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San Diego, CA

Palo Alto, CA → San Diego, CA · Long-distance move

Movers from Palo Alto to San Diego

About 501 road miles heading southeast. Typical two-bedroom cost $4,230–$6,300, delivery in 2–5 days, 233 carriers on the Palo Alto side and 626 in San Diego.

  • 501 miroad distance
  • 9 h 20 mindriving time
  • 2–5 daysdelivery window
  • $4,230–$6,3002-bedroom estimate
Photo: Dirk Hansen · CC BY-SA 3.0
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Route summary

Road distance
≈ 501 miles (425 straight-line)
Drive time
9 h 20 min
Delivery window
2–5 days
Move type
In-state (California)
Movers at origin
233 (62 interstate)
Movers at destination
626 (217 interstate)

Reverse: San Diego → Palo Alto

San Diego sits about 501 miles southeast of Palo Alto, so this is an in-state move 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 $4,230 to $6,300 with a full-service mover, and delivery usually takes 2 to 5 days after pickup because long-haul trucks consolidate several households per trip. Driving it yourself takes about 9 h 20 min.

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 626 around San Diego (217 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 San Diego.

Palo Alto has a population of about 67,000 and San Diego about 1.4 million. San Diego is the denser city (4,256 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 San Diego

Full-service estimate for 501 miles, by home size
Home sizeEst. weightLowTypicalHigh
Studio 2,000 lb $1,690 $2,060 $2,520
1 Bedroom 3,000 lb $2,540 $3,100 $3,780
2 Bedrooms 5,000 lb $4,230 $5,160 $6,300
3 Bedrooms 8,000 lb $6,770 $8,260 $10,070
4+ Bedrooms 11,000 lb $9,310 $11,350 $13,850

Rental truck (DIY)

$810–$1,150

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

Portable container

$1,470–$2,160

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

Full-service mover

$4,230–$6,300

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

Moving cost calculator

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

Mat Express

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Mat Parcel Express INC

USDOT
927424
MC
400335
Based in
San Diego, CA 92110 (5 mi from center)
Service
Local moves
Fleet
50 trucks, 64 drivers
USDOT registered
2001
Call (619) 849-9600 Route Verify on FMCSA

Magic Mile LLC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
3296634
MC
1044843
Based in
Poway, CA 92064 (14 mi from center)
Service
Local moves
Fleet
45 trucks, 70 drivers
USDOT registered
2019
Call (619) 991-9424 Route Verify on FMCSA

Djw Logistics

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Walk With Me INC

USDOT
3312065
MC
1052279
Based in
Chula Vista, CA 91910 (13 mi from center)
Service
Local moves
Fleet
30 trucks, 60 drivers
USDOT registered
2019
Call (858) 294-3804 Route Verify on FMCSA

Zipity LLC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
3476079
MC
1145709
Based in
Coronado, CA 92118 (9 mi from center)
Service
Local moves
Fleet
26 trucks, 45 drivers
USDOT registered
2020
Call (949) 929-4199 Route Verify on FMCSA

Ackley Moving Services

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Ackley Enterprises INC

USDOT
1868365
MC
675281
Based in
Poway, CA 92064 (14 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
21 trucks, 19 drivers
USDOT registered
2009
Call (858) 735-9587 Route Verify on FMCSA

Republic Moving & Storage

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Lovejoy'S Family Moving INC

USDOT
3369820
MC
778208
Based in
Chula Vista, CA 91914 (15 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
21 trucks, 20 drivers
USDOT registered
2019
Call (951) 541-6710 Route Verify on FMCSA

Allstate Logistics

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Allstate Van & Storage INC

USDOT
692879
MC
321079
Based in
Poway, CA 92064 (14 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
18 trucks, 5 drivers
USDOT registered
1997
Call (858) 746-1000 Route Verify on FMCSA

The Cms Companies

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Sullivan Moving & Storage INC

USDOT
56181
MC
127405
Based in
San Diego, CA 92111 (2 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
17 trucks, 42 drivers
USDOT registered
1974
Call (253) 395-5432 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 626 movers in San Diego

Related routes

Other destinations from Palo Alto

Other origins to San Diego

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to move from Palo Alto to San Diego?

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $1,690 to $2,520 for a studio, $2,540 to $3,780 for a one-bedroom, $4,230 to $6,300 for a two-bedroom, $6,770 to $10,070 for a three-bedroom and $9,310 to $13,850 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is San Diego from Palo Alto?

About 501 road miles (425 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 9 h 20 min.

How long will the movers take to deliver?

Expect a delivery window of 2 to 5 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.

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

No. Because both Palo Alto and San Diego 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 San Diego?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $810 to $1,150 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,470 to $2,160. 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–San Diego corridor.