($1,634+) San Diego, CA to Jersey City, NJ Movers

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Background image of a moving truck moving from San Diego, CA to Jersey City, NJ

The cost to move from San Diego, CA to Jersey City, NJ ranges from $1,426 to $12,224, with an average cost of $4,650. Moves can be as low as $1,634 if you're wanting to DIY it.

This move covers about 2,756 miles and usually takes 7 to 21 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.

Compare moving options from San Diego, CA to Jersey City, NJ

Moving options from San Diego to Jersey City fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,426 - $12,224 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $4,650, 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 2,756 miles and typically takes 7 to 21 days depending on the service you pick.

Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 2,756-mile route from San Diego to Jersey City, broken down by home size:

Home size Full-service movers Moving container Rental truck Freight trailer
Studio / 1 bedroom $1,426 - $6,421 $2,109 - $3,676 $1,634 - $3,199 $1,845 - $3,413
2 - 3 bedrooms $4,052 - $7,971 $2,580 - $5,333 $1,804 - $3,771 $2,064 - $4,397
4+ bedrooms $8,009 - $12,224 $3,703 - $7,643 $2,171 - $4,447 $2,991 - $5,818

Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.

Professional
Safeway Moving
star star star star star 4.9 / 5
Read our full Safeway review
Best overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran-owned
Container
Unlimited storage
3 container sizes
10% discount
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
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 San Diego, CA to Jersey City, NJ

For the 2,756-mile move from San Diego, California, to Jersey City, New Jersey, full-service movers cost between $1,426 and $12,224. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $447 - $2,980 (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 San Diego generally start around $226 plus $200 per hour, per mover.

Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from San Diego to Jersey City:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,426 - $6,421
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $4,052 - $7,971
  • 4+ bedrooms: $8,009 - $12,224

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 San Diego to Jersey City.

The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from California to New Jersey. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.

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 San Diego, CA to Jersey City, NJ

Specialty needs vary by market — 100% of San Diego movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Jersey City, 93% of movers offer the same service.

Service When you need it Typical cost
Full packingFull crew packing100% of local movers$745 - $7,450
Storage in transitNew place not ready100% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: McCarthy Transfer & Storage$298 - $1,788/mo
Shuttle feeTruck can't reach door$447 - $3,576
Full-value protectionMore than $0.60/lb coverage53% of local movers$300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value)
Small movesUnder ~2,000 lbs44% of local movers$1,490 - $4,470
Office / commercialWorkplace relocation$3,725 - $14,900
Car shippingSecond vehicle$1,116 - $2,120
Antiques & fine artFragile, high-value items59% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: McCarthy Transfer & Storage$1,490 - $3,725
PianoAny piano type75% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: McCarthy Transfer & Storage$1,192 - $5,215
Pool tableDisassembly & re-leveling47% of local movers$447 - $2,235
Hot tubHeavy, needs disconnect41% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Cali Moving & Storage Corp$969 - $2,980
Wine collectionClimate-controlled transport$447 - $22,350+
Pet relocationGround, air, or concierge$447 - $5,215+

What are the best full-service movers from San Diego to Jersey City?

All three below meet the standards set by the New Jersey Warehouse & Movers Association, the group most New Jersey movers are affiliated with.

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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 carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in San Diego, 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 San Diego, CA to Jersey City, NJ

Moving containers from San Diego, California, to Jersey City, New Jersey, cost between $2,109 and $7,643. With a moving container, you load on your own schedule. U-Haul gives you 3 days to fill yours, while PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're ready, the company transports it straight to your new place. Need more time first? Storage in San Diego typically costs about $100/month.

Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from San Diego to Jersey City:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,109 - $3,676
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,580 - $5,333
  • 4+ bedrooms: $3,703 - $7,643

What other costs come with moving containers?

  • Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $112 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $224 per month.
  • Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Jersey City, NJ, 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 $1,043 in San Diego, 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 New Jersey 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 $2,109. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $2,580 - $5,333, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.

What are the best moving containers San Diego to Jersey City?

  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 San Diego 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 San Diego:

  • McCarthy Transfer & Storage (4.8/5), 106 years in business
  • Cali Moving & Storage Corp (4.8/5), 10 years in business
  • TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.5/5), 13 years in business

Moving truck rental costs from San Diego, CA to Jersey City, NJ

Truck rentals from San Diego, California, to Jersey City, New Jersey, range from $1,634 - $4,447 for the 2,756-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:

  • Fuel for the drive: $1,307 - $1,493
  • Daily insurance: $45/day
  • Equipment rentals: $10 - $30
  • San Diego daily rental rate: $19 - $39
  • Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.79 - $1.09
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 San Diego to Jersey City based on home size:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,634 - $3,199
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,804 - $3,771
  • 4+ bedrooms: $2,171 - $4,447

Pro tip: A rental truck from San Diego to Jersey City looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $1,634 - $4,447. But once you factor in fuel ($1,307 - $1,493) , overnight lodging ($224/night), meals, and equipment rentals, most people end up spending $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate suggests. Building that into your budget upfront saves you from sticker shock at the end of the move.

