Moving from Reno, NV to San Francisco, CA
About 215 miles across a state line, from Nevada into California, 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 Reno, NV to San Francisco, CA 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 179 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 Reno to San Francisco
| 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, Reno to San Francisco
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 Reno to San Francisco
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates that about 179 people a year (±170) moved from Washoe County, NV, home to Reno, to San Francisco County, CA, home to San Francisco. Going the other way: about 137 people a year (±69). Movers from Washoe County make up 0.3% of the 51,400 people a year who moved into San Francisco County from another county or state.
At state level, the 2024 survey counts about 21,133 people a year (±4,646) moving from Nevada to California and about 53,289 people a year (±6,970) from California to Nevada — a net gain for Nevada of about 32,156 people a year.
| County | People a year |
|---|---|
| Clark County, NV | 1,887 ±517 |
| Carson City, NV | 1,362 ±313 |
| Maricopa County, AZ | 846 ±280 |
| Sacramento County, CA | 825 ±302 |
| Lyon County, NV | 772 ±322 |
| County | People a year |
|---|---|
| Alameda County, CA | 5,296 ±738 |
| Santa Clara County, CA | 4,693 ±747 |
| San Mateo County, CA | 4,278 ±657 |
| Los Angeles County, CA | 4,003 ±458 |
| San Diego County, CA | 2,649 ±575 |
Licensed movers at each end
14 household-goods carriers with interstate authority are based within 30 miles of Reno (20 counting those licensed only inside Nevada). 10 of them had a roadside inspection in the last 24 months, and 13.6% of their 44 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Humboldt Moving & Storage CoUSDOT 80232 | Sparks · 3 mi | 27 trucks | 8 | 0.0% of 7 |
| Two Men and A Truck of Reno NevadaUSDOT 3303833 | Reno · 8 mi | 8 trucks | 9 | 25.0% of 8 |
| Gentle MoversUSDOT 4164289 | Carson City · 30 mi | 6 trucks | 23 | 14.3% of 14 |
| Carneys Full Service MoversUSDOT 3338161 | Sparks · 3 mi | 5 trucks | 9 | 0.0% of 3 |
| O'Brien's Moving & Storage IncUSDOT 30611 | Sparks · 3 mi | 5 trucks | 1 | — |
| College Hunks Hauling Junk and MovingUSDOT 3839635 | Sparks · 3 mi | 4 trucks | 0 | — |
How these figures are calculated
At the San Francisco end
For a local crew after delivery, the largest licensed carriers within 30 miles of San Francisco: Air Container Transfer (Brisbane, 60 trucks), Waters Moving & Storage Inc (Martinez, 35 trucks), Crown Worldwide Moving and Storage LLC (Union City, 25 trucks), Nor-Cal Moving Services (Hayward, 23 trucks).
Rules that apply to this move
Because the truck crosses from Nevada into California, 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 Reno to San Francisco
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 San Francisco
A local move inside San Francisco 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 San Francisco are Oakland (about 9 mi), Fremont (about 38 mi), San Jose (about 49 mi).
Other routes from Reno
All routes from Reno, nearest first.
| Route | Distance | 2-bedroom, movers |
|---|---|---|
| Reno to Carson City, NV | ~29 mi | $465 – $761 |
| Reno to Roseville, CA | ~112 mi | $504 – $672 |
| Reno to Sacramento, CA | ~130 mi | $585 – $780 |
| Reno to Stockton, CA | ~156 mi | $702 – $936 |
| Reno to Fremont, CA | ~212 mi | $954 – $1,272 |
| Reno to San Jose, CA | ~220 mi | $990 – $1,320 |
| Reno to Fresno, CA | ~225 mi | $1,013 – $1,350 |
| Reno to Bakersfield, CA | ~340 mi | $1,530 – $2,040 |
Also moving to San Francisco: from Fremont, CA, from San Jose, CA, from Stockton, CA, from Sacramento, CA.
Reno to San Francisco moving FAQ
How much does it cost to move from Reno to San Francisco?
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 Reno to San Francisco 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 Reno to San Francisco?
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 Reno to San Francisco?
Yes. Reno is in Nevada and San Francisco is in California, so the carrier needs active FMCSA interstate authority (an MC number) as well as a USDOT number. 14 listed movers within 30 miles of Reno hold it.
How many people move from Reno to San Francisco each year?
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates about 179 people a year (margin of error ±170) moved from Washoe County, which contains Reno, to San Francisco County, which contains San Francisco.
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.