($1,554+) Newark, NJ to Santa Ana, CA Movers
Moving from Newark, NJ, to Santa Ana, CA, runs anywhere from $1,554 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $11,750 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 2,777 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 7 to 21 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.
- Full-service moves for smaller spaces (studio apartments and 1-bedrooms) start around $2,220, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $11,750 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,964 - $6,762, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,554 - $4,401.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Newark, NJ, to Santa Ana, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,668 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
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Compare moving options from Newark, NJ to Santa Ana, CA
There are 3 main ways to move from Newark to Santa Ana: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service is the most expensive but covers everything from labor to transportation, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route averaging $3,668 - $7,073. Containers cost roughly 33% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 56% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 2,777 miles, expect 7 to 21 days in transit no matter which service you choose.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 2,777-mile route from Newark to Santa Ana, broken down by home size:
- Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $2,220 - $5,420, container $1,964 - $3,745, rental truck $1,554 - $2,894, freight trailer $1,630 - $3,139.
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $3,668 - $7,073, container $2,448 - $5,422, rental truck $1,600 - $3,656, freight trailer $2,077 - $4,131.
- 4+ bedrooms: full-service $6,970 - $11,750, container $3,479 - $6,762, rental truck $2,085 - $4,401, freight trailer $2,674 - $5,466.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated November 2, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Newark, NJ to Santa Ana, CA
Full-service movers for the 2,777-mile relocation from Newark, New Jersey, to Santa Ana, California, cost between $2,220 and $11,750. With a long-distance moving company, loading, transportation, and unloading are all taken care of. If you want to skip packing boxes, too, that can be added for $441 - $2,940, depending on your home size. What you pay in the end is mainly a function of how much your shipment weighs and how far it's traveling. As a point of reference, local movers in Newark typically charge a base rate around $260 plus $120 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Newark to Santa Ana:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,220 - $5,420
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,668 - $7,073
- 4+ bedrooms: $6,970 - $11,750
Packing, storage, shuttle fees, and added coverage can stack on top of the base price. See the full add-ons and specialty services table below for what each runs from Newark to Santa Ana.
Pro tip: Avoiding peak moving season dates (May - September) is one of the easiest ways to reduce costs. Off-season moves typically come with lower pricing and more room to negotiate since movers have fewer bookings.
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Specialty moving services from Newark, NJ to Santa Ana, CA
Specialty needs vary by market: 62% of Newark movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Santa Ana, 54% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing72% of local movers | $735 - $7,350 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready62% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: White Glove Moving & Storage | $294 - $1,764/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $441 - $3,528 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage12% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs47% of local movers | $1,470 - $4,410 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,675 - $14,700 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,101 - $2,092 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items31% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: White Glove Moving & Storage | $1,470 - $3,675 |
| Piano | Any piano type39% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: White Glove Moving & Storage | $1,176 - $5,145 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling9% of local movers | $441 - $2,205 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect3% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (NJ) | $956 - $2,940 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $441 - $22,050+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $441 - $5,145+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Newark to Santa Ana?
All three below meet the standards set by the California Moving & Storage Association, the group most California movers are affiliated with.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list, with flat-rate pricing that holds firm on moving day and a customer support team available around the clock.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here. With 30+ years of interstate moves behind them, AVL uses full-time in-house crews instead of the contracted labor most national carriers rely on.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, with fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan available on every long-distance move.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Newark, NJ. At that distance, local movers often charge 30% - 40% more because they don't spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments the way national carriers do. If a direct route and faster delivery (averaging 2 days) are priorities, a local mover may be worth considering, but that service comes at a higher price.
Moving container costs from Newark, NJ to Santa Ana, CA
Moving containers from Newark, New Jersey, to Santa Ana, California, cost between $1,964 and $6,762. With a moving container, you load on your own schedule. U-Haul gives you 3 days to fill yours, while PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're ready, the company transports it straight to your new place. Need more time first? Storage in Newark typically costs about $130/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Newark to Santa Ana:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,964 - $3,745
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,448 - $5,422
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,479 - $6,762
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $110 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $221 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Santa Ana, CA, if you need to retrieve anything while items are still in storage.
- Moving labor: Since you're responsible for loading the container yourself, many customers bring in hourly help. Based on moveBuddha data, hiring 2 movers for approximately 5 hours costs about $1,029 in Newark, NJ. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection goes beyond the standard minimum and covers repair, replacement, or reimbursement at declared value. Pricing is typically 1% - 2% of your total shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 move.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a New Jersey to California move in the past 90 days. Our pricing data is drawn from 1,500+ monthly data points across our vetted mover network and refreshed every month.
Pro tip: Before ordering moving containers, take a careful inventory of everything you're moving. A typical 1-bedroom home weighs around 3,000 pounds and fits in a single container starting at $1,964. Underestimating how much you have and needing an extra container means paying for another one, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise. For reference, a 2 - 3 bedroom home typically runs $2,448 - $5,422.
What are the best moving containers Newark to Santa Ana?
- Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
- U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
- MovingYourself (5.0/5 stars)
Want a hand without paying for full service? A container or truck move does not mean doing all the heavy lifting yourself. You can hire a labor-only crew in Newark to load and unload while you handle the drive, then book full help later if you change your mind. Three top-rated local crews for labor-only help in Newark:
- Piece of Cake Moving & Storage (4.8/5), 8 years in business
- Moishe's Moving Systems (4.5/5), 33 years in business
- Big G Movers Inc (4.9/5), 13 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Newark, NJ to Santa Ana, CA
Plan on $1,554 - $4,401 for a rental moving truck on the 2,777-mile route from Newark, New Jersey, to Santa Ana, California. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $1,299 - $1,484
- Daily insurance: $44/day
- Equipment rentals: $10 - $29
- Newark daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.99 - $0.99
| Home size | Typical truck size |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | 10 - 12 ft |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | 15 - 17 ft |
| 4+ bedrooms | 20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel) |
These are typical moving truck rental costs from Newark to Santa Ana based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,554 - $2,894
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,600 - $3,656
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,085 - $4,401
Pro tip: The base rate of $1,554 - $4,401 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Newark to Santa Ana. Fuel ($1,299 - $1,484), lodging at around $221/night, meals, and equipment rentals are all on top of that. Factor in roughly $600 - $1,200 more for meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging to get a realistic picture of what the move will actually cost.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Newark, New Jersey, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $1,029.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $1,299 - $1,484 for the 2,777-mile drive, depending on whether your truck takes gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, auto transport trailers, and furniture pads are separate rentals. Expect to spend between $88 and $478, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $221 per night for hotel stops on the 2,777-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $441 - $662.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Newark to Santa Ana?
- Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
- Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
- U-Haul Truck Rental (4.2/5 stars)
The best truck rental companies for this route, based on moveBuddha's ratings.
Freight trailer costs from Newark, NJ to Santa Ana, CA
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Newark, New Jersey, to Santa Ana, California, when you want to do the loading yourself without having to drive a massive vehicle. The trailer is delivered, you pack it up, and the carrier handles the long haul.
What sets freight trailers apart is the pay-for-what-you-use pricing model. Each additional foot of trailer space you occupy adds to the cost. Pricing for a 2 - 3 bedroom move of this distance typically lands between $2,077 and $4,131.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Newark to Santa Ana:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,630 - $3,139
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,077 - $4,131
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,674 - $5,466
Pro tip: Loading a freight trailer is a bit different from filling a container. The 4-foot ramp can be steep with large items, and getting the most out of 8 feet of vertical clearance takes planning. Since pricing is based on linear feet used, every inch of wasted space has a cost.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In Newark, New Jersey, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $1,029.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $110 - $221 per additional foot to your total.
- Time of year: Rates tend to climb during peak moving season (mid-May through mid-September) when trailer demand is at its highest.
What are the best freight companies from Newark to Santa Ana?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the pick for best for large moves. The company is well-regarded as a top moving container option for its load-it-yourself, we-drive-it model, and that same model makes it a strong freight option for larger homes that benefit from the company's 53-foot trucks and footage-based pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Alongside their flagship container service, U-Pack provides a top-notch freight trailer option that follows the same model: no deposits, no upfront fees, and pricing based on the linear footage you actually use.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in Santa Ana fast. For interstate moves, freight is one of the quickest delivery methods out there. Just keep in mind that freight carriers expect you to be available to receive your shipment, so it works best when your move-in is locked in and you don't need temporary storage on either end.
Cost of living: Newark, NJ vs Santa Ana, CA
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Santa Ana, side by side with Newark on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Newark, NJ | Santa Ana, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 135 | 165 |
| Average rent | $2,300/mo | $2,650/mo |
| Median home value | $335,418 | $657,015 |
| Average income | $48,416/yr | $88,354/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 13.0% | 7.0% |
| State income tax | Up to 10.7% | Up to 13.3% |
| Walkability score | 76/100 | 67/100 |
| Safety index | 24.76/100 | 45.83/100 |
| Air quality | Good | Moderate |
Cost of living index is relative to the U.S. average of 100. Figures reflect the latest available city and state data.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Santa Ana, CA to Newark, NJ guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from New Jersey to California over the past 3 months, giving us some of the most up-to-date pricing data around. Running your move through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. There are 315 movers in our New Jersey network to compare for this 2,777-mile move.
Our take
A move from Newark, NJ, to Santa Ana, CA, gives you several options depending on your budget and how much you want to do yourself. Full-service movers handle everything but cost the most, ranging from $2,220 - $11,750 on the 2,777-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,964 - $6,762, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $1,554 - $4,401. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $3,668 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and round-the-clock live support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Allied Universal and First American Financial.
FAQs: Moving from Newark, NJ, to Santa Ana, CA
What do local movers charge in Newark?
Local movers based in Newark typically start around $260 as a base rate, plus $120/hour per mover. That's a useful baseline if you're hiring help just to load a rental truck or container rather than booking a full long-distance move. Rates in Santa Ana run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
How long does a move from Newark, NJ to Santa Ana, CA take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 7 to 21 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are often one of the faster options outside of driving yourself, though you'll need to be ready to receive your shipment on arrival. Driving a rental truck yourself puts the schedule entirely in your hands.
What are the best neighborhoods in Santa Ana?
For families, Meredith Parkwood, Fairbridge Square, and West Grove Valley are worth a look in Santa Ana. If you're moving solo or without kids, Fairbridge Square, South Coast, and Park Santiago tend to be popular picks instead.
What is the cheapest way to move from Newark, NJ to Santa Ana, CA?
Renting a moving truck is almost always the most affordable option, since you handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself. A 2-bedroom rental truck move on this route averages $1,600 - $3,656. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
Is Santa Ana a safe place to live?
Santa Ana has a safety index of 45.83 out of 100 and a crime index of 54.17, compared to 24.76 and 75.24 in Newark. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What percentage of Newark movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 39% of movers in Newark handle piano moves, and 31% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.