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Traverse City, MI

Santa Monica, CA → Traverse City, MI · Cross-country move

Movers from Santa Monica to Traverse City

About 2,231 road miles heading northeast. Typical two-bedroom cost $7,790–$11,590, delivery in 7–14 days, 603 carriers on the Santa Monica side and 53 in Traverse City.

  • 2,231 miroad distance
  • 39 hours (5 driving days)driving time
  • 7–14 daysdelivery window
  • $7,790–$11,5902-bedroom estimate
Photo: rossograph · CC BY-SA 4.0
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Route summary

Road distance
≈ 2,231 miles (1,891 straight-line)
Drive time
39 hours (5 driving days)
Delivery window
7–14 days
Move type
Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin
603 (222 interstate)
Movers at destination
53 (19 interstate)

Reverse: Traverse City → Santa Monica

The route from Santa Monica, CA to Traverse City, MI covers roughly 2,231 miles by road, a northeast-bound trip that falls into the cross-country 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 $7,790 to $11,590 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 39 hours (5 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 53 around Traverse City (19 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 Traverse City.

Santa Monica has a population of about 92,000 and Traverse City about 16,000. Santa Monica is considerably denser (11,069 people per square mile versus 1,894), 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 Michigan 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 Traverse City

Full-service estimate for 2,231 miles, by home size
Home sizeEst. weightLowTypicalHigh
Studio 2,000 lb $3,120 $3,800 $4,640
1 Bedroom 3,000 lb $4,670 $5,700 $6,950
2 Bedrooms 5,000 lb $7,790 $9,500 $11,590
3 Bedrooms 8,000 lb $12,460 $15,200 $18,540
4+ Bedrooms 11,000 lb $17,140 $20,900 $25,490

Rental truck (DIY)

$3,040–$4,300

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

Portable container

$3,010–$4,430

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

Full-service mover

$7,790–$11,590

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

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Santa Monica, CA → Traverse City, MI. 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 Traverse City (destination)

Two Men And A Truck

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Nordic Movers INC

USDOT
1469296
MC
554951
Based in
Traverse City, MI 49684 (4 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
8 trucks, 6 drivers
USDOT registered
2006
Call (231) 947-8880 Route Verify on FMCSA

Denoyer Brothers Moving & Storage INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory
USDOT
381828
MC
134935
Based in
Traverse City, MI 49684 (4 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
4 trucks, 6 drivers
USDOT registered
1990
Call (231) 946-4550 Route Verify on FMCSA

Cj Schueller LLC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
886575
MC
1652579
Based in
Traverse City, MI 49685 (6 mi from center)
Service
Local moves
Fleet
4 trucks, 8 drivers
USDOT registered
2000
Call (231) 313-6085 Route Verify on FMCSA

Reliance Transport INC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
2414628
MC
831188
Based in
Traverse City, MI 49685 (6 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
4 trucks, 5 drivers
USDOT registered
2013
Call (231) 403-9030 Route Verify on FMCSA

Bayside Moving & Storage

Interstate carrier

Legal name: Able Forwarders INC

USDOT
882204
Based in
Traverse City, MI 49684 (4 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
3 trucks, 2 drivers
USDOT registered
2000
Call (231) 946-4593 Route Verify on FMCSA

Alfarhan Transportation LLC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
4172233
MC
1604996
Based in
Traverse City, MI 49684 (4 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
1 truck, 1 drivers
USDOT registered
2023
Call (313) 398-8488 Route Verify on FMCSA

Grey Kitty Labs LLC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
4312292
MC
1681000
Based in
Traverse City, MI 49685 (6 mi from center)
Service
Local moves
Fleet
1 truck, 1 drivers
USDOT registered
2024
Call (425) 698-8595 Route Verify on FMCSA

Willow Trucking LLC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
4051865
MC
1535580
Based in
Interlochen, MI 49643 (14 mi from center)
Service
Local moves
Fleet
1 truck, 1 drivers
USDOT registered
2023
Call (231) 632-7020 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 53 movers in Traverse City

Related routes

Other destinations from Santa Monica

Other origins to Traverse City

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to move from Santa Monica to Traverse City?

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $3,120 to $4,640 for a studio, $4,670 to $6,950 for a one-bedroom, $7,790 to $11,590 for a two-bedroom, $12,460 to $18,540 for a three-bedroom and $17,140 to $25,490 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Traverse City from Santa Monica?

About 2,231 road miles (1,891 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 39 hours (5 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 Michigan 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 Traverse City?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $3,040 to $4,300 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $3,010 to $4,430. 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–Traverse City corridor.