($1,576+) Santa Ana, CA to Wilmington, DE Movers

Easily compare and book your next move with moveBuddha
Background image of a moving truck moving from Santa Ana, CA to Wilmington, DE

The cost to move from Santa Ana, CA to Wilmington, DE ranges from $1,354 to $12,804, with an average cost of $4,750. Moves can be as low as $1,576 if you're wanting to DIY it.

This move covers about 2,700 miles and usually takes 7 to 21 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.

Compare moving options from Santa Ana, CA to Wilmington, DE

Moving options from Santa Ana to Wilmington fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,354 - $12,804 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $4,750, and movers handle all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 60% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This particular route covers 2,700 miles and typically takes 7 to 21 days depending on the service you pick.

Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 2,700-mile route from Santa Ana to Wilmington, broken down by home size:

Home size Full-service movers Moving container Rental truck Freight trailer
Studio / 1 bedroom $1,354 - $6,512 $1,888 - $3,785 $1,529 - $3,054 $1,699 - $3,269
2 - 3 bedrooms $3,932 - $8,264 $2,551 - $5,107 $1,689 - $3,745 $2,020 - $4,516
4+ bedrooms $7,626 - $12,804 $3,659 - $7,619 $2,200 - $4,239 $2,756 - $5,919

Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.

Professional
Safeway Moving
star star star star star 4.9 / 5
Read our full Safeway review
Best overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran-owned
Container
Unlimited storage
3 container sizes
10% discount
Rental Truck
Budget Truck Rental
star star star star star 4.3 / 5
Read our full Budget review
Affordable pricing
Online estimates
Several discounts
Freight
MovingYourself
star star star star star 4.5 / 5
Read our full MovingYourself review
Fast delivery
Nationwide
100+ miles moves

Full-service moving costs from Santa Ana, CA to Wilmington, DE

A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 2,700-mile move from Santa Ana, California, to Wilmington, Delaware, with prices running from $1,354 - $12,804. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $422 - $2,812 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between Santa Ana and Wilmington are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, Santa Ana movers tend to run around $185 as a base rate plus $75/hour per mover, for comparison.

Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Santa Ana to Wilmington:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,354 - $6,512
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,932 - $8,264
  • 4+ bedrooms: $7,626 - $12,804

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 Santa Ana to Wilmington.

The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from California to Delaware. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.

Pro tip: Peak moving season (May - September) limits truck availability and pushes up full-service moving costs. Booking during slower months can give you more scheduling room and a lower final price.

Don't see your company listed?

Reach customers actively searching for trusted movers in your area. Tell us about your company and services to get your business listed on moveBuddha.

Get Started

Specialty moving services from Santa Ana, CA to Wilmington, DE

Specialty needs vary by market — 84% of Santa Ana movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Wilmington, 89% of movers offer the same service.

Service When you need it Typical cost
Full packingFull crew packing100% of local movers$703 - $7,030
Storage in transitNew place not ready84% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Meathead Movers$281 - $1,687/mo
Shuttle feeTruck can't reach door$422 - $3,374
Full-value protectionMore than $0.60/lb coverage39% of local movers$300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value)
Small movesUnder ~2,000 lbs48% of local movers$1,406 - $4,218
Office / commercialWorkplace relocation$3,515 - $14,060
Car shippingSecond vehicle$1,053 - $2,001
Antiques & fine artFragile, high-value items64% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: NorthStar Moving Company $1,406 - $3,515
PianoAny piano type78% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: NorthStar Moving Company $1,125 - $4,921
Pool tableDisassembly & re-leveling37% of local movers$422 - $2,109
Hot tubHeavy, needs disconnect28% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: California Movers Local & Long Distance Moving Company$914 - $2,812
Wine collectionClimate-controlled transport$422 - $21,090+
Pet relocationGround, air, or concierge$422 - $4,921+

What are the best full-service movers from Santa Ana to Wilmington?

  1. Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving offers the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing locks in your cost upfront, and 24/7 customer support is available throughout the move.
  2. American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. Operating since 1995, AVL staffs every move with full-time in-house crews trained on antiques, art, and other high-value items.
  3. Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. As one of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, real-time shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan.

Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national full-service movers are almost always better priced than local movers in Santa Ana, CA. Local companies typically run 30% - 40% more at longer distances because they aren't set up to consolidate shipments the way national carriers do. The one case where a local mover might be worth the premium is if you want a dedicated direct-route truck, which averages a 2-day delivery time, but expect to pay more for that convenience.

Moving container costs from Santa Ana, CA to Wilmington, DE

Moving containers from Santa Ana, California, to Wilmington, Delaware, cost between $1,888 and $7,619. A container is delivered to your home and you load it on your own time. Loading windows vary by company: U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30. From there, the company takes over and transports it to Wilmington. If you go over that window, storage in Santa Ana adds around $110/month.

Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Santa Ana to Wilmington:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,888 - $3,785
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,551 - $5,107
  • 4+ bedrooms: $3,659 - $7,619

What other costs come with moving containers?

  • Moving labor: Because loading is on you with a container move, hourly labor help is a popular add-on. In Santa Ana, CA, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $984, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
  • Storage: After the first month, ongoing rental fees kick in. A small container (7 - 8 feet) averages about $105 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $211 per month.
  • Access: Most major container companies serve both Santa Ana, CA, and Wilmington, DE, but confirm a facility is within reasonable distance if you need to retrieve items while in storage.
  • Added contents protection: Full-value protection provides broader coverage than the standard liability in your contract. It typically costs 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on $50,000 worth of belongings.

Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a California to Delaware 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 $1,888. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $2,551 - $5,107, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.

What are the best moving containers Santa Ana to Wilmington?

  1. Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
  2. U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
  3. 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 Santa Ana 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 Santa Ana:

  • California Movers Local & Long Distance Moving Company (5.0/5), 11 years in business
  • Sterling Van Lines (4.6/5), 35 years in business
  • Merit Moving Systems (4.9/5), 39 years in business

Moving truck rental costs from Santa Ana, CA to Wilmington, DE

A rental truck for this 2,700-mile move from Santa Ana, California, to Wilmington, Delaware, costs between $1,529 and $4,239. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:

  • Fuel for the drive: $1,208 - $1,380
  • Daily insurance: $42/day
  • Equipment rentals: $10 - $28
  • Santa Ana daily rental rate: $19 - $39
  • Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.79 - $1.09
Home sizeTypical truck size
Studio / 1 bedroom10 - 12 ft
2 - 3 bedrooms15 - 17 ft
4+ bedrooms20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel)

These are typical moving truck rental costs from Santa Ana to Wilmington based on home size:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,529 - $3,054
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,689 - $3,745
  • 4+ bedrooms: $2,200 - $4,239

Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $1,529 - $4,239 does not include fuel ($1,208 - $1,380) , lodging ($211/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Santa Ana to Wilmington typically runs $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate alone.

What other costs come with rental trucks?

  • Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Santa Ana, California, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $984.
  • Gas: Fuel costs total $1,208 - $1,380 for the 2,700-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 $84 and $457, depending on what you need.
  • Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
  • Lodging: Budget around $211 per night for hotel stops on the 2,700-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $422 - $633.

What are the best moving truck rentals from Santa Ana to Wilmington?

  1. Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
  2. Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
  3. 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 Santa Ana, CA to Wilmington, DE

Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Santa Ana, California, to Wilmington, Delaware, 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. Overall pricing for a move of this size and distance typically lands around $2,020 and $4,516.

Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Santa Ana to Wilmington:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,699 - $3,269
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,020 - $4,516
  • 4+ bedrooms: $2,756 - $5,919

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?

  • Demand cycles: Trailer costs climb during peak moving season, especially from mid-May through mid-September when demand is at its highest.
  • More space: You're billed only for the linear feet you use, but underestimating your inventory means paying for extra space, typically around $105 - $211 more per foot.
  • Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Santa Ana, California, for about five hours typically runs $984.

What are the best freight companies from Santa Ana to Wilmington?

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. ALL Service Handling (4.76/5 stars): ALL Service Handling is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned and based facilities mean accessible support staff and area-specific scheduling flexibility that national-only freight carriers typically don't match.

Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Santa Ana to Wilmington. If you have a hard move-in date and want your stuff there as soon as possible, freight is hard to beat. It's worth noting that freight works best when you're ready to receive your delivery, so if your move-in date is still up in the air or you'll need short-term storage, a moving container is likely the more practical choice.

Cost of living: Santa Ana, CA vs Wilmington, DE

The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Wilmington, side by side with Santa Ana on housing, income, and taxes.

Measure Santa Ana, CA Wilmington, DE
Cost of living index165104
Average rent$2,650/mo$1,812/mo
Median home value$657,015$224,861
Average income$88,354/yr$55,269/yr
Unemployment rate7.0%10.3%
State income taxUp to 13.3%Up to 6.6%
Walkability score67/10074/100
Safety index45.83/10032.68/100
Air qualityModerateGood

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 Wilmington, DE to Santa Ana, CA guide.

Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:

We've processed 10 real quotes from California to Delaware 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 374 movers in our California network to compare for this 2,700-mile move.

30%+
Save 30%+
moveBuddha users save more than 30% on average by comparing movers before they book.
$1K
$1,000 in coverage
Booking with a moveBuddha Certified mover gets you dedicated support from start to finish.
Dispute mediation
We help resolve issues with Certified movers if a problem comes up.

Our take

For a move from Santa Ana, CA, to Wilmington, DE, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $1,354 for a studio to $12,804 for a 4 - 5 bedroom home on the 2,700-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,888 - $7,619. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $1,529 - $4,239, though you'll be handling the driving and loading yourself. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with quotes starting around $3,932 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage included, and 24/7 live customer support.

Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Nestle and DuPont.

FAQs: Moving from Santa Ana, CA, to Wilmington, DE

What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?

The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($1,208 - $1,380), daily insurance ($42/day), and equipment rentals ($10 - $28) on top. Overnight stops can add another $211/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.

How do I know a mover is licensed in Delaware?

Movers headquartered in Delaware that offer local and intrastate moving services don’t need to be licensed. Still, they must comply with Delaware Department of Transportation (DDOT) regulations on insurance and commercial vehicle safety.

What is the best time of year to move from Santa Ana, CA to Wilmington, DE?

Aim for a move between October and March, when demand drops and rates tend to be lower across all service types. Peak season runs mid-May through mid-September, and weekends and month-end dates are pricier regardless of season. A midweek, mid-month date outside peak season is your best bet for saving money.

What size moving truck do I need for this route?

Rental trucks generally range from 10 to 26 feet. A 15- to 17-foot truck covers most 2-bedroom moves, while a smaller 10- to 12-foot truck works for a studio or 1-bedroom. Homes with 3 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.

Is Wilmington a safe place to live?

Wilmington has a safety index of 32.68 out of 100 and a crime index of 67.32, compared to 45.83 and 54.17 in Santa Ana. 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 Santa Ana movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?

About 78% of movers in Santa Ana handle piano moves, and 64% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.