Santa Monica, CA → Cary, NC · Cross-country move

Movers from Santa Monica to Cary

About 2,639 road miles heading east. Typical two-bedroom cost $8,500–$12,650, delivery in 7–14 days, 603 carriers on the Santa Monica side and 514 in Cary.

2,639 miroad distance
46 hours (6 driving days)driving time
7–14 daysdelivery window
$8,500–$12,6502-bedroom estimate

Photo: Zajohnso · CC BY-SA 3.0

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Route summary

From: Santa Monica, California
To: Cary, North Carolina
Road distance: ≈ 2,639 miles (2,236 straight-line)
Drive time: 46 hours (6 driving days)
Delivery window: 7–14 days
Move type: Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin: 603 (222 interstate)
Movers at destination: 514 (277 interstate)

Reverse: Cary → Santa Monica

Cary sits about 2,639 miles east of Santa Monica, which makes this an interstate relocation from California to North Carolina 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 $8,500 to $12,650 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 46 hours (6 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 514 around Cary (277 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 Cary.

Santa Monica has a population of about 92,000 and Cary about 183,582. Santa Monica is considerably denser (11,069 people per square mile versus 2,951), 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 North Carolina 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 Cary

Full-service estimate for 2,639 miles, by home size
Home size	Est. weight	Low	Typical	High
Studio	2,000 lb	$3,400	$4,150	$5,060
1 Bedroom	3,000 lb	$5,100	$6,220	$7,590
2 Bedrooms	5,000 lb	$8,500	$10,370	$12,650
3 Bedrooms	8,000 lb	$13,610	$16,590	$20,240
4+ Bedrooms	11,000 lb	$18,710	$22,810	$27,830

Rental truck (DIY)

$3,610–$5,100

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

Portable container

$3,380–$4,960

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

Full-service mover

$8,500–$12,650

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

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Santa Monica, CA → Cary, NC. 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 Cary (destination)

Jbruce Truck Lines INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2939017
MC: 98627
Based in: Morrisville, NC 27560 (5 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 25 trucks, 17 drivers
USDOT registered: 2016

Call (919) 607-6875 Route Verify on FMCSA

Green'S Trucking

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 4196166
MC: 1617931
Based in: Durham, NC 27703 (13 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 25 trucks, 1 drivers
USDOT registered: 2024

Call (919) 618-7622 Route Verify on FMCSA

Shipsecure Cargo LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 4232130
MC: 1637508
Based in: Cary, NC 27518 (5 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 22 trucks, 19 drivers
USDOT registered: 2024

Call (919) 450-6374 Route Verify on FMCSA

Miracle Movers Raleigh

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Miracle Movers Of Raleigh LLC

USDOT: 3139734
MC: 98319
Based in: Durham, NC 27703 (13 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 20 trucks, 21 drivers
USDOT registered: 2018

Call (919) 656-4043 Route Verify on FMCSA

C&l Transport

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: C&l Transport INC

USDOT: 163421
MC: 143081
Based in: Raleigh, NC 27603 (13 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 19 trucks, 20 drivers
USDOT registered: 1974

Call (984) 235-6920 Route Verify on FMCSA

All My Sons Moving & Storage Of Raleigh

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Sg Of Raleigh LLC

USDOT: 906054
MC: 392699
Based in: Raleigh, NC 27617 (9 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 16 trucks, 19 drivers
USDOT registered: 2000

Call (919) 875-1700 Route Verify on FMCSA

Storr Logistics Services

Interstate carrier

USDOT: 9206129
Based in: Raleigh, NC 27617 (9 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 15 trucks, 80 drivers
USDOT registered: 2026

Call (919) 313-3700 Route Verify on FMCSA

DBA Armstrong Relocation Co INC Raleigh Nc

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Armstrong Relocation Company INC Raleigh North Carolina

USDOT: 1071807
MC: 550171
Based in: Durham, NC 27703 (13 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 15 trucks, 15 drivers
USDOT registered: 2002

Call (919) 425-9853 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 514 movers in Cary

Tips for this move

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.
Read the FMCSA 'Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move' booklet the carrier must provide.
Ship the car separately if you plan to fly; auto transport is priced by the mile like household goods.

Near Santa Monica

Near Cary

Related routes

Other destinations from Santa Monica

Other origins to Cary

Frequently asked questions

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

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $3,400 to $5,060 for a studio, $5,100 to $7,590 for a one-bedroom, $8,500 to $12,650 for a two-bedroom, $13,610 to $20,240 for a three-bedroom and $18,710 to $27,830 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Cary from Santa Monica?

About 2,639 road miles (2,236 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 46 hours (6 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 North Carolina 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 Cary?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $3,610 to $5,100 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $3,380 to $4,960. 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–Cary corridor.