($728+) San Diego, CA to Boise, ID Movers
The cost to move from San Diego, CA to Boise, ID ranges from $1,342 to $8,611, with an average cost of $3,350. Moves can be as low as $728 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 960 miles and usually takes 2 to 7 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.
Compare moving options from San Diego, CA to Boise, ID
Moving options from San Diego to Boise fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,342 - $8,611 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $3,350, 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 960 miles and typically takes 2 to 7 days depending on the service you pick.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 960-mile route from San Diego to Boise, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,342 - $5,202 | $1,357 - $2,398 | $743 - $1,311 | $1,198 - $2,136 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,659 - $7,032 | $1,728 - $3,332 | $763 - $1,688 | $1,382 - $2,507 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,630 - $8,611 | $2,306 - $4,463 | $967 - $1,934 | $1,863 - $3,362 |
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated August 31, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from San Diego, CA to Boise, ID
Full-service movers for the 960-mile relocation from San Diego, California, to Boise, Idaho, cost between $1,342 and $8,611. 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 $422 - $2,812, 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 San Diego typically charge a base rate around $226 plus $200 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from San Diego to Boise:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,342 - $5,202
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,659 - $7,032
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,630 - $8,611
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 Boise.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from California to Idaho. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: Demand for full-service movers surges during peak moving season from May - September, pushing prices higher. Shifting your move to a cooler month could save you a meaningful amount on your total bill.
Add-ons and specialty services from San Diego, CA to Boise, ID
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost (San Diego to Boise) |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | You want the crew to box everything | $703 - $7,030 |
| Storage in transit | Your new place is not ready on arrival | $281 - $1,687/mo |
| Shuttle fee | A full-size truck cannot reach the door | $422 - $3,374 |
| Full-value protection | Coverage beyond the default $0.60/lb | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Shipments under about 2,000 lbs | $1,406 - $4,218 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,515 - $14,060 |
| Car shipping | Moving a second vehicle | $1,053 - $2,001 |
| Antiques & fine art | Climate control and white-glove handling | $1,406 - $3,515 |
| Piano | Upright, baby grand, or grand | $1,125 - $4,921 |
| Pool table | Disassembly and professional re-leveling | $422 - $2,109 |
| Hot tub | 500 - 900 lb units with electrical disconnect | $914 - $2,812 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled, vibration-safe transport | $422 - $21,090+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or VIP concierge | $422 - $4,921+ |
| Basic utilities | Ongoing monthly cost in Boise | $136/mo |
| Internet | Ongoing monthly cost in Boise | $72/mo |
| Cell phone plan | Ongoing monthly cost in Boise | $50/mo |
What are the best full-service movers from San Diego to Boise?
If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in Idaho Trucking Association is a good first thing to confirm.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving offers the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing locks in your cost upfront, and 24/7 customer support is available throughout the move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. Operating since 1995, AVL staffs every move with full-time in-house crews trained on antiques, art, and other high-value items.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. As one of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, real-time shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in San Diego, CA. At that distance, local movers often charge 30% - 40% more because they don't spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments the way national carriers do. If a direct route and faster delivery (averaging 2 days) are priorities, a local mover may be worth considering, but that service comes at a higher price.
Moving container costs from San Diego, CA to Boise, ID
Moving containers from San Diego, California, to Boise, Idaho, cost between $1,357 and $4,463. 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 Boise:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,357 - $2,398
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,728 - $3,332
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,306 - $4,463
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 San Diego, CA, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $984, 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 $105 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $211 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both San Diego, CA, and Boise, ID, 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 California to Idaho 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 $1,357. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,728 - $3,332, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers San Diego to Boise?
- PODS (4.8/5 stars): PODS is best for nationwide coverage. It runs the widest service network of any container company, with secure month-to-month storage and steel-frame containers you load on your own schedule.
- Units Moving & Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars): Units is best for locally owned service. Their steel containers come in multiple sizes that fit tight driveways, and locally owned branches mean you reach a live support team that knows your area.
- 1-800-Pack-Rat: 1-800-Pack-Rat is best for weatherproof storage. Their all-steel containers hold up well in transit and long storage windows, with flexible month-to-month terms when your move-in date slips.
