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Palo Alto, CA

Cary, NC → Palo Alto, CA · Cross-country move

Movers from Cary to Palo Alto

About 2,814 road miles heading west. Typical two-bedroom cost $8,810–$13,110, delivery in 7–14 days, 514 carriers on the Cary side and 233 in Palo Alto.

  • 2,814 miroad distance
  • 49 hours (6 driving days)driving time
  • 7–14 daysdelivery window
  • $8,810–$13,1102-bedroom estimate
Photo: Sanfranman59 · CC BY-SA 3.0
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Route summary

Road distance
≈ 2,814 miles (2,385 straight-line)
Drive time
49 hours (6 driving days)
Delivery window
7–14 days
Move type
Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin
514 (277 interstate)
Movers at destination
233 (62 interstate)

Reverse: Palo Alto → Cary

Palo Alto sits about 2,814 miles west of Cary, which makes this an interstate relocation from North Carolina to California that most movers classify as a cross-country move.

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 $8,810 to $13,110 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 49 hours (6 driving days).

On the Cary side there are 514 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (277 of them authorized for interstate work), and 233 around Palo Alto (62 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 Palo Alto.

Cary has a population of about 183,582 and Palo Alto about 67,000. The two cities have comparable density (2,951 and 2,851 people per square mile), so loading and unloading conditions are usually similar at both ends. California is a higher-cost state than North Carolina, so budget a little more for destination-side help, deposits and first-month expenses.

Cost of moving from Cary to Palo Alto

Full-service estimate for 2,814 miles, by home size
Home sizeEst. weightLowTypicalHigh
Studio 2,000 lb $3,520 $4,300 $5,240
1 Bedroom 3,000 lb $5,290 $6,450 $7,860
2 Bedrooms 5,000 lb $8,810 $10,740 $13,110
3 Bedrooms 8,000 lb $14,100 $17,190 $20,970
4+ Bedrooms 11,000 lb $19,380 $23,640 $28,840

Rental truck (DIY)

$3,940–$5,560

One-way truck for the distance, mileage and fuel included; you load and drive.

Portable container

$3,530–$5,190

Container delivered, you load, company transports; transit is slower than a mover.

Full-service mover

$8,810–$13,110

Two-bedroom reference; crew loads, hauls and unloads.

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Cary, NC → Palo Alto, CA. Adjust the other options to see your range.

—to—

Typical full-service range.

Estimates use market baselines described on the cost guide; your quotes will vary by inventory, access and date.

Moving companies for this route

Near Cary (origin)

Jbruce Truck Lines INC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
2939017
MC
98627
Based in
Morrisville, NC 27560 (5 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
25 trucks, 17 drivers
USDOT registered
2016
Call (919) 607-6875 Route Verify on FMCSA

Green'S Trucking

Licensed interstate
USDOT
4196166
MC
1617931
Based in
Durham, NC 27703 (13 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
25 trucks, 1 drivers
USDOT registered
2024
Call (919) 618-7622 Route Verify on FMCSA

Shipsecure Cargo LLC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
4232130
MC
1637508
Based in
Cary, NC 27518 (5 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
22 trucks, 19 drivers
USDOT registered
2024
Call (919) 450-6374 Route Verify on FMCSA

Miracle Movers Raleigh

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Miracle Movers Of Raleigh LLC

USDOT
3139734
MC
98319
Based in
Durham, NC 27703 (13 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
20 trucks, 21 drivers
USDOT registered
2018
Call (919) 656-4043 Route Verify on FMCSA

C&l Transport

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: C&l Transport INC

USDOT
163421
MC
143081
Based in
Raleigh, NC 27603 (13 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
19 trucks, 20 drivers
USDOT registered
1974
Call (984) 235-6920 Route Verify on FMCSA

All My Sons Moving & Storage Of Raleigh

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Sg Of Raleigh LLC

USDOT
906054
MC
392699
Based in
Raleigh, NC 27617 (9 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
16 trucks, 19 drivers
USDOT registered
2000
Call (919) 875-1700 Route Verify on FMCSA

Storr Logistics Services

Interstate carrier
USDOT
9206129
Based in
Raleigh, NC 27617 (9 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
15 trucks, 80 drivers
USDOT registered
2026
Call (919) 313-3700 Route Verify on FMCSA

DBA Armstrong Relocation Co INC Raleigh Nc

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Armstrong Relocation Company INC Raleigh North Carolina

USDOT
1071807
MC
550171
Based in
Durham, NC 27703 (13 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
15 trucks, 15 drivers
USDOT registered
2002
Call (919) 425-9853 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 514 movers in Cary

Near Palo Alto (destination)

Piranha Ops LLC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
3389468
MC
1089109
Based in
San Jose, CA 95126 (13 mi from center)
Service
Local moves
Fleet
49 trucks, 100 drivers
USDOT registered
2020
Call (510) 798-4604 Route Verify on FMCSA

Kilam INC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
3251388
MC
1023623
Based in
Fremont, CA 94538 (13 mi from center)
Service
Local moves
Fleet
30 trucks, 68 drivers
USDOT registered
2019
Call (415) 740-2340 Route Verify on FMCSA

Crown Worldwide Moving And Storage LLC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory
USDOT
2970
MC
138953
Based in
Union City, CA 94587 (14 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
25 trucks, 18 drivers
USDOT registered
1974
Call (510) 614-4105 Route Verify on FMCSA

Lucid USA INC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
3488549
MC
1147342
Based in
Newark, CA 94560 (10 mi from center)
Service
Local moves
Fleet
22 trucks, 38 drivers
USDOT registered
2020
Call (341) 236-1056 Route Verify on FMCSA

Managed Facility Solutions

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Managed Facilities Solutions LLC

USDOT
2974713
MC
10809
Based in
San Jose, CA 95131 (14 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
22 trucks, 43 drivers
USDOT registered
2017
Call (408) 920-0110 Route Verify on FMCSA

Careful Movers

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Careful Movers INC

USDOT
1464935
MC
553377
Based in
Union City, CA 94587 (14 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
14 trucks, 14 drivers
USDOT registered
2006
Call (650) 595-8400 Route Verify on FMCSA

Arjak&agnes Sons Trucking

Licensed interstate
USDOT
3247717
MC
1021407
Based in
Santa Clara, CA 95050 (11 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
7 trucks, 6 drivers
USDOT registered
2019
Call (510) 359-9498 Route Verify on FMCSA

Mav Moving LLC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
4340425
MC
77787146
Based in
Newark, CA 94560 (10 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
6 trucks, 3 drivers
USDOT registered
2024
Call (510) 456-5745 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 233 movers in Palo Alto

Related routes

Other destinations from Cary

Other origins to Palo Alto

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to move from Cary to Palo Alto?

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $3,520 to $5,240 for a studio, $5,290 to $7,860 for a one-bedroom, $8,810 to $13,110 for a two-bedroom, $14,100 to $20,970 for a three-bedroom and $19,380 to $28,840 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Palo Alto from Cary?

About 2,814 road miles (2,385 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 49 hours (6 driving days).

How long will the movers take to deliver?

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.

Does my mover need interstate authority for this move?

Yes. Crossing from North Carolina 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.

Is it cheaper to rent a truck or use a container for Cary to Palo Alto?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $3,940 to $5,560 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $3,530 to $5,190. 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.

When is the least expensive time to book this move?

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 Cary–Palo Alto corridor.