Sioux Falls, SD → Santa Barbara, CA · Cross-country move

Movers from Sioux Falls to Santa Barbara

About 1,629 road miles heading west. Typical two-bedroom cost $6,670–$9,930, delivery in 5–10 days, 79 carriers on the Sioux Falls side and 27 in Santa Barbara.

1,629 miroad distance
28 hours (4 driving days)driving time
5–10 daysdelivery window
$6,670–$9,9302-bedroom estimate

Photo: Pierre André · CC BY-SA 4.0

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Route summary

From: Sioux Falls, South Dakota
To: Santa Barbara, California
Road distance: ≈ 1,629 miles (1,380 straight-line)
Drive time: 28 hours (4 driving days)
Delivery window: 5–10 days
Move type: Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin: 79 (59 interstate)
Movers at destination: 27 (9 interstate)

Reverse: Santa Barbara → Sioux Falls

The route from Sioux Falls, SD to Santa Barbara, CA covers roughly 1,629 miles by road, a west-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 $6,670 to $9,930 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 28 hours (4 driving days).

On the Sioux Falls side there are 79 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (59 of them authorized for interstate work), and 27 around Santa Barbara (9 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 Santa Barbara.

Sioux Falls has a population of about 213,748 and Santa Barbara about 88,000. Santa Barbara is the denser city (4,549 people per square mile versus 2,434 in Sioux Falls), which often means shuttle trucks, parking restrictions or building move-in windows on delivery day. California is a higher-cost state than South Dakota, so budget a little more for destination-side help, deposits and first-month expenses. Note that California does collect a state income tax, unlike South Dakota, so factor that into the cost-of-living comparison.

Cost of moving from Sioux Falls to Santa Barbara

Full-service estimate for 1,629 miles, by home size
Home size	Est. weight	Low	Typical	High
Studio	2,000 lb	$2,670	$3,260	$3,970
1 Bedroom	3,000 lb	$4,000	$4,880	$5,960
2 Bedrooms	5,000 lb	$6,670	$8,140	$9,930
3 Bedrooms	8,000 lb	$10,680	$13,020	$15,890
4+ Bedrooms	11,000 lb	$14,680	$17,900	$21,840

Rental truck (DIY)

$2,270–$3,210

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

Portable container

$2,470–$3,640

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

Full-service mover

$6,670–$9,930

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

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Sioux Falls, SD → Santa Barbara, 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 Sioux Falls (origin)

K & J Trucking INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 171766
MC: 146600
Based in: Sioux Falls, SD 57104 (5 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 132 trucks, 149 drivers
USDOT registered: 1974

Call (605) 332-5531 Route Verify on FMCSA

Dakota Carriers INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 492947
MC: 255930
Based in: Sioux Falls, SD 57107 (6 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 85 trucks, 85 drivers
USDOT registered: 1992

Call (605) 338-0002 Route Verify on FMCSA

Rude Transportation INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 1391
MC: 64732
Based in: Sioux Falls, SD 57107 (6 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 68 trucks, 62 drivers
USDOT registered: 1974

Call (605) 335-6575 Route Verify on FMCSA

Silver Creek Carriers LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3093770
MC: 73394
Based in: Chancellor, SD 57015 (15 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 34 trucks, 29 drivers
USDOT registered: 2018

Call (605) 647-1380 Route Verify on FMCSA

Lloyd Bultsma Trucking INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 692522
MC: 320802
Based in: Sioux Falls, SD 57104 (5 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 10 trucks, 8 drivers
USDOT registered: 1997

Call (605) 759-2247 Route Verify on FMCSA

Sioux Steel Company

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 66163
MC: 488257
Based in: Sioux Falls, SD 57101 (0 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 9 trucks, 10 drivers
USDOT registered: 1974

Call (605) 650-0342 Verify on FMCSA

Nationwide Transfer INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 1741852
MC: 637914
Based in: Sioux Falls, SD 57104 (5 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 8 trucks, 9 drivers
USDOT registered: 2008

Call (605) 333-0620 Route Verify on FMCSA

Mueller Pallets LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 776880
MC: 412614
Based in: Sioux Falls, SD 57108 (5 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 8 trucks, 8 drivers
USDOT registered: 1998

Call (605) 368-2440 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 79 movers in Sioux Falls

Near Santa Barbara (destination)

Aussie Moving

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Aussie Moving INC

USDOT: 2424966
MC: 876037
Based in: Santa Barbara, CA 93101 (1 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 2 trucks, 3 drivers
USDOT registered: 2013

Call (805) 456-6498 Route Verify on FMCSA

Twentyfour7 Msi

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Twenty Four 7 Moving Specialists INC

USDOT: 1821147
MC: 661157
Based in: Carpinteria, CA 93013 (12 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 2 trucks, 5 drivers
USDOT registered: 2008

Call (805) 696-9247 Route Verify on FMCSA

Mammoth Van Lines

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Mammoth Moving Holding Corporation

USDOT: 374567
MC: 225136
Based in: Santa Barbara, CA 93111 (6 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 1 truck, 2 drivers
USDOT registered: 1989

Call (805) 968-8643 Route Verify on FMCSA

All Things Home Services LLC

Interstate carrier

USDOT: 8395520
Based in: Santa Barbara, CA 93111 (6 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 1 truck, 4 drivers
USDOT registered: 2026

Call (805) 245-3822 Route Verify on FMCSA

Bushnell Moving

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Kenneth Lee Bushnell

USDOT: 1355626
MC: 608117
Based in: Santa Barbara, CA 93105 (9 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 1 truck, 1 drivers
USDOT registered: 2005

Call (805) 682-5454 Route Verify on FMCSA

Santa Barbara Home Improvement Center

Intrastate carrier

Legal name: Santa Barbara Home Improvement Center INC

USDOT: 2735884
Based in: Santa Barbara, CA 93101 (1 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 3 trucks, 3 drivers
USDOT registered: 2015

Call (805) 963-7825 Route Verify on FMCSA

Mike'S Deliveries

Intrastate carrier

Legal name: Miguel A Barrios

USDOT: 3008579
Based in: Santa Barbara, CA 93101 (1 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 3 trucks, 3 drivers
USDOT registered: 2017

Call (805) 331-0318 Route Verify on FMCSA

Bright Delivery And Install INC

Intrastate carrier

USDOT: 3544323
Based in: Santa Barbara, CA 93101 (1 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 3 trucks, 3 drivers
USDOT registered: 2021

Call (805) 679-1020 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 27 movers in Santa Barbara

Tips for this move

Expect a delivery spread of one to two weeks; plan temporary housing in Santa Barbara accordingly.
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.

Near Sioux Falls

Near Santa Barbara

Related routes

Other destinations from Sioux Falls

Other origins to Santa Barbara

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to move from Sioux Falls to Santa Barbara?

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $2,670 to $3,970 for a studio, $4,000 to $5,960 for a one-bedroom, $6,670 to $9,930 for a two-bedroom, $10,680 to $15,890 for a three-bedroom and $14,680 to $21,840 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Santa Barbara from Sioux Falls?

About 1,629 road miles (1,380 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 28 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 South Dakota into California 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 Sioux Falls to Santa Barbara?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $2,270 to $3,210 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $2,470 to $3,640. 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 Sioux Falls–Santa Barbara corridor.