Moving from Reno, NV to San Jose, CA
About 220 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 Jose, CA covers about 220 miles and is an interstate move. Full-service movers cost $990 – $1,320 for a two-bedroom home in our model, delivered in 1 to 3 days. About 176 people a year move between the two counties (Census).
The route
A short interstate haul: 220 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 $990 – $1,320. 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 Jose
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $743 – $990 | $535 – $713 | $356 – $475 |
| 1 bedroom | $891 – $1,188 | $642 – $855 | $428 – $570 |
| 2 bedrooms | $990 – $1,320 | $713 – $950 | $475 – $634 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,138 – $1,518 | $820 – $1,093 | $546 – $729 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,287 – $1,716 | $927 – $1,236 | $618 – $824 |
| 5+ bedrooms | $1,485 – $1,980 | $1,069 – $1,426 | $713 – $950 |
Transport only, for an estimated 220 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 Jose
220 miles × 2.0 (two-bedroom size multiplier) × $2.50 (full-service rate) = $1,100. The range runs 10% under that to 20% over: $990 to $1,320, 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 Jose
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates that about 176 people a year (±96) moved from Washoe County, NV, home to Reno, to Santa Clara County, CA, home to San Jose. Going the other way: about 646 people a year (±264). Movers from Washoe County make up 0.2% of the 78,912 people a year who moved into Santa Clara 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 | 8,231 ±986 |
| San Mateo County, CA | 6,043 ±854 |
| Los Angeles County, CA | 5,413 ±752 |
| San Francisco County, CA | 3,735 ±605 |
| Santa Cruz County, CA | 2,272 ±673 |
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 Jose end
For a local crew after delivery, the largest licensed carriers within 30 miles of San Jose: Crown Worldwide Moving and Storage LLC (Union City, 25 trucks), Nor-Cal Moving Services (Hayward, 23 trucks), Ontrack Moving LLC (Hayward, 20 trucks), Moving Solutions Inc (Newark, 18 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 Jose
Ask whether it is hourly or flat
At 220 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 Jose
A local move inside San Jose 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 Jose are Fremont (about 13 mi), Oakland (about 45 mi), San Francisco (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 Francisco, CA | ~215 mi | $968 – $1,290 |
| Reno to Fresno, CA | ~225 mi | $1,013 – $1,350 |
| Reno to Bakersfield, CA | ~340 mi | $1,530 – $2,040 |
Also moving to San Jose: from Fremont, CA, from San Francisco, CA, from Modesto, CA, from Stockton, CA.
Reno to San Jose moving FAQ
How much does it cost to move from Reno to San Jose?
From our published model, full-service movers over about 220 miles cost about $743 – $990 for a studio, $990 – $1,320 for a two-bedroom home and $1,138 – $1,518 for a three-bedroom home, transport only; packing, storage and specialty items are extra.
How long does a move from Reno to San Jose 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 Jose?
Loading a freight trailer yourself: about $475 – $634 for a two-bedroom home, against $990 – $1,320 with full-service movers; a moving container is $713 – $950.
Do I need an interstate-licensed mover for Reno to San Jose?
Yes. Reno is in Nevada and San Jose 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 Jose each year?
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates about 176 people a year (margin of error ±96) moved from Washoe County, which contains Reno, to Santa Clara County, which contains San Jose.
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.