Moving from Downtown LA to Santa Monica

Moving from Downtown LA to Santa Monica is a local move — typically 3–6 hours depending on home size and parking.

What to Know About This Move

At Downtown LA

Dtla high-rises, arts district lofts and historic core apartments. Freight elevator reservations needed 48–72h ahead for most DTLA towers.

At Santa Monica

Beachfront apartments, ocean ave high-rises and ocean park walk-ups. Permit parking west of Lincoln requires City of Santa Monica temporary no-park permits.

Downtown LA to Santa Monica: distance, timing and drive-time cost

Roughly 18 miles by road, running west across the county. Off-peak a loaded truck covers it in about 35 minutes; inside the 7–10 AM and 3–7 PM windows the same drive runs past 70 minutes. California bills travel between your two addresses at double time, so at $88/hr an off-peak Downtown LA–Santa Monica leg comes to about $105.

Pricing for This Route

Home Size	Est. Hours	Est. Total
Studio	2.5–3.5 hrs	$248–$347
1-Bedroom	3–5 hrs	$297–$495
2-Bedroom	5–7 hrs	$495–$693
3-Bedroom	7–9 hrs	$693–$891

Rate: $88/hr · 2 movers + truck · 2-hour minimum. Drive time between Downtown LA and Santa Monica (the 10, 101, and 110 freeways all converge downtown) is included in the clock.

What's Always Included

✓2 professional W-2 movers + full-size truck
✓Moving blankets, shrink wrap, furniture pads
✓Furniture disassembly and reassembly
✓Stair and elevator handling — no surcharges
✓COI issued within 24h for buildings that require it
✓Parking coordination at both ends

Downtown LA to Santa Monica — FAQ

How much does it cost to move from Downtown LA to Santa Monica?

Most Downtown LA to Santa Monica moves cost $300–$650 total (3–6 hours at $88/hr for 2 movers + truck). The exact time depends on home size, stairs, and parking at both ends.

How long does a move from Downtown LA to Santa Monica take?

Typically 3–5 hours for a 1-bedroom, 5–7 hours for a 2-bedroom. Freight elevator reservations needed 48–72h ahead for most DTLA towers.

Do you handle parking for the Downtown LA to Santa Monica move?

Yes — we plan parking at both ends before move day. Permit parking west of Lincoln requires City of Santa Monica temporary no-park permits. We pull temporary no-parking permits when needed.

Downtown LA to Santa Monica: what this move involves

Leaving DTLA almost always means a high-rise — loading docks, freight-elevator windows and building COIs we line up in advance. Arriving in Santa Monica means permit-zoned streets and walk-ups, so we handle the city parking permit in advance. Because the two are close, the drive — billed as double drive time under California's CPUC rules — stays short, which keeps your total low.