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San Francisco, CA

Rapid City, SD → San Francisco, CA · Long-distance move

Movers from Rapid City to San Francisco

About 1,285 road miles heading west. Typical two-bedroom cost $5,860–$8,720, delivery in 3–7 days, 23 carriers on the Rapid City side and 899 in San Francisco.

  • 1,285 miroad distance
  • 22 h 51 mindriving time
  • 3–7 daysdelivery window
  • $5,860–$8,7202-bedroom estimate
Photo: Craig Howell from San Carlos, CA, USA · CC BY 2.0
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Route summary

Road distance
≈ 1,285 miles (1,089 straight-line)
Drive time
22 h 51 min
Delivery window
3–7 days
Move type
Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin
23 (17 interstate)
Movers at destination
899 (270 interstate)

Reverse: San Francisco → Rapid City

San Francisco sits about 1,285 miles west of Rapid City, which makes this an interstate relocation from South Dakota to California 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 $5,860 to $8,720 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 22 h 51 min.

On the Rapid City side there are 23 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (17 of them authorized for interstate work), and 899 around San Francisco (270 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 San Francisco.

Rapid City has a population of about 80,000 and San Francisco about 826,079. San Francisco is the denser city (18,635 people per square mile versus 1,357 in Rapid City), which often means shuttle trucks, parking restrictions or building move-in windows on delivery day. California is a higher-cost state than South Dakota, so budget a little more for destination-side help, deposits and first-month expenses. Note that California does collect a state income tax, unlike South Dakota, so factor that into the cost-of-living comparison.

Cost of moving from Rapid City to San Francisco

Full-service estimate for 1,285 miles, by home size
Home sizeEst. weightLowTypicalHigh
Studio 2,000 lb $2,350 $2,860 $3,490
1 Bedroom 3,000 lb $3,520 $4,290 $5,230
2 Bedrooms 5,000 lb $5,860 $7,150 $8,720
3 Bedrooms 8,000 lb $9,380 $11,440 $13,960
4+ Bedrooms 11,000 lb $12,900 $15,730 $19,190

Rental truck (DIY)

$1,770–$2,500

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

Portable container

$2,170–$3,190

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

Full-service mover

$5,860–$8,720

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

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Rapid City, SD → San Francisco, 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 Rapid City (origin)

The Moving Guys LLC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
3199241
MC
160684
Based in
Rapid City, SD 57702 (10 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
6 trucks, 6 drivers
USDOT registered
2018
Call (605) 877-2258 Route Verify on FMCSA

Northwestern Warehouse Company

Licensed interstate
USDOT
159450
MC
142617
Based in
Rapid City, SD 57701 (4 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
5 trucks, 8 drivers
USDOT registered
1974
Call (605) 342-1460 Route Verify on FMCSA

North Central Supply INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory
USDOT
126865
MC
158116
Based in
Rapid City, SD 57701 (4 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
4 trucks, 4 drivers
USDOT registered
1974
Call (605) 343-5486 Route Verify on FMCSA

Green'S Moving & Storage INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory
USDOT
207599
MC
146767
Based in
Rapid City, SD 57701 (4 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
4 trucks, 3 drivers
USDOT registered
1981
Call (605) 342-7060 Route Verify on FMCSA

Dakota Express

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Dakota Express Transportation INC

USDOT
379471
MC
226380
Based in
Rapid City, SD 57701 (4 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
4 trucks, 4 drivers
USDOT registered
1990
Call (605) 341-5458 Route Verify on FMCSA

Thomas & Sons Moving Company LLC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
2997736
MC
22439
Based in
Rapid City, SD 57702 (10 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
3 trucks, 3 drivers
USDOT registered
2017
Call (605) 787-3871 Route Verify on FMCSA

Aces And Eights Transport INC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
3232950
MC
1013972
Based in
Rapid City, SD 57701 (4 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
2 trucks, 2 drivers
USDOT registered
2019
Call (612) 406-1441 Route Verify on FMCSA

D & D Logistics LLC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
4017443
MC
1514392
Based in
Rapid City, SD 57701 (4 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
1 truck, 1 drivers
USDOT registered
2023
Call (605) 858-4772 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 23 movers in Rapid City

Near San Francisco (destination)

Air Container Transfer

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Act 2 Services INC

USDOT
1701515
MC
624529
Based in
Brisbane, CA 94005 (6 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
60 trucks, 48 drivers
USDOT registered
2007
Call (415) 468-2220 Route Verify on FMCSA

Nd Freights INC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
4049726
MC
1534271
Based in
Richmond, CA 94806 (15 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
54 trucks, 54 drivers
USDOT registered
2023
Call (510) 640-7050 Route Verify on FMCSA

Lengner & Sons Express

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Lengner And Sons Produce Express

USDOT
154572
MC
156852
Based in
Oakland, CA 94607 (7 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
42 trucks, 40 drivers
USDOT registered
1974
Call (510) 625-1900 Route Verify on FMCSA

Pcc Logistics

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Pacific Coast Container INC

USDOT
555398
MC
274237
Based in
San Leandro, CA 94577 (14 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
36 trucks, 43 drivers
USDOT registered
1994
Call (510) 346-6100 Route Verify on FMCSA

Longdo Trucking Corp

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory
USDOT
1166104
MC
509402
Based in
Oakland, CA 94621 (12 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
30 trucks, 30 drivers
USDOT registered
2003
Call (510) 502-6328 Route Verify on FMCSA

Forward Logistics INC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
2107877
MC
736145
Based in
South San Francisco, CA 94080 (8 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
29 trucks, 30 drivers
USDOT registered
2011
Call (650) 873-3888 Route Verify on FMCSA

On Point Logistic Solutions INC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
3492133
MC
1149694
Based in
San Mateo, CA 94401 (15 mi from center)
Service
Local moves
Fleet
28 trucks, 40 drivers
USDOT registered
2020
Call (650) 229-4480 Route Verify on FMCSA

Freight Line Express Trucking INC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
1279465
MC
559129
Based in
Burlingame, CA 94010 (14 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
23 trucks, 23 drivers
USDOT registered
2004
Call (650) 552-9928 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 899 movers in San Francisco

Related routes

Other destinations from Rapid City

Other origins to San Francisco

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to move from Rapid City to San Francisco?

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $2,350 to $3,490 for a studio, $3,520 to $5,230 for a one-bedroom, $5,860 to $8,720 for a two-bedroom, $9,380 to $13,960 for a three-bedroom and $12,900 to $19,190 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is San Francisco from Rapid City?

About 1,285 road miles (1,089 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 22 h 51 min.

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 South Dakota into California 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 Rapid City to San Francisco?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $1,770 to $2,500 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $2,170 to $3,190. 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 Rapid City–San Francisco corridor.