Santa Cruz, CA

Tampa, FL → Santa Cruz, CA · Cross-country move

Movers from Tampa to Santa Cruz

About 2,797 road miles heading northwest. Typical two-bedroom cost $8,980–$13,360, delivery in 7–14 days, 1,059 carriers on the Tampa side and 27 in Santa Cruz.

  • 2,797 miroad distance
  • 48 hours (6 driving days)driving time
  • 7–14 daysdelivery window
  • $8,980–$13,3602-bedroom estimate
Photo: Don DeBold from San Jose, CA, USA · CC BY 2.0

Route summary

Road distance
≈ 2,797 miles (2,370 straight-line)
Drive time
48 hours (6 driving days)
Delivery window
7–14 days
Move type
Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin
1,059 (368 interstate)
Movers at destination
27 (6 interstate)

Reverse: Santa Cruz → Tampa

Moving from Tampa to Santa Cruz is a cross-country move of roughly 2,797 road miles, heading northwest from Florida to 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 $8,980 to $13,360 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 48 hours (6 driving days).

On the Tampa side there are 1,059 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (368 of them authorized for interstate work), and 27 around Santa Cruz (6 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 Cruz.

Tampa has a population of about 413,554 and Santa Cruz about 62,000. Santa Cruz is the denser city (4,942 people per square mile versus 3,377 in Tampa), which often means shuttle trucks, parking restrictions or building move-in windows on delivery day. California is a higher-cost state than Florida, so budget a little more for destination-side help, deposits and first-month expenses. Note that California does collect a state income tax, unlike Florida, so factor that into the cost-of-living comparison.

Cost of moving from Tampa to Santa Cruz

Full-service estimate for 2,797 miles, by home size
Home sizeEst. weightLowTypicalHigh
Studio 2,000 lb $3,590 $4,380 $5,340
1 Bedroom 3,000 lb $5,390 $6,570 $8,010
2 Bedrooms 5,000 lb $8,980 $10,950 $13,360
3 Bedrooms 8,000 lb $14,370 $17,520 $21,370
4+ Bedrooms 11,000 lb $19,750 $24,090 $29,390

Rental truck (DIY)

$3,920–$5,540

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

Portable container

$3,520–$5,170

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

Full-service mover

$8,980–$13,360

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

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Tampa, FL → Santa Cruz, 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 Tampa (origin)

Pods

Interstate carrier
USDOT
1397252
Based in
Clearwater, FL 33762 (13 mi from center)
Service
Local moves
Fleet
1,324 trucks, 1,100 drivers
USDOT registered
2005

Countrywide Logistics

Licensed interstate
USDOT
1073995
MC
447175
Based in
Tampa, FL 33610 (7 mi from center)
Service
Local moves
Fleet
154 trucks, 300 drivers
USDOT registered
2002

Ltl

Licensed interstate
USDOT
2519126
MC
885234
Based in
Tampa, FL 33602 (2 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
150 trucks, 212 drivers
USDOT registered
2014

Smith-Cargo Transportation LLC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory
USDOT
929285
MC
400706
Based in
Riverview, FL 33578 (10 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
77 trucks, 75 drivers
USDOT registered
2001

Mtc Freight LLC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
2979890
MC
15958
Based in
Clearwater, FL 33759 (14 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
60 trucks, 65 drivers
USDOT registered
2017

First Class Moving Systems INC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
944759
MC
405647
Based in
Tampa, FL 33619 (6 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
50 trucks, 50 drivers
USDOT registered
2001

Keynnect Logistics INC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
2845444
MC
717403
Based in
Tampa, FL 33609 (3 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
40 trucks, 40 drivers
USDOT registered
2016

Xpoint Transportation

Licensed interstate
USDOT
4336828
MC
1693955
Based in
Tampa, FL 33612 (6 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
33 trucks, 4 drivers
USDOT registered
2024

All 1,059 movers in Tampa

Near Santa Cruz (destination)

Lambert And Son Moving

Licensed interstate
USDOT
3528657
MC
1220611
Based in
Santa Cruz, CA 95065 (5 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
4 trucks, 7 drivers
USDOT registered
2020

Edward W Grace

Licensed interstate
USDOT
1559365
MC
643222
Based in
Santa Cruz, CA 95062 (3 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
1 truck, 3 drivers
USDOT registered
2006

Denise Hoselton Living Tr

Interstate carrier
USDOT
4197804
MC
1618833
Based in
Brookdale, CA 95007 (10 mi from center)
Service
Local moves
Fleet
1 truck, 1 drivers
USDOT registered
2024

Delivertron

Interstate carrier
USDOT
3592367
Based in
Boulder Creek, CA 95006 (15 mi from center)
Service
Local moves
Fleet
1 truck, 1 drivers
USDOT registered
2021

Locatelli Moving And Storage INC

Intrastate carrier
USDOT
1891836
Based in
Santa Cruz, CA 95060 (4 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
7 trucks, 5 drivers
USDOT registered
2009

Coast Paper & Supply

Intrastate carrier
USDOT
2666577
Based in
Santa Cruz, CA 95060 (4 mi from center)
Service
Local moves
Fleet
4 trucks, 4 drivers
USDOT registered
2015

Rational Moving INC

Intrastate carrier
USDOT
3393511
MC
1565780
Based in
Scotts Valley, CA 95066 (7 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
3 trucks, 3 drivers
USDOT registered
2020

Full Load

Intrastate carrier
USDOT
2773290
Based in
Santa Cruz, CA 95060 (4 mi from center)
Service
Local moves
Fleet
2 trucks, 2 drivers
USDOT registered
2015

All 27 movers in Santa Cruz

Related routes

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to move from Tampa to Santa Cruz?

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $3,590 to $5,340 for a studio, $5,390 to $8,010 for a one-bedroom, $8,980 to $13,360 for a two-bedroom, $14,370 to $21,370 for a three-bedroom and $19,750 to $29,390 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Santa Cruz from Tampa?

About 2,797 road miles (2,370 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 48 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 Florida 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 Tampa to Santa Cruz?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $3,920 to $5,540 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $3,520 to $5,170. 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 Tampa–Santa Cruz corridor.