San Mateo, CA → San Jose, CA · Local move
About 39 road miles heading southeast. Typical two-bedroom cost $1,500–$2,230, delivery in 0–1 days, 332 carriers on the San Mateo side and 484 in San Jose.
The route from San Mateo, CA to San Jose, CA covers roughly 39 miles by road, a southeast-bound trip that falls into the local move category for pricing purposes.
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 13 min counted as billable travel time. A typical two-bedroom household lands between $1,500 and $2,230, 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 484 around San Jose (125 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 Jose.
San Mateo has a population of about 103,337 and San Jose about 989,814. San Mateo is considerably denser (8,732 people per square mile versus 5,683), so expect tighter loading conditions, parking permits or elevator reservations at the origin and easier truck access at the destination.
| Home size | Crew | Hours | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | 2 movers | 3–5 h | $800 | $980 | $1,200 |
| 1 Bedroom | 2 movers | 4–6 h | $940 | $1,140 | $1,390 |
| 2 Bedrooms | 3 movers | 5–8 h | $1,500 | $1,830 | $2,230 |
| 3 Bedrooms | 4 movers | 7–10 h | $2,310 | $2,810 | $3,430 |
| 4+ Bedrooms | 5 movers | 9–13 h | $3,440 | $4,190 | $5,120 |
$190–$270
One-way truck for the distance, mileage and fuel included; you load and drive.
$1,050–$1,550
Container delivered, you load, company transports; transit is slower than a mover.
$1,500–$2,230
Two-bedroom reference; crew loads, hauls and unloads.
Distance is pre-filled for San Mateo, CA → San Jose, 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: Managed Facilities Solutions LLC
Legal name: Shefali Toor
Legal name: Amber Transportation Group INC
Typical full-service estimates for this route are $800 to $1,200 for a studio, $940 to $1,390 for a one-bedroom, $1,500 to $2,230 for a two-bedroom, $2,310 to $3,430 for a three-bedroom and $3,440 to $5,120 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.
About 39 road miles (33 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 1 h 13 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 Jose 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 $190 to $270 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,050 to $1,550. 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 Jose corridor.