($347+) Tempe, AZ to San Diego, CA Movers
Moving from Tempe, AZ, to San Diego, CA, runs anywhere from $347 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $6,651 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 354 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 $1,027, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $6,651 or more.
- Moving containers run $919 - $2,692, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $347 - $926.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Tempe, AZ, to San Diego, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $1,753 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
Fact Checked by:
Compare moving options from Tempe, AZ to San Diego, CA
There are 3 main ways to move from Tempe to San Diego: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service handles labor and transportation for you, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route costing $1,753 - $5,007. Moving containers run about 38% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 80% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 1 to 4 days for this 354-mile route, depending on which option you go with.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 354-mile route from Tempe to San Diego, broken down by home size:
- Full-service movers: $1,027 for a studio up to $6,651 for a 4+ bedroom home.
- Moving containers: $919 - $2,692 depending on home size.
- Rental trucks: $347 - $926, the lowest-cost option across the board.
- Freight trailers: $756 - $2,175, 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 October 30, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Tempe, AZ to San Diego, CA
Full-service movers for the 354-mile relocation from Tempe, Arizona, to San Diego, California, cost between $1,027 and $6,651. 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 $389 - $2,596, 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 San Diego:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,027 - $3,875
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,753 - $5,007
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,700 - $6,651
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 San Diego.
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.
Don't see your company listed?
Reach customers actively searching for trusted movers in your area. Tell us about your company and services to get your business listed on moveBuddha.
Specialty moving services from Tempe, AZ to San Diego, CA
Specialty needs vary by market: 66% of Tempe movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In San Diego, 69% 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: Budget Movers | $1,298 - $3,245 |
| Piano | Any piano type35% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: Nicolosi Moving & Storage Inc. (AZ) | $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 San Diego?
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 San Diego with a local mover averages $1,736 - $4,957. 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 (4.28/5 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 San Diego, CA
Moving containers from Tempe, Arizona, to San Diego, California, cost between $919 and $2,692. You're in charge of loading, and the timeline is yours to set. U-Haul allows 3 days while PODS gives you a full 30. After that, the company picks it up and delivers it to your new address. Running behind schedule? Storage in Tempe costs roughly $90/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Tempe to San Diego:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $919 - $1,552
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,085 - $2,136
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,481 - $2,692
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $97 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $195 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in San Diego, CA, 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 $909 in Tempe, AZ. 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.
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 $919. 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 $1,085 - $2,136.
What are the best moving containers Tempe to San Diego?
- 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 San Diego, CA
Truck rentals from Tempe, Arizona, to San Diego, California, range from $347 - $926 for the 354-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $146 - $167
- 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 San Diego based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $347 - $628
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $352 - $745
- 4+ bedrooms: $431 - $926
Pro tip: A rental truck from Tempe to San Diego looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $347 - $926. But once you factor in fuel ($146 - $167), 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?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $195 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 $84 and $422 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $146 - $167 in fuel for the 354-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $909 in Tempe, Arizona, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Tempe to San Diego?
- 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 San Diego, CA
For larger DIY moves from Tempe, Arizona, freight trailers give you plenty of room without putting you behind the wheel. Standard trailers are 28 feet long. You load the section you need, and the carrier transports everything to San Diego, California.
Because freight companies bill by linear footage, your total is based on how much of the trailer you occupy, not the full length. For a 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route, pricing typically falls between $868 and $1,726.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Tempe to San Diego:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $756 - $1,354
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $868 - $1,726
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,256 - $2,175
Pro tip: A 4-foot ramp sounds simple, but heavy or awkward furniture can make the climb tricky. With 8 feet of height to work with, smart vertical stacking is key. Since freight companies charge by the linear foot, every extra foot you use adds to the bill.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Demand cycles: Trailer costs climb during peak moving season, especially from mid-May through mid-September when demand is at its highest.
- More space: You're billed only for the linear feet you use, but underestimating your inventory means paying for extra space, typically around $97 - $195 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Tempe, Arizona, for about five hours typically runs $909.
What are the best freight companies from Tempe to San Diego?
- 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.
Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Tempe to San Diego. 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: Tempe, AZ vs San Diego, CA
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in San Diego, side by side with Tempe on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Tempe, AZ | San Diego, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 113 | 155 |
| Average rent | $1,834/mo | $2,881/mo |
| Median home value | $421,086 | $847,715 |
| Average income | $77,643/yr | $104,321/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 5.4% | 6.6% |
| State income tax | Up to 2.5% | Up to 13.3% |
| Walkability score | 54/100 | 53/100 |
| Safety index | 57.64/100 | 60.17/100 |
| 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 San Diego, 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 228 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 354-mile move like this one.
Our take
A move from Tempe, AZ, to San Diego, 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 $1,027 - $6,651 on the 354-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $919 - $2,692, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $347 - $926. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $1,753 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 United States Navy and University of California, San Diego.
FAQs: Moving from Tempe, AZ, to San Diego, CA
Is San Diego a safe place to live?
San Diego has a safety index of 60.17 out of 100 and a crime index of 39.83, 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 is the cheapest way to move from Tempe, AZ to San Diego, 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 $352 - $745. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What are the best neighborhoods in San Diego?
For families, Carmel Valley, Del Mar Heights, and Loma Portal are worth a look in San Diego. If you're moving solo or without kids, Gaslamp Quarter, Hillcrest, and North Park tend to be popular picks instead.
How long does a move from Tempe, AZ to San Diego, 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 San Diego run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
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 40% and 26% nationally.