Moving from San Francisco, CA to Portland, OR
635 miles across a state line, from California into Oregon, so the federal interstate rules apply from the first quote.
Measured driving distance. Prices from our published model, not quotes.
In short
Moving from San Francisco, CA to Portland, OR covers 635 miles and is an interstate move. Full-service movers cost $2,858 – $3,810 for a two-bedroom home in our model, delivered in 3 to 7 days. About 1,045 people a year move between the two counties (Census).
The route
At 635 miles between California and Oregon, 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 $2,858 – $3,810 full-service — so ask which one you are buying.
- Move type
- Interstate move
- Driving
- 2 days on the road (about 12 hours of driving)
- Usually moves on
- either a dedicated truck or a consolidated load
- Book ahead
- 4 to 6 weeks
Cost of moving from San Francisco to Portland
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $2,143 – $2,858 | $1,543 – $2,057 | $1,029 – $1,372 |
| 1 bedroom | $2,572 – $3,429 | $1,852 – $2,469 | $1,234 – $1,646 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,858 – $3,810 | $2,057 – $2,743 | $1,372 – $1,829 |
| 3 bedrooms | $3,286 – $4,382 | $2,366 – $3,155 | $1,577 – $2,103 |
| 4 bedrooms | $3,715 – $4,953 | $2,675 – $3,566 | $1,783 – $2,377 |
| 5+ bedrooms | $4,286 – $5,715 | $3,086 – $4,115 | $2,057 – $2,743 |
Transport only, for 635 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 Francisco to Portland
635 miles × 2.0 (two-bedroom size multiplier) × $2.50 (full-service rate) = $3,175. The range runs 10% under that to 20% over: $2,858 to $3,810, 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 Francisco to Portland
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates that about 1,045 people a year (±285) moved from San Francisco County, CA, home to San Francisco, to Multnomah County, OR, home to Portland. Going the other way: about 420 people a year (±177). Movers from San Francisco County make up 1.9% of the 55,253 people a year who moved into Multnomah County from another county or state.
At state level, the 2024 survey counts about 31,500 people a year (±4,443) moving from California to Oregon and about 17,954 people a year (±4,037) from Oregon to California — a net gain for Oregon of about 13,546 people a year.
| County | People a year |
|---|---|
| Alameda County, CA | 10,553 ±1,042 |
| San Mateo County, CA | 8,260 ±979 |
| Contra Costa County, CA | 5,568 ±857 |
| Los Angeles County, CA | 5,205 ±743 |
| Santa Clara County, CA | 3,735 ±605 |
| County | People a year |
|---|---|
| Clackamas County, OR | 7,793 ±1,103 |
| Washington County, OR | 6,561 ±680 |
| Marion County, OR | 2,754 ±746 |
| Clark County, WA | 2,375 ±452 |
| King County, WA | 1,703 ±303 |
Licensed movers at each end
61 household-goods carriers with interstate authority are based within 30 miles of San Francisco (270 counting those licensed only inside California). 42 of them had a roadside inspection in the last 24 months, and 11.4% of their 350 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Container TransferUSDOT 1701515 | Brisbane · 7 mi | 60 trucks | 63 | 14.3% of 56 |
| Waters Moving & Storage IncUSDOT 1125579 | Martinez · 19 mi | 35 trucks | 24 | 4.5% of 22 |
| Crown Worldwide Moving and Storage LLCUSDOT 2970 | Union City · 23 mi | 25 trucks | 19 | 18.8% of 16 |
| Nor-Cal Moving ServicesUSDOT 1844592 | Hayward · 19 mi | 23 trucks | 29 | 7.1% of 28 |
| Ontrack Moving LLCUSDOT 2551548 | Hayward · 19 mi | 20 trucks | 39 | 0.0% of 25 |
| Valley Relocation and Storage of Northern California IncUSDOT 1659739 | Concord · 25 mi | 15 trucks | 11 | 0.0% of 6 |
How these figures are calculated
At the Portland end
For a local crew after delivery, the largest licensed carriers within 30 miles of Portland: All Service Moving (Portland, 100 trucks), Suddath Moving & Storage (Portland, 29 trucks), Graebel Moving Services (Wilsonville, 29 trucks), Terminal Transfer Inc (Portland, 25 trucks).
Rules that apply to this move
Because the truck crosses from California into Oregon, 49 CFR Part 375 applies: a written estimate before loading, no more than 110% of a non-binding estimate collected at delivery, and full-value protection unless you choose released value in writing. See binding vs non-binding estimates and valuation explained.
Before you book San Francisco to Portland
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 635 miles the gap between a guess and a weighed load is measured in four figures.
Arriving in Portland
A local move inside Portland 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 Portland are Vancouver (about 9 mi), Salem (about 51 mi), Eugene (about 121 mi).
Other routes from San Francisco
All routes from San Francisco, nearest first.
| Route | Distance | 2-bedroom, movers |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco to Fremont, CA | ~38 mi | $515 – $859 |
| San Francisco to San Jose, CA | ~49 mi | $515 – $859 |
| San Francisco to Stockton, CA | ~72 mi | $515 – $859 |
| San Francisco to Sacramento, CA | ~86 mi | $515 – $859 |
| San Francisco to Modesto, CA | ~90 mi | $515 – $859 |
| San Francisco to Roseville, CA | ~105 mi | $473 – $630 |
| San Francisco to Fresno, CA | ~188 mi | $846 – $1,128 |
| San Francisco to Reno, NV | ~215 mi | $968 – $1,290 |
Also moving to Portland: from Vancouver, WA, from Salem, OR, from Eugene, OR, from Olympia, WA.
San Francisco to Portland moving FAQ
How much does it cost to move from San Francisco to Portland, OR?
From our published model, full-service movers over 635 miles cost about $2,143 – $2,858 for a studio, $2,858 – $3,810 for a two-bedroom home and $3,286 – $4,382 for a three-bedroom home, transport only; packing, storage and specialty items are extra.
How long does a move from San Francisco to Portland, OR take?
The drive is 2 days on the road (about 12 hours of driving), 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 Francisco to Portland, OR?
Loading a freight trailer yourself: about $1,372 – $1,829 for a two-bedroom home, against $2,858 – $3,810 with full-service movers; a moving container is $2,057 – $2,743.
Do I need an interstate-licensed mover for San Francisco to Portland, OR?
Yes. San Francisco is in California and Portland is in Oregon, so the carrier needs active FMCSA interstate authority (an MC number) as well as a USDOT number. 61 listed movers within 30 miles of San Francisco hold it.
How many people move from San Francisco to Portland, OR each year?
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates about 1,045 people a year (margin of error ±285) moved from San Francisco County, which contains San Francisco, to Multnomah County, which contains Portland.
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.