($364+) San Diego, CA to Mesa, AZ Movers
The cost to move from San Diego, CA to Mesa, AZ ranges from $993 to $7,316, with an average cost of $2,100. Moves can be as low as $364 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 361 miles and usually takes 1 to 4 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.
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Compare moving options from San Diego, CA to Mesa, AZ
Moving options from San Diego to Mesa fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $993 - $7,316 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $2,100, and movers handle all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 60% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This particular route covers 361 miles and typically takes 1 to 4 days depending on the service you pick.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 361-mile route from San Diego to Mesa, broken down by home size:
- Full-service movers: $993 for a studio up to $7,316 for a 4+ bedroom home.
- Moving containers: $944 - $2,762 depending on home size.
- Rental trucks: $346 - $961, the lowest-cost option across the board.
- Freight trailers: $842 - $2,417, billed by the space you actually use.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from San Diego, CA to Mesa, AZ
For the 361-mile move from San Diego, California, to Mesa, Arizona, full-service movers cost between $993 and $7,316. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $415 - $2,764 (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 San Diego generally start around $226 plus $200 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from San Diego to Mesa:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $993 - $4,021
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,746 - $4,946
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,743 - $7,316
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 San Diego to Mesa.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from California to Arizona. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
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 San Diego, CA to Mesa, AZ
Specialty needs vary by market — 100% of San Diego movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Mesa, 85% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $691 - $6,910 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready100% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: McCarthy Transfer & Storage | $276 - $1,658/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $415 - $3,317 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage53% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs44% of local movers | $1,382 - $4,146 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,455 - $13,820 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,035 - $1,967 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items59% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: McCarthy Transfer & Storage | $1,382 - $3,455 |
| Piano | Any piano type75% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: McCarthy Transfer & Storage | $1,106 - $4,837 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling47% of local movers | $415 - $2,073 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect41% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Cali Moving & Storage Corp | $898 - $2,764 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $415 - $20,730+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $415 - $4,837+ |
What are the best full-service movers from San Diego to Mesa?
All three below meet the standards set by the Arizona Moving Association, the group most Arizona movers are affiliated with.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list, with flat-rate pricing that holds firm on moving day and a customer support team available around the clock.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here. With 30+ years of interstate moves behind them, AVL uses full-time in-house crews instead of the contracted labor most national carriers rely on.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, with fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan available on every long-distance move.
How much do local movers cost in San Diego, CA?
Based on recent quotes for this route, a 2-bedroom move from San Diego to Mesa with a local mover averages $1,815 - $5,143. Shorter moves don't always call for a national van line, and local moving companies in San Diego, CA 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.
Best California Movers (4.58/5 stars) is our preferred moving company in San Diego, based on our analysis of feedback from 1,177 customers, 98.5% of which is positive.
Address: 12356 McIvers Ct, Suite 1b, Poway, CA, 92064 | Founded: 2018
Moving container costs from San Diego, CA to Mesa, AZ
Moving containers from San Diego, California, to Mesa, Arizona, cost between $944 and $2,762. 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 San Diego typically runs around $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from San Diego to Mesa:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $944 - $1,659
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,173 - $2,238
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,552 - $2,762
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $104 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $207 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Mesa, AZ, if you need to retrieve anything while items are still in storage.
- Moving labor: Since you're responsible for loading the container yourself, many customers bring in hourly help. Based on moveBuddha data, hiring 2 movers for approximately 5 hours costs about $967 in San Diego, CA. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection goes beyond the standard minimum and covers repair, replacement, or reimbursement at declared value. Pricing is typically 1% - 2% of your total shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 move.
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 $944. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,173 - $2,238, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers San Diego to Mesa?
