($346+) Tempe, AZ to Chula Vista, CA Movers
Moving from Tempe, AZ, to Chula Vista, CA, runs anywhere from $346 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $6,638 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 355 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 1 to 4 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 $1,015, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $6,638 or more.
- Moving containers run $830 - $2,850, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $346 - $863.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Tempe, AZ, to Chula Vista, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $1,647 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 Tempe, AZ to Chula Vista, CA
There are 3 main ways to move from Tempe to Chula Vista: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service is the most expensive but covers everything from labor to transportation, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route averaging $1,647 - $4,712. Containers cost roughly 33% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 78% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 355 miles, expect 1 to 4 days in transit no matter which service you choose.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 355-mile route from Tempe to Chula Vista, 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 $1,015 - $3,829 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($830 - $1,564), rental truck ($346 - $596), or freight trailer ($747 - $1,408). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $1,647 - $4,712 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $6,638.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated November 2, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Tempe, AZ to Chula Vista, CA
For the 355-mile move from Tempe, Arizona, to Chula Vista, California, full-service movers cost between $1,015 and $6,638. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $389 - $2,596 (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 Tempe generally start around $200 plus $85 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Tempe to Chula Vista:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,015 - $3,829
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,647 - $4,712
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,668 - $6,638
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 Tempe to Chula Vista.
Pro tip: Peak moving season (May - September) limits truck availability and pushes up full-service moving costs. Booking during slower months can give you more scheduling room and a lower final price.
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Specialty moving services from Tempe, AZ to Chula Vista, CA
Specialty needs vary by market: 66% of Tempe movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Chula Vista, 75% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing79% of local movers | $649 - $6,490 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready66% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Mentors Moving & Storage | $260 - $1,558/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $389 - $3,115 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage13% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs53% of local movers | $1,298 - $3,894 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,245 - $12,980 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $972 - $1,847 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items26% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Moving Team Six LLC | $1,298 - $3,245 |
| Piano | Any piano type35% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Get Your Move On | $1,038 - $4,543 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling14% of local movers | $389 - $1,947 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect9% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Nicolosi Moving & Storage Inc. (AZ) | $844 - $2,596 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $389 - $19,470+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $389 - $4,543+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Tempe to Chula Vista?
Movers licensed to operate in California are typically members of the California Moving & Storage Association, worth checking for before you book any of the three below.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 customer support, and 30 days of free storage are included with every move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list, with 30+ years in business since 1995. AVL is one of the few national carriers that uses full-time in-house crews instead of contracted labor.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, combining fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan that covers damage, loss, and breakage.
How much do local movers cost in Tempe, AZ?
Based on recent quotes for this route, a 2-bedroom move from Tempe to Chula Vista with a local mover averages $1,598 - $4,571. Working with a local mover based in Tempe, AZ often costs less than hiring a national carrier on routes under 500 miles. Shorter routes come with lower fuel overhead and simpler logistics, and local movers can offer more direct communication and quicker booking windows.
The tradeoff is that smaller companies may lack the infrastructure for longer hauls. Verify proper interstate licensing and relevant experience before signing anything.
Flex Moving & Storage (4.28/5 stars) is our preferred moving company in Tempe, based on our analysis of feedback from 146 customers, 82.9% of which is positive.
Address: 5335 North 55th Ave, Phoenix, AZ, 85031 | Founded: 2022
Moving container costs from Tempe, AZ to Chula Vista, CA
Moving containers from Tempe, Arizona, to Chula Vista, California, cost between $830 and $2,850. 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 Tempe typically costs about $90/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Tempe to Chula Vista:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $830 - $1,564
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,106 - $2,154
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,478 - $2,850
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $97 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $195 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 $909 in Tempe, AZ, 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 Chula Vista, CA, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Arizona 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 $830. 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 $1,106 - $2,154.
What are the best moving containers Tempe to Chula Vista?
