Irvine, CA → San Francisco, CA · Regional long-distance move
About 454 road miles heading northwest. Typical two-bedroom cost $4,020–$5,980, delivery in 1–3 days, 625 carriers on the Irvine side and 899 in San Francisco.
The route from Irvine, CA to San Francisco, CA covers roughly 454 miles by road, a northwest-bound trip that falls into the regional long-distance move category for pricing purposes.
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 $4,020 to $5,980 with a full-service mover, and delivery usually takes 1 to 3 days after pickup because long-haul trucks consolidate several households per trip. Driving it yourself takes about 8 h 32 min.
On the Irvine side there are 625 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (239 of them authorized for interstate work), and 899 around San Francisco (270 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 San Francisco.
Irvine has a population of about 318,764 and San Francisco about 826,079. San Francisco is the denser city (18,635 people per square mile versus 4,690 in Irvine), which often means shuttle trucks, parking restrictions or building move-in windows on delivery day.
| Home size | Est. weight | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | 2,000 lb | $1,610 | $1,960 | $2,390 |
| 1 Bedroom | 3,000 lb | $2,410 | $2,940 | $3,590 |
| 2 Bedrooms | 5,000 lb | $4,020 | $4,900 | $5,980 |
| 3 Bedrooms | 8,000 lb | $6,430 | $7,850 | $9,570 |
| 4+ Bedrooms | 11,000 lb | $8,850 | $10,790 | $13,160 |
$770–$1,080
One-way truck for the distance, mileage and fuel included; you load and drive.
$1,430–$2,100
Container delivered, you load, company transports; transit is slower than a mover.
$4,020–$5,980
Two-bedroom reference; crew loads, hauls and unloads.
Distance is pre-filled for Irvine, CA → San Francisco, 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: Home Express Delivery Service LLC
Legal name: Maeflower Logistics LLC
Legal name: Act 2 Services INC
Legal name: Lengner And Sons Produce Express
Legal name: Pacific Coast Container INC
Typical full-service estimates for this route are $1,610 to $2,390 for a studio, $2,410 to $3,590 for a one-bedroom, $4,020 to $5,980 for a two-bedroom, $6,430 to $9,570 for a three-bedroom and $8,850 to $13,160 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.
About 454 road miles (385 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 8 h 32 min.
Expect a delivery window of 1 to 3 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.
No. Because both Irvine and San Francisco 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.
A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $770 to $1,080 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,430 to $2,100. 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 Irvine–San Francisco corridor.