Moving from San Jose to Reno

The San Jose metro has about 1.97 million residents and the highest median household income of any Bay Area origin on this site. The drive north is about 255 miles, and it begins with a long run up the East Bay before the Sierra comes into view.

Which roads carry a San Jose move

The route leaves San Jose on US 101, joins I-680 for about 70 miles through the East Bay, and then uses I-80 for 178 miles. The crow-flies distance is about 190 miles, but the road distance is 255 because I-680 follows the valley and not a straight line to Sacramento.

The stretch from the South Bay to the Carquinez crossing is where afternoon traffic builds, so a truck that leaves early clears it before the commute. Free-flow driving time is under five hours, and the delivery window itself comes from the written estimate.

Donner Summit and chains

As on every I-80 route, the climb to Donner Summit at about 7,200 feet is the weather risk. Chain controls can be in force during winter storms, and the Nevada side can ice up after the summit. Check Caltrans QuickMap and the NDOT site the day before.

Read moving in winter in the Sierra if your date falls between November and March.

San Jose and Reno compared

The San Jose metro's median household income is about $162,111 in the American Community Survey, its median gross rent is about $2,840 a month, and its median home value is about $1.45 million. Reno city's medians are $80,760 for income, $1,556 for rent and $548,300 for home value.

Climate shifts too. San Jose's January high is near 60 and its July high near 81, with 13 inches of rain a year. Reno's July highs run about 94, January lows about 26, and snow totals near 21 inches in a normal year.

The O'Brien's side of the move

You book with O'Brien's, and we coordinate the move from your Santa Clara County home through the Bekins network, then deliver, unpack and store in Sparks. The estimate is itemized and in writing, and the written estimate sets your delivery window.

If you are buying a Reno home and closing is weeks away, the Sparks warehouse offers vault storage from $40 per month while the shipment waits.

After you arrive

New Nevada residents handle their driver license and vehicle registration at the Nevada DMV, and the Truckee Meadows has its own utility and school signup steps. Our moving to Reno guide collects them in one place.