Santa Monica, CA → San Francisco, CA · Regional long-distance move

Movers from Santa Monica to San Francisco

About 401 road miles heading northwest. Typical two-bedroom cost $3,780–$5,630, delivery in 1–3 days, 603 carriers on the Santa Monica side and 899 in San Francisco.

401 miroad distance
7 h 37 mindriving time
1–3 daysdelivery window
$3,780–$5,6302-bedroom estimate

Photo: Craig Howell from San Carlos, CA, USA · CC BY 2.0

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Route summary

From: Santa Monica, California
To: San Francisco, California
Road distance: ≈ 401 miles (340 straight-line)
Drive time: 7 h 37 min
Delivery window: 1–3 days
Move type: In-state (California)
Movers at origin: 603 (222 interstate)
Movers at destination: 899 (270 interstate)

Reverse: San Francisco → Santa Monica

The route from Santa Monica, CA to San Francisco, CA covers roughly 401 miles by road, a northwest-bound trip that falls into the regional long-distance move category for pricing purposes.

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 $3,780 to $5,630 with a full-service mover, and delivery usually takes 1 to 3 days after pickup because long-haul trucks consolidate several households per trip. Driving it yourself takes about 7 h 37 min.

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 899 around San Francisco (270 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 San Francisco.

Santa Monica has a population of about 92,000 and San Francisco about 826,079. San Francisco is the denser city (18,635 people per square mile versus 11,069 in Santa Monica), which often means shuttle trucks, parking restrictions or building move-in windows on delivery day.

Cost of moving from Santa Monica to San Francisco

Full-service estimate for 401 miles, by home size
Home size	Est. weight	Low	Typical	High
Studio	2,000 lb	$1,540	$1,880	$2,290
1 Bedroom	3,000 lb	$2,270	$2,770	$3,380
2 Bedrooms	5,000 lb	$3,780	$4,610	$5,630
3 Bedrooms	8,000 lb	$6,050	$7,380	$9,000
4+ Bedrooms	11,000 lb	$8,320	$10,150	$12,380

Rental truck (DIY)

$560–$790

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

Portable container

$1,380–$2,030

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

Full-service mover

$3,780–$5,630

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

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Santa Monica, CA → San Francisco, 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 San Francisco (destination)

Air Container Transfer

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Act 2 Services INC

USDOT: 1701515
MC: 624529
Based in: Brisbane, CA 94005 (6 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 60 trucks, 48 drivers
USDOT registered: 2007

Call (415) 468-2220 Route Verify on FMCSA

Nd Freights INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 4049726
MC: 1534271
Based in: Richmond, CA 94806 (15 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 54 trucks, 54 drivers
USDOT registered: 2023

Call (510) 640-7050 Route Verify on FMCSA

Lengner & Sons Express

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Lengner And Sons Produce Express

USDOT: 154572
MC: 156852
Based in: Oakland, CA 94607 (7 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 42 trucks, 40 drivers
USDOT registered: 1974

Call (510) 625-1900 Route Verify on FMCSA

Pcc Logistics

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Pacific Coast Container INC

USDOT: 555398
MC: 274237
Based in: San Leandro, CA 94577 (14 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 36 trucks, 43 drivers
USDOT registered: 1994

Call (510) 346-6100 Route Verify on FMCSA

Longdo Trucking Corp

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 1166104
MC: 509402
Based in: Oakland, CA 94621 (12 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 30 trucks, 30 drivers
USDOT registered: 2003

Call (510) 502-6328 Route Verify on FMCSA

Forward Logistics INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2107877
MC: 736145
Based in: South San Francisco, CA 94080 (8 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 29 trucks, 30 drivers
USDOT registered: 2011

Call (650) 873-3888 Route Verify on FMCSA

On Point Logistic Solutions INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3492133
MC: 1149694
Based in: San Mateo, CA 94401 (15 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 28 trucks, 40 drivers
USDOT registered: 2020

Call (650) 229-4480 Route Verify on FMCSA

Freight Line Express Trucking INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 1279465
MC: 559129
Based in: Burlingame, CA 94010 (14 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 23 trucks, 23 drivers
USDOT registered: 2004

Call (650) 552-9928 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 899 movers in San Francisco

Tips for this move

Photograph high-value items before loading and keep the inventory sheet the crew gives you.
Plan a first-night kit for San Francisco: bedding, toiletries, a few kitchen basics.
Get three written estimates; at this distance quotes can vary by a third for the same inventory.
Ask whether the carrier will use one truck end to end or transfer your goods at a terminal.

Near Santa Monica

Near San Francisco

Related routes

Other destinations from Santa Monica

Other origins to San Francisco

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to move from Santa Monica to San Francisco?

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $1,540 to $2,290 for a studio, $2,270 to $3,380 for a one-bedroom, $3,780 to $5,630 for a two-bedroom, $6,050 to $9,000 for a three-bedroom and $8,320 to $12,380 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is San Francisco from Santa Monica?

About 401 road miles (340 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 7 h 37 min.

How long will the movers take to deliver?

Expect a delivery window of 1 to 3 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.

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

No. Because both Santa Monica and San Francisco 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 San Francisco?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $560 to $790 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,380 to $2,030. 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–San Francisco corridor.