San Mateo, CA → Lowell, MA · Cross-country move
About 3,158 road miles heading northeast. Typical two-bedroom cost $10,390–$15,460, delivery in 7–14 days, 332 carriers on the San Mateo side and 215 in Lowell.
The route from San Mateo, CA to Lowell, MA covers roughly 3,158 miles by road, a northeast-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 $10,390 to $15,460 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 55 hours (7 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 215 around Lowell (152 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 Lowell.
San Mateo has a population of about 103,337 and Lowell about 119,971. The two cities have comparable density (8,732 and 8,497 people per square mile), so loading and unloading conditions are usually similar at both ends.
| Home size | Est. weight | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | 2,000 lb | $4,160 | $5,070 | $6,180 |
| 1 Bedroom | 3,000 lb | $6,230 | $7,600 | $9,270 |
| 2 Bedrooms | 5,000 lb | $10,390 | $12,670 | $15,460 |
| 3 Bedrooms | 8,000 lb | $16,620 | $20,270 | $24,730 |
| 4+ Bedrooms | 11,000 lb | $22,850 | $27,870 | $34,000 |
$4,440–$6,280
One-way truck for the distance, mileage and fuel included; you load and drive.
$3,840–$5,640
Container delivered, you load, company transports; transit is slower than a mover.
$10,390–$15,460
Two-bedroom reference; crew loads, hauls and unloads.
Distance is pre-filled for San Mateo, CA → Lowell, MA. 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
Legal name: J & M Installations
Typical full-service estimates for this route are $4,160 to $6,180 for a studio, $6,230 to $9,270 for a one-bedroom, $10,390 to $15,460 for a two-bedroom, $16,620 to $24,730 for a three-bedroom and $22,850 to $34,000 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.
About 3,158 road miles (2,677 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 55 hours (7 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 Massachusetts 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 $4,440 to $6,280 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $3,840 to $5,640. 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–Lowell corridor.