($333+) Tempe, AZ to Riverside, CA Movers
Moving from Tempe, AZ, to Riverside, CA, runs anywhere from $347 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $6,686 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 327 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 $1,061, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $6,686 or more.
- Moving containers run $887 - $2,746, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $347 - $860.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Tempe, AZ, to Riverside, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $1,782 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 Riverside, CA
Moving options from Tempe to Riverside fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move on this route costs $1,782 - $5,103 and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, while rental trucks land about 60% less, though both require you to load the truck or container yourself. This route spans 327 miles and typically takes 1 to 4 days.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 327-mile route from Tempe to Riverside, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,061 - $3,845 | $887 - $1,700 | $347 - $651 | $847 - $1,384 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $1,782 - $5,103 | $1,216 - $2,205 | $358 - $711 | $954 - $1,800 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $2,656 - $6,686 | $1,515 - $2,746 | $444 - $860 | $1,175 - $2,264 |
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 23, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Tempe, AZ to Riverside, CA
Full-service movers for the 327-mile relocation from Tempe, Arizona, to Riverside, California, cost between $1,061 and $6,686. With a long-distance moving company, loading, transportation, and unloading are all taken care of. If you want to skip packing boxes, too, that can be added for $361 - $2,404, depending on your home size. What you pay in the end is mainly a function of how much your shipment weighs and how far it's traveling. As a point of reference, local movers in Tempe typically charge a base rate around $200 plus $85 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Tempe to Riverside:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,061 - $3,845
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,782 - $5,103
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,656 - $6,686
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 Riverside.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Arizona to California. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: Avoiding peak moving season dates (May - September) is one of the easiest ways to reduce costs. Off-season moves typically come with lower pricing and more room to negotiate since movers have fewer bookings.
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Specialty moving services from Tempe, AZ to Riverside, CA
Specialty needs vary by market — 85% of Tempe movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Riverside, 84% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing98% of local movers | $601 - $6,010 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready85% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Mentors Moving & Storage | $240 - $1,442/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $361 - $2,885 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage38% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs59% of local movers | $1,202 - $3,606 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,005 - $12,020 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $900 - $1,710 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items55% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Mentors Moving & Storage | $1,202 - $3,005 |
| Piano | Any piano type77% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Mentors Moving & Storage | $962 - $4,207 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling30% of local movers | $361 - $1,803 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect30% of local movers21% nationallyTop pick: Mentors Moving & Storage | $781 - $2,404 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $361 - $18,030+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $361 - $4,207+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Tempe to Riverside?
Look for California Moving & Storage Association membership as a baseline when comparing movers in California beyond this list.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is our pick for best overall value. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 support, and 30 days of free storage make Safeway the clearest value on this list.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. AVL has been moving customers since 1995 and uses full-time in-house crews trained on high-value items like art and antiques.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. One of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, 24/7 monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan against 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 Riverside with a local mover averages $1,765 - $5,052. Shorter moves don't always call for a national van line, and local moving companies in Tempe, AZ often offer competitive pricing on nearby routes. Smaller crews and regional focus translate to lower overhead and more scheduling flexibility.
Just make sure they're properly licensed for interstate moves and equipped to handle the full distance.
Flex Moving & Storage (4.22/5 stars) is our preferred moving company in Tempe, based on our analysis of feedback from 144 customers, 83.3% of which is positive.
Address: 5335 North 55th Ave, Phoenix, AZ, 85031 | Founded: 2022
Moving container costs from Tempe, AZ to Riverside, CA
Moving containers from Tempe, Arizona, to Riverside, California, cost between $887 and $2,746. You load everything on your own schedule (U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30). When you're ready, the company takes care of getting the container from point A to point B. Need more time than that? Extra storage in Tempe typically runs around $90/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Tempe to Riverside:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $887 - $1,700
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,216 - $2,205
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,515 - $2,746
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Because loading is on you with a container move, hourly labor help is a popular add-on. In Tempe, AZ, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $841, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: After the first month, ongoing rental fees kick in. A small container (7 - 8 feet) averages about $90 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $180 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Tempe, AZ, and Riverside, CA, but confirm a facility is within reasonable distance if you need to retrieve items while in storage.
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection provides broader coverage than the standard liability in your contract. It typically costs 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on $50,000 worth of belongings.
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 $887. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,216 - $2,205, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Tempe to Riverside?
