($1,517+) Newark, NJ to San Diego, CA Movers
Moving from Newark, NJ, to San Diego, CA, runs anywhere from $1,517 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $11,296 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 2,749 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 7 to 21 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 $2,365, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $11,296 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,908 - $7,249, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,517 - $4,252.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Newark, NJ, to San Diego, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,658 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
Compare moving options from Newark, NJ to San Diego, CA
There are 3 main ways to move from Newark to San Diego: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service handles labor and transportation for you, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route costing $3,658 - $7,509. Moving containers run about 32% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 53% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 7 to 21 days for this 2,749-mile route, depending on which option you go with.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 2,749-mile route from Newark to San Diego, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $2,365 - $5,804 | $1,908 - $3,561 | $1,517 - $2,939 | $1,803 - $3,469 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $3,658 - $7,509 | $2,499 - $4,905 | $1,709 - $3,499 | $1,979 - $4,172 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $6,541 - $11,296 | $3,479 - $7,249 | $1,993 - $4,252 | $2,784 - $5,856 |
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 Newark, NJ to San Diego, CA
For the 2,749-mile move from Newark, New Jersey, to San Diego, California, full-service movers cost between $2,365 and $11,296. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $429 - $2,860 (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 Newark generally start around $260 plus $120 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Newark to San Diego:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,365 - $5,804
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,658 - $7,509
- 4+ bedrooms: $6,541 - $11,296
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 Newark to San Diego.
Pro tip: Avoiding peak moving season dates (May - September) is one of the easiest ways to reduce costs. Off-season moves typically come with lower pricing and more room to negotiate since movers have fewer bookings.
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Specialty moving services from Newark, NJ to San Diego, CA
Specialty needs vary by market: 62% of Newark movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In San Diego, 69% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing72% of local movers | $715 - $7,150 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready62% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: White Glove Moving & Storage | $286 - $1,716/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $429 - $3,432 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage12% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs47% of local movers | $1,430 - $4,290 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,575 - $14,300 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,071 - $2,035 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items31% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: White Glove Moving & Storage | $1,430 - $3,575 |
| Piano | Any piano type39% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: White Glove Moving & Storage | $1,144 - $5,005 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling9% of local movers | $429 - $2,145 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect3% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (NJ) | $930 - $2,860 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $429 - $21,450+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $429 - $5,005+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Newark to San Diego?
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 carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Newark, NJ. 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 Newark, NJ to San Diego, CA
Moving containers from Newark, New Jersey, to San Diego, California, cost between $1,908 and $7,249. A container is delivered to your home and you load it on your own time. Loading windows vary by company: U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30. From there, the company takes over and transports it to San Diego. If you go over that window, storage in Newark adds around $130/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Newark to San Diego:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,908 - $3,561
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,499 - $4,905
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,479 - $7,249
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $107 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $215 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in San Diego, CA, if you need to retrieve anything while items are still in storage.
- Moving labor: Since you're responsible for loading the container yourself, many customers bring in hourly help. Based on moveBuddha data, hiring 2 movers for approximately 5 hours costs about $1,001 in Newark, NJ. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection goes beyond the standard minimum and covers repair, replacement, or reimbursement at declared value. Pricing is typically 1% - 2% of your total shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 move.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a New Jersey 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 $1,908. 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 $2,499 - $4,905.
What are the best moving containers Newark to San Diego?
- 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 Newark 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 Newark:
- Piece of Cake Moving & Storage (4.8/5), 8 years in business
- Moishe's Moving Systems (4.5/5), 33 years in business
- Big G Movers Inc (4.9/5), 13 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Newark, NJ to San Diego, CA
Truck rentals from Newark, New Jersey, to San Diego, California, range from $1,517 - $4,252 for the 2,749-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $1,251 - $1,429
- Daily insurance: $43/day
- Equipment rentals: $10 - $29
- Newark daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.99 - $0.99
| 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 Newark to San Diego based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,517 - $2,939
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,709 - $3,499
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,993 - $4,252
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Newark to San Diego starts at $1,517 - $4,252, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($1,251 - $1,429), overnight lodging ($215/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?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $215 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 $93 and $465 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $1,251 - $1,429 in fuel for the 2,749-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $1,001 in Newark, New Jersey, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Newark to San Diego?
- 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 Newark, NJ to San Diego, CA
For larger DIY moves from Newark, New Jersey, 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 San Diego, California.
Because freight companies bill by linear footage, your total is based on how much of the trailer you occupy, not the full length. For a 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route, pricing typically falls between $1,979 and $4,172.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Newark to San Diego:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,803 - $3,469
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,979 - $4,172
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,784 - $5,856
Pro tip: Loading a freight trailer is a bit different from filling a container. The 4-foot ramp can be steep with large items, and getting the most out of 8 feet of vertical clearance takes planning. Since pricing is based on linear feet used, every inch of wasted space has a cost.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In Newark, New Jersey, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $1,001.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $107 - $215 per additional foot to your total.
- Time of year: Rates tend to climb during peak moving season (mid-May through mid-September) when trailer demand is at its highest.
What are the best freight companies from Newark to San Diego?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the pick for best for large moves. The company is well-regarded as a top moving container option for its load-it-yourself, we-drive-it model, and that same model makes it a strong freight option for larger homes that benefit from the company's 53-foot trucks and footage-based pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Alongside their flagship container service, U-Pack provides a top-notch freight trailer option that follows the same model: no deposits, no upfront fees, and pricing based on the linear footage you actually use.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in San Diego fast. For interstate moves, freight is one of the quickest delivery methods out there. Just keep in mind that freight carriers expect you to be available to receive your shipment, so it works best when your move-in is locked in and you don't need temporary storage on either end.
Cost of living: Newark, NJ vs San Diego, CA
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in San Diego, side by side with Newark on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Newark, NJ | San Diego, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 135 | 155 |
| Average rent | $2,300/mo | $2,881/mo |
| Median home value | $335,418 | $847,715 |
| Average income | $48,416/yr | $104,321/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 13.0% | 6.6% |
| State income tax | Up to 10.7% | Up to 13.3% |
| Walkability score | 76/100 | 53/100 |
| Safety index | 24.76/100 | 60.17/100 |
| 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 Diego, CA to Newark, NJ guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from New Jersey to California 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 312 movers in our New Jersey network to compare for this 2,749-mile move.
Our take
A move from Newark, NJ, to San Diego, CA, 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 $2,365 - $11,296 on the 2,749-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,908 - $7,249, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $1,517 - $4,252. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $3,658 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 United States Navy and University of California, San Diego.
FAQs: Moving from Newark, NJ, to San Diego, CA
What do local movers charge in Newark?
Local movers based in Newark typically start around $260 as a base rate, plus $120/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 San Diego run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
How long does a move from Newark, NJ to San Diego, CA take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 7 to 21 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are often one of the faster options outside of driving yourself, 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 are the best neighborhoods in San Diego?
For families, Carmel Valley, Del Mar Heights, and Loma Portal are worth a look in San Diego. If you're moving solo or without kids, Gaslamp Quarter, Hillcrest, and North Park tend to be popular picks instead.
What is the cheapest way to move from Newark, NJ to San Diego, 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 $1,709 - $3,499. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
Is San Diego a safe place to live?
San Diego has a safety index of 60.17 out of 100 and a crime index of 39.83, compared to 24.76 and 75.24 in Newark. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What percentage of Newark movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 39% of movers in Newark handle piano moves, and 31% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.