Palo Alto, CA → Berkeley, CA · Local move

Movers from Palo Alto to Berkeley

About 40 road miles heading north. Typical two-bedroom cost $1,500–$2,240, delivery in 0–1 days, 233 carriers on the Palo Alto side and 429 in Berkeley.

40 miroad distance
1 h 15 mindriving time
0–1 daysdelivery window
$1,500–$2,2402-bedroom estimate

Photo: pedrik · CC BY 2.0

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Route summary

From: Palo Alto, California
To: Berkeley, California
Road distance: ≈ 40 miles (34 straight-line)
Drive time: 1 h 15 min
Delivery window: 0–1 days
Move type: In-state (California)
Movers at origin: 233 (62 interstate)
Movers at destination: 429 (149 interstate)

Reverse: Berkeley → Palo Alto

The route from Palo Alto, CA to Berkeley, CA covers roughly 40 miles by road, a north-bound trip that falls into the local move category for pricing purposes.

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 1 h 15 min counted as billable travel time. A typical two-bedroom household lands between $1,500 and $2,240, before packing or storage.

On the Palo Alto side there are 233 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (62 of them authorized for interstate work), and 429 around Berkeley (149 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 Berkeley.

Palo Alto has a population of about 67,000 and Berkeley about 121,911. Berkeley is the denser city (11,954 people per square mile versus 2,851 in Palo Alto), which often means shuttle trucks, parking restrictions or building move-in windows on delivery day.

Cost of moving from Palo Alto to Berkeley

Full-service estimate for 40 miles, by home size
Home size	Crew	Hours	Low	Typical	High
Studio	2 movers	3–5 h	$810	$990	$1,200
1 Bedroom	2 movers	4–6 h	$940	$1,150	$1,400
2 Bedrooms	3 movers	5–8 h	$1,500	$1,830	$2,240
3 Bedrooms	4 movers	7–10 h	$2,310	$2,820	$3,440
4+ Bedrooms	5 movers	9–13 h	$3,450	$4,200	$5,130

Rental truck (DIY)

$190–$270

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

Portable container

$1,060–$1,550

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

Full-service mover

$1,500–$2,240

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

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Palo Alto, CA → Berkeley, 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 Palo Alto (origin)

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

Near Berkeley (destination)

Air Container Transfer

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Act 2 Services INC

USDOT: 1701515
MC: 624529
Based in: Brisbane, CA 94005 (14 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 (8 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 (4 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 (13 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 36 trucks, 43 drivers
USDOT registered: 1994

Call (510) 346-6100 Route Verify on FMCSA

Waters Moving & Storage INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 1125579
MC: 481361
Based in: Martinez, CA 94553 (11 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 35 trucks, 12 drivers
USDOT registered: 2003

Call (925) 372-0914 Route Verify on FMCSA

Longdo Trucking Corp

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 1166104
MC: 509402
Based in: Oakland, CA 94621 (9 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 30 trucks, 30 drivers
USDOT registered: 2003

Call (510) 502-6328 Route Verify on FMCSA

Ss Trucking

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Sukhjit Sandhu Trucking INC

USDOT: 1363134
MC: 522107
Based in: Oakland, CA 94621 (9 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 20 trucks, 15 drivers
USDOT registered: 2005

Call (510) 750-3598 Route Verify on FMCSA

Cargo Bay Trucking

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Cargo Bay Intermodal Services INC

USDOT: 1937273
MC: 691228
Based in: San Leandro, CA 94577 (13 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 17 trucks, 19 drivers
USDOT registered: 2009

Call (510) 451-6800 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 429 movers in Berkeley

Related routes

Other destinations from Palo Alto

Other origins to Berkeley

Frequently asked questions

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

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $810 to $1,200 for a studio, $940 to $1,400 for a one-bedroom, $1,500 to $2,240 for a two-bedroom, $2,310 to $3,440 for a three-bedroom and $3,450 to $5,130 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Berkeley from Palo Alto?

About 40 road miles (34 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 1 h 15 min.

How long will the movers take to deliver?

For a move this short, loading and delivery normally happen on the same day. Most crews finish a two-bedroom home in 5 to 8 hours plus the drive.

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

No. Because both Palo Alto and Berkeley 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 Palo Alto to Berkeley?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $190 to $270 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,060 to $1,550. 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 Palo Alto–Berkeley corridor.