- 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:
- Mentors Moving & Storage (4.7/5), 9 years in business
- Gilbert Moving & Storage (4.9/5), 9 years in business
- Camelback Moving (4.8/5), 21 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Tempe, AZ to Riverside, CA
Truck rentals from Tempe, Arizona, to Riverside, California, range from $347 - $860 for the 327-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $125 - $143
- Daily insurance: $36/day
- Equipment rentals: $8 - $24
- 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 Riverside based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $347 - $651
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $358 - $711
- 4+ bedrooms: $444 - $860
Pro tip: A rental truck from Tempe to Riverside looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $347 - $860. But once you factor in fuel ($125 - $143) , overnight lodging ($180/night), meals, and equipment rentals, most people end up spending $600 - $1,200 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?
- Equipment: Tow dollies, appliance dollies, and moving pads are not included in the base rate. These extras often total between $90 and $421.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $180.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $125 and $143 for the 327-mile drive, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: If you'd rather not do all the heavy lifting, budget around $841 for 2 movers in Tempe, Arizona, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Tempe to Riverside?
- 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 Riverside, CA
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Tempe, Arizona, to Riverside, California, when you want to do the loading yourself without having to drive a massive vehicle. The trailer is delivered, you pack it up, and the carrier handles the long haul.
What sets freight trailers apart is the pay-for-what-you-use pricing model. Each additional foot of trailer space you occupy adds to the cost. Overall pricing for a move of this size and distance typically lands around $954 and $1,800.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Tempe to Riverside:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $847 - $1,384
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $954 - $1,800
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,175 - $2,264
Pro tip: Freight trailers offer generous space but reward good packing strategy. The 4-foot ramp can be challenging for large or heavy pieces, and using the full 8-foot height takes careful stacking. Because you're billed by the linear foot, maximizing vertical space keeps your costs lower.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Seasonal demand: Pricing tends to rise during peak moving season, particularly between mid-May and mid-September.
- Moving labor: Most customers hire loading help since freight is self-loaded. Two movers in Tempe, Arizona, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $841.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $90 and $180 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Tempe to Riverside?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the pick for best for large moves. The company is well-regarded as a top moving container option for its load-it-yourself, we-drive-it model, and that same model makes it a strong freight option for larger homes that benefit from the company's 53-foot trucks and footage-based pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Alongside their flagship container service, U-Pack provides a top-notch freight trailer option that follows the same model: no deposits, no upfront fees, and pricing based on the linear footage you actually use.
- Empire Transport (4.84/5 stars): Empire Transport is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned and based facilities mean accessible support staff and area-specific scheduling flexibility that national-only freight carriers typically don't match.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are one of the fastest ways to move your belongings interstate, often beating full-service movers on delivery time. If getting your stuff to Riverside quickly is a priority, freight is worth a hard look. That said, freight carriers typically require you to be available to receive your shipment within a set window, so if you need short-term storage or your new place won't be ready right away, a container or full-service mover may give you more flexibility.
Cost of living: Tempe, AZ vs Riverside, CA
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Riverside, side by side with Tempe on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Tempe, AZ | Riverside, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 113 | 131 |
| Average rent | $1,834/mo | $2,295/mo |
| Median home value | $421,086 | $539,898 |
| Average income | $77,643/yr | $88,575/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 5.4% | 7.1% |
| State income tax | Up to 2.5% | Up to 13.3% |
| Walkability score | 54/100 | 43/100 |
| Safety index | 57.64/100 | 59.76/100 |
| 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 Riverside, CA to Tempe, AZ guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Arizona to California, so we know current pricing better than most. Checking our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates. Arizona alone has 97 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 327-mile move like this one.
Our take
For a move from Tempe, AZ, to Riverside, CA, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $1,061 for a studio to $6,686 for a 4 - 5 bedroom home on the 327-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $887 - $2,746. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $347 - $860, though you'll be handling the driving and loading yourself. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with quotes starting around $1,782 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage included, and 24/7 live customer support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Bourns and California Baptist University.
FAQs: Moving from Tempe, AZ, to Riverside, CA
What are the best neighborhoods in Riverside?
For families, Orangecrest, Mission Grove, and Canyon Crest are worth a look in Riverside. If you're moving solo or without kids, Canyon Crest, Victoria, and Downtown tend to be popular picks instead.
How walkable is Riverside?
Riverside has a walkability score of 43 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 49, compared to 54 and 75 in Tempe. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
Is Riverside a safe place to live?
Riverside has a safety index of 59.76 out of 100 and a crime index of 40.24, compared to 57.64 and 42.36 in Tempe. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Tempe, AZ to Riverside, 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 is the best time of year to move from Tempe, AZ to Riverside, CA?
Aim for a move between October and March, when demand drops and rates tend to be lower across all service types. Peak season runs mid-May through mid-September, and weekends and month-end dates are pricier regardless of season. A midweek, mid-month date outside peak season is your best bet for saving money.
What percentage of Tempe movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 77% of movers in Tempe handle piano moves, and 55% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
