($1,637+) San Francisco, CA to Wilmington, DE Movers
The cost to move from San Francisco, CA to Wilmington, DE ranges from $1,369 to $13,905, with an average cost of $5,100. Moves can be as low as $1,637 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 2,866 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.
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Compare moving options from San Francisco, CA to Wilmington, DE
Moving options from San Francisco to Wilmington fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,369 - $13,905 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $5,100, and movers handle all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 60% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This particular route covers 2,866 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 2,866-mile route from San Francisco to Wilmington, broken down by home size:
- Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $1,369 - $6,743, container $2,158 - $3,883, rental truck $1,687 - $3,176, freight trailer $1,757 - $3,423.
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $4,469 - $8,632, container $2,531 - $5,686, rental truck $1,792 - $3,896, freight trailer $2,175 - $4,549.
- 4+ bedrooms: full-service $8,330 - $13,905, container $3,826 - $7,229, rental truck $2,151 - $4,500, freight trailer $2,826 - $6,027.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from San Francisco, CA to Wilmington, DE
Full-service movers for the 2,866-mile relocation from San Francisco, California, to Wilmington, Delaware, cost between $1,369 and $13,905. With a long-distance moving company, loading, transportation, and unloading are all taken care of. If you want to skip packing boxes, too, that can be added for $566 - $3,772, depending on your home size. What you pay in the end is mainly a function of how much your shipment weighs and how far it's traveling. As a point of reference, local movers in San Francisco typically charge a base rate around $284 plus $150 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from San Francisco to Wilmington:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,369 - $6,743
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $4,469 - $8,632
- 4+ bedrooms: $8,330 - $13,905
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 Wilmington.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from California to Delaware. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: The summer months (May - September) are the busiest time of year for movers during peak moving season, which drives up prices and limits scheduling options. If you can move in the fall or winter, you'll likely find better rates and more flexibility.
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Specialty moving services from San Francisco, CA to Wilmington, DE
Specialty needs vary by market — 87% of San Francisco movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Wilmington, 89% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $943 - $9,430 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready87% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Eagle Moving & Storage, Inc. | $377 - $2,263/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $566 - $4,526 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage56% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs49% of local movers | $1,886 - $5,658 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $4,715 - $18,860 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,413 - $2,684 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items70% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Eagle Moving & Storage, Inc. | $1,886 - $4,715 |
| Piano | Any piano type79% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Eagle Moving & Storage, Inc. | $1,509 - $6,601 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling39% of local movers | $566 - $2,829 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect27% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Luigy's Moving & Storage | $1,226 - $3,772 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $566 - $28,290+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $566 - $6,601+ |
What are the best full-service movers from San Francisco to Wilmington?
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving offers the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing locks in your cost upfront, and 24/7 customer support is available throughout the move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. Operating since 1995, AVL staffs every move with full-time in-house crews trained on antiques, art, and other high-value items.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. As one of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, real-time shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national van lines are the smarter financial choice over local movers in San Francisco, CA. Local companies can run 30% - 40% more at that range since they don't consolidate shipments the way interstate carriers do. If a direct, dedicated route with an average 2-day delivery appeals to you, a local mover could be worth it, but that convenience comes at a cost.
Moving container costs from San Francisco, CA to Wilmington, DE
Moving containers from San Francisco, California, to Wilmington, Delaware, cost between $2,158 and $7,229. A container is delivered to your home and you load it on your own time. Loading windows vary by company: U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30. From there, the company takes over and transports it to Wilmington. If you go over that window, storage in San Francisco adds around $120/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from San Francisco to Wilmington:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,158 - $3,883
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,531 - $5,686
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,826 - $7,229
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $141 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $283 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Wilmington, DE, 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 $1,320 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 Delaware 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 $2,158. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $2,531 - $5,686, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers San Francisco to Wilmington?
