($536+) Albuquerque, NM to San Diego, CA Movers
Moving from Albuquerque, NM, to San Diego, CA, runs anywhere from $575 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $9,114 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 771 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 2 to 7 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 $1,821, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $9,114 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,096 - $3,525, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $575 - $1,557.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Albuquerque, NM, to San Diego, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,556 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
Compare moving options from Albuquerque, NM to San Diego, CA
Moving options from Albuquerque to San Diego fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $2,556 - $6,533 on this route, with movers handling 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 771-mile route typically takes 2 to 7 days door to door.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 771-mile route from Albuquerque to San Diego, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,821 - $5,034 | $1,096 - $2,093 | $575 - $1,071 | $996 - $1,776 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,556 - $6,533 | $1,435 - $2,708 | $596 - $1,247 | $1,091 - $2,255 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,617 - $9,114 | $1,810 - $3,525 | $739 - $1,557 | $1,494 - $2,849 |
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 Albuquerque, NM to San Diego, CA
For the 771-mile move from Albuquerque, New Mexico, to San Diego, California, full-service movers cost between $1,821 and $9,114. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $352 - $2,344 (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 Albuquerque generally start around $185 plus $80 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Albuquerque to San Diego:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,821 - $5,034
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,556 - $6,533
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,617 - $9,114
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 Albuquerque to San Diego.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from New Mexico to California. 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.
Don't see your company listed?
Reach customers actively searching for trusted movers in your area. Tell us about your company and services to get your business listed on moveBuddha.
Specialty moving services from Albuquerque, NM to San Diego, CA
Specialty needs vary by market — 100% of Albuquerque movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In San Diego, 100% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $586 - $5,860 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready100% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $234 - $1,406/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $352 - $2,813 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs60% of local movers | $1,172 - $3,516 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,930 - $11,720 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $878 - $1,668 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items30% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $1,172 - $2,930 |
| Piano | Any piano type50% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $938 - $4,102 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling10% of local movers | $352 - $1,758 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect22% nationallyTop pick: | $762 - $2,344 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $352 - $17,580+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $352 - $4,102+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Albuquerque to San Diego?
All three below meet the standards set by the California Moving & Storage Association, the group most California movers are affiliated with.
- 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 almost always better priced than local movers in Albuquerque, NM. 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 Albuquerque, NM to San Diego, CA
Moving containers from Albuquerque, New Mexico, to San Diego, California, cost between $1,096 and $3,525. 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 Albuquerque runs about $65/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Albuquerque to San Diego:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,096 - $2,093
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,435 - $2,708
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,810 - $3,525
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $88 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $176 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 $820 in Albuquerque, NM. 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 Mexico 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 $1,096. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,435 - $2,708, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Albuquerque 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 Albuquerque 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 Albuquerque:
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.6/5), 9 years in business
- Johnson Storage & Moving (4.3/5), 126 years in business
- K & J'z Moving Inc (4.2/5), 28 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Albuquerque, NM to San Diego, CA
Truck rentals from Albuquerque, New Mexico, to San Diego, California, range from $575 - $1,557 for the 771-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $288 - $329
- Daily insurance: $35/day
- Equipment rentals: $8 - $23
- Albuquerque daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.59 - $0.79
| 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 Albuquerque to San Diego based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $575 - $1,071
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $596 - $1,247
- 4+ bedrooms: $739 - $1,557
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Albuquerque to San Diego starts at $575 - $1,557, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($288 - $329) , overnight lodging ($176/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for an additional $600 - $1,200 on top of your base rate to cover those costs.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $176 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 Albuquerque, New Mexico, usually costs about $820 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 771-mile drive falls between $288 and $329, 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 $59 and $352 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Albuquerque 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 Albuquerque, NM to San Diego, CA
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 Albuquerque, New Mexico, to San Diego, California. 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. Most long-distance moves using this method run roughly between $1,091 and $2,255.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Albuquerque to San Diego:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $996 - $1,776
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,091 - $2,255
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,494 - $2,849
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 $88 - $176 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Albuquerque, New Mexico, for about five hours typically runs $820.
What are the best freight companies from Albuquerque to San Diego?
- 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.
- THE Tire Welder, Inc. (4.58/5 stars): THE Tire Welder, Inc. 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: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Albuquerque to San Diego. 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: Albuquerque, NM 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 Albuquerque on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Albuquerque, NM | San Diego, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 92 | 155 |
| Average rent | $1,250/mo | $2,881/mo |
| Median home value | $265,984 | $847,715 |
| Average income | $65,604/yr | $104,321/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 7.4% | 6.6% |
| State income tax | Up to 5.9% | Up to 13.3% |
| Walkability score | 43/100 | 53/100 |
| Safety index | 28.28/100 | 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 Albuquerque, NM guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from New Mexico to California, so our pricing data stays current. Use our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and spot bad actors early. We track 19 movers licensed in New Mexico, useful context for sizing up this 771-mile move.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 771-mile route from Albuquerque, NM, to San Diego, CA, run $1,821 - $9,114 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,096 - $3,525, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $575 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,556, 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 United States Navy and University of California, San Diego.
FAQs: Moving from Albuquerque, NM, to San Diego, CA
What is the best time of year to move from Albuquerque, NM to San Diego, 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 do I know a mover is licensed in California?
When contacting a local moving company for an estimate in California, make sure each has a “T Number” issued by the California Public Utilities Commission (CAPUC). Moving companies with valid T Numbers have met state requirements for insurance, safety, and financial stability and have passed criminal clearance checks conducted by the California Department of Justice.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($288 - $329), 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 walkable is San Diego?
San Diego has a walkability score of 53 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 43, compared to 43 and 61 in Albuquerque. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
How much does it cost to move from Albuquerque, NM to San Diego, CA?
Costs on this route range from around $1,821 to $9,114, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,821 and $9,114, while DIY options like rental trucks and containers come in lower. Moving during peak season (May - September) tends to push prices higher across the board.
What percentage of Albuquerque movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 50% of movers in Albuquerque handle piano moves, and 30% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.