($866+) Tempe, AZ to Tacoma, WA Movers
Moving from Tempe, AZ, to Tacoma, WA, runs anywhere from $866 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,940 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,461 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 3 to 8 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 $2,181, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $8,940 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,356 - $4,771, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $866 - $2,434.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Tempe, AZ, to Tacoma, WA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,912 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 Tacoma, WA
Moving options from Tempe to Tacoma fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $2,912 - $6,316 on this route, with movers handling all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 38% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 68% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This 1,461-mile route typically takes 3 to 8 days door to door.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,461-mile route from Tempe to Tacoma, broken down by home size:
- Full-service movers: $2,181 for a studio up to $8,940 for a 4+ bedroom home.
- Moving containers: $1,356 - $4,771 depending on home size.
- Rental trucks: $866 - $2,434, the lowest-cost option across the board.
- Freight trailers: $1,232 - $3,816, 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 November 2, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Tempe, AZ to Tacoma, WA
Full-service movers for the 1,461-mile relocation from Tempe, Arizona, to Tacoma, Washington, cost between $2,181 and $8,940. 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 $351 - $2,340, 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 Tacoma:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,181 - $5,245
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,912 - $6,316
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,927 - $8,940
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 Tacoma.
Pro tip: The summer months (May - September) are the busiest time of year for movers during peak moving season, which drives up prices and limits scheduling options. If you can move in the fall or winter, you'll likely find better rates and more flexibility.
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Specialty moving services from Tempe, AZ to Tacoma, WA
Specialty needs vary by market: 66% of Tempe movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Tacoma, 57% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing79% of local movers | $585 - $5,850 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready66% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Mentors Moving & Storage | $234 - $1,404/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $351 - $2,808 |
| 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 | $1,170 - $3,510 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,925 - $11,700 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $876 - $1,665 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items26% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Moving Team Six LLC | $1,170 - $2,925 |
| Piano | Any piano type35% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Get Your Move On | $936 - $4,095 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling14% of local movers | $351 - $1,755 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect9% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Nicolosi Moving & Storage Inc. (AZ) | $761 - $2,340 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $351 - $17,550+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $351 - $4,095+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Tempe to Tacoma?
Washington Movers Conference membership is a quick way to confirm a mover is legitimate in Washington, on top of the picks below.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing means no surprise charges on moving day, and their support team is consistently rated among the most responsive in the industry.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here, 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, with fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan that covers damage, loss, and breakage.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national full-service movers are almost always better priced than local movers in Tempe, AZ. Local companies typically run 30% - 40% more at longer distances because they aren't set up to consolidate shipments the way national carriers do. The one case where a local mover might be worth the premium is if you want a dedicated direct-route truck, which averages a 2-day delivery time, but expect to pay more for that convenience.
Moving container costs from Tempe, AZ to Tacoma, WA
Moving containers from Tempe, Arizona, to Tacoma, Washington, cost between $1,356 and $4,771. The container gets dropped at your door and you load it at your own pace. U-Haul gives you 3 days to load and PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're done, the company handles all the transportation. If you need extra time, storage in Tempe runs about $90/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Tempe to Tacoma:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,356 - $2,512
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,819 - $3,473
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,284 - $4,771
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Containers are self-loaded, so many people hire hourly help for the heavy lifting. moveBuddha data shows two movers for about five hours runs around $819 in Tempe, AZ. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: If you want stronger coverage than the default liability, full-value protection is the upgrade to consider. Most providers charge 1% - 2% of your shipment value, roughly $500 - $1,000 for $50,000 in contents.
- Storage: After the first month, rental fees average $88 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $176 per month for a larger 12- to 16-foot unit.
- Access: If you anticipate needing to access items while in storage, confirm there's a facility conveniently located near your Tacoma, WA, destination before booking.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Arizona to Washington 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 $1,356. 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 $1,819 - $3,473.
What are the best moving containers Tempe to Tacoma?
- 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 Tacoma, WA
Renting a moving truck for the 1,461-mile move from Tempe, Arizona, to Tacoma, Washington, costs between $866 and $2,434, before these typical add-ons:
- Fuel for the drive: $544 - $622
- Daily insurance: $35/day
- Equipment rentals: $8 - $23
- 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 Tacoma based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $866 - $1,591
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $927 - $1,912
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,238 - $2,434
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Tempe to Tacoma starts at $866 - $2,434, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($544 - $622), overnight lodging ($176/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for roughly $600 - $1,200 more on top of fuel and lodging to cover meals, equipment, and other extras.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Tempe, Arizona, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $819.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $544 - $622 for the 1,461-mile drive, depending on whether your truck takes gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, auto transport trailers, and furniture pads are separate rentals. Expect to spend between $70 and $380, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $176 per night for hotel stops on the 1,461-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $351 - $527.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Tempe to Tacoma?
- 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 Tacoma, WA
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Tempe, Arizona, to Tacoma, Washington, 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 $1,316 and $2,749.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Tempe to Tacoma:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,232 - $2,328
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,316 - $2,749
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,846 - $3,816
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 $88 - $176 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 Tempe, Arizona, typically costs $819.
What are the best freight companies from Tempe to Tacoma?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Best known as a top moving container option thanks to its DIY hybrid model (you load, they drive), MovingYourself also doubles as a strong freight choice with their 53-foot trucks and pay-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. In addition to their well-known container service, U-Pack offers freight trailers that follow the same pay-by-the-foot model with no deposits or upfront fees, making them one of the most flexible freight options for budget-conscious moves.
Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Tempe to Tacoma. 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 Tacoma, WA
There's not a big cost-of-living gap between Tempe and Tacoma to plan around. Cost of living index: 113 vs. 123. Average rent: $1,834/mo vs. $1,650/mo. The bigger factor in your budget is the one-time cost of the move itself, covered above. Walkability: 54 vs. 54. Safety index: 57.64 vs. 44.45.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Tacoma, WA to Tempe, AZ guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Arizona to Washington in the past 3 months alone, keeping our pricing data current. Run your numbers through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. For context, we track 242 movers based in Arizona, handy for sizing up options on this 1,461-mile route.
Our take
A move from Tempe, AZ, to Tacoma, WA, 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 $2,181 - $8,940 on the 1,461-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,356 - $4,771, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $866 - $2,434. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $2,912 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 Joint Base Lewis-McChord and MultiCare Health System.
FAQs: Moving from Tempe, AZ, to Tacoma, WA
How walkable is Tacoma?
Tacoma has a walkability score of 54 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 48, 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.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($544 - $622), daily insurance ($35/day), and equipment rentals ($8 - $23) on top. Overnight stops can add another $176/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Washington?
Movers operating within Washington DC city limits are subject to regulation by the Utilities and Transportation Commission, which issues operating permits to household goods moving companies.
What is the best time of year to move from Tempe, AZ to Tacoma, WA?
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 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 4 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
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 41% and 26% nationally.