Moving from Seattle, WA to San Francisco, CA
808 miles across a state line, from Washington into California, so the federal interstate rules apply from the first quote.
Measured driving distance. Prices from our published model, not quotes.
In short
Moving from Seattle, WA to San Francisco, CA covers 808 miles and is an interstate move. Full-service movers cost $3,636 – $4,848 for a two-bedroom home in our model, delivered in 3 to 7 days. About 923 people a year move between the two counties (Census).
The route
At 808 miles between Washington 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 $3,636 – $4,848 full-service — so ask which one you are buying.
- Move type
- Interstate move
- Driving
- 2 days on the road (about 15 hours of driving)
- Usually moves on
- either a dedicated truck or a consolidated load
- Book ahead
- 4 to 6 weeks
Cost of moving from Seattle to San Francisco
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $2,727 – $3,636 | $1,963 – $2,618 | $1,309 – $1,745 |
| 1 bedroom | $3,272 – $4,363 | $2,356 – $3,142 | $1,571 – $2,094 |
| 2 bedrooms | $3,636 – $4,848 | $2,618 – $3,491 | $1,745 – $2,327 |
| 3 bedrooms | $4,181 – $5,575 | $3,011 – $4,014 | $2,007 – $2,676 |
| 4 bedrooms | $4,727 – $6,302 | $3,403 – $4,538 | $2,269 – $3,025 |
| 5+ bedrooms | $5,454 – $7,272 | $3,927 – $5,236 | $2,618 – $3,491 |
Transport only, for 808 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, Seattle to San Francisco
808 miles × 2.0 (two-bedroom size multiplier) × $2.50 (full-service rate) = $4,040. The range runs 10% under that to 20% over: $3,636 to $4,848, 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 Seattle to San Francisco
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates that about 923 people a year (±338) moved from King County, WA, home to Seattle, to San Francisco County, CA, home to San Francisco. Going the other way: about 1,742 people a year (±472). Movers from King County make up 1.8% 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 26,956 people a year (±4,931) moving from Washington to California and about 43,938 people a year (±5,464) from California to Washington — a net gain for Washington of about 16,982 people a year.
| County | People a year |
|---|---|
| Snohomish County, WA | 21,771 ±1,735 |
| Pierce County, WA | 21,425 ±1,746 |
| Kitsap County, WA | 3,349 ±699 |
| Maricopa County, AZ | 3,295 ±699 |
| Spokane County, WA | 3,045 ±593 |
| 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
79 household-goods carriers with interstate authority are based within 30 miles of Seattle (299 counting those licensed only inside Washington). 48 of them had a roadside inspection in the last 24 months, and 16.1% of their 274 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Relocation Services Aff Aes TransportationUSDOT 340754 | Fife · 25 mi | 86 trucks | 184 | 12.0% of 108 |
| Hogland Transfer CoUSDOT 8264 | Everett · 24 mi | 67 trucks | 44 | 26.7% of 15 |
| CMS Relocation & LogisticsUSDOT 505087 | Kent · 15 mi | 59 trucks | 8 | 0.0% of 4 |
| Hansen Bros Moving & StorageUSDOT 8257 | Bellevue · 9 mi | 46 trucks | 10 | 16.7% of 6 |
| Hill Moving Services IncUSDOT 534666 | Poulsbo · 17 mi | 34 trucks | 10 | 33.3% of 3 |
| 4252510911USDOT 153161 | Kent · 15 mi | 31 trucks | 22 | 37.5% of 8 |
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 Washington 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 Seattle to San Francisco
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 808 miles the gap between a guess and a weighed load is measured in four figures.
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 Seattle
All routes from Seattle, nearest first.
| Route | Distance | 2-bedroom, movers |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle to Tacoma, WA | ~29 mi | $535 – $873 |
| Seattle to Olympia, WA | ~55 mi | $535 – $873 |
| Seattle to Vancouver, WA | ~160 mi | $720 – $960 |
| Seattle to Portland, OR | 174 mi | $783 – $1,044 |
| Seattle to Salem, OR | ~218 mi | $981 – $1,308 |
| Seattle to Spokane, WA | ~266 mi | $1,197 – $1,596 |
| Seattle to Eugene, OR | ~289 mi | $1,301 – $1,734 |
| Seattle to Missoula, MT | ~460 mi | $2,070 – $2,760 |
Also moving to San Francisco: from Fremont, CA, from San Jose, CA, from Stockton, CA, from Sacramento, CA.
Seattle to San Francisco moving FAQ
How much does it cost to move from Seattle to San Francisco?
From our published model, full-service movers over 808 miles cost about $2,727 – $3,636 for a studio, $3,636 – $4,848 for a two-bedroom home and $4,181 – $5,575 for a three-bedroom home, transport only; packing, storage and specialty items are extra.
How long does a move from Seattle to San Francisco take?
The drive is 2 days on the road (about 15 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 Seattle to San Francisco?
Loading a freight trailer yourself: about $1,745 – $2,327 for a two-bedroom home, against $3,636 – $4,848 with full-service movers; a moving container is $2,618 – $3,491.
Do I need an interstate-licensed mover for Seattle to San Francisco?
Yes. Seattle is in Washington and San Francisco is in California, so the carrier needs active FMCSA interstate authority (an MC number) as well as a USDOT number. 79 listed movers within 30 miles of Seattle hold it.
How many people move from Seattle to San Francisco each year?
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates about 923 people a year (margin of error ±338) moved from King County, which contains Seattle, 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.