($1,180+) Tempe, AZ to St. Petersburg, FL Movers
Moving from Tempe, AZ, to St. Petersburg, FL, runs anywhere from $1,180 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $10,681 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 2,172 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 6 to 17 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 $2,537, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $10,681 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,624 - $5,869, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,180 - $3,496.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Tempe, AZ, to St. Petersburg, FL. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,473 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 Tempe, AZ to St. Petersburg, FL
There are 3 main ways to move from Tempe to St. Petersburg: 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 $3,473 - $7,449. Moving containers run about 36% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 60% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 6 to 17 days for this 2,172-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 2,172-mile route from Tempe to St. Petersburg, broken down by home size:
- Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $2,537 - $5,608, container $1,624 - $3,249, rental truck $1,180 - $2,444, freight trailer $1,476 - $2,812.
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $3,473 - $7,449, container $2,207 - $4,296, rental truck $1,383 - $2,798, freight trailer $1,664 - $3,437.
- 4+ bedrooms: full-service $6,129 - $10,681, container $2,854 - $5,869, rental truck $1,597 - $3,496, freight trailer $2,237 - $4,648.
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 Tempe, AZ to St. Petersburg, FL
For the 2,172-mile move from Tempe, Arizona, to St. Petersburg, Florida, full-service movers cost between $2,537 and $10,681. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $327 - $2,180 (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 Tempe generally start around $200 plus $85 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Tempe to St. Petersburg:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,537 - $5,608
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,473 - $7,449
- 4+ bedrooms: $6,129 - $10,681
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 Tempe to St. Petersburg.
Pro tip: Moving company rates climb during peak moving season (May –-September) when demand peaks. Scheduling your move outside of that window can lead to noticeably lower costs and better availability.
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Specialty moving services from Tempe, AZ to St. Petersburg, FL
Specialty needs vary by market: 66% of Tempe movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In St. Petersburg, 57% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing79% of local movers | $545 - $5,450 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready66% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Mentors Moving & Storage | $218 - $1,308/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $327 - $2,616 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage13% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs53% of local movers | $1,090 - $3,270 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,725 - $10,900 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $816 - $1,551 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items26% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Moving Team Six LLC | $1,090 - $2,725 |
| Piano | Any piano type35% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Get Your Move On | $872 - $3,815 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling14% of local movers | $327 - $1,635 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect9% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Nicolosi Moving & Storage Inc. (AZ) | $709 - $2,180 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $327 - $16,350+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $327 - $3,815+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Tempe to St. Petersburg?
If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in Professional Movers Association of Florida 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 movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in Tempe, AZ. Van lines spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments, while local movers tend to charge 30% - 40% more for the same distance. A direct route with a local mover averages 2-day delivery, but that added speed typically carries a higher price tag.
Moving container costs from Tempe, AZ to St. Petersburg, FL
Moving containers from Tempe, Arizona, to St. Petersburg, Florida, cost between $1,624 and $5,869. 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 Tempe typically runs around $90/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Tempe to St. Petersburg:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,624 - $3,249
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,207 - $4,296
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,854 - $5,869
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Access: Most major container brands operate in both Tempe, AZ and St. Petersburg, FL. 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 $763 in Tempe, AZ, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $82 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $164 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 Arizona to Florida 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 $1,624. 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 $2,207 - $4,296.
What are the best moving containers Tempe to St. Petersburg?
- 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 Tempe 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 Tempe:
- B Line Movers (4.9/5), 10 years in business
- Bellhop Moving (4.2/5), 15 years in business
- Aardvark Movers Inc (4.5/5), 23 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Tempe, AZ to St. Petersburg, FL
A rental truck for this 2,172-mile move from Tempe, Arizona, to St. Petersburg, Florida, costs between $1,180 and $3,496. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $753 - $861
- Daily insurance: $33/day
- Equipment rentals: $8 - $22
- Tempe daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $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 Tempe to St. Petersburg based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,180 - $2,444
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,383 - $2,798
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,597 - $3,496
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Tempe to St. Petersburg starts at $1,180 - $3,496, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($753 - $861), overnight lodging ($164/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for roughly $600 - $1,200 more on top of fuel and lodging to cover meals, equipment, and other extras.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $164 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 $71 and $354 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $753 - $861 in fuel for the 2,172-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $763 in Tempe, Arizona, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Tempe to St. Petersburg?
- 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 Tempe, AZ to St. Petersburg, FL
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 Tempe, Arizona, to St. Petersburg, Florida. 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. A 2 - 3 bedroom long-distance move using this method runs roughly between $1,664 and $3,437.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Tempe to St. Petersburg:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,476 - $2,812
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,664 - $3,437
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,237 - $4,648
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?
- 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 $82 - $164 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Tempe, Arizona, for about five hours typically runs $763.
What are the best freight companies from Tempe to St. Petersburg?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Best known as a top moving container option thanks to its DIY hybrid model (you load, they drive), MovingYourself also doubles as a strong freight choice with their 53-foot trucks and pay-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. In addition to their well-known container service, U-Pack offers freight trailers that follow the same pay-by-the-foot model with no deposits or upfront fees, making them one of the most flexible freight options for budget-conscious moves.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in St. Petersburg 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: Tempe, AZ vs St. Petersburg, FL
Tempe and St. Petersburg land in a similar range on everyday costs. The cost of living index sits at 113 in Tempe and 103 in St. Petersburg, and average rent is $1,834/mo vs. $2,075/mo. With an index gap that small, you likely won't need to rework your monthly budget much after this move. For reference, walkability is 54 vs 43 and safety scores are 57.64 vs 60.46.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our St. Petersburg, FL to Tempe, AZ guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Arizona to Florida 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 242 movers based in Arizona, handy for sizing up options on this 2,172-mile route.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from Tempe, AZ, to St. Petersburg, FL, 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 $2,537 - $10,681 on the 2,172-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,624 - $5,869 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $1,180 - $3,496 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $3,473 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 Jabil and FADV Holdings.
FAQs: Moving from Tempe, AZ, to St. Petersburg, FL
What is the cheapest way to move from Tempe, AZ to St. Petersburg, FL?
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 $1,383 - $2,798. 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 ($753 - $861), daily insurance ($33/day), and equipment rentals ($8 - $22) on top. Overnight stops can add another $164/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How long does a move from Tempe, AZ to St. Petersburg, FL take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 6 to 17 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are often one of the faster options outside of driving yourself, though you'll need to be ready to receive your shipment on arrival. Driving a rental truck yourself puts the schedule entirely in your hands.
What is the best time of year to move from Tempe, AZ to St. Petersburg, FL?
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. Florida also has a hurricane season running June through November, worth factoring into your timing if you have flexibility. A midweek, mid-month date outside peak season is your best bet for saving money.
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Tempe, AZ to St. Petersburg, FL?
Cutting 500 pounds from your shipment, roughly one bedroom's worth of items, saves approximately $200 - $400 on a full-service move on this route. Beyond that, staying organized matters just as much. A solid moving checklist keeps you on schedule and helps you avoid costly last-minute mistakes.
What percentage of Tempe movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 35% of movers in Tempe handle piano moves, and 26% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.