($1,582+) San Francisco, CA to Baltimore, MD Movers
The cost to move from San Francisco, CA to Baltimore, MD ranges from $1,359 to $12,373, with an average cost of $4,650. Moves can be as low as $1,582 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 2,819 miles and usually takes 7 to 21 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.
Fact Checked by:
Compare moving options from San Francisco, CA to Baltimore, MD
Moving options from San Francisco to Baltimore fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,359 - $12,373 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $4,650, and movers handle all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 35% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 59% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This particular route covers 2,819 miles and typically takes 7 to 21 days depending on the service you pick.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 2,819-mile route from San Francisco to Baltimore, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,359 - $5,937 | $1,975 - $3,878 | $1,536 - $2,888 | $1,743 - $3,323 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $3,899 - $7,590 | $2,536 - $4,988 | $1,597 - $3,651 | $1,950 - $4,240 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $7,409 - $12,373 | $3,430 - $7,301 | $1,996 - $4,307 | $2,689 - $5,784 |
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated November 2, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from San Francisco, CA to Baltimore, MD
Hiring full-service movers from San Francisco, California, to Baltimore, Maryland, costs between $1,359 and $12,373. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 2,819-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $553 - $3,684, depending on the size of your home. Your final cost comes down to two things: the total weight of your shipment and the distance between San Francisco and Baltimore. For a rough baseline, movers based in San Francisco tend to start around $284 plus $150/hour per mover on local jobs, before long-distance pricing takes over for a move this size.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from San Francisco to Baltimore:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,359 - $5,937
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,899 - $7,590
- 4+ bedrooms: $7,409 - $12,373
Packing, storage, shuttle fees, and added coverage can stack on top of the base price. See the full add-ons and specialty services table below for what each runs from San Francisco to Baltimore.
Pro tip: Peak moving season (May - September) limits truck availability and pushes up full-service moving costs. Booking during slower months can give you more scheduling room and a lower final price.
Don't see your company listed?
Reach customers actively searching for trusted movers in your area. Tell us about your company and services to get your business listed on moveBuddha.
Specialty moving services from San Francisco, CA to Baltimore, MD
Specialty needs vary by market: 54% of San Francisco movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Baltimore, 70% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing76% of local movers | $921 - $9,210 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready54% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Pure Moving Company | $368 - $2,210/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $553 - $4,421 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage15% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs51% of local movers | $1,842 - $5,526 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $4,605 - $18,420 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,380 - $2,621 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items29% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Pure Moving Company | $1,842 - $4,605 |
| Piano | Any piano type38% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Got2Move | $1,474 - $6,447 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling4% of local movers | $553 - $2,763 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect5% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Silicon Valley Moving and Storage (CA) | $1,197 - $3,684 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $553 - $27,630+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $553 - $6,447+ |
What are the best full-service movers from San Francisco to Baltimore?
Movers licensed to operate in Maryland are typically members of the Maryland Motor Truck Association, worth checking for before you book any of the three below.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 customer support, and 30 days of free storage are included with every move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list, with 30+ years in business since 1995. AVL is one of the few national carriers that uses full-time in-house crews instead of contracted labor.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, combining fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan that covers damage, loss, and breakage.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in San Francisco, CA. At that distance, local movers often charge 30% - 40% more because they don't spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments the way national carriers do. If a direct route and faster delivery (averaging 2 days) are priorities, a local mover may be worth considering, but that service comes at a higher price.
Moving container costs from San Francisco, CA to Baltimore, MD
Moving containers from San Francisco, California, to Baltimore, Maryland, cost between $1,975 and $7,301. The container gets dropped at your door and you load it at your own pace. U-Haul gives you 3 days to load and PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're done, the company handles all the transportation. If you need extra time, storage in San Francisco runs about $120/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from San Francisco to Baltimore:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,975 - $3,878
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,536 - $4,988
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,430 - $7,301
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $138 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $276 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Baltimore, MD, if you need to retrieve anything while items are still in storage.
- Moving labor: Since you're responsible for loading the container yourself, many customers bring in hourly help. Based on moveBuddha data, hiring 2 movers for approximately 5 hours costs about $1,289 in San Francisco, CA. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection goes beyond the standard minimum and covers repair, replacement, or reimbursement at declared value. Pricing is typically 1% - 2% of your total shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 move.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a California to Maryland move in the past 90 days. Our pricing data is drawn from 1,500+ monthly data points across our vetted mover network and refreshed every month.
Pro tip: Before ordering moving containers, take a careful inventory of everything you're moving. A typical 1-bedroom home weighs around 3,000 pounds and fits in a single container starting at $1,975. Underestimating how much you have and needing an extra container means paying for another one, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise. For reference, a 2 - 3 bedroom home typically runs $2,536 - $4,988.
What are the best moving containers San Francisco to Baltimore?
- Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
- U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
- MovingYourself (5.0/5 stars)
Want a hand without paying for full service? A container or truck move does not mean doing all the heavy lifting yourself. You can hire a labor-only crew in San Francisco to load and unload while you handle the drive, then book full help later if you change your mind. Three top-rated local crews for labor-only help in San Francisco:
- Got2Move (4.8/5), 19 years in business
- Sweet Lemon Moving Services (5.0/5), 9 years in business
- 680 Movers (4.8/5), 9 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from San Francisco, CA to Baltimore, MD
Renting a moving truck for the 2,819-mile move from San Francisco, California, to Baltimore, Maryland, costs between $1,536 and $4,307, before these typical add-ons:
- Fuel for the drive: $1,652 - $1,888
- Daily insurance: $55/day
- Equipment rentals: $13 - $37
- San Francisco daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.79 - $1.59
| Home size | Typical truck size |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | 10 - 12 ft |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | 15 - 17 ft |
| 4+ bedrooms | 20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel) |
These are typical moving truck rental costs from San Francisco to Baltimore based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,536 - $2,888
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,597 - $3,651
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,996 - $4,307
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $1,536 - $4,307 when pricing out a rental truck from San Francisco to Baltimore. Fuel alone runs $1,652 - $1,888, and overnight lodging ($276/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend roughly $600 - $1,200 more on meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging by the time the move is done.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $276 per night. Most long-distance moves with rental trucks require 1 - 3 overnight stops.
- Equipment: Tow dollies, auto trailers, and specialty moving equipment can add between $120 and $599 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $1,652 - $1,888 in fuel for the 2,819-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $1,289 in San Francisco, California, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from San Francisco to Baltimore?
- Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
- Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
- U-Haul Truck Rental (4.2/5 stars)
The best truck rental companies for this route, based on moveBuddha's ratings.
Freight trailer costs from San Francisco, CA to Baltimore, MD
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from San Francisco, California, to Baltimore, Maryland, when you want to do the loading yourself without having to drive a massive vehicle. The trailer is delivered, you pack it up, and the carrier handles the long haul.
What sets freight trailers apart is the pay-for-what-you-use pricing model. Each additional foot of trailer space you occupy adds to the cost. Pricing for a 2 - 3 bedroom move of this distance typically lands between $1,950 and $4,240.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from San Francisco to Baltimore:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,743 - $3,323
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,950 - $4,240
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,689 - $5,784
Pro tip: Freight trailers offer generous space but reward good packing strategy. The 4-foot ramp can be challenging for large or heavy pieces, and using the full 8-foot height takes careful stacking. Because you're billed by the linear foot, maximizing vertical space keeps your costs lower.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Demand cycles: Trailer costs climb during peak moving season, especially from mid-May through mid-September when demand is at its highest.
- More space: You're billed only for the linear feet you use, but underestimating your inventory means paying for extra space, typically around $138 - $276 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in San Francisco, California, for about five hours typically runs $1,289.
What are the best freight companies from San Francisco to Baltimore?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Primarily known as a top moving container option for its DIY hybrid model where customers load and the company drives, MovingYourself also functions as a strong freight option thanks to its 53-foot trucks and pay-only-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. Best known for its container service, U-Pack also runs a top-notch freight trailer operation with the same no-deposit, pay-by-the-foot approach that keeps overall costs lower than most freight competitors.
Pro tip: One of the biggest advantages of freight trailers is speed. For an interstate move, freight delivery is one of the fastest options you have short of driving a rental truck yourself. It's a smart choice when your timeline is firm and you'll be ready to receive your shipment. If there's any chance your new place won't be ready or you need a few weeks of storage, a moving container with built-in storage may serve you better.
Cost of living: San Francisco, CA vs Baltimore, MD
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Baltimore, side by side with San Francisco on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | San Francisco, CA | Baltimore, MD |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 245 | 93 |
| Average rent | $3,250/mo | $1,600/mo |
| Median home value | $1,374,773 | $216,384 |
| Average income | $141,446/yr | $59,623/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 5.4% | 7.9% |
| State income tax | Up to 13.3% | Up to 5.75% |
| Walkability score | 99/100 | 64/100 |
| Safety index | 38.59/100 | 27.28/100 |
| Air quality | Moderate | Good |
Cost of living index is relative to the U.S. average of 100. Figures reflect the latest available city and state data.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Baltimore, MD to San Francisco, CA guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from California to Maryland, so we know current pricing better than most. Checking our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates. California alone has 1,154 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 2,819-mile move like this one.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 2,819-mile route from San Francisco, CA, to Baltimore, MD, run $1,359 - $12,373 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,975 - $7,301, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $1,536 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,899, 30 days of free storage, and a 24/7 support team you can actually reach.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Social Security Administration and Laureate International Universities.
FAQs: Moving from San Francisco, CA, to Baltimore, MD
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($1,652 - $1,888), daily insurance ($55/day), and equipment rentals ($13 - $37) on top. Overnight stops can add another $276/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How long does a move from San Francisco, CA to Baltimore, MD take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 7 to 21 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are often one of the faster options outside of driving yourself, though you'll need to be ready to receive your shipment on arrival. Driving a rental truck yourself puts the schedule entirely in your hands.
What is the best time of year to move from San Francisco, CA to Baltimore, MD?
Aim for a move between October and March, when demand drops and rates tend to be lower across all service types. Peak season runs mid-May through mid-September, and weekends and month-end dates are pricier regardless of season. A midweek, mid-month date outside peak season is your best bet for saving money.
What are some tips for saving money on a move from San Francisco, CA to Baltimore, MD?
Cutting 500 pounds from your shipment, roughly one bedroom's worth of items, saves approximately $200 - $400 on a full-service move on this route. Beyond that, staying organized matters just as much. A solid moving checklist keeps you on schedule and helps you avoid costly last-minute mistakes.
Is Baltimore a safe place to live?
Baltimore has a safety index of 27.28 out of 100 and a crime index of 72.72, compared to 38.59 and 61.41 in San Francisco. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What percentage of San Francisco movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 38% of movers in San Francisco handle piano moves, and 29% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.