Lancaster, PA → San Francisco, CA · Cross-country move

Movers from Lancaster to San Francisco

About 2,899 road miles heading west. Typical two-bedroom cost $9,080–$13,510, delivery in 7–14 days, 260 carriers on the Lancaster side and 899 in San Francisco.

2,899 miroad distance
50 hours (6 driving days)driving time
7–14 daysdelivery window
$9,080–$13,5102-bedroom estimate

Photo: Craig Howell from San Carlos, CA, USA · CC BY 2.0

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Route summary

From: Lancaster, Pennsylvania
To: San Francisco, California
Road distance: ≈ 2,899 miles (2,457 straight-line)
Drive time: 50 hours (6 driving days)
Delivery window: 7–14 days
Move type: Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin: 260 (171 interstate)
Movers at destination: 899 (270 interstate)

Reverse: San Francisco → Lancaster

The route from Lancaster, PA to San Francisco, CA covers roughly 2,899 miles by road, a west-bound trip that falls into the cross-country 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 $9,080 to $13,510 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 50 hours (6 driving days).

On the Lancaster side there are 260 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (171 of them authorized for interstate work), and 899 around San Francisco (270 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 Francisco.

Lancaster has a population of about 58,000 and San Francisco about 826,079. San Francisco is the denser city (18,635 people per square mile versus 8,031 in Lancaster), which often means shuttle trucks, parking restrictions or building move-in windows on delivery day. California is a higher-cost state than Pennsylvania, so budget a little more for destination-side help, deposits and first-month expenses.

Cost of moving from Lancaster to San Francisco

Full-service estimate for 2,899 miles, by home size
Home size	Est. weight	Low	Typical	High
Studio	2,000 lb	$3,630	$4,430	$5,400
1 Bedroom	3,000 lb	$5,450	$6,640	$8,110
2 Bedrooms	5,000 lb	$9,080	$11,070	$13,510
3 Bedrooms	8,000 lb	$14,530	$17,720	$21,620
4+ Bedrooms	11,000 lb	$19,980	$24,360	$29,720

Rental truck (DIY)

$4,030–$5,690

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

Portable container

$3,610–$5,300

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

Full-service mover

$9,080–$13,510

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

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Lancaster, PA → San Francisco, CA. Adjust the other options to see your range.

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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 Lancaster (origin)

Miller Dedicated Services LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2562869
MC: 894481
Based in: Lancaster, PA 17601 (2 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 200 trucks, 200 drivers
USDOT registered: 2014

Call (609) 265-2511 Route Verify on FMCSA

Sunrise Transport INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 276388
MC: 290856
Based in: Ephrata, PA 17522 (11 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 128 trucks, 152 drivers
USDOT registered: 1986

Call (717) 721-2803 Route Verify on FMCSA

Falcon Transport INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 168358
MC: 145282
Based in: Lancaster, PA 17601 (2 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 120 trucks, 110 drivers
USDOT registered: 1974

Call (717) 735-0560 Route Verify on FMCSA

Pioneer Transport INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 514795
MC: 197249
Based in: Lancaster, PA 17601 (2 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 115 trucks, 100 drivers
USDOT registered: 1993

Call (717) 735-0560 Route Verify on FMCSA

Quaker Transport INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 619559
MC: 287214
Based in: Lancaster, PA 17601 (2 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 66 trucks, 60 drivers
USDOT registered: 1995

Call (717) 735-0560 Route Verify on FMCSA

Snavely'S Mill INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 377174
MC: 302885
Based in: Lititz, PA 17543 (10 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 39 trucks, 40 drivers
USDOT registered: 1990

Call (717) 626-6256 Route Verify on FMCSA

Clark Transport LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2040512
MC: 720073
Based in: Quarryville, PA 17566 (15 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 30 trucks, 30 drivers
USDOT registered: 2010

Call (717) 471-8623 Route Verify on FMCSA

Shawnee Trucking Pa INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 1342517
MC: 515012
Based in: Lancaster, PA 17601 (2 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 25 trucks, 63 drivers
USDOT registered: 2005

Call (717) 684-6100 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 260 movers in Lancaster

Near San Francisco (destination)

Air Container Transfer

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Act 2 Services INC

USDOT: 1701515
MC: 624529
Based in: Brisbane, CA 94005 (6 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 60 trucks, 48 drivers
USDOT registered: 2007

Call (415) 468-2220 Route Verify on FMCSA

Nd Freights INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 4049726
MC: 1534271
Based in: Richmond, CA 94806 (15 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 54 trucks, 54 drivers
USDOT registered: 2023

Call (510) 640-7050 Route Verify on FMCSA

Lengner & Sons Express

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Lengner And Sons Produce Express

USDOT: 154572
MC: 156852
Based in: Oakland, CA 94607 (7 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 42 trucks, 40 drivers
USDOT registered: 1974

Call (510) 625-1900 Route Verify on FMCSA

Pcc Logistics

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Pacific Coast Container INC

USDOT: 555398
MC: 274237
Based in: San Leandro, CA 94577 (14 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 36 trucks, 43 drivers
USDOT registered: 1994

Call (510) 346-6100 Route Verify on FMCSA

Longdo Trucking Corp

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 1166104
MC: 509402
Based in: Oakland, CA 94621 (12 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 30 trucks, 30 drivers
USDOT registered: 2003

Call (510) 502-6328 Route Verify on FMCSA

Forward Logistics INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2107877
MC: 736145
Based in: South San Francisco, CA 94080 (8 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 29 trucks, 30 drivers
USDOT registered: 2011

Call (650) 873-3888 Route Verify on FMCSA

On Point Logistic Solutions INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3492133
MC: 1149694
Based in: San Mateo, CA 94401 (15 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 28 trucks, 40 drivers
USDOT registered: 2020

Call (650) 229-4480 Route Verify on FMCSA

Freight Line Express Trucking INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 1279465
MC: 559129
Based in: Burlingame, CA 94010 (14 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 23 trucks, 23 drivers
USDOT registered: 2004

Call (650) 552-9928 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 899 movers in San Francisco

Tips for this move

Compare a full-service van line against a container service; for a small household the container often wins.
Ask about consolidated versus dedicated truck options—dedicated is faster but costs more.
Read the FMCSA 'Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move' booklet the carrier must provide.
Ship the car separately if you plan to fly; auto transport is priced by the mile like household goods.

Near Lancaster

Near San Francisco

Related routes

Other destinations from Lancaster

Other origins to San Francisco

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to move from Lancaster to San Francisco?

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $3,630 to $5,400 for a studio, $5,450 to $8,110 for a one-bedroom, $9,080 to $13,510 for a two-bedroom, $14,530 to $21,620 for a three-bedroom and $19,980 to $29,720 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is San Francisco from Lancaster?

About 2,899 road miles (2,457 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 50 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 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.

Is it cheaper to rent a truck or use a container for Lancaster to San Francisco?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $4,030 to $5,690 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $3,610 to $5,300. 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 Lancaster–San Francisco corridor.