Reno, NV → South Lake Tahoe, CA · Short-haul move

Movers from Reno to South Lake Tahoe

About 51 road miles heading south. Typical two-bedroom cost $1,440–$2,150, delivery in 1–2 days, 81 carriers on the Reno side and 11 in South Lake Tahoe.

51 miroad distance
1 h 35 mindriving time
1–2 daysdelivery window
$1,440–$2,1502-bedroom estimate

Photo: Mark Miller · CC BY-SA 3.0

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Route summary

From: Reno, Nevada
To: South Lake Tahoe, California
Road distance: ≈ 51 miles (43 straight-line)
Drive time: 1 h 35 min
Delivery window: 1–2 days
Move type: Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin: 81 (55 interstate)
Movers at destination: 11 (7 interstate)

Reverse: South Lake Tahoe → Reno

South Lake Tahoe sits about 51 miles south of Reno, which makes this an interstate relocation from Nevada to California that most movers classify as a short-haul move.

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 1 h 35 min counted as billable travel time. A typical two-bedroom household lands between $1,440 and $2,150, before packing or storage.

On the Reno side there are 81 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (55 of them authorized for interstate work), and 11 around South Lake Tahoe (7 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 South Lake Tahoe.

Reno has a population of about 283,621 and South Lake Tahoe about 21,000. The two cities have comparable density (2,428 and 2,119 people per square mile), so loading and unloading conditions are usually similar at both ends. California is a higher-cost state than Nevada, so budget a little more for destination-side help, deposits and first-month expenses. Note that California does collect a state income tax, unlike Nevada, so factor that into the cost-of-living comparison.

Cost of moving from Reno to South Lake Tahoe

Full-service estimate for 51 miles, by home size
Home size	Crew	Hours	Low	Typical	High
Studio	2 movers	3–5 h	$790	$960	$1,170
1 Bedroom	2 movers	4–6 h	$910	$1,110	$1,360
2 Bedrooms	3 movers	5–8 h	$1,440	$1,760	$2,150
3 Bedrooms	4 movers	7–10 h	$2,210	$2,690	$3,280
4+ Bedrooms	5 movers	9–13 h	$3,260	$3,980	$4,860

Rental truck (DIY)

$200–$290

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

Portable container

$1,070–$1,570

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

Full-service mover

$1,440–$2,150

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

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Reno, NV → South Lake Tahoe, 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 Reno (origin)

Connex Transport LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 1491614
MC: 644134
Based in: Reno, NV 89502 (7 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 84 trucks, 42 drivers
USDOT registered: 2006

Call (775) 420-4774 Route Verify on FMCSA

California Sierra Express INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 363648
MC: 222282
Based in: Reno, NV 89502 (7 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 72 trucks, 110 drivers
USDOT registered: 1989

Call (775) 856-8008 Route Verify on FMCSA

Sema Logistics INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3245513
MC: 1020268
Based in: Reno, NV 89501 (3 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 71 trucks, 78 drivers
USDOT registered: 2019

Call (916) 857-8382 Route Verify on FMCSA

Humboldt Moving & Storage Co

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 80232
MC: 98286
Based in: Sparks, NV 89431 (5 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 27 trucks, 22 drivers
USDOT registered: 1974

Call (775) 225-0577 Route Verify on FMCSA

Onerelo Worldwide LLC

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Renorelo Worldwide LLC

USDOT: 3387545
MC: 1088202
Based in: Reno, NV 89502 (7 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 22 trucks, 58 drivers
USDOT registered: 2020

Call (775) 571-3610 Route Verify on FMCSA

Jbc Trucking LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2473334
MC: 855362
Based in: Reno, NV 89506 (10 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 15 trucks, 16 drivers
USDOT registered: 2014

Call (775) 830-1675 Route Verify on FMCSA

Two Men And A Truck Of Reno Nevada

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Ra Moving LLC

USDOT: 3303833
MC: 1048274
Based in: Reno, NV 89511 (9 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 8 trucks, 11 drivers
USDOT registered: 2019

Call (775) 525-5973 Route Verify on FMCSA

O'Brien'S Moving & Storage INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 30611
MC: 109375
Based in: Sparks, NV 89431 (5 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 5 trucks, 5 drivers
USDOT registered: 1974

Call (775) 359-6683 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 81 movers in Reno

Near South Lake Tahoe (destination)

Mv Trucking

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Mvt Express

USDOT: 2507468
MC: 869399
Based in: South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150 (6 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 5 trucks, 5 drivers
USDOT registered: 2014

Call (530) 318-5981 Route Verify on FMCSA

Lfod Logistics

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3940458
MC: 1463269
Based in: Zephyr Cove, NV 89448 (6 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 1 truck, 1 drivers
USDOT registered: 2022

Call (775) 799-3268 Route Verify on FMCSA

Clayton Witte

Interstate carrier

USDOT: 9020658
Based in: South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150 (6 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 1 truck, 12 drivers
USDOT registered: 2026

Call (540) 292-4356 Route Verify on FMCSA

Rouse Trucking LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 4412017
MC: 1733322
Based in: Gardnerville, NV 89460 (10 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 1 truck, 1 drivers
USDOT registered: 2025

Call (775) 364-4513 Route Verify on FMCSA

Wilson Trucking

Intrastate carrier

Legal name: Wilson Trucking Operations INC

USDOT: 1835654
MC: 665466
Based in: Gardnerville, NV 89460 (10 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 8 trucks, 8 drivers
USDOT registered: 2008

Call (775) 265-2230 Route Verify on FMCSA

Carson Valley Movers

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Barry Elwood Jones

USDOT: 384361
MC: 228843
Based in: Gardnerville, NV 89410 (25 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 8 trucks, 4 drivers
USDOT registered: 1990

Call (775) 782-7070 Route Verify on FMCSA

Manuel Jimenez Jr DBA South Lake Tahoe Towing

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2678760
MC: 115986
Based in: Gardnerville, NV 89410 (25 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 2 trucks, 1 drivers
USDOT registered: 2015

Call (530) 523-3352 Route Verify on FMCSA

Best Way Movers

Intrastate carrier

Legal name: Ricky Richardson

USDOT: 3122663
MC: 105518
Based in: Somerset, CA 95684 (38 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 4 trucks, 4 drivers
USDOT registered: 2018

Call (530) 622-0803 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 11 movers in South Lake Tahoe

Tips for this move

Group fragile items and tell the crew which boxes go in the cab or on top.
For a move under about 150 miles you can often choose between an hourly and a flat rate—ask for both.
Confirm whether travel time between Reno and South Lake Tahoe is billed one way or round trip.
A single-day move is realistic here; schedule loading in the morning so the crew arrives in South Lake Tahoe with daylight to spare.

Near Reno

Near South Lake Tahoe

Related routes

Other destinations from Reno

Other origins to South Lake Tahoe

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to move from Reno to South Lake Tahoe?

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $790 to $1,170 for a studio, $910 to $1,360 for a one-bedroom, $1,440 to $2,150 for a two-bedroom, $2,210 to $3,280 for a three-bedroom and $3,260 to $4,860 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is South Lake Tahoe from Reno?

About 51 road miles (43 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 1 h 35 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.

Does my mover need interstate authority for this move?

Yes. Crossing from Nevada 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 Reno to South Lake Tahoe?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $200 to $290 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,070 to $1,570. 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 Reno–South Lake Tahoe corridor.