East County San Diego Movers, El Cajon to Alpine
Hills, heat and county roads
The short version: One Stop Moving & Storage moves East County from Sorrento Valley, 15 to 31 miles away. Two movers and a truck cost $139 an hour, the same as in San Diego, with a written Not-to-Exceed price. East County mixes four cities with unincorporated county land, so the permit rules depend on which side of a line you live on.
- Licensed by California, CAL-190616, moving San Diego County since 2008
- About 22 minutes to Del Cerro and 26 to El Cajon or Santee from our base
- Google 4.3 stars from about 269 reviews, BBB A+
Since 2008
Moving San Diego
CAL-190616
California mover license
USDOT 1956864
Interstate, MC 694565
BBB A+
Better Business Bureau
98%
Of our customers come back (company records)
7 days
7 AM–7 PM, phone open 24 hours
Cities in the region
Which East County cities do you serve?
El Cajon, La Mesa, Santee and Lemon Grove are cities. Lakeside, Alpine, Spring Valley and Rancho San Diego are unincorporated county land, and Del Cerro is part of the City of San Diego. That split decides who issues a street permit.
El Cajon
Valley apartments and Fletcher Hills homes, about 20 miles and 26 minutes away.
El Cajon moversLa Mesa
Hillside streets and the Village, about 16 miles and 23 minutes away. Slopes decide where a container sits.
La Mesa moversSantee
Family homes along the river, about 17 miles and 26 minutes away. Street permits take 10 to 15 working days.
Santee moversLemon Grove
Older homes by the Orange Line trolley, about 18 miles and 25 minutes away.
Lemon Grove moversLakeside
Rural lots and horse property, about 21 miles and 28 minutes away. Dirt drives get checked after rain.
Lakeside moversAlpine
Foothill roads and ranch lots, about 31 miles and 42 minutes away, the farthest part of East County we cover daily.
Alpine moversDel Cerro
City of San Diego hillside homes above Lake Murray, about 15 miles and 22 minutes away.
Del Cerro moversSpring Valley
Unincorporated county land between La Mesa and Rancho San Diego. County roads, county permits.
Rancho San Diego and Jamul
Unincorporated county communities east of La Mesa, with bigger lots and longer drives.
Local rules
Who issues street permits in East County?
The city you live in, or the County if you don’t live in one. El Cajon, La Mesa, Santee and Lemon Grove each issue their own encroachment permits. Lakeside, Alpine and Spring Valley go through the County. Del Cerro uses the City of San Diego’s 7-day Traffic Control Permit.
Drive time, explained
How much drive time does an East County move add?
Your written Not-to-Exceed price lists the drive between your two addresses with every other charge before move day. Santee to El Cajon is about 6 minutes. Lakeside to La Mesa is about 15 minutes.
Our crews start in Sorrento Valley at 6260 Marindustry Dr. The drive to your first address is part of the arrival window, and the hourly rate is the same anywhere in San Diego County.
East County moves often run up a hill or down a long drive. On rural lots the carry can cost more than the road, so we plan the crew from the walkthrough.
| Route | Drive time |
|---|---|
| Santee to El Cajon | about 6 min |
| El Cajon to La Mesa | about 8 min |
| Lakeside to La Mesa | about 15 min |
Traffic changes real drive times; your estimate uses your two addresses.
Local know-how
What should I plan for on an East County move?
Plan around inland summer heat, county roads on rural lots, and Miramar orders for families along Highway 52.
Summer heat
East County is among the hottest parts of our area in August. Ask for a 7 AM start and book about 3 weeks ahead from May to September.
Get an estimateRural lots
Gravel drives, gates and horse property in Lakeside and Alpine are checked at the estimate so the right truck comes.
Lakeside moversMiramar orders
Santee and El Cajon are a short run to MCAS Miramar on Highway 52. Give us your report date early.
Military movesWhat it costs
How much do movers cost in East County?
One Stop Moving & Storage charges the same in East County as anywhere in San Diego County: $139 an hour for two movers and a truck, up to $339 for six, with a written Not-to-Exceed price before move day.
Local moving rates and how a move is billed · Get a free written quote
Leaving the county
What does a long-distance move from East County cost?
Long-distance moves from East County go on a dedicated truck at one written price per destination, such as Las Vegas at $4,000, Phoenix at $4,200 or the Bay Area at $4,800–$5,200. For any other city, call (858) 633-8600 for today’s price.
Sources
City of El Cajon Engineering Services; City of La Mesa right-of-way permits; City of Santee encroachment permits; City of Lemon Grove encroachment permits; County of San Diego encroachment permits; City of San Diego Information Bulletin 718; Drive times: OSRM routing from 92121; BHGS, California movers and the Max 4 tariff. Checked 14 Oct 2026. Drive times are estimates without traffic.
Questions
East County moving questions
Short answers. Prices, booking, packing, storage and your rights are covered in full in our FAQ.
All moving questionsWhich East County cities do you serve?
El Cajon, La Mesa, Santee, Lemon Grove, Lakeside, Alpine, Del Cerro, Spring Valley, Rancho San Diego and Jamul, 7 days a week from 7 AM to 7 PM.
Do you charge the same rate in El Cajon as in San Diego?
Yes. $139 an hour for two movers and a truck anywhere in San Diego County, with no stair fees. Only the drive between your two addresses is added.
Is Lakeside a city?
No. Lakeside, Alpine and Spring Valley are unincorporated, so the County of San Diego issues permits for anything in the road.
How long does a street permit take in Santee?
Santee asks for 10 to 15 working days for an encroachment permit, so start two to three weeks before move day.
Is Mount Helix part of La Mesa?
No. Casa de Oro-Mount Helix is county land even where the mailing address says La Mesa, so County rules apply there.
What does a 4-bedroom move in East County cost?
Usually 3 to 5 movers for 4 to 8 hours, $756 to $2,562 in labor, plus drive time.
Can you handle dirt driveways in Lakeside or Alpine?
Yes. We check slope, gates and soft ground at the estimate; after rain we may load closer to the road, and the carry goes into your Not-to-Exceed price.
When should I book a summer East County move?
About 3 weeks ahead from May through September, about 10 days the rest of the year. Ask for a 7 AM start to beat the heat.
Talk to a person
Get a free, written East County quote
Tell us what’s moving and where. You get the crew size, the hours and a Not-to-Exceed price in writing, free, usually within hours. The phone line is open 24 hours.