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Modesto, CA

Palo Alto, CA → Modesto, CA · Short-haul move

Movers from Palo Alto to Modesto

About 76 road miles heading east. Typical two-bedroom cost $1,720–$2,560, delivery in 1–2 days, 233 carriers on the Palo Alto side and 392 in Modesto.

  • 76 miroad distance
  • 2 h 1 mindriving time
  • 1–2 daysdelivery window
  • $1,720–$2,5602-bedroom estimate
Photo: OsotedeMonte · CC BY 3.0
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Route summary

Road distance
≈ 76 miles (65 straight-line)
Drive time
2 h 1 min
Delivery window
1–2 days
Move type
In-state (California)
Movers at origin
233 (62 interstate)
Movers at destination
392 (205 interstate)

Reverse: Modesto → Palo Alto

The route from Palo Alto, CA to Modesto, CA covers roughly 76 miles by road, a east-bound trip that falls into the short-haul 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 2 h 1 min counted as billable travel time. A typical two-bedroom household lands between $1,720 and $2,560, 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 392 around Modesto (205 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 Modesto.

Palo Alto has a population of about 67,000 and Modesto about 219,652. Modesto is the denser city (5,081 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 Modesto

Full-service estimate for 76 miles, by home size
Home sizeCrewHoursLowTypicalHigh
Studio 2 movers3–5 h $970 $1,180 $1,440
1 Bedroom 2 movers4–6 h $1,100 $1,340 $1,640
2 Bedrooms 3 movers5–8 h $1,720 $2,090 $2,560
3 Bedrooms 4 movers7–10 h $2,590 $3,150 $3,850
4+ Bedrooms 5 movers9–13 h $3,770 $4,600 $5,610

Rental truck (DIY)

$230–$320

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

Portable container

$1,090–$1,600

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

Full-service mover

$1,720–$2,560

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

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Palo Alto, CA → Modesto, 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 Modesto (destination)

Bivio Transport And Logistics Company LLC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
2611556
MC
22572
Based in
Ceres, CA 95307 (6 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
120 trucks, 91 drivers
USDOT registered
2015
Call (209) 272-3000 Route Verify on FMCSA

Shekinah Logistics

Licensed interstate
USDOT
3280009
MC
1036884
Based in
Manteca, CA 95337 (15 mi from center)
Service
Local moves
Fleet
39 trucks, 87 drivers
USDOT registered
2019
Call (209) 616-3266 Route Verify on FMCSA

Transbay Xpress INC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
1357829
MC
520713
Based in
Manteca, CA 95337 (15 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
25 trucks, 25 drivers
USDOT registered
2005
Call (209) 410-4077 Route Verify on FMCSA

Road King Transport INC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
2581361
MC
903865
Based in
Manteca, CA 95337 (15 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
20 trucks, 20 drivers
USDOT registered
2015
Call (916) 275-9974 Route Verify on FMCSA

Modesto A1 Glass Company INC

Interstate carrier
USDOT
4521889
Based in
Modesto, CA 95350 (2 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
15 trucks, 15 drivers
USDOT registered
2026
Call (209) 522-1172 Route Verify on FMCSA

Cobb Refrigerated Freight INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory
USDOT
145920
MC
147824
Based in
Modesto, CA 95351 (1 mi from center)
Service
Local moves
Fleet
13 trucks, 15 drivers
USDOT registered
1974
Call (209) 576-0327 Route Verify on FMCSA

Khodi Transportation INC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
2141804
MC
745315
Based in
Turlock, CA 95382 (11 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
12 trucks, 4 drivers
USDOT registered
2011
Call (209) 648-2278 Route Verify on FMCSA

Dino Express INC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
2896438
MC
973484
Based in
Keyes, CA 95328 (8 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
10 trucks, 10 drivers
USDOT registered
2016
Call (916) 541-2371 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 392 movers in Modesto

Related routes

Other destinations from Palo Alto

Other origins to Modesto

Frequently asked questions

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

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $970 to $1,440 for a studio, $1,100 to $1,640 for a one-bedroom, $1,720 to $2,560 for a two-bedroom, $2,590 to $3,850 for a three-bedroom and $3,770 to $5,610 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Modesto from Palo Alto?

About 76 road miles (65 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 2 h 1 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 Modesto 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 Modesto?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $230 to $320 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,090 to $1,600. 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–Modesto corridor.