($1,661+) San Francisco, CA to Baltimore, MD Movers
The cost to move from San Francisco, CA to Baltimore, MD ranges from $1,343 to $12,599, with an average cost of $5,000. Moves can be as low as $1,661 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.
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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 $1,343 - $12,599 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $5,000, 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 2,819 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:
- A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $1,343 - $6,612 with full-service movers, $1,972 - $3,759 with a container, $1,612 - $3,030 with a rental truck, or $1,866 - $3,629 by freight.
- A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $4,176 - $8,802 full-service, $2,636 - $5,233 by container, $1,816 - $3,834 by rental truck, or $2,067 - $4,451 by freight.
- A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $8,013 - $12,599 full-service, $3,601 - $7,139 by container, $2,250 - $4,475 by rental truck, or $2,938 - $6,072 by freight.
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 Baltimore, MD
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 2,819-mile move from San Francisco, California, to Baltimore, Maryland, with costs ranging from $1,343 - $12,599. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $553 - $3,684. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between San Francisco and Baltimore. Local movers in San Francisco typically start around $284 as a base rate plus $150/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from San Francisco to Baltimore:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,343 - $6,612
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $4,176 - $8,802
- 4+ bedrooms: $8,013 - $12,599
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.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from California to Maryland. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: Avoiding peak moving season dates (May - September) is one of the easiest ways to reduce costs. Off-season moves typically come with lower pricing and more room to negotiate since movers have fewer bookings.
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Specialty moving services from San Francisco, CA to Baltimore, MD
Specialty needs vary by market — 87% of San Francisco movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Baltimore, 95% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $921 - $9,210 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready87% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Eagle Moving & Storage, Inc. | $368 - $2,210/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $553 - $4,421 |
| 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 | $1,842 - $5,526 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $4,605 - $18,420 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,380 - $2,621 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items70% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Eagle Moving & Storage, Inc. | $1,842 - $4,605 |
| Piano | Any piano type79% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Eagle Moving & Storage, Inc. | $1,474 - $6,447 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling39% of local movers | $553 - $2,763 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect27% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Luigy's Moving & Storage | $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?
Look for Maryland Motor Truck Association membership as a baseline when comparing movers in Maryland beyond this list.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is our pick for best overall value. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 support, and 30 days of free storage make Safeway the clearest value on this list.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. AVL has been moving customers since 1995 and uses full-time in-house crews trained on high-value items like art and antiques.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. One of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, 24/7 monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan against damage, loss, and breakage.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national full-service movers are almost always better priced than local movers in San Francisco, CA. Local companies typically run 30% - 40% more at longer distances because they aren't set up to consolidate shipments the way national carriers do. The one case where a local mover might be worth the premium is if you want a dedicated direct-route truck, which averages a 2-day delivery time, but expect to pay more for that convenience.
Moving container costs from San Francisco, CA to Baltimore, MD
Moving containers from San Francisco, California, to Baltimore, Maryland, cost between $1,972 and $7,139. You're in charge of loading, and the timeline is yours to set. U-Haul allows 3 days while PODS gives you a full 30. After that, the company picks it up and delivers it to your new address. Running behind schedule? Storage in San Francisco costs roughly $120/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from San Francisco to Baltimore:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,972 - $3,759
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,636 - $5,233
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,601 - $7,139
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $138 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $276 per month for larger units (12 - 16 feet).
- Moving labor: Containers don't come with loading help, so many customers hire hourly movers for the job. Two movers for about 5 hours will run you around $1,289 in San Francisco, CA, per moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Standard coverage only reimburses by weight. Full-value protection gives you more complete coverage for higher-value items and typically costs 1% - 2% of your total declared value, around $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 shipment.
- Access: National providers generally operate in both cities, but verify that a facility near your Baltimore, MD, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
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 $1,972. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $2,636 - $5,233, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
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:
- 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 Baltimore, MD
Truck rentals from San Francisco, California, to Baltimore, Maryland, range from $1,612 - $4,475 for the 2,819-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- 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: $1,612 - $3,030
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,816 - $3,834
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,250 - $4,475
Pro tip: A rental truck from San Francisco to Baltimore looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $1,612 - $4,475. But once you factor in fuel ($1,652 - $1,888) , overnight lodging ($276/night), meals, and equipment rentals, most people end up spending $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate suggests. Building that into your budget upfront saves you from sticker shock at the end of the move.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Equipment: Tow dollies, appliance dollies, and moving pads are not included in the base rate. These extras often total between $138 and $645.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $276.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $1,652 and $1,888 for the 2,819-mile drive, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: If you'd rather not do all the heavy lifting, budget around $1,289 for 2 movers in San Francisco, California, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
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 a solid option for larger DIY moves from San Francisco, California, to Baltimore, Maryland. Standard trailers run 28 feet long, and you're only charged for the portion you actually fill. The carrier drops the trailer off, you load it at your own pace, and they handle the drive to your new city.
Pricing is based entirely on the linear footage your shipment occupies, not the full trailer length. Most long-distance freight moves land somewhere between $1,658 and $4,451.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from San Francisco to Baltimore:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,866 - $3,629
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,067 - $4,451
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,938 - $6,072
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?
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In San Francisco, California, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $1,289.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $138 - $276 per additional foot to your total.
- Time of year: Rates tend to climb during peak moving season (mid-May through mid-September) when trailer demand is at its highest.
What are the best freight companies from San Francisco to Baltimore?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is our pick for best for large moves. The company is best known as a top moving container option for its hybrid model where you load and they drive, and that same model translates well to freight thanks to their 53-foot trucks and pay-by-the-foot pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Beyond their flagship container service, U-Pack also runs freight trailers with the same no-deposit, no-upfront-fee model, charging only for the linear footage you actually fill.
- PRO Logistics (4.54/5 stars): PRO Logistics is our pick for best locally owned freight company. Their locally owned and operated facilities mean you work with support staff who know the route and the area, giving you more responsive scheduling than national-only carriers typically offer.
Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from San Francisco to Baltimore, freight trailers are one of the fastest interstate options available, second only to renting a truck and driving it yourself. The tradeoff is that freight works best when you're ready to receive your belongings on the other end. If your timeline is tight on the receiving side or you need a short storage buffer, a moving container might be a better fit.
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 use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from California to Maryland over the past 3 months, giving us some of the most up-to-date pricing data around. Running your move through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. There are 374 movers in our California network to compare for this 2,819-mile move.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from San Francisco, CA, to Baltimore, MD, 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 $1,343 - $12,599 on the 2,819-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,972 - $7,139 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $1,612 - $4,475 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $4,176 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 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 walkable is Baltimore?
Baltimore has a walkability score of 64 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 53, 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.
How much does it cost to move from San Francisco, CA to Baltimore, MD?
Costs on this route range from around $1,343 to $12,599, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,343 and $12,599, while DIY options like rental trucks and containers come in lower. Moving during peak season (May - September) tends to push prices higher across the board.
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.
What do local movers charge in San Francisco?
Local movers based in San Francisco typically start around $284 as a base rate, plus $150/hour per mover. That's a useful baseline if you're hiring help just to load a rental truck or container rather than booking a full long-distance move. Rates in Baltimore run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
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.
