($719+) McKinney, TX to Tempe, AZ Movers
Moving from McKinney, TX, to Tempe, AZ, runs anywhere from $719 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,829 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,087 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 2 to 8 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 $2,037, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $7,829 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,135 - $3,968, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $719 - $1,939.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from McKinney, TX, to Tempe, AZ. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,507 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
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Compare moving options from McKinney, TX to Tempe, AZ
There are 3 main ways to move from McKinney to Tempe: 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 $2,507 - $6,266. Moving containers run about 39% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 72% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 2 to 8 days for this 1,087-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 1,087-mile route from McKinney to Tempe, broken down by home size:
- Full-service movers: $2,037 for a studio up to $7,829 for a 4+ bedroom home.
- Moving containers: $1,135 - $3,968 depending on home size.
- Rental trucks: $719 - $1,939, the lowest-cost option across the board.
- Freight trailers: $1,032 - $3,207, 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 November 2, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from McKinney, TX to Tempe, AZ
Full-service movers for the 1,087-mile relocation from McKinney, Texas, to Tempe, Arizona, cost between $2,037 and $7,829. 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 $337 - $2,248, 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 McKinney typically charge a base rate around $282 plus $89 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from McKinney to Tempe:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,037 - $5,063
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,507 - $6,266
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,209 - $7,829
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 McKinney to Tempe.
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 McKinney, TX to Tempe, AZ
Specialty needs vary by market: 59% of McKinney movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Tempe, 66% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing77% of local movers | $562 - $5,620 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready59% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Firehouse Movers Inc. | $225 - $1,349/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $337 - $2,698 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage13% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs65% of local movers | $1,124 - $3,372 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,810 - $11,240 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $842 - $1,599 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items26% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $1,124 - $2,810 |
| Piano | Any piano type41% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $899 - $3,934 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling9% of local movers | $337 - $1,686 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect8% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: InNout Movers (TX) | $731 - $2,248 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $337 - $16,860+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $337 - $3,934+ |
What are the best full-service movers from McKinney to Tempe?
If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in Arizona Moving 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 van lines are the smarter financial choice over local movers in McKinney, TX. 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 McKinney, TX to Tempe, AZ
Moving containers from McKinney, Texas, to Tempe, Arizona, cost between $1,135 and $3,968. 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 McKinney typically runs around $80/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from McKinney to Tempe:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,135 - $2,162
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,537 - $3,160
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,056 - $3,968
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Because loading is on you with a container move, hourly labor help is a popular add-on. In McKinney, TX, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $787, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: After the first month, ongoing rental fees kick in. A small container (7 - 8 feet) averages about $84 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $169 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both McKinney, TX, and Tempe, AZ, but confirm a facility is within reasonable distance if you need to retrieve items while in storage.
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection provides broader coverage than the standard liability in your contract. It typically costs 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on $50,000 worth of belongings.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Texas 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 $1,135. 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 $1,537 - $3,160.
What are the best moving containers McKinney 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 McKinney 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 McKinney:
- AB Moving (4.8/5), 26 years in business
- Fantastic Moves (4.6/5), 31 years in business
- Evolution Moving Company (4.9/5), 12 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from McKinney, TX to Tempe, AZ
Truck rentals from McKinney, Texas, to Tempe, Arizona, range from $719 - $1,939 for the 1,087-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $389 - $444
- Daily insurance: $34/day
- Equipment rentals: $8 - $22
- McKinney 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 McKinney to Tempe based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $719 - $1,379
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $710 - $1,593
- 4+ bedrooms: $975 - $1,939
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $719 - $1,939 when pricing out a rental truck from McKinney to Tempe. Fuel alone runs $389 - $444, and overnight lodging ($169/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend roughly $600 - $1,200 more on meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging by the time the move is done.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Equipment: Tow dollies, appliance dollies, and moving pads are not included in the base rate. These extras often total between $84 and $393.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $169.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $389 and $444 for the 1,087-mile drive, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: If you'd rather not do all the heavy lifting, budget around $787 for 2 movers in McKinney, Texas, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from McKinney 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 McKinney, TX to Tempe, AZ
If you're moving a larger household from McKinney, Texas, and want to stay in control of the loading process, freight trailers offer a practical middle ground between hiring movers and renting a truck yourself. A 28-foot trailer is delivered to your door, you load what you need, and the carrier handles the drive to Tempe, Arizona.
Freight trailers are priced by the linear feet your belongings take up, so you only pay for the space you use. A 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route typically falls between $1,230 and $2,382.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from McKinney to Tempe:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,032 - $2,024
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,230 - $2,382
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,578 - $3,207
Pro tip: Freight trailers come with a 4-foot loading ramp, which can be a challenge with bulky furniture. With 8 feet of vertical space available, stacking efficiently often requires a ladder and a plan. Since you're billed per linear foot, packing tight can make a real difference in your final cost.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In McKinney, Texas, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $787.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $84 - $169 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 McKinney to Tempe?
- 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 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: McKinney, TX vs Tempe, AZ
Day-to-day costs in Tempe are close to what you're used to in McKinney: cost of living index of 113 versus 112, with average rent of $1,834/mo compared to $2,300/mo. With an index gap that small, budgeting for this move mostly comes down to the moving costs above rather than a shift in your monthly expenses. For reference, walkability and safety scores are 27/100 and 78.52/100 in McKinney versus 54/100 and 57.64/100 in Tempe.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Tempe, AZ to McKinney, TX guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Texas 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. Texas alone has 843 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 1,087-mile move like this one.
Our take
A move from McKinney, TX, to Tempe, 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 $2,037 - $7,829 on the 1,087-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,135 - $3,968, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $719 - $1,939. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $2,507 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 Amkor Technology, Inc. and Benchmark Electronics.
FAQs: Moving from McKinney, TX, to Tempe, AZ
What is the cheapest way to move from McKinney, TX to Tempe, 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 $710 - $1,593. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
Is Tempe a safe place to live?
Tempe has a safety index of 57.64 out of 100 and a crime index of 42.36, compared to 78.52 and 21.48 in McKinney. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
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 4 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
What is the best time of year to move from McKinney, TX 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.
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 percentage of McKinney movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 41% of movers in McKinney handle piano moves, and 26% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.