($1,320+) Arlington, VA to Tucson, AZ Movers
Moving from Arlington, VA, to Tucson, AZ, runs anywhere from $1,320 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $11,284 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 2,277 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 7 to 18 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 $2,335, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $11,284 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,679 - $6,225, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,320 - $3,503.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Arlington, VA, to Tucson, AZ. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,477 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
Compare moving options from Arlington, VA to Tucson, AZ
Moving options from Arlington to Tucson 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 $3,477 - $7,228 and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 34% 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 2,277 miles and typically takes 7 to 18 days.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 2,277-mile route from Arlington to Tucson, broken down by home size:
- Full-service movers: $2,335 for a studio up to $11,284 for a 4+ bedroom home.
- Moving containers: $1,679 - $6,225 depending on home size.
- Rental trucks: $1,320 - $3,503, the lowest-cost option across the board.
- Freight trailers: $1,465 - $5,029, 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 Arlington, VA to Tucson, AZ
Full-service movers for the 2,277-mile relocation from Arlington, Virginia, to Tucson, Arizona, cost between $2,335 and $11,284. 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 $412 - $2,744, 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 Arlington typically charge a base rate around $200 plus $110 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Arlington to Tucson:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,335 - $5,485
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,477 - $7,228
- 4+ bedrooms: $6,028 - $11,284
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 Arlington to Tucson.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Virginia 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 Arlington, VA to Tucson, AZ
Specialty needs vary by market: 70% of Arlington movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Tucson, 53% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing80% of local movers | $686 - $6,860 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready70% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: 495 Movers, Inc | $274 - $1,646/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $412 - $3,293 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage13% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs54% of local movers | $1,372 - $4,116 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,430 - $13,720 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,028 - $1,952 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items34% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: 495 Movers, Inc | $1,372 - $3,430 |
| Piano | Any piano type42% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: 495 Movers, Inc | $1,098 - $4,802 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling9% of local movers | $412 - $2,058 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect8% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $892 - $2,744 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $412 - $20,580+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $412 - $4,802+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Arlington to Tucson?
Look for Arizona Moving Association membership as a baseline when comparing movers in Arizona 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.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national full-service movers are the more cost-efficient choice. Local movers in Arlington, VA, often charge 30% - 40% more at that distance because their operations aren't built for long-haul logistics. The exception is if you want a dedicated point-to-point truck with an average 2-day delivery, though that level of service generally increases your total cost.
Moving container costs from Arlington, VA to Tucson, AZ
Moving containers from Arlington, Virginia, to Tucson, Arizona, cost between $1,679 and $6,225. 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 Arlington costs roughly $100/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Arlington to Tucson:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,679 - $3,338
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,285 - $4,456
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,018 - $6,225
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Access: Most major container brands operate in both Arlington, VA and Tucson, AZ. Still, double-check that a nearby facility is available if you need to access your belongings before delivery.
- Moving labor: Because containers are self-loaded, many customers hire hourly help. Two movers for about 5 hours typically cost around $960 in Arlington, VA, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $103 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $206 for larger ones (12 - 16 feet).
- Added contents protection: For more coverage beyond the standard minimum, full-value protection is the typical upgrade, generally 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value. On a $50,000 household, that's roughly $500 - $1,000 as a one-time fee.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Virginia to Arizona 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 $1,679. 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 $2,285 - $4,456.
What are the best moving containers Arlington to Tucson?
- 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 Arlington 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 Arlington:
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.9/5), 0 years in business
- BoxStar Movers (5.0/5), 5 years in business
- Zip Moving And Storage, Inc. (4.9/5), 11 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Arlington, VA to Tucson, AZ
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 2,277 miles from Arlington, Virginia, to Tucson, Arizona, running $1,320 - $3,503. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $994 - $1,136
- Daily insurance: $41/day
- Equipment rentals: $10 - $27
- Arlington daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.99 - $1.19
| 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 Arlington to Tucson based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,320 - $2,576
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,400 - $2,917
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,768 - $3,503
Pro tip: A rental truck from Arlington to Tucson looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $1,320 - $3,503. But once you factor in fuel ($994 - $1,136), overnight lodging ($206/night), meals, and equipment rentals, most people end up spending roughly $600 - $1,200 more on meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging. 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 $103 and $480.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $206.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $994 and $1,136 for the 2,277-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 $960 for 2 movers in Arlington, Virginia, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Arlington to Tucson?
- 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 Arlington, VA to Tucson, AZ
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Arlington, Virginia, to Tucson, Arizona, 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. Pricing for a 2 - 3 bedroom move of this distance typically lands between $1,775 and $3,822.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Arlington to Tucson:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,465 - $2,974
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,775 - $3,822
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,537 - $5,029
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?
- 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 Arlington, Virginia, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $960.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $103 and $206 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Arlington to Tucson?
- 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: One of the biggest advantages of freight trailers is speed. For an interstate move, freight delivery is one of the fastest options you have short of driving a rental truck yourself. It's a smart choice when your timeline is firm and you'll be ready to receive your shipment. If there's any chance your new place won't be ready or you need a few weeks of storage, a moving container with built-in storage may serve you better.
Cost of living: Arlington, VA vs Tucson, AZ
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Tucson, side by side with Arlington on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Arlington, VA | Tucson, AZ |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 164 | 97 |
| Average rent | $2,718/mo | $1,295/mo |
| Median home value | $866,334 | $240,428 |
| Average income | $140,160/yr | $54,546/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 4.0% | 7.4% |
| State income tax | Up to 5.75% | Up to 2.5% |
| Walkability score | 71/100 | 43/100 |
| Safety index | 79.15/100 | 45.57/100 |
| Air quality | Good | 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 Tucson, AZ to Arlington, VA guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from Virginia to Arizona, so our pricing data reflects what movers are actually charging right now. Check our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers, the best way to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and bad actors. We track 262 movers in Virginia, so you have real options to compare for this 2,277-mile move.
Our take
The 2,277-mile move from Arlington, VA, to Tucson, AZ, costs between $2,335 and $11,284 with full-service movers, $1,679 - $6,225 with a moving container, and $1,320 - $3,503 for a rental truck. Your budget and how much heavy lifting you want to do are the two biggest factors in choosing the right option. If you go with full-service movers, Safeway Moving is our top recommendation, with transparent flat-rate pricing starting around $3,477 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage, and 24/7 customer support.
Beyond the move itself, people who've relocated to Tucson tend to point to beautiful nature and renowned cuisine, though high crime rate and low economic opportunity come up as common complaints. Major employers in the area include University of Arizona and Raytheon Technologies.
FAQs: Moving from Arlington, VA, to Tucson, AZ
What is the best time of year to move from Arlington, VA to Tucson, 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.
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 extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($994 - $1,136), daily insurance ($41/day), and equipment rentals ($10 - $27) on top. Overnight stops can add another $206/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How walkable is Tucson?
Tucson has a walkability score of 43 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 66, compared to 71 and 72 in Arlington. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
How much does it cost to move from Arlington, VA to Tucson, AZ?
Costs on this route range from around $1,320 to $11,284, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,335 and $11,284, 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.
What percentage of Arlington movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 42% of movers in Arlington handle piano moves, and 34% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.