San Mateo, CA → San Francisco, CA · Local move
About 19 road miles heading north. Typical two-bedroom cost $1,380–$2,050, delivery in 0–1 days, 332 carriers on the San Mateo side and 899 in San Francisco.
San Francisco sits about 19 miles north of San Mateo, so this is an in-state move that most movers classify as a local 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 36 min counted as billable travel time. A typical two-bedroom household lands between $1,380 and $2,050, before packing or storage.
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 899 around San Francisco (270 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 Francisco.
San Mateo has a population of about 103,337 and San Francisco about 826,079. San Francisco is the denser city (18,635 people per square mile versus 8,732 in San Mateo), which often means shuttle trucks, parking restrictions or building move-in windows on delivery day.
| Home size | Crew | Hours | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | 2 movers | 3–5 h | $710 | $870 | $1,060 |
| 1 Bedroom | 2 movers | 4–6 h | $850 | $1,030 | $1,260 |
| 2 Bedrooms | 3 movers | 5–8 h | $1,380 | $1,680 | $2,050 |
| 3 Bedrooms | 4 movers | 7–10 h | $2,160 | $2,630 | $3,210 |
| 4+ Bedrooms | 5 movers | 9–13 h | $3,260 | $3,970 | $4,850 |
$170–$240
One-way truck for the distance, mileage and fuel included; you load and drive.
$1,040–$1,520
Container delivered, you load, company transports; transit is slower than a mover.
$1,380–$2,050
Two-bedroom reference; crew loads, hauls and unloads.
Distance is pre-filled for San Mateo, CA → San Francisco, CA. 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: Act 2 Services INC
Legal name: Lengner And Sons Produce Express
Legal name: Pacific Coast Container INC
Typical full-service estimates for this route are $710 to $1,060 for a studio, $850 to $1,260 for a one-bedroom, $1,380 to $2,050 for a two-bedroom, $2,160 to $3,210 for a three-bedroom and $3,260 to $4,850 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.
About 19 road miles (16 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 36 min.
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.
No. Because both San Mateo and San Francisco 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.
A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $170 to $240 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,040 to $1,520. 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–San Francisco corridor.