($1,120+) Dayton, OH to Phoenix, AZ Movers
Moving from Dayton, OH, to Phoenix, AZ, runs anywhere from $1,076 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $11,562 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,815 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 5 to 16 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 $2,544, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $11,562 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,612 - $5,397, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,076 - $2,952.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Dayton, OH, to Phoenix, AZ. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,582 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
Compare moving options from Dayton, OH to Phoenix, AZ
Moving options from Dayton to Phoenix fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $3,582 - $7,685 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 1,815-mile route typically takes 5 to 16 days door to door.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,815-mile route from Dayton to Phoenix, broken down by home size:
Home size makes the biggest difference in what you'll pay on this route. A studio or 1-bedroom runs $2,544 - $5,740 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($1,612 - $3,017), rental truck ($1,076 - $2,049), or freight trailer ($1,480 - $2,662). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $3,582 - $7,685 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $11,562.
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 Dayton, OH to Phoenix, AZ
Full-service movers for the 1,815-mile relocation from Dayton, Ohio, to Phoenix, Arizona, cost between $2,544 and $11,562. With a long-distance moving company, loading, transportation, and unloading are all taken care of. If you want to skip packing boxes, too, that can be added for $280 - $1,864, depending on your home size. What you pay in the end is mainly a function of how much your shipment weighs and how far it's traveling. As a point of reference, local movers in Dayton typically charge a base rate around $330 plus $140 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Dayton to Phoenix:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,544 - $5,740
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,582 - $7,685
- 4+ bedrooms: $6,643 - $11,562
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 Dayton to Phoenix.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Ohio 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 Dayton, OH to Phoenix, AZ
Specialty needs vary by market — 88% of Dayton movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Phoenix, 85% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $466 - $4,660 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready88% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: American Way Van & Storage | $186 - $1,118/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $280 - $2,237 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage6% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs38% of local movers | $932 - $2,796 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,330 - $9,320 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $698 - $1,326 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items25% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: American Way Van & Storage | $932 - $2,330 |
| Piano | Any piano type44% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: American Way Van & Storage | $746 - $3,262 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling13% of local movers | $280 - $1,398 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect22% nationallyTop pick: | $606 - $1,864 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $280 - $13,980+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $280 - $3,262+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Dayton to Phoenix?
Arizona Moving Association membership is a quick way to confirm a mover is legitimate in Arizona, on top of the picks below.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 full-service movers are almost always better priced than local movers in Dayton, OH. 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 Dayton, OH to Phoenix, AZ
Moving containers from Dayton, Ohio, to Phoenix, Arizona, cost between $1,612 and $5,397. You're in charge of loading, and the timeline is yours to set. U-Haul allows 3 days while PODS gives you a full 30. After that, the company picks it up and delivers it to your new address. Running behind schedule? Storage in Dayton costs roughly $60/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Dayton to Phoenix:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,612 - $3,017
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,145 - $4,183
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,820 - $5,397
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $70 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $140 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Phoenix, 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 $652 in Dayton, OH. 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 Ohio 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 $1,612. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $2,145 - $4,183, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Dayton to Phoenix?
- 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 Dayton 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 Dayton:
- Lincoln Storage & Moving Inc (3.9/5), 110 years in business
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.6/5), 25 years in business
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.9/5), 6 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Dayton, OH to Phoenix, AZ
Truck rentals from Dayton, Ohio, to Phoenix, Arizona, range from $1,076 - $2,952 for the 1,815-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $538 - $615
- Daily insurance: $28/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $19
- Dayton daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $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 Dayton to Phoenix based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,076 - $2,049
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,199 - $2,412
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,573 - $2,952
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $1,076 - $2,952 does not include fuel ($538 - $615) , lodging ($140/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Dayton to Phoenix typically runs $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate alone.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $140 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 $61 and $303 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $538 - $615 in fuel for the 1,815-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $652 in Dayton, Ohio, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Dayton to Phoenix?
- 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 Dayton, OH to Phoenix, AZ
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Dayton, Ohio, to Phoenix, 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 $1,667 and $3,414.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Dayton to Phoenix:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,480 - $2,662
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,667 - $3,414
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,123 - $4,498
Pro tip: Freight pricing rewards efficient packing. Trailers are 8 feet tall and accessed via a 4-foot ramp, so technique matters, especially for heavy pieces. Since each additional linear foot adds to your quote, packing strategically is one of the easiest ways to control costs.
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 $70 and $140.
- 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 Dayton, Ohio, for roughly five hours typically average $652.
What are the best freight companies from Dayton to Phoenix?
- 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.
- ACE Doran Hauling & Rigging Co (4.88/5 stars): ACE Doran Hauling & Rigging Co is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned and based facilities mean accessible support staff and area-specific scheduling flexibility that national-only freight carriers typically don't match.
Pro tip: One of the biggest advantages of freight trailers is speed. For an interstate move, freight delivery is one of the fastest options you have short of driving a rental truck yourself. It's a smart choice when your timeline is firm and you'll be ready to receive your shipment. If there's any chance your new place won't be ready or you need a few weeks of storage, a moving container with built-in storage may serve you better.
Cost of living: Dayton, OH vs Phoenix, AZ
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Phoenix, side by side with Dayton on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Dayton, OH | Phoenix, AZ |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 80 | 113 |
| Average rent | $925/mo | $1,695/mo |
| Median home value | $94,536 | $380,294 |
| Average income | $43,454/yr | $77,041/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 6.8% | 6.6% |
| State income tax | Up to 3.5% | Up to 2.5% |
| Walkability score | 45/100 | 41/100 |
| Safety index | 40.68/100 | 46.94/100 |
| Air quality | Moderate | 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 Phoenix, AZ to Dayton, OH guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Ohio to Arizona in the past 3 months alone, keeping our pricing data current. Run your numbers through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. For context, we track 103 movers based in Ohio, handy for sizing up options on this 1,815-mile route.
Our take
A move from Dayton, OH, to Phoenix, AZ, 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 $2,544 - $11,562 on the 1,815-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,612 - $5,397, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $1,076 - $2,952. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $3,582 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and round-the-clock live support.
Beyond the move itself, people who've relocated to Phoenix tend to point to beautiful nature and bountiful arts and recreational activities, though extreme weather and tourists come up as common complaints. Major employers in the area include the State of Arizona and Walmart, Inc..
FAQs: Moving from Dayton, OH, to Phoenix, AZ
What do local movers charge in Dayton?
Local movers based in Dayton typically start around $330 as a base rate, plus $140/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 Phoenix run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
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.
How much does it cost to move from Dayton, OH to Phoenix, AZ?
Costs on this route range from around $2,544 to $11,562, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,544 and $11,562, 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 is the cheapest way to move from Dayton, OH to Phoenix, AZ?
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 $1,199 - $2,412. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($538 - $615), daily insurance ($28/day), and equipment rentals ($7 - $19) on top. Overnight stops can add another $140/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
What percentage of Dayton movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 44% of movers in Dayton handle piano moves, and 25% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.