Chico, CA → South Lake Tahoe, CA · Short-haul move

Movers from Chico to South Lake Tahoe

About 134 road miles heading southeast. Typical two-bedroom cost $2,580–$3,830, delivery in 1–2 days, 47 carriers on the Chico side and 11 in South Lake Tahoe.

134 miroad distance
3 h 1 mindriving time
1–2 daysdelivery window
$2,580–$3,8302-bedroom estimate

Photo: Mark Miller · CC BY-SA 3.0

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Route summary

From: Chico, California
To: South Lake Tahoe, California
Road distance: ≈ 134 miles (114 straight-line)
Drive time: 3 h 1 min
Delivery window: 1–2 days
Move type: In-state (California)
Movers at origin: 47 (22 interstate)
Movers at destination: 11 (7 interstate)

Reverse: South Lake Tahoe → Chico

Moving from Chico to South Lake Tahoe is a short-haul move of roughly 134 road miles, heading southeast within California.

Because the two cities are close together, most companies quote this move by the hour: a crew of two to four movers plus a truck, with the drive of about 3 h 1 min counted as billable travel time. A typical two-bedroom household lands between $2,580 and $3,830, before packing or storage.

On the Chico side there are 47 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (22 of them authorized for interstate work), and 11 around South Lake Tahoe (7 interstate). For an in-state 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 South Lake Tahoe.

Chico has a population of about 105,081 and South Lake Tahoe about 21,000. Chico is considerably denser (2,976 people per square mile versus 2,119), so expect tighter loading conditions, parking permits or elevator reservations at the origin and easier truck access at the destination.

Cost of moving from Chico to South Lake Tahoe

Full-service estimate for 134 miles, by home size
Home size	Est. weight	Low	Typical	High
Studio	2,000 lb	$1,540	$1,880	$2,290
1 Bedroom	3,000 lb	$1,550	$1,890	$2,300
2 Bedrooms	5,000 lb	$2,580	$3,140	$3,830
3 Bedrooms	8,000 lb	$4,120	$5,030	$6,140
4+ Bedrooms	11,000 lb	$5,670	$6,920	$8,440

Rental truck (DIY)

$290–$410

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

Portable container

$1,140–$1,680

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

Full-service mover

$2,580–$3,830

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

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Chico, CA → South Lake Tahoe, 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 Chico (origin)

S And L Food Sales

Licensed interstate

Legal name: S&l Meat Sales Company

USDOT: 2616732
MC: 1018786
Based in: Chico, CA 95927 (0 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 25 trucks, 26 drivers
USDOT registered: 2015

Call (530) 343-7953 Verify on FMCSA

Murdock'S Moving & Hauling INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3421940
MC: 1416634
Based in: Chico, CA 95973 (8 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 10 trucks, 12 drivers
USDOT registered: 2020

Call (530) 354-8089 Route Verify on FMCSA

Two Men And A Truck

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Dream Moore Incorporated

USDOT: 1632139
MC: 601878
Based in: Chico, CA 95928 (6 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 9 trucks, 13 drivers
USDOT registered: 2007

Call (530) 895-8871 Route Verify on FMCSA

Cleanrite Cleaning & Restoration

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Cleanrite INC

USDOT: 2672752
MC: 1291331
Based in: Chico, CA 95973 (8 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 9 trucks, 6 drivers
USDOT registered: 2015

Call (530) 891-0333 Route Verify on FMCSA

Straight Path Transport INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2460069
MC: 849884
Based in: Chico, CA 95926 (2 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 2 trucks, 1 drivers
USDOT registered: 2013

Call (530) 720-8915 Route Verify on FMCSA

Zepeda'S Trucking

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Ulises Zepeda

USDOT: 3369808
MC: 1080234
Based in: Chico, CA 95928 (6 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 1 truck, 1 drivers
USDOT registered: 2019

