Palo Alto, CA → Bismarck, ND · Long-distance move

Movers from Palo Alto to Bismarck

About 1,496 road miles heading northeast. Typical two-bedroom cost $6,530–$9,710, delivery in 3–7 days, 233 carriers on the Palo Alto side and 42 in Bismarck.

1,496 miroad distance
26 hours (3 driving days)driving time
3–7 daysdelivery window
$6,530–$9,7102-bedroom estimate

Photo: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0

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Route summary

From: Palo Alto, California
To: Bismarck, North Dakota
Road distance: ≈ 1,496 miles (1,268 straight-line)
Drive time: 26 hours (3 driving days)
Delivery window: 3–7 days
Move type: Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin: 233 (62 interstate)
Movers at destination: 42 (32 interstate)

Reverse: Bismarck → Palo Alto

Bismarck sits about 1,496 miles northeast of Palo Alto, which makes this an interstate relocation from California to North Dakota that most movers classify as a long-distance 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 $6,530 to $9,710 with a full-service mover, and delivery usually takes 3 to 7 days after pickup because long-haul trucks consolidate several households per trip. Driving it yourself takes about 26 hours (3 driving days).

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 42 around Bismarck (32 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 Bismarck.

Palo Alto has a population of about 67,000 and Bismarck about 76,000. Palo Alto is considerably denser (2,851 people per square mile versus 2,123), so expect tighter loading conditions, parking permits or elevator reservations at the origin and easier truck access at the destination. Labor and living costs run lower in North Dakota than in California, which tends to make destination-side services such as unpacking or storage cheaper than the same services back home.

Cost of moving from Palo Alto to Bismarck

Full-service estimate for 1,496 miles, by home size
Home size	Est. weight	Low	Typical	High
Studio	2,000 lb	$2,610	$3,180	$3,880
1 Bedroom	3,000 lb	$3,920	$4,780	$5,830
2 Bedrooms	5,000 lb	$6,530	$7,960	$9,710
3 Bedrooms	8,000 lb	$10,440	$12,730	$15,540
4+ Bedrooms	11,000 lb	$14,360	$17,510	$21,360

Rental truck (DIY)

$2,140–$3,020

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

Portable container

$2,360–$3,460

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

Full-service mover

$6,530–$9,710

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

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Palo Alto, CA → Bismarck, ND. 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 Bismarck (destination)

Ccfs

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Crosscountry Freight Solutions INC

USDOT: 313378
MC: 209657
Based in: Bismarck, ND 58501 (3 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 450 trucks, 507 drivers
USDOT registered: 1988

Call (701) 222-8498 Route Verify on FMCSA

P & B Transportation INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 653395
MC: 302954
Based in: Bismarck, ND 58501 (3 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 75 trucks, 65 drivers
USDOT registered: 1996

Call (701) 221-2465 Route Verify on FMCSA

Aaction Movers

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Asp INC

USDOT: 212818
MC: 228559
Based in: Bismarck, ND 58501 (3 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 37 trucks, 20 drivers
USDOT registered: 1982

Call (701) 223-5535 Route Verify on FMCSA

Delabarre Trucking LLC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 1318666
MC: 510389
Based in: Bismarck, ND 58501 (3 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 22 trucks, 20 drivers
USDOT registered: 2005

Call (701) 226-2349 Route Verify on FMCSA

North Central Transportation INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 911282
MC: 395087
Based in: Mandan, ND 58554 (9 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 19 trucks, 17 drivers
USDOT registered: 2000

Call (701) 663-0976 Route Verify on FMCSA

Four Winds Trucking LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2369162
MC: 812625
Based in: Mandan, ND 58554 (9 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 16 trucks, 17 drivers
USDOT registered: 2013

Call (701) 751-1237 Route Verify on FMCSA

Liberty Cargo Company

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3080375
MC: 1169375
Based in: Bismarck, ND 58503 (6 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 15 trucks, 8 drivers
USDOT registered: 2017

Call (701) 975-3281 Route Verify on FMCSA

Bountiful Trucking LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2416881
MC: 834675
Based in: Bismarck, ND 58503 (6 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 12 trucks, 10 drivers
USDOT registered: 2013

Call (701) 400-6295 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 42 movers in Bismarck

Related routes

Other destinations from Palo Alto

Other origins to Bismarck

Frequently asked questions

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

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $2,610 to $3,880 for a studio, $3,920 to $5,830 for a one-bedroom, $6,530 to $9,710 for a two-bedroom, $10,440 to $15,540 for a three-bedroom and $14,360 to $21,360 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Bismarck from Palo Alto?

About 1,496 road miles (1,268 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 26 hours (3 driving days).

How long will the movers take to deliver?

Expect a delivery window of 3 to 7 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 California into North Dakota 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 Palo Alto to Bismarck?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $2,140 to $3,020 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $2,360 to $3,460. 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–Bismarck corridor.