Edward G.
James and the crew were terrific.
Moving from Reno to Modesto
Modesto's median gross rent is $1,690 in the American Community Survey, higher than the $1,592 median for the Reno metro, while its median home value of $442,700 is lower. The city is about 206 miles from our Sparks warehouse.
or call 775-359-6683
4.3 on Google · 71 reviewsFamily owned since 1941U.S. DOT No. 30611
- 206 miles
- about 4 h of driving
Reno-SparksModesto, CA
206 miles by road
- Driving time (free-flow)about 4 h
- Days behind the wheel at 500 miles a day1
- Main roadsI-80, CA-99, I-80 Business
Mountain passes on the way
- Donner Summit (I-80)7,213 ft
| Measure | Modesto, CA | Reno-Sparks |
|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $81,468 | $87,485 |
| Median gross rent | $1,623 | $1,592 |
| Median home value | $450,100 | $502,300 |
| January average high | 56 F | 48 F |
| July average high | 95 F | 94 F |
| Snow in a normal year | not published | 20.9 in |
- Moved from California to Nevada (2024)about 53,289
- Moved from Nevada to California (2024)about 21,133
- Moved into Washoe County from Stanislaus County, California, per yearabout 76
- Moved from Washoe County to them, per yearabout 15
Data (read 2026-10-19): OSRM routing on OpenStreetMap data, free-flow drive from 2277 Glendale Ave, Sparks; U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates; NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020; U.S. Census Bureau, State-to-State Migration Flows (ACS 1-year 2024); U.S. Census Bureau, ACS county-to-county migration flows 2016-2020.
Modesto is the seat of Stanislaus County, in the middle of the San Joaquin Valley. Census flows between Washoe and Stanislaus counties are small and their margins of error are as large as the estimates, so the fair summary is that people move each way. What follows is the Modesto side of the trip.
A split between buying and renting costs
The American Community Survey lists Modesto city at $442,700 for median home value, $1,690 for median gross rent and $79,891 for median household income, with 41.1 percent of households renting. The Modesto metro shows $450,100 for a home and $1,623 for rent.
In the Reno metro the survey lists $502,300 for a home and $1,592 for rent. Buying may cost less in Modesto while renting costs slightly more, a reminder that medians describe areas and not any one listing.
Valley heat and cool nights
NOAA's normals for the Modesto airport station list a January high of 56.1 degrees, a January low of 38.8, a July high of 95.0 and a July low of 62.7, with 12.27 inches of precipitation a year. NOAA does not publish a snowfall figure for the station.
July highs are about the same as in Reno, and the nights run a couple of degrees warmer. The difference you feel is winter: the valley sees rain and fog instead of snow.
State rules in the first weeks
California DMV expects new residents to get a California driver license within 10 days and to register a vehicle from another state within 20 days. The base sales and use tax is 7.25 percent, with district taxes of 0.10 to 2.00 points in some places.
Use the moving to a new state checklist for the address changes, utilities and school records that follow the DMV visit.
O'Brien's plan for a Modesto move
O'Brien's takes the booking after a free, no-obligation in-home estimate with 10 free heavy-duty boxes. The shipment travels through the Bekins Van Lines network and the delivery window comes from your written estimate.
The route leaves Sparks on I-80 over Donner Summit at about 7,200 feet, and the estimator builds mountain weather into the plan. If your new home is not ready, vault storage from $40 per month keeps the goods in our Sparks warehouse.
Licensed movers
U.S. DOT No. 30611
MC-109375
Nevada CPCN 1070
Cal PUC T-90973 (as published by O'Brien's)
Bekins Van Lines interstate agent since 1955
Check our USDOT record · Ready to Move? (FMCSA)
Licenses and authorityVisit or call the office
2277 Glendale Ave, Sparks, NV 89431
| Monday to Friday | 8:00 am to 5:00 pm |
|---|---|
| Saturday and Sunday | Closed |
Get my free estimate
Bekins Van Lines network
How a long-distance move works with a Bekins agent
O'Brien's Moving & Storage has been an agent for Bekins Van Lines since 1955. On an interstate move the Bekins network carries your shipment under the van line's interstate system; O'Brien's books the move in either direction. Leaving Northern Nevada, we give the free in-home estimate, pack, store in our Sparks warehouse if you need it, and load. Moving here from another state, you book with us and we coordinate the move from your origin through the Bekins network, then handle delivery, unpacking and storage in Sparks. Your written estimate sets the delivery window. What being a Bekins agent means.
Your rights on an interstate move
Federal booklets every interstate mover must give you
- Ready to Move? Tips for a Successful Interstate Move (FMCSA)
- Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move (FMCSA)
- Protect Your Move: check any mover's USDOT number. Ours is U.S. DOT No. 30611.
Next
Related routes and guides
- Moving from Modesto to Reno
- Long-distance routes to and from Reno
- Moving to Reno from California
- Moving from Nevada to California
- Moving from Reno to Tucson
- Moving from Reno to Provo and Orem
- Moving from Reno to Salem, Oregon
- Moving from Reno to Grand Junction
- Moving from Reno to Albuquerque
- Moving from Reno to Houston
Answers
Moving from Reno to Modesto questions
Still have a question? Call 775-359-6683, Mon-Fri 8-5, or see the moving FAQ.
Is Modesto cheaper than Reno?
The American Community Survey shows a lower median home value in Modesto ($442,700 against $502,300 in the Reno metro) and a higher median rent ($1,690 against $1,592).
How far is Modesto from Reno?
About 206 miles by road from our Sparks warehouse.
How long do I have to register a car in California?
California DMV allows 20 days from becoming a resident or bringing the vehicle into the state.
4.3 stars from 71 Google reviews
What customers say about O'Brien's
Nicole B.
The crew worked extremely hard and treated our belongings with care. Customer service was outstanding leading up to, during, and after move. Thank you!
Charles C.
Great company, I'd highly recommend for any move!!!
Owner's reply
Charles, It was a pleasure working with you on your moves. We hope your trip is amazing and if you ever come back our way, we will be happy to help. Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to complete this review on our behalf.
Get a long-distance estimate
Tell us where you are going. The estimate for a long-distance move starts with a survey of your Reno-area home.