- 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 Tempe 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 Tempe:
- B Line Movers (4.9/5), 10 years in business
- Bellhop Moving (4.2/5), 15 years in business
- Aardvark Movers Inc (4.5/5), 23 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Tempe, AZ to Chula Vista, CA
Plan on $346 - $863 for a rental moving truck on the 355-mile route from Tempe, Arizona, to Chula Vista, California. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $147 - $168
- Daily insurance: $39/day
- Equipment rentals: $9 - $26
- Tempe 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 Tempe to Chula Vista based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $346 - $596
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $355 - $692
- 4+ bedrooms: $430 - $863
Pro tip: A rental truck from Tempe to Chula Vista looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $346 - $863. But once you factor in fuel ($147 - $168), overnight lodging ($195/night), meals, and equipment rentals, the total adds up to more than the base rate suggests. Building that into your budget upfront saves you from sticker shock at the end of the move.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Tempe, Arizona, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $909.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $147 - $168 for the 355-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 $78 and $422, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $195 per night for hotel stops on the 355-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $389 - $584.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Tempe to Chula Vista?
- 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 Tempe, AZ to Chula Vista, CA
Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from Tempe, Arizona, to Chula Vista, California. Standard trailers run 28 feet long, and you're only charged for the portion you actually fill. The carrier drops the trailer off, you load it at your own pace, and they handle the drive to your new city.
Pricing is based entirely on the linear footage your shipment occupies, not the full trailer length. Most long-distance freight moves land somewhere between $1,168 and $1,672.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Tempe to Chula Vista:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $747 - $1,408
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $884 - $1,672
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,194 - $2,236
Pro tip: Loading a freight trailer is a bit different from filling a container. The 4-foot ramp can be steep with large items, and getting the most out of 8 feet of vertical clearance takes planning. Since pricing is based on linear feet used, every inch of wasted space has a cost.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In Tempe, Arizona, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $909.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $97 - $195 per additional foot to your total.
- Time of year: Rates tend to climb during peak moving season (mid-May through mid-September) when trailer demand is at its highest.
What are the best freight companies from Tempe to Chula Vista?
- 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 a great option when you need your belongings in Chula Vista fast. For interstate moves, freight is one of the quickest delivery methods out there. Just keep in mind that freight carriers expect you to be available to receive your shipment, so it works best when your move-in is locked in and you don't need temporary storage on either end.
Cost of living: Tempe, AZ vs Chula Vista, CA
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Chula Vista, side by side with Tempe on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Tempe, AZ | Chula Vista, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 113 | 155 |
| Average rent | $1,834/mo | $3,100/mo |
| Median home value | $421,086 | $695,636 |
| Average income | $77,643/yr | $105,173/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 5.4% | 7.9% |
| State income tax | Up to 2.5% | Up to 13.3% |
| Walkability score | 54/100 | 46/100 |
| Safety index | 57.64/100 | 43.7/100 |
| 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 Chula Vista, CA to Tempe, AZ guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from Arizona to California, so our pricing data stays current. Use our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and spot bad actors early. We track 242 movers licensed in Arizona, useful context for sizing up this 355-mile move.
Our take
A move from Tempe, AZ, to Chula Vista, CA, gives you several options depending on your budget and how much you want to do yourself. Full-service movers handle everything but cost the most, ranging from $1,015 - $6,638 on the 355-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $830 - $2,850, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $346 - $863. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $1,647 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and round-the-clock live support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Mueller Elementary School and Sweetwater Union High School District.
FAQs: Moving from Tempe, AZ, to Chula Vista, CA
What is the cheapest way to move from Tempe, AZ to Chula Vista, 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 $355 - $692. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What are the best neighborhoods in Chula Vista?
For families, Eastlake, Otay Ranch, and Rancho Del Rey are worth a look in Chula Vista. If you're moving solo or without kids, Downtown, Eastlake, and Hilltop tend to be popular picks instead.
How long does a move from Tempe, AZ to Chula Vista, CA take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 1 to 4 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are often one of the faster options outside of driving yourself, though you'll need to be ready to receive your shipment on arrival. Driving a rental truck yourself puts the schedule entirely in your hands.
What do local movers charge in Tempe?
Local movers based in Tempe typically start around $200 as a base rate, plus $85/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 Chula Vista run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Tempe, AZ to Chula Vista, CA?
Cutting 500 pounds from your shipment, roughly one bedroom's worth of items, saves approximately $200 - $400 on a full-service move on this route. Beyond that, staying organized matters just as much. A solid moving checklist keeps you on schedule and helps you avoid costly last-minute mistakes.
What percentage of Tempe movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 35% of movers in Tempe handle piano moves, and 26% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.