- 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 San Diego 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 San Diego:
- McCarthy Transfer & Storage (4.8/5), 106 years in business
- Cali Moving & Storage Corp (4.8/5), 10 years in business
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.5/5), 13 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from San Diego, CA to Mesa, AZ
Truck rentals from San Diego, California, to Mesa, Arizona, range from $346 - $961 for the 361-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $159 - $181
- Daily insurance: $41/day
- Equipment rentals: $10 - $28
- San Diego daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.79 - $1.09
| 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 San Diego to Mesa based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $346 - $664
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $372 - $765
- 4+ bedrooms: $475 - $961
Pro tip: A rental truck from San Diego to Mesa looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $346 - $961. But once you factor in fuel ($159 - $181) , overnight lodging ($207/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?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $207 per night. Most long-distance moves with rental trucks require 1 - 3 overnight stops.
- Equipment: Tow dollies, auto trailers, and specialty moving equipment can add between $90 and $449 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $159 - $181 in fuel for the 361-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $967 in San Diego, California, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from San Diego to Mesa?
- 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 San Diego, CA to Mesa, AZ
Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from San Diego, California, to Mesa, Arizona. 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 $1,244 and $1,826.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from San Diego to Mesa:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $842 - $1,507
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $909 - $1,826
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,303 - $2,417
Pro tip: Freight trailers come with a 4-foot loading ramp, which can be a challenge with bulky furniture. With 8 feet of vertical space available, stacking efficiently often requires a ladder and a plan. Since you're billed per linear foot, packing tight can make a real difference in your final cost.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- More space: Freight trailers are billed by the section you fill. If you misjudge your shipment size, each extra foot of trailer space adds around $104 - $207 to your final bill.
- Peak season pricing: Expect higher rates during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) when trailer availability tightens across the country.
- Moving labor: Loading is on you unless you hire outside help. A half-day crew of two movers in San Diego, California, typically costs $967.
What are the best freight companies from San Diego to Mesa?
- 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.
- Fast Transportation (4.34/5 stars): Fast Transportation is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Local ownership translates to accessible support staff and facilities based in the communities they serve, giving customers more direct communication than they'd typically get from a national-only freight network.
Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from San Diego to Mesa. If you have a hard move-in date and want your stuff there as soon as possible, freight is hard to beat. It's worth noting that freight works best when you're ready to receive your delivery, so if your move-in date is still up in the air or you'll need short-term storage, a moving container is likely the more practical choice.
Cost of living: San Diego, CA vs Mesa, AZ
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Mesa, side by side with San Diego on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | San Diego, CA | Mesa, AZ |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 155 | 113 |
| Average rent | $2,881/mo | $1,786/mo |
| Median home value | $847,715 | $354,997 |
| Average income | $104,321/yr | $78,779/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 6.6% | 6.1% |
| State income tax | Up to 13.3% | Up to 2.5% |
| Walkability score | 53/100 | 38/100 |
| Safety index | 60.17/100 | 55.33/100 |
| Air quality | Moderate | Good |
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 Mesa, AZ to San Diego, CA guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from California to Arizona, 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 374 movers licensed in California, useful context for sizing up this 361-mile move.
Our take
A move from San Diego, CA, to Mesa, AZ, 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 $993 - $7,316 on the 361-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $944 - $2,762, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $346 - $961. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $1,746 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and round-the-clock live support.
Beyond the move itself, people who've relocated to Mesa tend to point to bountiful outdoor activities and beautiful nature, though terrible traffic and tourists come up as common complaints. Major employers in the area include Banner Health System and Mesa Public Schools.
FAQs: Moving from San Diego, CA, to Mesa, AZ
How much does it cost to move from San Diego, CA to Mesa, AZ?
Costs on this route range from around $993 to $7,316, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $993 and $7,316, while DIY options like rental trucks and containers come in lower. Moving during peak season (May - September) tends to push prices higher across the board.
How walkable is Mesa?
Mesa has a walkability score of 38 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 60, compared to 53 and 43 in San Diego. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($159 - $181), daily insurance ($41/day), and equipment rentals ($10 - $28) on top. Overnight stops can add another $207/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Arizona?
Though Arizona is largely an “unregulated” state, local moving companies are subject to some Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) and Department of Weights and Measures regulations intended to ensure that they operate safely and ethically.
What is the best time of year to move from San Diego, CA to Mesa, AZ?
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 San Diego movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 75% of movers in San Diego handle piano moves, and 59% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
