($581+) Sacramento, CA to Tempe, AZ Movers
The cost to move from Sacramento, CA to Tempe, AZ ranges from $1,203 to $8,286, with an average cost of $2,800. Moves can be as low as $581 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 766 miles and usually takes 2 to 7 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.
Compare moving options from Sacramento, CA to Tempe, AZ
Moving options from Sacramento to Tempe fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,203 - $8,286 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $2,800, and movers handle all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 60% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This particular route covers 766 miles and typically takes 2 to 7 days depending on the service you pick.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 766-mile route from Sacramento to Tempe, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,203 - $4,441 | $1,129 - $2,073 | $592 - $1,103 | $1,016 - $1,866 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,298 - $6,118 | $1,364 - $2,708 | $614 - $1,272 | $1,160 - $2,344 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $3,911 - $8,286 | $1,962 - $3,598 | $800 - $1,466 | $1,478 - $3,053 |
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 Sacramento, CA to Tempe, AZ
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 766-mile move from Sacramento, California, to Tempe, Arizona, with costs ranging from $1,203 - $8,286. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $364 - $2,428. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Sacramento and Tempe. Local movers in Sacramento typically start around $287 as a base rate plus $130/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Sacramento to Tempe:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,203 - $4,441
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,298 - $6,118
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,911 - $8,286
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 Sacramento to Tempe.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from California to Arizona. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
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 Sacramento, CA to Tempe, AZ
Specialty needs vary by market — 88% of Sacramento movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Tempe, 85% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $607 - $6,070 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready88% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Two Men and a Truck Moving | $243 - $1,457/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $364 - $2,914 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage56% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs40% of local movers | $1,214 - $3,642 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,035 - $12,140 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $909 - $1,728 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items64% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Mother Lode Van & Storage Inc. | $1,214 - $3,035 |
| Piano | Any piano type88% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Two Men and a Truck Moving | $971 - $4,249 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling48% of local movers | $364 - $1,821 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect40% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: A Better Moving | $789 - $2,428 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $364 - $18,210+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $364 - $4,249+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Sacramento to Tempe?
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 van lines are the smarter financial choice over local movers in Sacramento, CA. Local companies can run 30% - 40% more at that range since they don't consolidate shipments the way interstate carriers do. If a direct, dedicated route with an average 2-day delivery appeals to you, a local mover could be worth it, but that convenience comes at a cost.
Moving container costs from Sacramento, CA to Tempe, AZ
Moving containers from Sacramento, California, to Tempe, Arizona, cost between $1,129 and $3,598. 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 Sacramento typically runs around $120/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Sacramento to Tempe:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,129 - $2,073
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,364 - $2,708
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,962 - $3,598
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Access: Most major container brands operate in both Sacramento, CA and Tempe, 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 $850 in Sacramento, CA, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $91 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $182 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 California 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 $1,129. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,364 - $2,708, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Sacramento to Tempe?
- 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 Sacramento 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 Sacramento:
- Two Men and a Truck Moving (4.6/5), 21 years in business
- Double Move (4.9/5), 3 years in business
- Premium Movers Inc. (4.6/5), 19 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Sacramento, CA to Tempe, AZ
Truck rentals from Sacramento, California, to Tempe, Arizona, range from $592 - $1,466 for the 766-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $296 - $338
- Daily insurance: $36/day
- Equipment rentals: $8 - $24
- Sacramento daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $1.09 - $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 Sacramento to Tempe based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $592 - $1,103
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $614 - $1,272
- 4+ bedrooms: $800 - $1,466
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $592 - $1,466 when pricing out a rental truck from Sacramento to Tempe. Fuel alone runs ($296 - $338) , and overnight lodging ($182/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend an additional $600 - $1,200 beyond the base rate by the time the move is done.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Gas: Fuel adds $296 - $338 for the 766-mile drive, depending on whether your rental truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: You'll handle the heavy lifting unless you bring in help. Two movers in Sacramento, California, for about 5 hours typically costs around $850.
- Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
- Lodging: The 766-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $182 per night, adding $364 - $546 in hotel costs total.
- Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $61 and $364.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Sacramento to Tempe?
- 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 Sacramento, CA to Tempe, AZ
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Sacramento, California, to Tempe, 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. Overall pricing for a move of this size and distance typically lands around $1,160 and $2,344.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Sacramento to Tempe:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,016 - $1,866
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,160 - $2,344
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,478 - $3,053
Pro tip: Freight trailers offer generous space but reward good packing strategy. The 4-foot ramp can be challenging for large or heavy pieces, and using the full 8-foot height takes careful stacking. Because you're billed by the linear foot, maximizing vertical space keeps your costs lower.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Demand cycles: Trailer costs climb during peak moving season, especially from mid-May through mid-September when demand is at its highest.
- More space: You're billed only for the linear feet you use, but underestimating your inventory means paying for extra space, typically around $91 - $182 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Sacramento, California, for about five hours typically runs $850.
What are the best freight companies from Sacramento to Tempe?
- 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.
- Button Transportation, Inc. (4.66/5 stars): Button Transportation, Inc. is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Local ownership translates to accessible support staff and facilities based in the communities they serve, giving customers more direct communication than they'd typically get from a national-only freight network.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in Tempe 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: Sacramento, CA vs Tempe, AZ
Sacramento and Tempe land in a similar range on everyday costs. The cost of living index sits at 127 in Sacramento and 113 in Tempe, and rent tracks closely too ($1,899/mo vs. $1,834/mo). You likely won't need to rework your monthly budget much after this move. Walkability (49 vs 54) and safety scores (50.79 vs 57.64) come out about the same too.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Tempe, AZ to Sacramento, CA guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from California to Arizona, so we know current pricing better than most. Checking our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates. California alone has 374 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 766-mile move like this one.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from Sacramento, CA, to Tempe, AZ, comes down to your budget and how much time and work you're able to put into it. Hands-off relocations handled by full-service movers range from $1,203 - $8,286 on the 766-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,129 - $3,598 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $592 - $1,466 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $2,298 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and 24/7 live support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Amkor Technology, Inc. and Benchmark Electronics.
FAQs: Moving from Sacramento, CA, to Tempe, AZ
How walkable is Tempe?
Tempe has a walkability score of 54 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 75, compared to 49 and 67 in Sacramento. 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 ($296 - $338), daily insurance ($36/day), and equipment rentals ($8 - $24) on top. Overnight stops can add another $182/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
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 is the best time of year to move from Sacramento, CA to Tempe, 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.
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 3 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 Sacramento movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 88% of movers in Sacramento handle piano moves, and 64% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.