($504+) Modesto, CA to Scottsdale, AZ Movers

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The cost to move from Modesto, CA to Scottsdale, AZ ranges from $1,197 to $7,947, with an average cost of $2,950. Moves can be as low as $504 if you're wanting to DIY it.

This move covers about 693 miles and usually takes 1 to 6 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.

Compare moving options from Modesto, CA to Scottsdale, AZ

Moving options from Modesto to Scottsdale fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,197 - $7,947 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $2,950, 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 693 miles and typically takes 1 to 6 days depending on the service you pick.

Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 693-mile route from Modesto to Scottsdale, broken down by home size:

  • Full-service movers: $1,197 for a studio up to $7,947 for a 4+ bedroom home.
  • Moving containers: $1,083 - $3,318 depending on home size.
  • Rental trucks: $541 - $1,428, the lowest-cost option across the board.
  • Freight trailers: $917 - $2,767, billed by the space you actually use.

Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 23, 2026.

Professional moving
Professional
Safeway Moving
star star star star star 4.9 / 5
Read our full Safeway review
Best overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran-owned
Moving container
Container
Unlimited storage
3 container sizes
10% discount
Rental truck
Rental Truck
Budget Truck Rental
star star star star star 4.3 / 5
Read our full Budget review
Affordable pricing
Online estimates
Several discounts
Freight trailer
Freight
MovingYourself
star star star star star 4.5 / 5
Read our full MovingYourself review
Fast delivery
Nationwide
100+ miles moves

Full-service moving costs from Modesto, CA to Scottsdale, AZ

Hiring full-service movers from Modesto, California, to Scottsdale, Arizona, costs between $1,197 and $7,947. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 693-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $344 - $2,296, depending on the size of your home. Your final cost comes down to two things: the total weight of your shipment and the distance between Modesto and Scottsdale. For a rough baseline, movers based in Modesto tend to start around $314 plus $128/hour per mover on local jobs, before long-distance pricing takes over for a move this size.

Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Modesto to Scottsdale:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,197 - $4,149
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,343 - $6,108
  • 4+ bedrooms: $4,133 - $7,947

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 Modesto to Scottsdale.

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: Peak moving season (May - September) limits truck availability and pushes up full-service moving costs. Booking during slower months can give you more scheduling room and a lower final price.

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Specialty moving services from Modesto, CA to Scottsdale, AZ

Specialty needs vary by market — 79% of Modesto movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Scottsdale, 85% of movers offer the same service.

Service When you need it Typical cost
Full packingFull crew packing100% of local movers$574 - $5,740
Storage in transitNew place not ready79% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Pete's Moving Services$230 - $1,378/mo
Shuttle feeTruck can't reach door$344 - $2,755
Full-value protectionMore than $0.60/lb coverage21% of local movers$300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value)
Small movesUnder ~2,000 lbs14% of local movers$1,148 - $3,444
Office / commercialWorkplace relocation$2,870 - $11,480
Car shippingSecond vehicle$860 - $1,634
Antiques & fine artFragile, high-value items36% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Grace Moving Company$1,148 - $2,870
PianoAny piano type71% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Grace Moving Company$918 - $4,018
Pool tableDisassembly & re-leveling7% of local movers$344 - $1,722
Hot tubHeavy, needs disconnect21% of local movers21% nationallyTop pick: MidCal Moving and Storage Company$746 - $2,296
Wine collectionClimate-controlled transport$344 - $17,220+
Pet relocationGround, air, or concierge$344 - $4,018+

What are the best full-service movers from Modesto to Scottsdale?

Arizona Moving Association membership is a quick way to confirm a mover is legitimate in Arizona, on top of the picks below.

  1. Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing means no surprise charges on moving day, and their support team is consistently rated among the most responsive in the industry.
  2. American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here, with 30+ years in business since 1995. AVL is one of the few national carriers that uses full-time in-house crews instead of contracted labor.
  3. Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, with fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan that covers damage, loss, and breakage.

Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Modesto, CA. 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 Modesto, CA to Scottsdale, AZ

Moving containers from Modesto, California, to Scottsdale, Arizona, cost between $1,083 and $3,318. 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 Modesto runs about $120/month.

Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Modesto to Scottsdale:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,083 - $1,982
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,376 - $2,719
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,934 - $3,318

What other costs come with moving containers?

  • Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $86 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $172 per month.
  • Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Scottsdale, AZ, 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 $804 in Modesto, CA. 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 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 $1,083. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,376 - $2,719, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.

What are the best moving containers Modesto to Scottsdale?

  1. Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
  2. U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
  3. 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 Modesto 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 Modesto:

  • Brewer Moving LLC (4.9/5), 11 years in business
  • MidCal Moving and Storage Company (4.6/5), 170 years in business
  • Pack it up Movers (4.9/5), 8 years in business

Moving truck rental costs from Modesto, CA to Scottsdale, AZ

A rental truck for this 693-mile move from Modesto, California, to Scottsdale, Arizona, costs between $541 and $1,428. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:

  • Fuel for the drive: $253 - $289
  • Daily insurance: $34/day
  • Equipment rentals: $8 - $23
  • Modesto daily rental rate: $19 - $39
  • Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.79 - $1.29
Home sizeTypical truck size
Studio / 1 bedroom10 - 12 ft
2 - 3 bedrooms15 - 17 ft
4+ bedrooms20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel)

These are typical moving truck rental costs from Modesto to Scottsdale based on home size:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $541 - $993
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $589 - $1,144
  • 4+ bedrooms: $736 - $1,428

Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $541 - $1,428 does not include fuel ($253 - $289) , lodging ($172/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Modesto to Scottsdale typically runs $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate alone.

What other costs come with rental trucks?

  • Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
  • Lodging: Budget around $172 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 Modesto, California, usually costs about $804 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
  • Gas: Fuel for the 693-mile drive falls between $253 and $289, 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 $57 and $344 to your total.

What are the best moving truck rentals from Modesto to Scottsdale?

  1. Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
  2. Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
  3. 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 Modesto, CA to Scottsdale, AZ

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 Modesto, California, to Scottsdale, Arizona. 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 $1,113 and $2,046.

Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Modesto to Scottsdale:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $917 - $1,819
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,113 - $2,046
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,429 - $2,767

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?

  • Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In Modesto, California, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $804.
  • More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $86 - $172 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 Modesto to Scottsdale?

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Speed Intermodal (4.7/5 stars): Speed Intermodal 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 Modesto to Scottsdale, 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: Modesto, CA vs Scottsdale, AZ

There's not a big cost-of-living gap between Modesto and Scottsdale to plan around. Cost of living index: 116 vs. 113. Average rent: $1,800/mo vs. $3,300/mo. The bigger factor in your budget is the one-time cost of the move itself, covered above. Walkability: 48 vs. 32. Safety index: 34.24 vs. 74.2.

Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Scottsdale, AZ to Modesto, CA guide.

Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:

In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from California to Arizona, 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 375 movers licensed in California, useful context for sizing up this 693-mile move.

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Our take

For a move from Modesto, CA, to Scottsdale, AZ, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $1,197 for a studio to $7,947 for a 4 - 5 bedroom home on the 693-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,083 - $3,318. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $541 - $1,428, though you'll be handling the driving and loading yourself. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with quotes starting around $2,343 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage included, and 24/7 live customer support.

Beyond the move itself, people who've relocated to Scottsdale tend to point to bountiful arts and recreational activities and beautiful nature, though tourists and terrible traffic come up as common complaints. Major employers in the area include Honor Health and CVS Health.

FAQs: Moving from Modesto, CA, to Scottsdale, AZ

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 do local movers charge in Modesto?

Local movers based in Modesto typically start around $314 as a base rate, plus $128/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 Scottsdale run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.

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 are the best neighborhoods in Scottsdale?

For families, McCormick Ranch, DC Ranch, and Grayhawk are worth a look in Scottsdale. If you're moving solo or without kids, Old Town Scottsdale, Gainey Ranch, and Kierland tend to be popular picks instead.

How walkable is Scottsdale?

Scottsdale has a walkability score of 32 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 56, compared to 48 and 48 in Modesto. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.

What percentage of Modesto movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?

About 71% of movers in Modesto handle piano moves, and 36% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.