Moving from San Diego, CA to Modesto, CA
About 470 miles inside California. Past the 100-mile local band movers price on distance and weight, but because the truck never crosses a state line the move is regulated by California, not by the federal FMCSA. That changes which licence to check and which estimate rules protect you.
Distance estimated from city coordinates; the calculator measures your exact route. Prices from our published model, not quotes.
In short
Moving from San Diego, CA to Modesto, CA covers about 470 miles and is a move within California. Full-service movers cost $2,115 – $2,820 for a two-bedroom home in our model, delivered in 3 to 7 days. About 185 people a year move between the two counties (Census).
The route
At 470 miles between California and California, this sits in the range where carriers differ most. Some run it dedicated with a firm date; others consolidate it with other shipments and quote a window of 3 to 7 days. The price gap between those two is real — a two-bedroom home runs $2,115 – $2,820 full-service — so ask which one you are buying.
- Move type
- Within California
- Driving
- about 9 hours
- Usually moves on
- either a dedicated truck or a consolidated load
- Book ahead
- 4 to 6 weeks
Cost of moving from San Diego to Modesto
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,586 – $2,115 | $1,142 – $1,523 | $761 – $1,015 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,904 – $2,538 | $1,371 – $1,827 | $914 – $1,218 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,115 – $2,820 | $1,523 – $2,030 | $1,015 – $1,354 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,432 – $3,243 | $1,751 – $2,335 | $1,167 – $1,557 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,750 – $3,666 | $1,980 – $2,640 | $1,320 – $1,760 |
| 5+ bedrooms | $3,173 – $4,230 | $2,284 – $3,046 | $1,523 – $2,030 |
Transport only, for an estimated 470 miles, from our published model: distance × home-size factor × service rate, shown as −10% to +20% around the base figure. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items sit on top. How we price it.
Worked example: a two-bedroom home, San Diego to Modesto
470 miles × 2.0 (two-bedroom size multiplier) × $2.50 (full-service rate) = $2,350. The range runs 10% under that to 20% over: $2,115 to $2,820, transport only. Every parameter is on the methodology page; moving cost per mile explains why the rate falls with distance.
How many people move from San Diego to Modesto
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates that about 185 people a year (±110) moved from San Diego County, CA, home to San Diego, to Stanislaus County, CA, home to Modesto. Going the other way: about 893 people a year (±445). Movers from San Diego County make up 0.9% of the 19,502 people a year who moved into Stanislaus County from another county or state.
| County | People a year |
|---|---|
| Riverside County, CA | 15,263 ±2,340 |
| Los Angeles County, CA | 8,898 ±761 |
| Orange County, CA | 6,978 ±1,357 |
| San Bernardino County, CA | 6,204 ±739 |
| Maricopa County, AZ | 5,206 ±1,126 |
| County | People a year |
|---|---|
| San Joaquin County, CA | 4,132 ±867 |
| Alameda County, CA | 2,169 ±682 |
| Merced County, CA | 1,807 ±578 |
| Santa Clara County, CA | 1,041 ±396 |
| Sacramento County, CA | 805 ±371 |
Licensed movers at each end
155 household-goods carriers are based within 30 miles of San Diego. 54 of them had a roadside inspection in the last 24 months, and 16.1% of their 378 vehicle inspections ended with a truck put out of service. The largest by registered fleet:
| Carrier | Based in | Size | Inspections, 24 mo | Vehicle out of service |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mills Van LinesUSDOT 1052359 | San Diego · 13 mi | 108 trucks | 8 | 16.7% of 6 |
| Corovan Moving & Storage CoUSDOT 2114632 | Poway · 21 mi | 88 trucks | 87 | 6.7% of 75 |
| Republic Moving & StorageUSDOT 3369820 | Chula Vista · 13 mi | 21 trucks | 19 | 43.8% of 16 |
| Ackley Moving ServicesUSDOT 1868365 | Poway · 21 mi | 21 trucks | 48 | 17.1% of 35 |
| The CMS CompaniesUSDOT 56181 | San Diego · 6 mi | 17 trucks | 32 | 18.5% of 27 |
| A-Accurate Moving CompanyUSDOT 2023330 | El Cajon · 13 mi | 11 trucks | 42 | 17.2% of 29 |
How these figures are calculated
At the Modesto end
For a local crew after delivery, the largest licensed carriers within 30 miles of Modesto: Grace Moving Company LLC (Modesto, 10 trucks), Mid Cal Moving & Storage Company (Stockton, 8 trucks), Modesto Transfer and Storage Inc (Modesto, 5 trucks), Encore Piano Moving (Stockton, 5 trucks).
