Santa Clara, CA → Palo Alto, CA · Local move
About 13 road miles heading west. Typical two-bedroom cost $1,340–$2,000, delivery in 0–1 days, 292 carriers on the Santa Clara side and 233 in Palo Alto.
Palo Alto sits about 13 miles west of Santa Clara, 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 24 min counted as billable travel time. A typical two-bedroom household lands between $1,340 and $2,000, before packing or storage.
On the Santa Clara side there are 292 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (77 of them authorized for interstate work), and 233 around Palo Alto (62 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 Palo Alto.
Santa Clara has a population of about 133,446 and Palo Alto about 67,000. Santa Clara is considerably denser (6,975 people per square mile versus 2,851), 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 | $690 | $840 | $1,020 |
| 1 Bedroom | 2 movers | 4–6 h | $820 | $1,000 | $1,220 |
| 2 Bedrooms | 3 movers | 5–8 h | $1,340 | $1,640 | $2,000 |
| 3 Bedrooms | 4 movers | 7–10 h | $2,110 | $2,580 | $3,140 |
| 4+ Bedrooms | 5 movers | 9–13 h | $3,200 | $3,910 | $4,770 |
$160–$230
One-way truck for the distance, mileage and fuel included; you load and drive.
$1,030–$1,520
Container delivered, you load, company transports; transit is slower than a mover.
$1,340–$2,000
Two-bedroom reference; crew loads, hauls and unloads.
Distance is pre-filled for Santa Clara, CA → Palo Alto, 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: Managed Facilities Solutions LLC
Legal name: Shefali Toor
Legal name: Managed Facilities Solutions LLC
Legal name: Careful Movers INC
Typical full-service estimates for this route are $690 to $1,020 for a studio, $820 to $1,220 for a one-bedroom, $1,340 to $2,000 for a two-bedroom, $2,110 to $3,140 for a three-bedroom and $3,200 to $4,770 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.
About 13 road miles (10 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 24 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 Santa Clara and Palo Alto 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 $160 to $230 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,030 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 Santa Clara–Palo Alto corridor.