Moving from San Francisco, CA to Reno, NV
About 215 miles across a state line, from California into Nevada, so the federal interstate rules apply from the first quote.
Distance estimated from city coordinates; the calculator measures your exact route. Prices from our published model, not quotes.
In short
Moving from San Francisco, CA to Reno, NV covers about 215 miles and is an interstate move. Full-service movers cost $968 – $1,290 for a two-bedroom home in our model, delivered in 1 to 3 days. About 137 people a year move between the two counties (Census).
The route
A short interstate haul: 215 miles, about 4 hours of driving. Long enough to be priced on weight, short enough that most carriers run it on a dedicated truck rather than pooling your goods with other shipments — a two-bedroom home typically runs $968 – $1,290. That means a tight delivery date and far less handling.
- Move type
- Interstate move
- Driving
- about 4 hours
- Usually moves on
- a dedicated truck
- Book ahead
- 2 to 4 weeks
Cost of moving from San Francisco to Reno
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $726 – $968 | $522 – $697 | $348 – $464 |
| 1 bedroom | $871 – $1,161 | $627 – $836 | $418 – $557 |
| 2 bedrooms | $968 – $1,290 | $697 – $929 | $464 – $619 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,113 – $1,483 | $801 – $1,068 | $534 – $712 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,258 – $1,677 | $906 – $1,207 | $604 – $805 |
| 5+ bedrooms | $1,451 – $1,935 | $1,045 – $1,393 | $697 – $929 |
Transport only, for an estimated 215 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 Reno
215 miles × 2.0 (two-bedroom size multiplier) × $2.50 (full-service rate) = $1,075. The range runs 10% under that to 20% over: $968 to $1,290, 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 Reno
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates that about 137 people a year (±69) moved from San Francisco County, CA, home to San Francisco, to Washoe County, NV, home to Reno. Going the other way: about 179 people a year (±170). Movers from San Francisco County make up 0.5% of the 25,974 people a year who moved into Washoe County from another county or state.
At state level, the 2024 survey counts about 53,289 people a year (±6,970) moving from California to Nevada and about 21,133 people a year (±4,646) from Nevada to California — a net gain for Nevada of about 32,156 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 |
|---|---|
| Clark County, NV | 4,392 ±894 |
| Lyon County, NV | 985 ±285 |
| Los Angeles County, CA | 785 ±403 |
| Sacramento County, CA | 771 ±245 |
| Carson City, NV | 738 ±329 |
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 Reno end
For a local crew after delivery, the largest licensed carriers within 30 miles of Reno: Humboldt Moving & Storage Co (Sparks, 27 trucks), Two Men and A Truck of Reno Nevada (Reno, 8 trucks), Gentle Movers (Carson City, 6 trucks), Carneys Full Service Movers (Sparks, 5 trucks).
Rules that apply to this move
Because the truck crosses from California into Nevada, 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 Reno
Ask whether it is hourly or flat
At 215 miles some carriers still quote hourly plus mileage rather than by weight. Get both numbers so you can compare like with like — hourly can win on a short haul with easy access at both ends.
Confirm it is a one-day run
Most carriers cover this distance in a single day, which avoids an overnight charge and a second crew. If a quote assumes two days, ask why.
Arriving in Reno
A local move inside Reno later — across town, out of temporary housing — is billed by the hour: about $465 – $761 for a two-bedroom home and $777 – $1,398 for three bedrooms. The nearest cities we cover from Reno are Carson City (about 29 mi), Roseville (about 112 mi), Sacramento (about 130 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 Bakersfield, CA | ~293 mi | $1,319 – $1,758 |
Also moving to Reno: from Carson City, NV, from Roseville, CA, from Sacramento, CA, from Stockton, CA.
San Francisco to Reno moving FAQ
How much does it cost to move from San Francisco to Reno?
From our published model, full-service movers over about 215 miles cost about $726 – $968 for a studio, $968 – $1,290 for a two-bedroom home and $1,113 – $1,483 for a three-bedroom home, transport only; packing, storage and specialty items are extra.
How long does a move from San Francisco to Reno take?
The drive is about 4 hours, but the move usually takes 1 to 3 days because it moves on a dedicated truck, because the corridor is too short to be worth consolidating. Ask for the delivery window in writing. Book ahead: 2 to 4 weeks, 4 to 6 in summer.
What is the cheapest way to move from San Francisco to Reno?
Loading a freight trailer yourself: about $464 – $619 for a two-bedroom home, against $968 – $1,290 with full-service movers; a moving container is $697 – $929.
Do I need an interstate-licensed mover for San Francisco to Reno?
Yes. San Francisco is in California and Reno is in Nevada, 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 Reno each year?
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates about 137 people a year (margin of error ±69) moved from San Francisco County, which contains San Francisco, to Washoe County, which contains Reno.
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.