Leticia H.
O'Brien's Moving and Storage packing crew were great!! They were fast, friendly and most importantly, very professional. Thank you guys.
Moving from Santa Barbara to Reno
Santa Barbara to Reno is about 520 road miles, roughly 10 hours 10 minutes of free-flow driving, over two driving days, using US 101, CA 41, I-5 and 124 miles of I-80 over Donner Summit at about 7,200 feet. The Santa Barbara metro has about 444,000 residents.
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4.3 on Google · 71 reviewsFamily owned since 1941U.S. DOT No. 30611
- 520 miles
- about 10 h 10 min of driving
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CAReno-Sparks
520 miles by road
- Driving time (free-flow)about 10 h 10 min
- Days behind the wheel at 500 miles a day2
- Main roadsI-5, I-80, US 101
Mountain passes on the way
- Donner Summit (I-80)7,213 ft
| Measure | Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | Reno-Sparks |
|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $98,161 | $87,485 |
| Median gross rent | $2,131 | $1,592 |
| Median home value | $790,700 | $502,300 |
| January average high | 64 F | 48 F |
| July average high | 73 F | 94 F |
| Snow in a normal year | not published | 20.9 in |
- Moved from California to Nevada (2024)about 53,289
- Moved from Nevada to California (2024)about 21,133
- Moved into Washoe County from Santa Barbara County, California, per yearabout 145
- Moved from Washoe County to them, per yearabout 187
Data (read 2026-10-19): OSRM routing on OpenStreetMap data, free-flow drive from 2277 Glendale Ave, Sparks; U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates; NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020; U.S. Census Bureau, State-to-State Migration Flows (ACS 1-year 2024); U.S. Census Bureau, ACS county-to-county migration flows 2016-2020.
Santa Barbara faces south across the Pacific, and its road to Reno turns away from the coast almost at once. The route is 520 miles, well beyond the 354-mile line, because the Coast Ranges and the Sierra both stand in the way.
Four highways before I-80
The route block shows 89 miles of US 101, 33 miles of CA 41, 198 miles of I-5 and 124 miles of I-80. The truck goes up the coast, cuts inland on CA 41, joins I-5 in the San Joaquin Valley, and runs north to the Sacramento area before turning east on I-80.
At 520 miles the move passes the 500-mile mark, so planning assumes two driving days. Free-flow time is 10 hours 10 minutes, and the written estimate sets the delivery window.
Donner Summit and the central coast to Sierra change
The only named pass is Donner Summit at about 7,200 feet. Santa Barbara's January high averages 64 and July high 73, with 17 inches of rain; Reno's January high is 48 and July high 94. The sharpest change is nights: Reno's January lows reach 26. Check Caltrans QuickMap and NDOT before winter dates, and read moving in winter in the Sierra.
Santa Barbara and Reno compared
Santa Barbara city has about 88,000 residents, a median household income near $106,182, a median gross rent near $2,413 and a median home value near $1.57 million in the American Community Survey. Reno city's medians are $80,760, $1,556 and $548,300. A home sale in Santa Barbara can fund a much larger Reno purchase.
The Census shows movement in both directions, about 145 people a year to Washoe County and about 187 from Washoe back to Santa Barbara County, with wide margins on both.
How O'Brien's coordinates the move
You book with O'Brien's, and we coordinate the move from your Santa Barbara County home through the Bekins network. O'Brien's then delivers, unpacks and stores in Sparks. Fine art, antiques and pianos are common in coastal homes, and O'Brien's handles specialty items including custom crating.
Estimates are itemized and in writing.
Next steps
Read moving to Reno from California and request a free in-home estimate.
Sources (checked October 18, 2026)
Licensed movers
U.S. DOT No. 30611
MC-109375
Nevada CPCN 1070
Cal PUC T-90973 (as published by O'Brien's)
Bekins Van Lines interstate agent since 1955
Check our USDOT record · Ready to Move? (FMCSA)
Licenses and authorityVisit or call the office
2277 Glendale Ave, Sparks, NV 89431
| Monday to Friday | 8:00 am to 5:00 pm |
|---|---|
| Saturday and Sunday | Closed |
Get my free estimate
Bekins Van Lines network
How a long-distance move works with a Bekins agent
O'Brien's Moving & Storage has been an agent for Bekins Van Lines since 1955. On an interstate move the Bekins network carries your shipment under the van line's interstate system; O'Brien's books the move in either direction. Leaving Northern Nevada, we give the free in-home estimate, pack, store in our Sparks warehouse if you need it, and load. Moving here from another state, you book with us and we coordinate the move from your origin through the Bekins network, then handle delivery, unpacking and storage in Sparks. Your written estimate sets the delivery window. What being a Bekins agent means.
Your rights on an interstate move
Federal booklets every interstate mover must give you
- Ready to Move? Tips for a Successful Interstate Move (FMCSA)
- Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move (FMCSA)
- Protect Your Move: check any mover's USDOT number. Ours is U.S. DOT No. 30611.
Next
Related routes and guides
- Moving from Reno to Santa Barbara
- Long-distance routes to and from Reno
- Moving to Reno from California
- Moving from Nevada to California
- Moving from Ventura and Oxnard to Reno
- Moving from Redding to Reno
- Moving from Chico to Reno
- Moving from Yuba City and Marysville to Reno
- Moving from Las Vegas and Henderson to Reno
- Moving from Phoenix to Reno
Answers
Moving from Santa Barbara to Reno questions
Still have a question? Call 775-359-6683, Mon-Fri 8-5, or see the moving FAQ.
How far is Santa Barbara from Reno?
About 520 road miles, 10 hours 10 minutes of free-flow driving, usually two driving days.
Which highways does the route use?
US 101, CA 41, I-5 and I-80.
What items need special care?
Art, antiques and pianos can be crated; ask the estimator.
4.3 stars from 71 Google reviews
What customers say about O'Brien's
Michelle C.
Extremely happy with the moving experience. The moving team showed up on time, friendly and polite. They did a wonderful job moving our boxes and furniture to the new location. We moved a three bedroom home and I could not be more pleased with the employees who assisted with the move. Highly recommend O'Brien moving for your move.
Owner's reply
Michelle, thank you so much for taking the time to write this review. We are so happy to hear about the move experience you had with our company and glad to know we met your expectations! It means a lot to us to know that. Thank you for choosing us as your moving partner.
Sonia P.
Talk about organized people. I peeked in the truck about an hour into the job and was amazed at how well organized it was and how many of my things had protective coverings. Our bed is a mechanical one and a nightmare to us, but these guys had no issue with it at all. Although I have no desire to ever move again--but if I did, I would be calling these guys for sure!!!
Get a long-distance estimate
Tell us where you are going. The estimate for a long-distance move starts with a survey of your Reno-area home.