San Mateo, CA → Lancaster, PA · Cross-country move
About 2,898 road miles heading east. Typical two-bedroom cost $9,080–$13,510, delivery in 7–14 days, 332 carriers on the San Mateo side and 260 in Lancaster.
Moving from San Mateo to Lancaster is a cross-country move of roughly 2,898 road miles, heading east from California to Pennsylvania.
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 $9,080 to $13,510 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 50 hours (6 driving days).
On the San Mateo side there are 332 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (93 of them authorized for interstate work), and 260 around Lancaster (171 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 Lancaster.
San Mateo has a population of about 103,337 and Lancaster about 58,000. The two cities have comparable density (8,732 and 8,031 people per square mile), so loading and unloading conditions are usually similar at both ends. Labor and living costs run lower in Pennsylvania than in California, which tends to make destination-side services such as unpacking or storage cheaper than the same services back home.
| Home size | Est. weight | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | 2,000 lb | $3,630 | $4,430 | $5,400 |
| 1 Bedroom | 3,000 lb | $5,450 | $6,640 | $8,100 |
| 2 Bedrooms | 5,000 lb | $9,080 | $11,070 | $13,510 |
| 3 Bedrooms | 8,000 lb | $14,530 | $17,710 | $21,610 |
| 4+ Bedrooms | 11,000 lb | $19,970 | $24,360 | $29,720 |
$4,030–$5,690
One-way truck for the distance, mileage and fuel included; you load and drive.
$3,610–$5,300
Container delivered, you load, company transports; transit is slower than a mover.
$9,080–$13,510
Two-bedroom reference; crew loads, hauls and unloads.
Distance is pre-filled for San Mateo, CA → Lancaster, PA. Adjust the other options to see your range.
Typical full-service range.
Estimates use market baselines described on the cost guide; your quotes will vary by inventory, access and date.
Legal name: Act 2 Services INC
Legal name: Pacific Coast Container INC
Typical full-service estimates for this route are $3,630 to $5,400 for a studio, $5,450 to $8,100 for a one-bedroom, $9,080 to $13,510 for a two-bedroom, $14,530 to $21,610 for a three-bedroom and $19,970 to $29,720 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.
About 2,898 road miles (2,456 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 50 hours (6 driving days).
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.
Yes. Crossing from California into Pennsylvania 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.
A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $4,030 to $5,690 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $3,610 to $5,300. 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.
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 San Mateo–Lancaster corridor.