($719+) Albuquerque, NM to San Francisco, CA Movers
Moving from Albuquerque, NM, to San Francisco, CA, runs anywhere from $719 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,966 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,085 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 $2,175, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $8,966 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,146 - $3,888, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $719 - $1,882.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Albuquerque, NM, to San Francisco, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,842 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
Fact Checked by:
Compare moving options from Albuquerque, NM to San Francisco, CA
Moving options from Albuquerque to San Francisco fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $2,842 - $6,233 on this route, with movers handling all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 49% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 74% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This 1,085-mile route typically takes 2 to 8 days door to door.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,085-mile route from Albuquerque to San Francisco, 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 $2,175 - $5,460 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($1,146 - $2,271), rental truck ($719 - $1,379), or freight trailer ($1,032 - $1,906). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $2,842 - $6,233 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $8,966.
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 Albuquerque, NM to San Francisco, CA
Hiring full-service movers from Albuquerque, New Mexico, to San Francisco, California, costs between $2,175 and $8,966. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 1,085-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $460 - $3,064, 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 Albuquerque and San Francisco. For a rough baseline, movers based in Albuquerque tend to start around $185 plus $80/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 Albuquerque to San Francisco:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,175 - $5,460
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,842 - $6,233
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,493 - $8,966
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 Francisco.
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.
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 Francisco, CA
Specialty needs vary by market: 62% of Albuquerque movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In San Francisco, 54% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing81% of local movers | $766 - $7,660 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready62% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $306 - $1,838/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $460 - $3,677 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage10% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs57% of local movers | $1,532 - $4,596 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,830 - $15,320 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,147 - $2,180 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items19% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Albuquerque NM Movers | $1,532 - $3,830 |
| Piano | Any piano type24% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $1,226 - $5,362 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling14% of local movers | $460 - $2,298 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect10% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: EXCEPTIONAL (NM) | $996 - $3,064 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $460 - $22,980+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $460 - $5,362+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Albuquerque to San Francisco?
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 movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in Albuquerque, NM. 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 Albuquerque, NM to San Francisco, CA
Moving containers from Albuquerque, New Mexico, to San Francisco, California, cost between $1,146 and $3,888. 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 Francisco:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,146 - $2,271
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,461 - $2,978
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,953 - $3,888
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Containers are self-loaded, so many people hire hourly help for the heavy lifting. moveBuddha data shows two movers for about five hours runs around $1,072 in Albuquerque, NM. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: If you want stronger coverage than the default liability, full-value protection is the upgrade to consider. Most providers charge 1% - 2% of your shipment value, roughly $500 - $1,000 for $50,000 in contents.
- Storage: After the first month, rental fees average $115 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $230 per month for a larger 12- to 16-foot unit.
- Access: If you anticipate needing to access items while in storage, confirm there's a facility conveniently located near your San Francisco, CA, destination before booking.
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 $1,146. 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 $1,461 - $2,978.
What are the best moving containers Albuquerque to San Francisco?
- 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
- K & J'z Moving Inc (4.2/5), 28 years in business
- Mr. Move It All (5.0/5), 24 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Albuquerque, NM to San Francisco, CA
Renting a moving truck for the 1,085-mile move from Albuquerque, New Mexico, to San Francisco, California, costs between $719 and $1,882, before these typical add-ons:
- Fuel for the drive: $529 - $604
- Daily insurance: $46/day
- Equipment rentals: $11 - $31
- 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 Francisco based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $719 - $1,379
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $740 - $1,546
- 4+ bedrooms: $938 - $1,882
Pro tip: The base rate of $719 - $1,882 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Albuquerque to San Francisco. Fuel ($529 - $604), lodging at around $230/night, meals, and equipment rentals are all on top of that. Factor in roughly $600 - $1,200 more for meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging to get a realistic picture of what the move will actually cost.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $230 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 $1,072 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 1,085-mile drive falls between $529 and $604, 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 $77 and $460 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Albuquerque to San Francisco?
- 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 Francisco, CA
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Albuquerque, New Mexico, to San Francisco, California, 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. Pricing for a 2 - 3 bedroom move of this distance typically lands between $1,278 and $2,480.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Albuquerque to San Francisco:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,032 - $1,906
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,278 - $2,480
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,578 - $3,143
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 trailers are billed by the section you fill. If you misjudge your shipment size, each extra foot of trailer space adds around $115 - $230 to your final bill.
- Peak season pricing: Expect higher rates during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) when trailer availability tightens across the country.
- Moving labor: Loading is on you unless you hire outside help. A half-day crew of two movers in Albuquerque, New Mexico, typically costs $1,072.
What are the best freight companies from Albuquerque to San Francisco?
- 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 one of the fastest ways to move your belongings interstate, often beating full-service movers on delivery time. If getting your stuff to San Francisco quickly is a priority, freight is worth a hard look. That said, freight carriers typically require you to be available to receive your shipment within a set window, so if you need short-term storage or your new place won't be ready right away, a container or full-service mover may give you more flexibility.
Cost of living: Albuquerque, NM vs San Francisco, CA
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in San Francisco, side by side with Albuquerque on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Albuquerque, NM | San Francisco, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 92 | 245 |
| Average rent | $1,250/mo | $3,250/mo |
| Median home value | $265,984 | $1,374,773 |
| Average income | $65,604/yr | $141,446/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 7.4% | 5.4% |
| State income tax | Up to 5.9% | Up to 13.3% |
| Walkability score | 43/100 | 99/100 |
| Safety index | 28.28/100 | 38.59/100 |
| 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 Francisco, CA to Albuquerque, NM guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from New Mexico to California, so our pricing data reflects what movers are actually charging right now. Check our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers, the best way to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and bad actors. We track 39 movers in New Mexico, so you have real options to compare for this 1,085-mile move.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from Albuquerque, NM, to San Francisco, CA, 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 $2,175 - $8,966 on the 1,085-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,146 - $3,888 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $719 - $1,882 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $2,842 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 Lyft and Securitize.
FAQs: Moving from Albuquerque, NM, to San Francisco, CA
What is the cheapest way to move from Albuquerque, NM to San Francisco, CA?
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 $740 - $1,546. 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 ($529 - $604), daily insurance ($46/day), and equipment rentals ($11 - $31) on top. Overnight stops can add another $230/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How long does a move from Albuquerque, NM to San Francisco, CA take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 2 to 8 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 Albuquerque, NM to San Francisco, 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.
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Albuquerque, NM to San Francisco, CA?
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 Albuquerque movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 24% of movers in Albuquerque handle piano moves, and 19% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.