The Best Long-Distance Movers in Santa Barbara, CA
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Let's get moving.
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Safeway Moving
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Safeway Moving
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Mammoth Moving & Storage, Inc.
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Hazelwood Allied Moving and Storage, Inc
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PODS
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Hazelwood Allied Moving and Storage, Inc
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U-Haul Truck Rental
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Our track record
Each year, 400,000+ people trust our moving recommendations. Here are a few reasons why:
- Founded in 2015
- 3,500+ moving companies analyzed
- $50,000 in moving grants delivered
- Up-to-date pricing info & industry data
- Fact-checked for accuracy
Best long-distance movers in Santa Barbara when moving out of state
If you’re moving out of California, here are our top picks for best interstate moving companies in Santa Barbara:
- Safeway Moving: 4.85 out of 5 stars
- American Van Lines: 4.5 out of 5 stars
- North American Van Lines: 4.5 out of 5 stars
- Allied Van Lines: 4.75 out of 5 stars
- Mayzlin Relocation: 4.9 out of 5 stars
rating
- GPS tracking en route
- Veteran-owned
- Dedicated move coordinator
- Flat-rate pricing
- Donates a portion of moves to charity
- Experienced & fully trained moving crews
- Specializes in moving art & antiques
- Competitive pricing
- Can handle last-minute moves
- Climate-controlled storage
- Custom crates for electronics & art
- Satellite shipment tracking
- 1,500 local agents covering all 50 states
- Self-packing option
- No deposit required
- Fragile packing
- Storage options
- 24/7 shipment tracking
- Quick & efficient
- Accurate quotes
- Family-owned, with locations covering the East Coast
- Full refund if you cancel within 7 days of your move
- Hands-on customer service
- 24/7 support
- Price-matching policy
Best long-distance movers in Santa Barbara when staying in state
A move within California might sound local, but if you’re leaving Santa Barbara, you could still be looking at a long haul. That’s where one of the best local long-distance movers can make all the difference.
Below are our top picks for long-distance moving companies based in Santa Barbara:
- Mammoth Moving & Storage, Inc.: 4.48 out of 5 stars
- Aloha Moving: 4.38 out of 5 stars
- Hazelwood Allied Moving and Storage, Inc: 4.36 out of 5 stars
- Meathead Movers: 4.76 out of 5 stars
- Unique Moving Inc.: 4.62 out of 5 stars
Company Info
State license #: 0173549
Years in Business: 36
DOT #: 2645059
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Grandfather clocks
- Crating
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: 0191816
Years in Business: 24
DOT #: 2660138
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Storage
Company Info
State license #: 0102801
Years in Business: 35
DOT #: 2645119
Alternate Names: Hazelwood Moving and Storage
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Crane vans
- Shipment tracking
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: 189849
Years in Business: 27
DOT #: 921143
Alternate Names: Meathead Packers
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Storage
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: 0188950
Years in Business: 37
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Safes
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
What add-on services do Santa Barbara movers offer?
Not all moving companies are equipped to handle the same specialty requests. In Santa Barbara, the mix of available services can look different from what’s common statewide or nationally.
We break down these differences below so you can see where Santa Barbara movers stand compared to California and the rest of the country, followed by our top choices for each service.
Art handling
Comparing Santa Barbara, CA, & national movers
Santa Barbara
California
Nationwide
Top Santa Barbara art movers
Junk removal
Comparing Santa Barbara, CA, & national movers
Santa Barbara
California
Nationwide
Top Santa Barbara junk removal movers
Fragile-only packing
Comparing Santa Barbara, CA, & national movers
Santa Barbara
California
Nationwide
Top Santa Barbara fragile-only packing movers
Storage
Comparing Santa Barbara, CA, & national movers
Santa Barbara
California
Nationwide
Top Santa Barbara storage movers
Hot tub relocation
Comparing Santa Barbara, CA, & national movers
Santa Barbara
California
Nationwide
Top Santa Barbara hot tub movers
Piano moving
Comparing Santa Barbara, CA, & national movers
Santa Barbara
California
Nationwide
Top Santa Barbara piano movers
Best long-distance movers in Santa Barbara for small moves
When you're only moving a few things — like the contents of a college dorm or a compact studio — many large moving companies won’t be an option due to their 3,000-pound minimum.
In these situations, a Santa Barbara moving company that handles small long-distance moves is a smarter choice.
These are our top picks:
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Moving containers for long-distance moves in Santa Barbara
Choosing a moving container lets you move from Santa Barbara to anywhere in California — or even across state borders — without blowing your budget. You’re in control of packing and unpacking on your schedule, while pros take care of hauling your stuff to your new place. No need to worry about driving a bulky moving truck. Just load your things and let them handle all the heavy lifting on the road.
