questions

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

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $2,960 to $4,400 for a studio, $4,430 to $6,600 for a one-bedroom, $7,390 to $10,990 for a two-bedroom, $11,820 to $17,590 for a three-bedroom and $16,260 to $24,180 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Birmingham from Santa Monica?

About 2,140 road miles (1,814 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 37 hours (5 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 Alabama 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 Birmingham?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $2,950 to $4,160 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $2,930 to $4,310. 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–Birmingham corridor.