Rules that apply to this move
Both ends are in California, so California rather than the FMCSA regulates the move: ask the mover which California licence or registration it holds and check it with the state. The federal 110% cap on non-binding estimates does not reach a move inside California, so your protection on this 470-mile job is the estimate you sign; ask for it binding or not-to-exceed. More in binding vs non-binding estimates.
Before you book San Diego to Modesto
Ask: dedicated or consolidated?
This is the distance where carriers split. A dedicated truck costs more and delivers on a date; a consolidated load costs less and delivers in a window. Decide which you are buying before you compare prices.
Get it binding or not-to-exceed
A non-binding estimate is a guess with no ceiling. On 470 miles the gap between a guess and a weighed load is measured in four figures.
Arriving in Modesto
A local move inside Modesto later — across town, out of temporary housing — is billed by the hour: about $515 – $859 for a two-bedroom home and $867 – $1,587 for three bedrooms. The nearest cities we cover from Modesto are Stockton (about 34 mi), Fremont (about 61 mi), San Jose (about 62 mi).
Other routes from San Diego
All routes from San Diego, nearest first.
| Route | Distance | 2-bedroom, movers |
|---|---|---|
| San Diego to Moreno Valley, CA | ~97 mi | $515 – $859 |
| San Diego to Anaheim, CA | ~100 mi | $515 – $859 |
| San Diego to Fontana, CA | ~114 mi | $513 – $684 |
| San Diego to Los Angeles, CA | 126 mi | $567 – $756 |
| San Diego to Oxnard, CA | ~182 mi | $819 – $1,092 |
| San Diego to Bakersfield, CA | ~247 mi | $1,112 – $1,482 |
| San Diego to Las Vegas, NV | ~309 mi | $1,391 – $1,854 |
| San Diego to Phoenix, AZ | 355 mi | $1,598 – $2,130 |
Also moving to Modesto: from Stockton, CA, from Fremont, CA, from San Jose, CA, from Sacramento, CA.
San Diego to Modesto moving FAQ
How much does it cost to move from San Diego to Modesto?
From our published model, full-service movers over about 470 miles cost about $1,586 – $2,115 for a studio, $2,115 – $2,820 for a two-bedroom home and $2,432 – $3,243 for a three-bedroom home, transport only; packing, storage and specialty items are extra.
How long does a move from San Diego to Modesto take?
The drive is about 9 hours, but the move usually takes 3 to 7 days because it moves on either a dedicated truck or a consolidated load, depending on the carrier and the season. Ask for the delivery window in writing. Book ahead: 4 to 6 weeks, 6 to 8 in summer.
What is the cheapest way to move from San Diego to Modesto?
Loading a freight trailer yourself: about $1,015 – $1,354 for a two-bedroom home, against $2,115 – $2,820 with full-service movers; a moving container is $1,523 – $2,030.
Is San Diego to Modesto an interstate move?
No. Both cities are in California, so the move is regulated by California rather than by the federal FMCSA. The carrier needs a USDOT number and whatever California requires of household-goods movers; interstate authority (an MC number) is not required for this job. The federal 110% rule on non-binding estimates does not apply either, which is a good reason to ask for a binding estimate.
How many people move from San Diego to Modesto each year?
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates about 185 people a year (margin of error ±110) moved from San Diego County, which contains San Diego, to Stanislaus County, which contains Modesto.
Sources for this page
The published cost model; US Census Bureau ACS migration flows (± is the 90% margin of error); the FMCSA Motor Carrier Census and Safety Measurement System; 49 CFR Part 375. Data last refreshed September 24, 2026.