Santa Monica, CA → Princeton, NJ · Cross-country move

Movers from Santa Monica to Princeton

About 2,864 road miles heading northeast. Typical two-bedroom cost $9,620–$14,310, delivery in 7–14 days, 603 carriers on the Santa Monica side and 149 in Princeton.

2,864 miroad distance
50 hours (6 driving days)driving time
7–14 daysdelivery window
$9,620–$14,3102-bedroom estimate

Photo: ajay_suresh · CC BY 4.0

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Route summary

From: Santa Monica, California
To: Princeton, New Jersey
Road distance: ≈ 2,864 miles (2,427 straight-line)
Drive time: 50 hours (6 driving days)
Delivery window: 7–14 days
Move type: Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin: 603 (222 interstate)
Movers at destination: 149 (111 interstate)

Reverse: Princeton → Santa Monica

Princeton sits about 2,864 miles northeast of Santa Monica, which makes this an interstate relocation from California to New Jersey 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 $9,620 to $14,310 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 50 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 149 around Princeton (111 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 Princeton.

Santa Monica has a population of about 92,000 and Princeton about 31,000. Santa Monica is considerably denser (11,069 people per square mile versus 1,710), 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 New Jersey 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 Princeton

Full-service estimate for 2,864 miles, by home size
Home size	Est. weight	Low	Typical	High
Studio	2,000 lb	$3,850	$4,690	$5,720
1 Bedroom	3,000 lb	$5,770	$7,040	$8,590
2 Bedrooms	5,000 lb	$9,620	$11,730	$14,310
3 Bedrooms	8,000 lb	$15,390	$18,770	$22,900
4+ Bedrooms	11,000 lb	$21,160	$25,810	$31,490

Rental truck (DIY)

$3,990–$5,640

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

Portable container

$3,580–$5,260

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

Full-service mover

$9,620–$14,310

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

Moving cost calculator

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

Hermann Transportation Services

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Hermann Forwarding Company

USDOT: 17093
MC: 32775
Based in: Monmouth Junction, NJ 08852 (7 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 163 trucks, 149 drivers
USDOT registered: 1974

Call (732) 297-4400 Route Verify on FMCSA

National Transport Services Company INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 212340
MC: 149114
Based in: Dayton, NJ 08810 (9 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 85 trucks, 85 drivers
USDOT registered: 1982

Call (908) 527-7567 Route Verify on FMCSA

Everlast Logistics

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Everlast Transport INC

USDOT: 550019
MC: 993300
Based in: Monroe Township, NJ 08831 (12 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 33 trucks, 36 drivers
USDOT registered: 1994

Call (732) 727-0634 Route Verify on FMCSA

Glenway Distribution

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Glenway Edison Corporation

USDOT: 1696595
MC: 784444
Based in: Cranbury, NJ 08512 (8 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 25 trucks, 10 drivers
USDOT registered: 2007

Call (732) 593-0010 Route Verify on FMCSA

Mg Express Trucking LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2521395
MC: 875334
Based in: East Windsor, NJ 08520 (10 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 25 trucks, 38 drivers
USDOT registered: 2014

Call (973) 873-5155 Route Verify on FMCSA

George'S Garage & Towing INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 649697
MC: 935073
Based in: Cranbury, NJ 08512 (8 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 19 trucks, 10 drivers
USDOT registered: 1996

Call (609) 655-3334 Route Verify on FMCSA

A Santini Moving & Storage Company

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: A Santini Storage Company Of NJ INC

USDOT: 6045
MC: 53438
Based in: Dayton, NJ 08810 (9 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 16 trucks, 6 drivers
USDOT registered: 1974

Call (973) 228-7211 Route Verify on FMCSA

Jersey Specialized Hauling INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2986680
MC: 16953
Based in: Monroe, NJ 08831 (12 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 14 trucks, 14 drivers
USDOT registered: 2017

Call (917) 685-8268 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 149 movers in Princeton

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 Princeton

Related routes

Other destinations from Santa Monica

Other origins to Princeton

Frequently asked questions

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

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $3,850 to $5,720 for a studio, $5,770 to $8,590 for a one-bedroom, $9,620 to $14,310 for a two-bedroom, $15,390 to $22,900 for a three-bedroom and $21,160 to $31,490 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Princeton from Santa Monica?

About 2,864 road miles (2,427 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 50 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 New Jersey 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 Princeton?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $3,990 to $5,640 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $3,580 to $5,260. 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–Princeton corridor.