Stockton, CA → Santa Maria, CA · Regional long-distance move
About 255 road miles heading south. Typical two-bedroom cost $3,120–$4,650, delivery in 1–3 days, 394 carriers on the Stockton side and 42 in Santa Maria.
Moving from Stockton to Santa Maria is a regional long-distance move of roughly 255 road miles, heading south within California.
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 $3,120 to $4,650 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 5 h 6 min.
On the Stockton side there are 394 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (222 of them authorized for interstate work), and 42 around Santa Maria (23 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 Santa Maria.
Stockton has a population of about 324,597 and Santa Maria about 111,390. The two cities have comparable density (5,158 and 4,812 people per square mile), so loading and unloading conditions are usually similar at both ends.
| Home size | Est. weight | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | 2,000 lb | $1,540 | $1,880 | $2,290 |
| 1 Bedroom | 3,000 lb | $1,870 | $2,290 | $2,790 |
| 2 Bedrooms | 5,000 lb | $3,120 | $3,810 | $4,650 |
| 3 Bedrooms | 8,000 lb | $5,000 | $6,090 | $7,430 |
| 4+ Bedrooms | 11,000 lb | $6,870 | $8,380 | $10,220 |
$410–$580
One-way truck for the distance, mileage and fuel included; you load and drive.
$1,250–$1,830
Container delivered, you load, company transports; transit is slower than a mover.
$3,120–$4,650
Two-bedroom reference; crew loads, hauls and unloads.
Distance is pre-filled for Stockton, CA → Santa Maria, CA. Adjust the other options to see your range.
Typical full-service range.
Estimates use market baselines described on the cost guide; your quotes will vary by inventory, access and date.
Legal name: Dhaliwal Brothers Trucking INC
Legal name: Rjr Transportation INC
Legal name: Greenway Transportation Services INC
Legal name: Champion Transportation INC
Legal name: Diamond Transportation Logistic INC
Legal name: Francisco Javier Zarate
Typical full-service estimates for this route are $1,540 to $2,290 for a studio, $1,870 to $2,790 for a one-bedroom, $3,120 to $4,650 for a two-bedroom, $5,000 to $7,430 for a three-bedroom and $6,870 to $10,220 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.
About 255 road miles (216 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 5 h 6 min.
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.
No. Because both Stockton and Santa Maria 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.
A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $410 to $580 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,250 to $1,830. 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.
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 Stockton–Santa Maria corridor.