Palo Alto, CA → Grand Island, NE · Cross-country move

Movers from Palo Alto to Grand Island

About 1,526 road miles heading east. Typical two-bedroom cost $6,490–$9,660, delivery in 5–10 days, 233 carriers on the Palo Alto side and 85 in Grand Island.

1,526 miroad distance
27 hours (4 driving days)driving time
5–10 daysdelivery window
$6,490–$9,6602-bedroom estimate

Photo: Brad Mellema · CC BY-SA 4.0

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Route summary

From: Palo Alto, California
To: Grand Island, Nebraska
Road distance: ≈ 1,526 miles (1,293 straight-line)
Drive time: 27 hours (4 driving days)
Delivery window: 5–10 days
Move type: Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin: 233 (62 interstate)
Movers at destination: 85 (35 interstate)

Reverse: Grand Island → Palo Alto

The route from Palo Alto, CA to Grand Island, NE covers roughly 1,526 miles by road, a east-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 $6,490 to $9,660 with a full-service mover, and delivery usually takes 5 to 10 days after pickup because long-haul trucks consolidate several households per trip. Driving it yourself takes about 27 hours (4 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 85 around Grand Island (35 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 Grand Island.

Palo Alto has a population of about 67,000 and Grand Island about 53,000. Palo Alto is considerably denser (2,851 people per square mile versus 1,764), 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 Nebraska 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 Grand Island

Full-service estimate for 1,526 miles, by home size
Home size	Est. weight	Low	Typical	High
Studio	2,000 lb	$2,600	$3,170	$3,860
1 Bedroom	3,000 lb	$3,900	$4,750	$5,800
2 Bedrooms	5,000 lb	$6,490	$7,920	$9,660
3 Bedrooms	8,000 lb	$10,390	$12,670	$15,460
4+ Bedrooms	11,000 lb	$14,290	$17,420	$21,260

Rental truck (DIY)

$2,170–$3,060

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

Portable container

$2,380–$3,500

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

Full-service mover

$6,490–$9,660

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

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Palo Alto, CA → Grand Island, NE. 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 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 Grand Island (destination)

Grand Island Express

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Grand Island Express INC

USDOT: 54988
MC: 135283
Based in: Grand Island, NE 68801 (4 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 158 trucks, 164 drivers
USDOT registered: 1974

Call (308) 384-8555 Route Verify on FMCSA

Tom'S Delivery Service INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 1174681
MC: 471083
Based in: Grand Island, NE 68803 (4 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 18 trucks, 29 drivers
USDOT registered: 2003

Call (308) 383-1665 Route Verify on FMCSA

Yeral R Menendez

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Y And M Trucking LLC

USDOT: 2548189
MC: 887320
Based in: Grand Island, NE 68801 (4 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 12 trucks, 12 drivers
USDOT registered: 2014

Call (308) 675-1026 Route Verify on FMCSA

Sunset Express LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 4227519
MC: 1635024
Based in: Grand Island, NE 68803 (4 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 10 trucks, 11 drivers
USDOT registered: 2024

Call (308) 850-6592 Route Verify on FMCSA

Central Nebraska Transload Incorporated

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2370201
MC: 813134
Based in: Grand Island, NE 68801 (4 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 7 trucks, 5 drivers
USDOT registered: 2013

Call (308) 384-4477 Route Verify on FMCSA

Amp Works LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2540706
MC: 1671268
Based in: Grand Island, NE 68803 (4 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 4 trucks, 4 drivers
USDOT registered: 2014

Call (308) 690-6259 Route Verify on FMCSA

Mack Trucking

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Mark Mack LLC

USDOT: 2781913
MC: 926617
Based in: Grand Island, NE 68803 (4 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 4 trucks, 4 drivers
USDOT registered: 2015

Call (308) 380-3026 Route Verify on FMCSA

Nas Trucking

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Nas Trucking LLC

USDOT: 1370171
MC: 523881
Based in: Grand Island, NE 68803 (4 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 3 trucks, 4 drivers
USDOT registered: 2005

Call (308) 379-0963 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 85 movers in Grand Island

Tips for this move

Ship the car separately if you plan to fly; auto transport is priced by the mile like household goods.
Confirm which items the mover will not carry (plants, perishables, propane, some batteries).
Expect a delivery spread of one to two weeks; plan temporary housing in Grand Island accordingly.
Compare a full-service van line against a container service; for a small household the container often wins.

Near Palo Alto

Near Grand Island

Related routes

Other destinations from Palo Alto

Other origins to Grand Island

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to move from Palo Alto to Grand Island?

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $2,600 to $3,860 for a studio, $3,900 to $5,800 for a one-bedroom, $6,490 to $9,660 for a two-bedroom, $10,390 to $15,460 for a three-bedroom and $14,290 to $21,260 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Grand Island from Palo Alto?

About 1,526 road miles (1,293 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 27 hours (4 driving days).

How long will the movers take to deliver?

Expect a delivery window of 5 to 10 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 Nebraska 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 Grand Island?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $2,170 to $3,060 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $2,380 to $3,500. 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–Grand Island corridor.