($799+) Missoula, MT to Tucson, AZ Movers
Moving from Missoula, MT, to Tucson, AZ, runs anywhere from $799 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $10,647 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,295 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 3 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 $2,476, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $10,647 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,296 - $4,286, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $799 - $2,322.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Missoula, MT, to Tucson, AZ. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,382 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 Missoula, MT to Tucson, AZ
There are 3 main ways to move from Missoula to Tucson: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service is the most expensive but covers everything from labor to transportation, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route averaging $3,382 - $7,634. Containers cost roughly 52% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 74% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 1,295 miles, expect 3 to 8 days in transit no matter which service you choose.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,295-mile route from Missoula to Tucson, 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 $2,476 - $5,616 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($1,296 - $2,363), rental truck ($799 - $1,493), or freight trailer ($1,177 - $2,169). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $3,382 - $7,634 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $10,647.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated October 30, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Missoula, MT to Tucson, AZ
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 1,295-mile move from Missoula, Montana, to Tucson, Arizona, with costs ranging from $2,476 - $10,647. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $320 - $2,132. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Missoula and Tucson. Local movers in Missoula typically start around $342 as a base rate plus $150/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Missoula to Tucson:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,476 - $5,616
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,382 - $7,634
- 4+ bedrooms: $5,868 - $10,647
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 Missoula to Tucson.
Pro tip: The summer months (May - September) are the busiest time of year for movers during peak moving season, which drives up prices and limits scheduling options. If you can move in the fall or winter, you'll likely find better rates and more flexibility.
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Specialty moving services from Missoula, MT to Tucson, AZ
Specialty needs vary by market: 50% of Missoula movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Tucson, 53% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing75% of local movers | $533 - $5,330 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready50% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $213 - $1,279/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $320 - $2,558 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs50% of local movers | $1,066 - $3,198 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,665 - $10,660 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $798 - $1,517 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items25% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Moving On Up LLC | $1,066 - $2,665 |
| Piano | Any piano type25% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: Moving On Up LLC | $853 - $3,731 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling25% of local movers | $320 - $1,599 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect25% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Moving On Up LLC | $693 - $2,132 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $320 - $15,990+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $320 - $3,731+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Missoula to Tucson?
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 carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Missoula, MT. 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 Missoula, MT to Tucson, AZ
Moving containers from Missoula, Montana, to Tucson, Arizona, cost between $1,296 and $4,286. 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 Missoula typically runs around $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Missoula to Tucson:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,296 - $2,363
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,621 - $3,361
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,287 - $4,286
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $80 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $160 per month for larger units (12 - 16 feet).
- Moving labor: Containers don't come with loading help, so many customers hire hourly movers for the job. Two movers for about 5 hours will run you around $746 in Missoula, MT, per moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Standard coverage only reimburses by weight. Full-value protection gives you more complete coverage for higher-value items and typically costs 1% - 2% of your total declared value, around $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 shipment.
- Access: National providers generally operate in both cities, but verify that a facility near your Tucson, AZ, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Montana 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 $1,296. 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 $1,621 - $3,361.
What are the best moving containers Missoula to Tucson?
- 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 Missoula 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 Missoula:
Moving truck rental costs from Missoula, MT to Tucson, AZ
Truck rentals from Missoula, Montana, to Tucson, Arizona, range from $799 - $2,322 for the 1,295-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $439 - $502
- Daily insurance: $32/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $21
- Missoula daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.99 - $1.09
| 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 Missoula to Tucson based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $799 - $1,493
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $872 - $1,850
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,129 - $2,322
Pro tip: The base rate of $799 - $2,322 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Missoula to Tucson. Fuel ($439 - $502), lodging at around $160/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?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Missoula, Montana, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $746.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $439 - $502 for the 1,295-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 $64 and $346, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $160 per night for hotel stops on the 1,295-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $320 - $480.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Missoula to Tucson?
- 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 Missoula, MT to Tucson, AZ
For larger DIY moves from Missoula, Montana, 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 Tucson, Arizona.
Because freight companies bill by linear footage, your total is based on how much of the trailer you occupy, not the full length. For a 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route, pricing typically falls between $1,323 and $2,716.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Missoula to Tucson:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,177 - $2,169
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,323 - $2,716
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,704 - $3,393
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?
- Seasonal demand: Pricing tends to rise during peak moving season, particularly between mid-May and mid-September.
- Moving labor: Most customers hire loading help since freight is self-loaded. Two movers in Missoula, Montana, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $746.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $80 and $160 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Missoula to Tucson?
- 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.
- 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.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in Tucson 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: Missoula, MT vs Tucson, AZ
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Tucson, side by side with Missoula on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Missoula, MT | Tucson, AZ |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 113 | 97 |
| Average rent | $1,322/mo | $1,295/mo |
| Median home value | $426,764 | $240,428 |
| Average income | $65,329/yr | $54,546/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 4.4% | 7.4% |
| State income tax | Up to 6.75% | Up to 2.5% |
| Walkability score | 45/100 | 43/100 |
| Safety index | 66.73/100 | 45.57/100 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
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 Tucson, AZ to Missoula, MT guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 1 real quote from Montana 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. Montana alone has 19 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 1,295-mile move like this one.
Our take
A move from Missoula, MT, to Tucson, 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 $2,476 - $10,647 on the 1,295-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,296 - $4,286, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $799 - $2,322. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $3,382 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 Tucson tend to point to beautiful nature and renowned cuisine, though high crime rate and low economic opportunity come up as common complaints. Major employers in the area include University of Arizona and Raytheon Technologies.
FAQs: Moving from Missoula, MT, to Tucson, AZ
How walkable is Tucson?
Tucson has a walkability score of 43 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 66, compared to 45 and 60 in Missoula. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
What are the best neighborhoods in Tucson?
For families, Armory Park, Broadmoor-Broadway, and Catalina Foothills are worth a look in Tucson. If you're moving solo or without kids, Armory Park, Dunbar Spring, and Old Fort Lowell tend to be popular picks instead.
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 do local movers charge in Missoula?
Local movers based in Missoula typically start around $342 as a base rate, plus $150/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 Tucson 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 4 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
What percentage of Missoula movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 25% of movers in Missoula handle piano moves, and 25% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.