How the price works
Moves over 100 constructive miles within California are usually priced by weight and distance, not by the hour. A San Jose to Sacramento move generally falls into that category. That means the total depends mainly on how much you take. Every item you sell, donate or give away before the move lowers the price.
Moving less
Start sorting early. Furniture that does not suit the new home, extra kitchen items, old electronics and garage clutter all add weight. Many people find that a Sacramento home has a different layout, often with more space but different rooms, so plan the new rooms before deciding what to bring.
The route
Most moves to Sacramento go north on I-680 through the East Bay and then east on I-80, or up I-880 to I-80. Both routes have heavy commute traffic near the Bay Area, including at the Benicia-Martinez Bridge on I-680. Movers usually plan departure times to avoid the worst of it.
Summer heat in the Sacramento Valley
Sacramento summers are hotter than San Jose's, with many days well into the 90s and some above 100. Plan unloading for the morning if you can. Heat-sensitive items, such as candles, vinyl records, photographs and some electronics, are better carried in your air-conditioned car than left in a hot truck.
Delivery dates
Delivery dates are set when you book, based on the size of the home and your schedule. If your new home is not ready when your San Jose lease ends, storage can bridge the gap.
Housing differences
Many people moving from San Jose to the Sacramento area move into larger single-family homes, often with bigger garages and yards. That can mean buying furniture after the move rather than moving everything. Measure the new rooms if you can, or ask for a floor plan.
Utilities and services
Stop PG&E and San José Clean Energy service at your San Jose address. In the Sacramento area, electricity in many places comes from SMUD, the Sacramento Municipal Utility District, rather than PG&E, though it depends on the exact city. Check which providers serve your new address before move day.
Packing for the drive
Longer drives mean more vibration. Use sturdy boxes, fill them completely so they do not crush, wrap fragile items well and label everything. Consider professional packing for the kitchen and fragile items on a long move.
Keep a travel box
The truck may arrive after you, so keep a box or bag in your car with documents, medication, chargers, a few days of clothes and basic kitchen items. It makes the first night easier.
Arriving first
If you arrive before the truck, walk through the new home, photograph any existing marks and decide where large pieces go. When the crew arrives, you can direct them room by room.
Address changes
Update your address with the post office, the DMV, banks, employers and insurers. California requires you to update your address with the DMV within a short time after moving, so do it soon after you arrive.
Getting a written estimate
Ask for an estimate based on a real look at your home, by video or in person. Our long-distance movers from San Jose explain the weight and distance pricing in writing before anything is booked, and our storage can bridge the gap if dates do not line up.
Comparing estimates
When you compare estimates for a long move, check that they use the same assumptions: the same home size, the same amount of packing and the same valuation. A low number based on a smaller inventory can grow on moving day if the truck fills up faster than expected.
What to leave behind
Older appliances, inexpensive furniture and things you have not used in a year are often cheaper to replace in Sacramento than to move 120 miles. Pianos, heirlooms and quality furniture are usually worth bringing. Decide item by item rather than room by room.
Schools and registration
If you have children, contact the new school district early. Enrollment usually needs proof of the new address, so lease or purchase documents and a utility bill are useful to have on hand.
The first week in the valley
Find the nearest hardware store, grocery and pharmacy, set up trash service, and check the cooling system before the first hot afternoon. Many Sacramento-area homes have larger yards, so ask the previous owner or landlord about irrigation settings.
Saying goodbye to San Jose
Arrange final readings with PG&E and San José Clean Energy, return keys and parking passes, forward your mail and take one last walk through the old home before you leave.
The Yolo Causeway
On I-80 between Davis and West Sacramento, the Yolo Causeway crosses the Yolo Bypass floodplain and is a known bottleneck, especially on Friday afternoons and holiday weekends. Arriving in Sacramento mid-morning on a weekday usually avoids the worst of it.
Where Bay Area movers land
Moves from the South Bay to the Sacramento region often end not in Sacramento itself but in surrounding cities such as Roseville, Elk Grove, Folsom or Davis. Each has its own utilities, trash service and HOA patterns, so check the details for the exact city rather than assuming Sacramento's.
The Delta breeze
Sacramento summer days are hot, but evenings often cool off when the Delta breeze comes up from the bay. If you are unloading in summer, an early start, or finishing in the cooler evening, is far easier than unloading in mid-afternoon heat.