Santa Monica, CA → Pasadena, CA · Local move

Movers from Santa Monica to Pasadena

About 27 road miles heading northeast. Typical two-bedroom cost $1,420–$2,120, delivery in 0–1 days, 603 carriers on the Santa Monica side and 822 in Pasadena.

27 miroad distance
51 mindriving time
0–1 daysdelivery window
$1,420–$2,1202-bedroom estimate

Photo: David Wakely · CC BY-SA 2.5

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Route summary

From: Santa Monica, California
To: Pasadena, California
Road distance: ≈ 27 miles (23 straight-line)
Drive time: 51 min
Delivery window: 0–1 days
Move type: In-state (California)
Movers at origin: 603 (222 interstate)
Movers at destination: 822 (337 interstate)

Reverse: Pasadena → Santa Monica

The route from Santa Monica, CA to Pasadena, CA covers roughly 27 miles by road, a northeast-bound trip that falls into the local move category for pricing purposes.

Because the two cities are close together, most companies quote this move by the hour: a crew of two to four movers plus a truck, with the drive of about 51 min counted as billable travel time. A typical two-bedroom household lands between $1,420 and $2,120, before packing or storage.

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 822 around Pasadena (337 interstate). For an in-state 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 Pasadena.

Santa Monica has a population of about 92,000 and Pasadena about 135,804. Santa Monica is considerably denser (11,069 people per square mile versus 6,030), so expect tighter loading conditions, parking permits or elevator reservations at the origin and easier truck access at the destination.

Cost of moving from Santa Monica to Pasadena

Full-service estimate for 27 miles, by home size
Home size	Crew	Hours	Low	Typical	High
Studio	2 movers	3–5 h	$750	$920	$1,120
1 Bedroom	2 movers	4–6 h	$880	$1,080	$1,310
2 Bedrooms	3 movers	5–8 h	$1,420	$1,740	$2,120
3 Bedrooms	4 movers	7–10 h	$2,220	$2,700	$3,300
4+ Bedrooms	5 movers	9–13 h	$3,330	$4,060	$4,950

Rental truck (DIY)

$180–$250

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

Portable container

$1,040–$1,540

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

Full-service mover

$1,420–$2,120

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

Moving cost calculator

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

White Arrow LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 577394
MC: 281042
Based in: Montebello, CA 90640 (10 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 414 trucks, 408 drivers
USDOT registered: 1994

Call (800) 501-5589 Route Verify on FMCSA

Dhe

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Dependable Highway Express INC

USDOT: 9853
MC: 139496
Based in: Los Angeles, CA 90023 (10 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 312 trucks, 240 drivers
USDOT registered: 1974

Call (323) 362-9399 Route Verify on FMCSA

T C I Transportation Services INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 480301
MC: 619388
Based in: Commerce, CA 90022 (10 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 205 trucks, 277 drivers
USDOT registered: 1992

Call (323) 269-3033 Route Verify on FMCSA

Hercules Forwarding LLC

Interstate carrier Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 424572
Based in: Vernon, CA 90058 (12 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 166 trucks, 163 drivers
USDOT registered: 1990

Call (323) 263-6100 Route Verify on FMCSA

Arru Group INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 4420956
MC: 1738102
Based in: Los Angeles, CA 90029 (10 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 (14 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 50 trucks, 21 drivers
USDOT registered: 2008

Call (213) 944-0878 Route Verify on FMCSA

Saba Couriers LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3182236
MC: 127315
Based in: Burbank, CA 91505 (12 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 45 trucks, 45 drivers
USDOT registered: 2018

Call (818) 731-8259 Route Verify on FMCSA

Liberty Linehaul West INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 282762
MC: 208837
Based in: Montebello, CA 90640 (10 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 44 trucks, 53 drivers
USDOT registered: 1986

Call (323) 728-8900 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 822 movers in Pasadena

Related routes

Other destinations from Santa Monica

Other origins to Pasadena

Frequently asked questions

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

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $750 to $1,120 for a studio, $880 to $1,310 for a one-bedroom, $1,420 to $2,120 for a two-bedroom, $2,220 to $3,300 for a three-bedroom and $3,330 to $4,950 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Pasadena from Santa Monica?

About 27 road miles (23 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 51 min.

How long will the movers take to deliver?

For a move this short, loading and delivery normally happen on the same day. Most crews finish a two-bedroom home in 5 to 8 hours plus the drive.

Do I need an interstate-licensed mover for an in-state move?

No. Because both Santa Monica and Pasadena are in California, this is an intrastate move regulated by the state rather than the FMCSA. Still, choosing a carrier with an active USDOT number is the easiest way to confirm the company is a registered motor carrier with insurance on file.

Is it cheaper to rent a truck or use a container for Santa Monica to Pasadena?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $180 to $250 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,040 to $1,540. 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–Pasadena corridor.