Moving route
San Jose to Palo Alto movers
Studio or 1-bedroom from San Jose to Palo Alto or Stanford? The 3-hour minimum, 2 vs 3 movers, and real examples from 3.5 to 4 hours.
Cal-T #0190543 · Licensed & insuredUS DOT 1783494
4.8★ · Over 1,000 reviews on Google, Yelp (San Jose, San Francisco) and Thumbtack
- Google4.8 / 79 reviews
- Cal-T#0190543
- US DOT1783494
- Hours7 days, 7 AM - 8 PM
Small moves up the Peninsula
Many San Jose to Palo Alto requests are small moves: studios, one-bedrooms and graduate housing near Stanford. In 2026 we completed a San Jose studio to Palo Alto in 4 billed hours, and a San Jose move to the Stanford campus area in 3.5. This page is about getting a small move right.
The minimum, and when 2 movers make sense
Every local move has a 3-hour minimum, billed in 15-minute steps after that.
| Crew | Rate | 3-hour minimum | 4 hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 movers | $145/hr | $435 | $580 |
| 3 movers | $175/hr | $525 | $700 |
Two movers fit a very small move: a studio with a bed, a desk and boxes. For a full one-bedroom, our standard team of 3 movers is the usual choice. David's planning range is 3 to 4 hours for a studio and 3 to 5 for a one-bedroom.
Every piece of furniture is fully wrapped and protected with moving blankets and tape, at no extra charge.
Drive time between San Jose and Palo Alto
The trip is about 18 miles on US-101 or I-280 from downtown San Jose, 25 to 35 minutes when traffic moves. That is over 10 minutes, so it is billed twice. On a small move the drive can be a third of the bill, which is one more reason to be fully packed when the crew knocks.
Stanford and Palo Alto apartments
Campus housing and many Palo Alto apartment buildings have set move-in times and limited loading space. Ask the housing office what they need from the mover. If it is a certificate of insurance, we provide it free. Bring your parking permit or guest pass details so the truck can stop close to the entrance.
Small move checklist
- Pack everything in boxes; no plastic bags or loose items.
- Take the bed apart only if you want to. Disassembly and reassembly are included.
- Count your hanging clothes. About 8 wardrobe boxes come with the truck and go back with the crew; any box you keep is $25.
- Mattress covers are $15 each if you want one.
A Palo Alto to San Jose move
Plenty of people go the other way too, from a Palo Alto rental to more space in San Jose. Same rules: a South Bay or Peninsula pickup has the 8 to 10 AM arrival window, the drive between the homes is counted twice, and there is no deposit. Pay at the end by cash, money order, Visa or Mastercard; cards have a 3% fee. If a friend referred you, tell us when you book: friend referrals get 5% off, and returning customers and real-estate-agent referrals get 7%.
Questions and answers
What is the least I can pay for a San Jose to Palo Alto move?
The minimum is 3 hours. With 2 movers that is $435, with 3 movers $525, before any supplies.
Do you move students to Stanford?
Yes. We completed a San Jose to Stanford-area move this year in 3.5 billed hours.
Are wardrobe boxes included?
Yes, about 8 come with the crew and are returned at the end. If you keep one it is $25.
Is the drive billed on a small move?
Yes, the drive between your two homes is counted twice because it is over 10 minutes.
Do you charge more on weekends near the start of the school year?
No. The hourly rate is the same every day. Rates may vary based on dates and availability.
Moving day, done right
They keep coming back.
4.8 on 79 Google reviews. Over 1,000 reviews on Google, Yelp (San Jose, San Francisco) and Thumbtack.
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