MovingFromMoving navigation
Joliet, IL

Santa Monica, CA → Joliet, IL · Cross-country move

Movers from Santa Monica to Joliet

About 2,038 road miles heading northeast. Typical two-bedroom cost $7,720–$11,480, delivery in 5–10 days, 603 carriers on the Santa Monica side and 694 in Joliet.

  • 2,038 miroad distance
  • 35 hours (4 driving days)driving time
  • 5–10 daysdelivery window
  • $7,720–$11,4802-bedroom estimate
Photo: Dennisyerger84 · CC BY-SA 4.0
Open navigation Google Maps Apple Maps Waze

Route summary

Road distance
≈ 2,038 miles (1,727 straight-line)
Drive time
35 hours (4 driving days)
Delivery window
5–10 days
Move type
Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin
603 (222 interstate)
Movers at destination
694 (561 interstate)

Reverse: Joliet → Santa Monica

Moving from Santa Monica to Joliet is a cross-country move of roughly 2,038 road miles, heading northeast from California to Illinois.

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 $7,720 to $11,480 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 35 hours (4 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 694 around Joliet (561 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 Joliet.

Santa Monica has a population of about 92,000 and Joliet about 152,241. Santa Monica is considerably denser (11,069 people per square mile versus 2,331), 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 Illinois 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 Joliet

Full-service estimate for 2,038 miles, by home size
Home sizeEst. weightLowTypicalHigh
Studio 2,000 lb $3,090 $3,770 $4,590
1 Bedroom 3,000 lb $4,630 $5,650 $6,890
2 Bedrooms 5,000 lb $7,720 $9,410 $11,480
3 Bedrooms 8,000 lb $12,350 $15,060 $18,380
4+ Bedrooms 11,000 lb $16,980 $20,710 $25,270

Rental truck (DIY)

$2,840–$4,020

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

Portable container

$2,840–$4,170

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

Full-service mover

$7,720–$11,480

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

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Santa Monica, CA → Joliet, IL. Adjust the other options to see your range.

—to—

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 Joliet (destination)

Forsage INC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
2588231
MC
907486
Based in
Channahon, IL 60410 (7 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
600 trucks, 600 drivers
USDOT registered
2015
Call (630) 423-5001 Route Verify on FMCSA

Em Cargo LLC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
3073738
MC
62685
Based in
Lemont, IL 60439 (14 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
260 trucks, 260 drivers
USDOT registered
2017
Call (708) 669-0406 Route Verify on FMCSA

Legacy Express Trucking INC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
1744355
MC
772181
Based in
Joliet, IL 60435 (2 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
205 trucks, 165 drivers
USDOT registered
2008
Call (708) 897-0580 Route Verify on FMCSA

Vynera Transportation INC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
1585417
MC
586954
Based in
Romeoville, IL 60446 (8 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
185 trucks, 185 drivers
USDOT registered
2006
Call (815) 630-5362 Route Verify on FMCSA

Prima Express INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory
USDOT
1313194
MC
527982
Based in
Joliet, IL 60432 (6 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
165 trucks, 150 drivers
USDOT registered
2004
Call (815) 372-9190 Route Verify on FMCSA

Tva Logistics INC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
2555496
MC
890930
Based in
Plainfield, IL 60544 (8 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
150 trucks, 163 drivers
USDOT registered
2014
Call (815) 306-0330 Route Verify on FMCSA

Road King Express INC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
2578534
MC
902373
Based in
Romeoville, IL 60446 (8 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
138 trucks, 124 drivers
USDOT registered
2015
Call (708) 377-9699 Route Verify on FMCSA

Zmile INC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
3342792
MC
1067250
Based in
Romeoville, IL 60446 (8 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
120 trucks, 120 drivers
USDOT registered
2019
Call (630) 339-2721 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 694 movers in Joliet

Related routes

Other destinations from Santa Monica

Other origins to Joliet

Frequently asked questions

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

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $3,090 to $4,590 for a studio, $4,630 to $6,890 for a one-bedroom, $7,720 to $11,480 for a two-bedroom, $12,350 to $18,380 for a three-bedroom and $16,980 to $25,270 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Joliet from Santa Monica?

About 2,038 road miles (1,727 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 35 hours (4 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 Illinois 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 Joliet?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $2,840 to $4,020 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $2,840 to $4,170. 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–Joliet corridor.