($1,587+) Burlington, VT to San Francisco, CA Movers
Moving from Burlington, VT, to San Francisco, CA, runs anywhere from $1,587 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $15,828 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 3,011 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 7 to 21 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.
- Full-service moves for smaller spaces (studio apartments and 1-bedrooms) start around $3,274, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $15,828 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,965 - $7,233, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,587 - $4,550.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Burlington, VT, to San Francisco, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $4,797 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
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Compare moving options from Burlington, VT to San Francisco, CA
Moving options from Burlington to San Francisco fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $4,797 - $9,339 for a 2-3 bedroom home and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers cost about 44% less than full-service for the same size, and rental trucks land around 63% less, with both DIY options requiring you to load yourself. Covering 3,011 miles, this route usually takes 7 to 21 days from pickup to delivery.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 3,011-mile route from Burlington to San Francisco, broken down by home size:
Home size makes the biggest difference in what you'll pay on this route. A studio or 1-bedroom runs $3,274 - $7,232 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($1,965 - $3,954), rental truck ($1,587 - $3,336), or freight trailer ($1,751 - $3,488). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $4,797 - $9,339 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $15,828.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated October 30, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Burlington, VT to San Francisco, CA
For the 3,011-mile move from Burlington, Vermont, to San Francisco, California, full-service movers cost between $3,274 and $15,828. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $496 - $3,304 (1 - 5+ bedrooms), crews will pack your boxes. The weight of your shipment and the mileage between the two cities are what drive your final cost. For scale, local movers in Burlington generally start around $594 plus $200 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Burlington to San Francisco:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $3,274 - $7,232
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $4,797 - $9,339
- 4+ bedrooms: $9,299 - $15,828
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 Burlington to San Francisco.
Pro tip: Moving company rates climb during peak moving season (May –-September) when demand peaks. Scheduling your move outside of that window can lead to noticeably lower costs and better availability.
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Specialty moving services from Burlington, VT to San Francisco, CA
Specialty needs vary by market: 80% of Burlington movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In San Francisco, 54% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing80% of local movers | $826 - $8,260 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready80% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Booska Movers | $330 - $1,982/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $496 - $3,965 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage40% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs40% of local movers | $1,652 - $4,956 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $4,130 - $16,520 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,237 - $2,351 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items20% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Booska Movers | $1,652 - $4,130 |
| Piano | Any piano type40% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: Local Muscle Movers | $1,322 - $5,782 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling | $496 - $2,478 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect9% nationally | $1,074 - $3,304 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $496 - $24,780+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $496 - $5,782+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Burlington to San Francisco?
If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in California Moving & Storage Association is a good first thing to confirm.
- 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 full-service movers are the more cost-efficient choice. Local movers in Burlington, VT, often charge 30% - 40% more at that distance because their operations aren't built for long-haul logistics. The exception is if you want a dedicated point-to-point truck with an average 2-day delivery, though that level of service generally increases your total cost.
Moving container costs from Burlington, VT to San Francisco, CA
Moving containers from Burlington, Vermont, to San Francisco, California, cost between $1,965 and $7,233. With a moving container, you load on your own schedule. U-Haul gives you 3 days to fill yours, while PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're ready, the company transports it straight to your new place. Need more time first? Storage in Burlington typically costs about $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Burlington to San Francisco:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,965 - $3,954
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,682 - $5,787
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,524 - $7,233
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $124 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $248 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 $1,156 in Burlington, VT, 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 San Francisco, CA, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Vermont to California 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 $1,965. 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 $2,682 - $5,787.
What are the best moving containers Burlington to San Francisco?
- 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 Burlington 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 Burlington:
- Local Muscle Movers (4.9/5), 16 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Burlington, VT to San Francisco, CA
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 3,011 miles from Burlington, Vermont, to San Francisco, California, running $1,587 - $4,550. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $1,583 - $1,809
- Daily insurance: $50/day
- Equipment rentals: $12 - $33
- Burlington daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.89
| 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 Burlington to San Francisco based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,587 - $3,336
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,772 - $3,896
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,264 - $4,550
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $1,587 - $4,550 when pricing out a rental truck from Burlington to San Francisco. Fuel alone runs $1,583 - $1,809, and overnight lodging ($248/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?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Burlington, Vermont, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $1,156.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $1,583 - $1,809 for the 3,011-mile drive, depending on whether your truck takes gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, auto transport trailers, and furniture pads are separate rentals. Expect to spend between $99 and $537, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $248 per night for hotel stops on the 3,011-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $496 - $743.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Burlington to San Francisco?
