Allentown, PA → San Mateo, CA · Cross-country move
About 2,939 road miles heading west. Typical two-bedroom cost $9,150–$13,620, delivery in 7–14 days, 424 carriers on the Allentown side and 332 in San Mateo.
Moving from Allentown to San Mateo is a cross-country move of roughly 2,939 road miles, heading west from Pennsylvania to California.
At this distance carriers price by shipment weight and mileage rather than by the hour. A two-bedroom home (around 5,000 lb of goods) typically costs $9,150 to $13,620 with a full-service mover, and delivery usually takes 7 to 14 days after pickup because long-haul trucks consolidate several households per trip. Driving it yourself takes about 51 hours (6 driving days).
On the Allentown side there are 424 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (296 of them authorized for interstate work), and 332 around San Mateo (93 interstate). For an interstate move you can book from either end; movers near the origin handle loading and are usually the better first call, while a destination-side company can be useful if you need storage or delivery-day help in San Mateo.
Allentown has a population of about 126,044 and San Mateo about 103,337. The two cities have comparable density (7,150 and 8,732 people per square mile), so loading and unloading conditions are usually similar at both ends. California is a higher-cost state than Pennsylvania, so budget a little more for destination-side help, deposits and first-month expenses.
| Home size | Est. weight | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | 2,000 lb | $3,660 | $4,460 | $5,450 |
| 1 Bedroom | 3,000 lb | $5,490 | $6,700 | $8,170 |
| 2 Bedrooms | 5,000 lb | $9,150 | $11,160 | $13,620 |
| 3 Bedrooms | 8,000 lb | $14,640 | $17,860 | $21,780 |
| 4+ Bedrooms | 11,000 lb | $20,130 | $24,550 | $29,950 |
$4,070–$5,750
One-way truck for the distance, mileage and fuel included; you load and drive.
$3,640–$5,360
Container delivered, you load, company transports; transit is slower than a mover.
$9,150–$13,620
Two-bedroom reference; crew loads, hauls and unloads.
Distance is pre-filled for Allentown, PA → San Mateo, CA. Adjust the other options to see your range.
Typical full-service range.
Estimates use market baselines described on the cost guide; your quotes will vary by inventory, access and date.
Legal name: Marine Transportation Intermodal INC
Legal name: Act 2 Services INC
Legal name: Pacific Coast Container INC
Typical full-service estimates for this route are $3,660 to $5,450 for a studio, $5,490 to $8,170 for a one-bedroom, $9,150 to $13,620 for a two-bedroom, $14,640 to $21,780 for a three-bedroom and $20,130 to $29,950 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.
About 2,939 road miles (2,491 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 51 hours (6 driving days).
Expect a delivery window of 7 to 14 days after pickup. Carriers give a spread rather than a fixed date because long-distance trucks carry several shipments; a dedicated truck or expedited service shortens the window for an extra fee.
Yes. Crossing from Pennsylvania into California makes this an interstate move, so the carrier must hold active FMCSA operating authority (an MC number) in addition to its USDOT number. The company cards on this page flag which carriers are authorized for interstate work.
A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $4,070 to $5,750 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $3,640 to $5,360. Both save money versus a full-service crew but you do the loading, and container transit can take longer than a mover's delivery window.
Rates are highest in summer and around the last days of any month, when demand peaks. Mid-month, mid-week and winter dates are usually quoted below the standard rate. Booking four to eight weeks ahead gives you the widest choice of carriers on the Allentown–San Mateo corridor.