Call (530) 519-5521 Route Verify on FMCSA

We Move Anything

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Wade Logan

USDOT: 1216126
MC: 507371
Based in: Chico, CA 95973 (8 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 1 truck, 1 drivers
USDOT registered: 2004

Call (530) 896-0348 Route Verify on FMCSA

Lifestyle Auto LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 4350535
MC: 1700995
Based in: Chico, CA 95973 (8 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 1 truck, 1 drivers
USDOT registered: 2025

Call (754) 317-8314 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 47 movers in Chico

Near South Lake Tahoe (destination)

Mv Trucking

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Mvt Express

USDOT: 2507468
MC: 869399
Based in: South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150 (6 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 5 trucks, 5 drivers
USDOT registered: 2014

Call (530) 318-5981 Route Verify on FMCSA

Lfod Logistics

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3940458
MC: 1463269
Based in: Zephyr Cove, NV 89448 (6 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 1 truck, 1 drivers
USDOT registered: 2022

Call (775) 799-3268 Route Verify on FMCSA

Clayton Witte

Interstate carrier

USDOT: 9020658
Based in: South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150 (6 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 1 truck, 12 drivers
USDOT registered: 2026

Call (540) 292-4356 Route Verify on FMCSA

Rouse Trucking LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 4412017
MC: 1733322
Based in: Gardnerville, NV 89460 (10 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 1 truck, 1 drivers
USDOT registered: 2025

Call (775) 364-4513 Route Verify on FMCSA

Wilson Trucking

Intrastate carrier

Legal name: Wilson Trucking Operations INC

USDOT: 1835654
MC: 665466
Based in: Gardnerville, NV 89460 (10 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 8 trucks, 8 drivers
USDOT registered: 2008

Call (775) 265-2230 Route Verify on FMCSA

Carson Valley Movers

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Barry Elwood Jones

USDOT: 384361
MC: 228843
Based in: Gardnerville, NV 89410 (25 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 8 trucks, 4 drivers
USDOT registered: 1990

Call (775) 782-7070 Route Verify on FMCSA

Manuel Jimenez Jr DBA South Lake Tahoe Towing

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2678760
MC: 115986
Based in: Gardnerville, NV 89410 (25 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 2 trucks, 1 drivers
USDOT registered: 2015

Call (530) 523-3352 Route Verify on FMCSA

Best Way Movers

Intrastate carrier

Legal name: Ricky Richardson

USDOT: 3122663
MC: 105518
Based in: Somerset, CA 95684 (38 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 4 trucks, 4 drivers
USDOT registered: 2018

Call (530) 622-0803 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 11 movers in South Lake Tahoe

Tips for this move

For a move under about 150 miles you can often choose between an hourly and a flat rate—ask for both.
Confirm whether travel time between Chico and South Lake Tahoe is billed one way or round trip.
A single-day move is realistic here; schedule loading in the morning so the crew arrives in South Lake Tahoe with daylight to spare.
Check California intrastate mover rules; many states require a state permit in addition to a USDOT number.

Near Chico

Near South Lake Tahoe

Related routes

Other destinations from Chico

Other origins to South Lake Tahoe

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to move from Chico to South Lake Tahoe?

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $1,540 to $2,290 for a studio, $1,550 to $2,300 for a one-bedroom, $2,580 to $3,830 for a two-bedroom, $4,120 to $6,140 for a three-bedroom and $5,670 to $8,440 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is South Lake Tahoe from Chico?

About 134 road miles (114 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 3 h 1 min.

How long will the movers take to deliver?

Expect a delivery window of 1 to 2 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.

Do I need an interstate-licensed mover for an in-state move?

No. Because both Chico and South Lake Tahoe are in California, this is an intrastate move regulated by the state rather than the FMCSA. Still, choosing a carrier with an active USDOT number is the easiest way to confirm the company is a registered motor carrier with insurance on file.

Is it cheaper to rent a truck or use a container for Chico to South Lake Tahoe?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $290 to $410 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,140 to $1,680. 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 Chico–South Lake Tahoe corridor.