($1,035+) San Diego, CA to Memphis, TN Movers
The cost to move from San Diego, CA to Memphis, TN ranges from $1,283 to $10,229, with an average cost of $3,650. Moves can be as low as $1,035 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 1,775 miles and usually takes 5 to 16 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 Memphis, TN
Moving options from San Diego to Memphis fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,283 - $10,229 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $3,650, and movers handle all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 35% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 64% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This particular route covers 1,775 miles and typically takes 5 to 16 days depending on the service you pick.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,775-mile route from San Diego to Memphis, broken down by home size:
- A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $1,283 - $5,102 with full-service movers, $1,498 - $2,915 with a container, $1,004 - $1,972 with a rental truck, or $1,348 - $2,470 by freight.
- A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $3,139 - $7,234 full-service, $2,033 - $4,000 by container, $1,120 - $2,275 by rental truck, or $1,533 - $3,105 by freight.
- A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $6,043 - $10,229 full-service, $2,672 - $5,375 by container, $1,369 - $3,019 by rental truck, or $2,052 - $4,172 by freight.
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 San Diego, CA to Memphis, TN
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 1,775-mile move from San Diego, California, to Memphis, Tennessee, with costs ranging from $1,283 - $10,229. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $382 - $2,548. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between San Diego and Memphis. Local movers in San Diego typically start around $226 as a base rate plus $200/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from San Diego to Memphis:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,283 - $5,102
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,139 - $7,234
- 4+ bedrooms: $6,043 - $10,229
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 Memphis.
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.
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Specialty moving services from San Diego, CA to Memphis, TN
Specialty needs vary by market: 69% of San Diego movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Memphis, 41% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing86% of local movers | $637 - $6,370 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready69% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Cali Moving & Storage Corp | $255 - $1,529/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $382 - $3,058 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage9% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs58% of local movers | $1,274 - $3,822 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,185 - $12,740 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $954 - $1,813 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items30% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Grizzly Moving | $1,274 - $3,185 |
| Piano | Any piano type50% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: One Stop Moving & Storage | $1,019 - $4,459 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling10% of local movers | $382 - $1,911 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect12% of local movers9% nationally | $828 - $2,548 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $382 - $19,110+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $382 - $4,459+ |
What are the best full-service movers from San Diego to Memphis?
- 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.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national full-service movers are the more cost-efficient choice. Local movers in San Diego, CA, 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 San Diego, CA to Memphis, TN
Moving containers from San Diego, California, to Memphis, Tennessee, cost between $1,498 and $5,375. 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 Memphis:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,498 - $2,915
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,033 - $4,000
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,672 - $5,375
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 $892, 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 $96 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $191 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both San Diego, CA, and Memphis, TN, 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 Tennessee 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 $1,498. 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 $2,033 - $4,000.
What are the best moving containers San Diego to Memphis?
- 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:
- 24/7 Moving and Storage (5.0/5), 14 years in business
- Coast 2 Coast Moving Inc (5.0/5), 8 years in business
- Best California Movers (5.0/5), 8 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from San Diego, CA to Memphis, TN
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 1,775 miles from San Diego, California, to Memphis, Tennessee, running $1,004 - $3,019. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $720 - $822
- Daily insurance: $38/day
- Equipment rentals: $9 - $25
- 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 Memphis based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,004 - $1,972
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,120 - $2,275
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,369 - $3,019
Pro tip: The base rate of $1,004 - $3,019 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from San Diego to Memphis. Fuel ($720 - $822), lodging at around $191/night, meals, and equipment rentals are all on top of that. Factor in roughly $600 - $1,200 more for meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging to get a realistic picture of what the move will actually cost.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $191 per night if your drive requires an overnight stop. Typically, you'll make 1 - 3 overnight stops, depending on move distance.
- Moving labor: Bringing in professional loading help in San Diego, California, usually costs about $892 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 1,775-mile drive falls between $720 and $822, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, moving pads, and vehicle trailers are easy to overlook but can add between $64 and $382 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from San Diego to Memphis?
- 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 Memphis, TN
Freight trailers are a good fit for medium-to-large moves where you need more space than a container but don't want to drive a rental truck from San Diego, California, to Memphis, Tennessee. The trailer is delivered to your address, you load it, and the carrier takes it the rest of the way.
Unlike truck rentals with flat rates, freight trailers scale with your shipment. Every additional section of trailer space you fill increases your total. A 2 - 3 bedroom long-distance move using this method runs roughly between $1,533 and $3,105.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from San Diego to Memphis:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,348 - $2,470
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,533 - $3,105
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,052 - $4,172
Pro tip: Freight pricing rewards efficient packing. Trailers are 8 feet tall and accessed via a 4-foot ramp, so technique matters, especially for heavy pieces. Since each additional linear foot adds to your quote, packing strategically is one of the easiest ways to control costs.
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 San Diego, California, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $892.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $96 and $191 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from San Diego to Memphis?
- 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: San Diego, CA vs Memphis, TN
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Memphis, side by side with San Diego on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | San Diego, CA | Memphis, TN |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 155 | 86 |
| Average rent | $2,881/mo | $1,299/mo |
| Median home value | $847,715 | $154,209 |
| Average income | $104,321/yr | $51,211/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 6.6% | 8.0% |
| State income tax | Up to 13.3% | None |
| Walkability score | 53/100 | 35/100 |
| Safety index | 60.17/100 | 22.51/100 |
| 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 Memphis, TN to San Diego, CA guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from California to Tennessee 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 1,126 movers in our California network to compare for this 1,775-mile move.
Our take
The 1,775-mile move from San Diego, CA, to Memphis, TN, costs between $1,283 and $10,229 with full-service movers, $1,498 - $5,375 with a moving container, and $1,004 - $3,019 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 $3,139 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage, and 24/7 customer support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include FedEx and AutoZone.
FAQs: Moving from San Diego, CA, to Memphis, TN
How walkable is Memphis?
Memphis has a walkability score of 35 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 41, 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 are the best neighborhoods in Memphis?
For families, Bartlett, Cordova, and East Memphis are worth a look in Memphis. If you're moving solo or without kids, Binghampton, Cooper-Young, and Crosstown tend to be popular picks instead.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Tennessee?
Although a local license is not required in Tennessee, make sure the moving company you’ll be hiring is registered with U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). To verify if you’re dealing with a legal and licensed mover, you may ask them their USDOT registration number.
What do local movers charge in San Diego?
Local movers based in San Diego typically start around $226 as a base rate, plus $200/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 Memphis run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
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 San Diego movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 50% of movers in San Diego handle piano moves, and 30% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.