- 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 Burlington, VT to San Francisco, CA
Freight trailers are a good fit for medium-to-large moves where you need more space than a container but don't want to drive a rental truck from Burlington, Vermont, to San Francisco, California. The trailer is delivered to your address, you load it, and the carrier takes it the rest of the way.
Unlike truck rentals with flat rates, freight trailers scale with your shipment. Every additional section of trailer space you fill increases your total. A 2 - 3 bedroom long-distance move using this method runs roughly between $2,209 and $4,452.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Burlington to San Francisco:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,751 - $3,488
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,209 - $4,452
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,819 - $6,269
Pro tip: Freight trailers come with a 4-foot loading ramp, which can be a challenge with bulky furniture. With 8 feet of vertical space available, stacking efficiently often requires a ladder and a plan. Since you're billed per linear foot, packing tight can make a real difference in your final cost.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- More space: Freight pricing is based on exactly how much of the trailer you fill. If your items take up more than expected, the added footage can increase your cost by between $124 and $248.
- Peak season impact: Moving during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) often means higher trailer rates as demand increases across the board.
- Moving labor: Unless you plan to load everything yourself, factor in labor costs. Two movers in Burlington, Vermont, for roughly five hours typically average $1,156.
What are the best freight companies from Burlington to San Francisco?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the best for large moves pick. While it's a top moving container option for the DIY hybrid setup (you handle the loading, they handle the driving), the same approach makes it a strong freight choice for 3 to 5+ bedroom homes that need 53 feet of trailer capacity with pay-as-you-go pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer here. In addition to their popular container service, U-Pack delivers a top-tier freight trailer option that uses the same pay-by-the-foot pricing model and skips deposits and upfront fees entirely.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are one of the fastest ways to move your belongings interstate, often beating full-service movers on delivery time. If getting your stuff to San Francisco quickly is a priority, freight is worth a hard look. That said, freight carriers typically require you to be available to receive your shipment within a set window, so if you need short-term storage or your new place won't be ready right away, a container or full-service mover may give you more flexibility.
Cost of living: Burlington, VT vs San Francisco, CA
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in San Francisco, side by side with Burlington on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Burlington, VT | San Francisco, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 112 | 245 |
| Average rent | $2,200/mo | $3,250/mo |
| Median home value | $402,586 | $1,374,773 |
| Average income | $68,854/yr | $141,446/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 3.2% | 5.4% |
| State income tax | Up to 8.75% | Up to 13.3% |
| Walkability score | 59/100 | 99/100 |
| Safety index | 56.67/100 | 38.59/100 |
| Air quality | Good | Moderate |
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 San Francisco, CA to Burlington, VT guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from Vermont to California 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 5 movers in our Vermont network to compare for this 3,011-mile move.
Our take
The 3,011-mile move from Burlington, VT, to San Francisco, CA, costs between $3,274 and $15,828 with full-service movers, $1,965 - $7,233 with a moving container, and $1,587 - $4,550 for a rental truck. Your budget and how much heavy lifting you want to do are the two biggest factors in choosing the right option. If you go with full-service movers, Safeway Moving is our top recommendation, with transparent flat-rate pricing starting around $4,797 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage, and 24/7 customer support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Lyft and Securitize.
FAQs: Moving from Burlington, VT, to San Francisco, CA
What do local movers charge in Burlington?
Local movers based in Burlington typically start around $594 as a base rate, plus $200/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 San Francisco run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
What size moving truck do I need for this route?
Rental trucks generally range from 10 to 26 feet. A 15- to 17-foot truck covers most 2-bedroom moves, while a smaller 10- to 12-foot truck works for a studio or 1-bedroom. Homes with 4 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
How much does it cost to move from Burlington, VT to San Francisco, CA?
Costs on this route range from around $1,587 to $15,828, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $3,274 and $15,828, 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 is the cheapest way to move from Burlington, VT to San Francisco, CA?
Renting a moving truck is almost always the most affordable option, since you handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself. A 2-bedroom rental truck move on this route averages $1,772 - $3,896. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($1,583 - $1,809), daily insurance ($50/day), and equipment rentals ($12 - $33) on top. Overnight stops can add another $248/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
What percentage of Burlington movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 40% of movers in Burlington handle piano moves, and 20% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.