Palo Alto, CA → Norfolk, VA · Cross-country move

Movers from Palo Alto to Norfolk

About 2,952 road miles heading east. Typical two-bedroom cost $9,380–$13,950, delivery in 7–14 days, 233 carriers on the Palo Alto side and 336 in Norfolk.

2,952 miroad distance
51 hours (6 driving days)driving time
7–14 daysdelivery window
$9,380–$13,9502-bedroom estimate

Photo: Bruce Emmerling · CC BY-SA 4.0

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Route summary

From: Palo Alto, California
To: Norfolk, Virginia
Road distance: ≈ 2,952 miles (2,502 straight-line)
Drive time: 51 hours (6 driving days)
Delivery window: 7–14 days
Move type: Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin: 233 (62 interstate)
Movers at destination: 336 (197 interstate)

Reverse: Norfolk → Palo Alto

The route from Palo Alto, CA to Norfolk, VA covers roughly 2,952 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 $9,380 to $13,950 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 51 hours (6 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 336 around Norfolk (197 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 Norfolk.

Palo Alto has a population of about 67,000 and Norfolk about 231,013. Norfolk is the denser city (4,465 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. Labor and living costs run lower in Virginia 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 Norfolk

Full-service estimate for 2,952 miles, by home size
Home size	Est. weight	Low	Typical	High
Studio	2,000 lb	$3,750	$4,570	$5,580
1 Bedroom	3,000 lb	$5,630	$6,860	$8,370
2 Bedrooms	5,000 lb	$9,380	$11,440	$13,950
3 Bedrooms	8,000 lb	$15,010	$18,300	$22,320
4+ Bedrooms	11,000 lb	$20,630	$25,160	$30,700

Rental truck (DIY)

$4,080–$5,760

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

Portable container

$3,650–$5,370

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

Full-service mover

$9,380–$13,950

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

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Palo Alto, CA → Norfolk, VA. 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 Norfolk (destination)

Service Transfer INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 139659
MC: 135652
Based in: Chesapeake, VA 23324 (9 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 240 trucks, 217 drivers
USDOT registered: 1974

Call (757) 543-7800 Route Verify on FMCSA

Highways & Skyways Of Nc

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Givens Transportation INC

USDOT: 1070890
MC: 446371
Based in: Chesapeake, VA 23320 (12 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 170 trucks, 156 drivers
USDOT registered: 2002

Call (757) 233-4300 Route Verify on FMCSA

Atlantic Transport LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3109246
MC: 81782
Based in: Virginia Beach, VA 23455 (6 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 76 trucks, 39 drivers
USDOT registered: 2018

Call (757) 447-8687 Route Verify on FMCSA

Wheels For Work LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3293159
MC: 1090224
Based in: Virginia Beach, VA 23454 (11 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 75 trucks, 75 drivers
USDOT registered: 2019

Call (401) 265-7661 Route Verify on FMCSA

Hampton Roads Moving & Storage

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Queeney Enterprises INC

USDOT: 1581633
MC: 585658
Based in: Suffolk, VA 23435 (14 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 43 trucks, 30 drivers
USDOT registered: 2006

Call (757) 967-0770 Route Verify on FMCSA

Rail Direct Transportation Company

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 706550
MC: 326565
Based in: Portsmouth, VA 23707 (8 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 38 trucks, 30 drivers
USDOT registered: 1997

Call (757) 398-8600 Route Verify on FMCSA

Leighton Transportation Services INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2139019
MC: 744920
Based in: Portsmouth, VA 23701 (10 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 25 trucks, 19 drivers
USDOT registered: 2011

Call (757) 689-7820 Route Verify on FMCSA

Apple Moving

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Accent Relocation Services INC

USDOT: 795385
MC: 354379
Based in: Norfolk, VA 23504 (5 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 21 trucks, 13 drivers
USDOT registered: 1999

Call (757) 625-7631 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 336 movers in Norfolk

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 Palo Alto

Near Norfolk

Related routes

Other destinations from Palo Alto

Other origins to Norfolk

Frequently asked questions

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

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $3,750 to $5,580 for a studio, $5,630 to $8,370 for a one-bedroom, $9,380 to $13,950 for a two-bedroom, $15,010 to $22,320 for a three-bedroom and $20,630 to $30,700 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Norfolk from Palo Alto?

About 2,952 road miles (2,502 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 51 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 California into Virginia 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 Norfolk?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $4,080 to $5,760 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $3,650 to $5,370. 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–Norfolk corridor.