Container prices depend on how far you're moving, how many containers you need, and their size. Be sure to grab a few moving quotes so you can quickly compare costs for your move.
Kick off your move by checking out these top-rated moving container companies:
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Labor-only moving companies in Santa Barbara
When you’re managing the move on your own but want backup for the heavy lifting, hiring a labor-only crew is a practical move. It’s a great way to simplify the process without giving up control.
Here are our trusted picks:
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Rental trucks in Santa Barbara for a total DIY long-distance move
If you want to keep your moving costs as low as possible, doing everything yourself, from packing and loading to driving the truck, is your best bet. In Santa Barbara, you can rent a moving truck for just $19 to $39 per day, with additional mileage fees ranging from $0.79 to $1.09 per mile. If you’re up for the challenge, this DIY approach is hands-down the most budget-friendly way to move.
Here are the best moving truck rental choices in Santa Barbara to make your DIY move a breeze:
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How we chose the best long-distance movers in Santa Barbara, CA
Over the past 10 years, we’ve developed a rigorous review process to identify the absolute best moving companies.
We look at:
- Customer satisfaction (40%): The company consistently delivers services in a timely matter with good communication and within the estimated cost.
- Dispute resolution (20%): Mistakes cannot be avoided in the moving industry. We look for companies that own their mistakes and make genuine efforts to fix any issues that arise during a move.
- Industry reputation (15%): The company is well regarded within the moving industry and participates in industry conferences and organizations.
- Online reputation (15%): The company maintains a professional website with accurate information. The company promptly and professionally responds to online customer inquiries.
- Service options (10%): We look for companies with a deep breadth of services including full packing, storage, specialty item handling, expedited delivery, and more.
Read more about our moving company rating methodology.
Average cost of long-distance movers in Santa Barbara
The average cost for professional movers in Santa Barbara is $100 per hour, but even the best interstate moving companies need more information about the distance and size of your move to give you a moving quote.
Factors that affect the cost of moving from Santa Barbara
- How far you’re moving: Distance is the most impactful cost factor. Naturally, the farther you are moving, the more it will cost. Relocating a couple hundred miles from Santa Barbara to another California city will not be as expensive as a cross-country move.
- The moving option you choose: Your costs will vary significantly depending on whether you choose a full-service mover, a moving container, or a rental truck. Every move is different, so balance your needs and your budget when deciding on the best relocation method.
- The amount of belongings you have: Movers determine cost by the total estimated weight of your household items and furnishings, so be sure to itemize your belongings to get the most accurate quote. You may also want to consider downsizing before moving out of Santa Barbara to reduce your moving expenses.
- Any add-on services you choose: Additional services like third-party labor assistance or packing and unpacking help are convenient, but they will also contribute to your total moving costs.
- When you move: The time of the year, month, and even week can all affect what you pay. Summer moves are typically more expensive because they are the busiest season for movers. Moving between October and April can be more cost-effective. Mid-month and mid-week moves are also cheaper, since most people tend to move on the weekends around the start or end of the month.
To give you an accurate estimate, we’ve created a moving cost calculator to help you get a good idea of your long-distance move cost. Plus, we’ve put together a detailed post all about moving costs in Santa Barbara.
FAQs
What else should I know about moving out of California?
If you're planning a move out of California, your moving company needs to be properly licensed and have a US Department of Transportation number. Rest assured, every Santa Barbara mover on our list meets these requirements. Want to double-check? You can look up any company in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s database.
Planning an out-of-state move? Make sure to check out the FMCSA’s Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move guide to understand your rights and what to expect during your move.
Should I use a local company or a national company when moving out of Santa Barbara?
If you’re planning a move in Santa Barbara, hiring a local moving company is usually the most budget-friendly option. You have 8 to choose from in your area, but we’ve highlighted the standout movers to help narrow your search.
If you’re heading out of California, a national mover may cost more, but you’ll benefit from their experience and know-how with long-distance relocations.
When is the cheapest time of year to move away from Santa Barbara?
Moving in Santa Barbara during November and December has its perks. With chilly temps (around 43°F), holiday commitments, and the school year underway, most people aren’t relocating, so moving companies have more open schedules. That means you’ve got a better chance to score discounts and even negotiate for lower rates. Check out tips on how to negotiate with moving companies for extra savings.
What are the cheapest ways to move out of Santa Barbara?
If you're moving less than 50 miles within Santa Barbara, a DIY approach is usually the most budget-friendly option. You can save big by renting a truck — U-Haul is a popular pick — or by choosing a moving container service like PODS. Looking for even more ways to cut costs? Check out our guide to the cheapest ways to move out of state.
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