- 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:
- Good Green Moving (4.7/5), 13 years in business
- Dependable Movers, LLC (4.9/5), 8 years in business
- Johnson & Daly Moving and Storage (4.9/5), 47 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from San Francisco, CA to Wilmington, DE
Truck rentals from San Francisco, California, to Wilmington, Delaware, range from $1,687 - $4,500 for the 2,866-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $1,720 - $1,966
- Daily insurance: $57/day
- Equipment rentals: $13 - $38
- 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 Wilmington based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,687 - $3,176
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,792 - $3,896
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,151 - $4,500
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from San Francisco to Wilmington starts at $1,687 - $4,500, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($1,720 - $1,966) , overnight lodging ($283/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for an additional $600 - $1,200 on top of your base rate to cover those costs.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $283 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 $123 and $613 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $1,720 - $1,966 in fuel for the 2,866-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $1,320 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 Wilmington?
- 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 Wilmington, DE
For larger DIY moves from San Francisco, California, freight trailers give you plenty of room without putting you behind the wheel. Standard trailers are 28 feet long. You load the section you need, and the carrier transports everything to Wilmington, Delaware.
Because freight companies bill by linear footage, your total is based on how much of the trailer you occupy, not the full length. For most medium-to-large moves on this route, pricing typically falls between $2,175 and $4,549.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from San Francisco to Wilmington:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,757 - $3,423
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,175 - $4,549
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,826 - $6,027
Pro tip: Loading a freight trailer is a bit different from filling a container. The 4-foot ramp can be steep with large items, and getting the most out of 8 feet of vertical clearance takes planning. Since pricing is based on linear feet used, every inch of wasted space has a cost.
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 $141 - $283 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in San Francisco, California, for about five hours typically runs $1,320.
What are the best freight companies from San Francisco to Wilmington?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Best known as a top moving container option thanks to its DIY hybrid model (you load, they drive), MovingYourself also doubles as a strong freight choice with their 53-foot trucks and pay-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. In addition to their well-known container service, U-Pack offers freight trailers that follow the same pay-by-the-foot model with no deposits or upfront fees, making them one of the most flexible freight options for budget-conscious moves.
- PRO Logistics (4.54/5 stars): PRO Logistics is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned and operated facilities give you direct access to support staff who know the area and can coordinate pickups and deliveries with greater flexibility than national carriers.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in Wilmington fast. For interstate moves, freight is one of the quickest delivery methods out there. Just keep in mind that freight carriers expect you to be available to receive your shipment, so it works best when your move-in is locked in and you don't need temporary storage on either end.
Cost of living: San Francisco, CA vs Wilmington, DE
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Wilmington, side by side with San Francisco on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | San Francisco, CA | Wilmington, DE |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 245 | 104 |
| Average rent | $3,250/mo | $1,812/mo |
| Median home value | $1,374,773 | $224,861 |
| Average income | $141,446/yr | $55,269/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 5.4% | 10.3% |
| State income tax | Up to 13.3% | Up to 6.6% |
| Walkability score | 99/100 | 74/100 |
| Safety index | 38.59/100 | 32.68/100 |
| 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 Wilmington, DE 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 Delaware, 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 374 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 2,866-mile move like this one.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from San Francisco, CA, to Wilmington, DE, comes down to your budget and how much time and work you're able to put into it. Hands-off relocations handled by full-service movers range from $1,369 - $13,905 on the 2,866-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $2,158 - $7,229 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $1,687 - $4,500 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $4,469 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and 24/7 live support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Nestle and DuPont.
FAQs: Moving from San Francisco, CA, to Wilmington, DE
How long does a move from San Francisco, CA to Wilmington, DE take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 5 - 7 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are usually the fastest option outside of driving yourself, with deliveries in 3 - 5 days, 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 Wilmington, DE?
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 Wilmington, DE?
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 Wilmington a safe place to live?
Wilmington has a safety index of 32.68 out of 100 and a crime index of 67.32, 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.
How walkable is Wilmington?
Wilmington has a walkability score of 74 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 52, compared to 99 and 99 in San Francisco. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
What percentage of San Francisco movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 79% of movers in San Francisco handle piano moves, and 70% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