What other costs come with rental trucks?

  • Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in San Diego, California, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $1,043.
  • Gas: Fuel costs total $1,307 - $1,493 for the 2,756-mile drive, depending on whether your truck takes gas or diesel.
  • Equipment: Appliance dollies, auto transport trailers, and furniture pads are separate rentals. Expect to spend between $89 and $484, depending on what you need.
  • Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
  • Lodging: Budget around $224 per night for hotel stops on the 2,756-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $447 - $671.

What are the best moving truck rentals from San Diego to Jersey City?

  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 San Diego, CA to Jersey City, NJ

For larger DIY moves from San Diego, California, freight trailers give you plenty of room without putting you behind the wheel. Standard trailers are 28 feet long. You load the section you need, and the carrier transports everything to Jersey City, New Jersey.

Because freight companies bill by linear footage, your total is based on how much of the trailer you occupy, not the full length. For most medium-to-large moves on this route, pricing typically falls between $2,064 and $4,397.

Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from San Diego to Jersey City:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,845 - $3,413
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,064 - $4,397
  • 4+ bedrooms: $2,991 - $5,818

Pro tip: Loading a freight trailer is a bit different from filling a container. The 4-foot ramp can be steep with large items, and getting the most out of 8 feet of vertical clearance takes planning. Since pricing is based on linear feet used, every inch of wasted space has a 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 $112 - $224 more per foot.
  • Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in San Diego, California, for about five hours typically runs $1,043.

What are the best freight companies from San Diego to Jersey City?

  1. MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the best for large moves pick. While it's a top moving container option for the DIY hybrid setup (you handle the loading, they handle the driving), the same approach makes it a strong freight choice for 3 to 5+ bedroom homes that need 53 feet of trailer capacity with pay-as-you-go pricing.
  2. U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer here. In addition to their popular container service, U-Pack delivers a top-tier freight trailer option that uses the same pay-by-the-foot pricing model and skips deposits and upfront fees entirely.
  3. Fast Transportation (4.34/5 stars): Fast Transportation is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Local ownership translates to accessible support staff and facilities based in the communities they serve, giving customers more direct communication than they'd typically get from a national-only freight network.

Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from San Diego to Jersey City. If you have a hard move-in date and want your stuff there as soon as possible, freight is hard to beat. It's worth noting that freight works best when you're ready to receive your delivery, so if your move-in date is still up in the air or you'll need short-term storage, a moving container is likely the more practical choice.

Cost of living: San Diego, CA vs Jersey City, NJ

The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Jersey City, side by side with San Diego on housing, income, and taxes.

Measure San Diego, CA Jersey City, NJ
Cost of living index155140
Average rent$2,881/mo$2,975/mo
Median home value$847,715$538,163
Average income$104,321/yr$94,813/yr
Unemployment rate6.6%8.3%
State income taxUp to 13.3%Up to 10.7%
Walkability score53/10087/100
Safety index60.17/10056.79/100
Air qualityModerateModerate

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 Jersey City, NJ to San Diego, CA guide.

Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:

Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from California to New Jersey, 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. California alone has 374 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 2,756-mile move like this one.

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Our take

For a move from San Diego, CA, to Jersey City, NJ, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $1,426 for a studio to $12,224 for a 4 - 5 bedroom home on the 2,756-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $2,109 - $7,643. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $1,634 - $4,447, 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 $4,052 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage included, and 24/7 live customer support.

Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Kuehne + Nagel International AG and Tokio Marine Management.

FAQs: Moving from San Diego, CA, to Jersey City, NJ

What is the cheapest way to move from San Diego, CA to Jersey City, NJ?

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 $1,804 - $3,771. 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 ($1,307 - $1,493), daily insurance ($45/day), and equipment rentals ($10 - $30) on top. Overnight stops can add another $224/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.

How long does a move from San Diego, CA to Jersey City, NJ take?

Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 5 - 7 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are usually the fastest option outside of driving yourself, with deliveries in 3 - 5 days, 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 San Diego, CA to Jersey City, NJ?

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 San Diego, CA to Jersey City, NJ?

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 San Diego movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?

About 75% of movers in San Diego handle piano moves, and 59% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.