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:
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.5/5), 13 years in business
- McCarthy Transfer & Storage (4.8/5), 106 years in business
- One Stop Moving & Storage (4.2/5), 17 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from San Diego, CA to Boise, ID
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 960 miles from San Diego, California, to Boise, Idaho, running $743 - $1,934. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $429 - $491
- Daily insurance: $42/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 Boise based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $743 - $1,311
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $763 - $1,688
- 4+ bedrooms: $967 - $1,934
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from San Diego to Boise starts at $743 - $1,934, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($429 - $491) , overnight lodging ($211/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for an additional $600 - $1,200 on top of your base rate to cover those costs.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $211 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 $91 and $457 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $429 - $491 in fuel for the 960-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $984 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 Boise?
- Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars): Budget Truck Rental is the best value rental on this list. Budget undercuts most competitors on base rates and layers in discounts for online bookings, AAA membership, and military service.
- Penske Truck Rental (4/5 stars): Penske Truck Rental is the most reliable option here. Their newer fleet, unlimited mileage on one-way moves, and 24/7 roadside assistance make Penske the choice when breakdown risk is the bigger concern than cost.
- U-Haul Truck Rental (4.2/5 stars): U-Haul Truck Rental offers the best availability. U-Haul operates more than 23,000 locations and offers 7 truck sizes, giving it the largest pickup network and the broadest accommodation for last-minute or one-way moves.
Freight trailer costs from San Diego, CA to Boise, ID
For larger DIY moves from San Diego, California, 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 Boise, Idaho.
Because freight companies bill by linear footage, your total is based on how much of the trailer you occupy, not the full length. For most medium-to-large moves on this route, pricing typically falls between $1,382 and $2,507.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from San Diego to Boise:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,198 - $2,136
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,382 - $2,507
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,863 - $3,362
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 $105 - $211 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in San Diego, California, for about five hours typically runs $984.
What are the best freight companies from San Diego to Boise?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is our pick for best for large moves. The company is best known as a top moving container option for its hybrid model where you load and they drive, and that same model translates well to freight thanks to their 53-foot trucks and pay-by-the-foot pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Beyond their flagship container service, U-Pack also runs freight trailers with the same no-deposit, no-upfront-fee model, charging only for the linear footage you actually fill.
- Global Trucking & Logistics Sa De Cv (4.38/5 stars): Global Trucking & Logistics Sa De Cv is our pick for best locally owned freight company. Their locally owned and operated facilities mean you work with support staff who know the route and the area, giving you more responsive scheduling than national-only carriers typically offer.
Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from San Diego to Boise, freight trailers are one of the fastest interstate options available, second only to renting a truck and driving it yourself. The tradeoff is that freight works best when you're ready to receive your belongings on the other end. If your timeline is tight on the receiving side or you need a short storage buffer, a moving container might be a better fit.
Cost of living: San Diego, CA vs Boise, ID
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Boise, side by side with San Diego on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | San Diego, CA | Boise, ID |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 155 | 119 |
| Average rent | $2,881/mo | $1,495/mo |
| Median home value | $847,715 | $455,253 |
| Average income | $104,321/yr | $81,308/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 6.6% | 3.6% |
| State income tax | Up to 13.3% | Up to 5.8% |
| Walkability score | 53/100 | 88/100 |
| Safety index | 60.17/100 | 65.01/100 |
| 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 Boise, ID to San Diego, CA guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 494 real quotes from San Diego, CA to Boise, ID over the past 3 months, giving us some of the most up-to-date pricing data around. Running your move through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. There are 374 movers in our California network to compare for this 960-mile move.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from San Diego, CA, to Boise, ID, comes down to your budget and how much time and work you're able to put into it. Hands-off relocations handled by full-service movers range from $1,342 - $8,611 on the 960-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,357 - $4,463 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $743 - $1,934 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $2,659 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and 24/7 live support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Albertsons and Albertsons Companies.
FAQs: Moving from San Diego, CA, to Boise, ID
Is Boise a safe place to live?
Boise has a safety index of 65.01 out of 100 and a crime index of 34.99, compared to 60.17 and 39.83 in San Diego. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What size moving truck do I need for this route?
Rental trucks generally range from 10 to 26 feet. A 15- to 17-foot truck covers most 2-bedroom moves, while a smaller 10- to 12-foot truck works for a studio or 1-bedroom. Homes with 3 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
What is the best time of year to move from San Diego, CA to Boise, ID?
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.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Idaho?
In Idaho, in-state movers are regulated by and must register with the Idaho Transportation Department. In cases of unresolvable disputes with local movers, they may help.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($429 - $491), daily insurance ($42/day), and equipment rentals ($10 - $28) on top. Overnight stops can add another $211/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.