($532+) Scottsdale, AZ to San Jose, CA Movers
Moving from Scottsdale, AZ, to San Jose, CA, runs anywhere from $527 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,445 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 719 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 1 to 6 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 $1,680, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $8,445 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,105 - $3,469, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $527 - $1,437.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Scottsdale, AZ, to San Jose, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,250 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 Scottsdale, AZ to San Jose, CA
Moving options from Scottsdale to San Jose fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $2,250 - $6,034 for a 2-3 bedroom home and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers cost about 30% less than full-service for the same size, and rental trucks land around 60% less, with both DIY options requiring you to load yourself. Covering 719 miles, this route usually takes 1 to 6 days from pickup to delivery.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 719-mile route from Scottsdale to San Jose, broken down by home size:
- Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $1,680 - $4,467, container $1,105 - $1,927, rental truck $527 - $999, freight trailer $947 - $1,858.
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $2,250 - $6,034, container $1,322 - $2,644, rental truck $592 - $1,211, freight trailer $1,147 - $2,245.
- 4+ bedrooms: full-service $3,870 - $8,445, container $1,770 - $3,469, rental truck $741 - $1,437, freight trailer $1,431 - $2,832.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Scottsdale, AZ to San Jose, CA
For the 719-mile move from Scottsdale, Arizona, to San Jose, California, full-service movers cost between $1,680 and $8,445. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $481 - $3,204 (1 - 5+ bedrooms), crews will pack your boxes. The weight of your shipment and the mileage between the two cities are what drive your final cost. For scale, local movers in Scottsdale generally start around $155 plus $85 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Scottsdale to San Jose:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,680 - $4,467
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,250 - $6,034
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,870 - $8,445
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 Scottsdale to San Jose.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Arizona to California. 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.
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Specialty moving services from Scottsdale, AZ to San Jose, CA
Specialty needs vary by market — 85% of Scottsdale movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In San Jose, 81% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing98% of local movers | $801 - $8,010 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready85% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Camelback Moving | $320 - $1,922/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $481 - $3,845 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage38% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs59% of local movers | $1,602 - $4,806 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $4,005 - $16,020 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,200 - $2,280 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items55% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Gilbert Moving & Storage | $1,602 - $4,005 |
| Piano | Any piano type77% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Mentors Moving & Storage | $1,282 - $5,607 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling30% of local movers | $481 - $2,403 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect30% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Mentors Moving & Storage | $1,041 - $3,204 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $481 - $24,030+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $481 - $5,607+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Scottsdale to San Jose?
If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in California Moving & Storage 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 full-service movers are the more cost-efficient choice. Local movers in Scottsdale, AZ, 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 Scottsdale, AZ to San Jose, CA
Moving containers from Scottsdale, Arizona, to San Jose, California, cost between $1,105 and $3,469. 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 Scottsdale runs about $90/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Scottsdale to San Jose:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,105 - $1,927
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,322 - $2,644
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,770 - $3,469
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 $1,121 in Scottsdale, 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 $120 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $240 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 San Jose, CA, destination before booking.
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 $1,105. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,322 - $2,644, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Scottsdale to San Jose?
- 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 Scottsdale 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 Scottsdale:
- Camelback Moving (4.8/5), 21 years in business
- Gilbert Moving & Storage (4.9/5), 9 years in business
- Mentors Moving & Storage (4.7/5), 9 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Scottsdale, AZ to San Jose, CA
A rental truck for this 719-mile move from Scottsdale, Arizona, to San Jose, California, costs between $527 and $1,437. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $366 - $419
- Daily insurance: $48/day
- Equipment rentals: $11 - $32
- Scottsdale 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 Scottsdale to San Jose based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $527 - $999
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $592 - $1,211
- 4+ bedrooms: $741 - $1,437
Pro tip: The base rate of $527 - $1,437 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Scottsdale to San Jose. Fuel ($366 - $419) , lodging at around $240/night, meals, and equipment rentals are all on top of that. Factor in an extra $600 - $1,200 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 $240 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 Scottsdale, Arizona, usually costs about $1,121 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 719-mile drive falls between $366 and $419, 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 $80 and $481 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Scottsdale to San Jose?
- 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 Scottsdale, AZ to San Jose, CA
Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from Scottsdale, Arizona, to San Jose, California. Standard trailers run 28 feet long, and you're only charged for the portion you actually fill. The carrier drops the trailer off, you load it at your own pace, and they handle the drive to your new city.
Pricing is based entirely on the linear footage your shipment occupies, not the full trailer length. Most long-distance freight moves land somewhere between $1,442 and $2,245.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Scottsdale to San Jose:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $947 - $1,858
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,147 - $2,245
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,431 - $2,832
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 pricing is based on exactly how much of the trailer you fill. If your items take up more than expected, the added footage can increase your cost by between $120 and $240.
- Peak season impact: Moving during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) often means higher trailer rates as demand increases across the board.
- Moving labor: Unless you plan to load everything yourself, factor in labor costs. Two movers in Scottsdale, Arizona, for roughly five hours typically average $1,121.
What are the best freight companies from Scottsdale to San Jose?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Primarily known as a top moving container option for its DIY hybrid model where customers load and the company drives, MovingYourself also functions as a strong freight option thanks to its 53-foot trucks and pay-only-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. Best known for its container service, U-Pack also runs a top-notch freight trailer operation with the same no-deposit, pay-by-the-foot approach that keeps overall costs lower than most freight competitors.
- Empire Transport (4.84/5 stars): Empire Transport is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned facilities and accessible live support staff make scheduling and route coordination easier on local-area routes than what most national freight providers can offer.
Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from Scottsdale to San Jose, 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: Scottsdale, AZ vs San Jose, CA
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in San Jose, side by side with Scottsdale on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Scottsdale, AZ | San Jose, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 113 | 231 |
| Average rent | $3,300/mo | $3,095/mo |
| Median home value | $709,486 | $1,184,000 |
| Average income | $107,372/yr | $141,565/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 4.7% | 6.6% |
| State income tax | Up to 2.5% | Up to 13.3% |
| Walkability score | 32/100 | 51/100 |
| Safety index | 74.2/100 | 52.27/100 |
| 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 Jose, CA to Scottsdale, AZ guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from Arizona to California, 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 97 movers in Arizona, so you have real options to compare for this 719-mile move.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 719-mile route from Scottsdale, AZ, to San Jose, CA, run $1,680 - $8,445 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,105 - $3,469, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $527 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,250, 30 days of free storage, and a 24/7 support team you can actually reach.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Cisco Systems and Western Digital.
FAQs: Moving from Scottsdale, AZ, to San Jose, CA
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Scottsdale, AZ to San Jose, CA?
Cutting 500 pounds from your shipment, roughly one bedroom's worth of items, saves approximately $200 - $400 on a full-service move on this route. Beyond that, staying organized matters just as much. A solid moving checklist keeps you on schedule and helps you avoid costly last-minute mistakes.
What is the best time of year to move from Scottsdale, AZ to San Jose, CA?
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 long does a move from Scottsdale, AZ to San Jose, CA take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 5 - 7 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are usually the fastest option outside of driving yourself, with deliveries in 3 - 5 days, 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 extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($366 - $419), daily insurance ($48/day), and equipment rentals ($11 - $32) on top. Overnight stops can add another $240/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
What is the cheapest way to move from Scottsdale, AZ to San Jose, 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 $592 - $1,211. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What percentage of Scottsdale movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 77% of movers in Scottsdale handle piano moves, and 55% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
