($845+) Missoula, MT to Tucson, AZ Movers
Moving from Missoula, MT, to Tucson, AZ, runs anywhere from $862 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $11,046 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 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 $2,781, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $11,046 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,398 - $4,536, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $862 - $2,294.
- 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 $3,373 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 handles labor and transportation for you, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route costing $3,373 - $8,155. Moving containers run about 30% 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 3 to 8 days for this 1,295-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 1,295-mile route from Missoula to Tucson, broken down by home size:
- Full-service movers: $2,781 for a studio up to $11,046 for a 4+ bedroom home.
- Moving containers: $1,398 - $4,536 depending on home size.
- Rental trucks: $862 - $2,294, the lowest-cost option across the board.
- Freight trailers: $1,245 - $3,555, 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 September 16, 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 $2,781 - $11,046. 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: $2,781 - $6,129
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,373 - $8,155
- 4+ bedrooms: $5,562 - $11,046
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.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Montana to Arizona. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: Demand for full-service movers surges during peak moving season from May - September, pushing prices higher. Shifting your move to a cooler month could save you a meaningful amount on your total bill.
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Specialty moving services from Missoula, MT to Tucson, AZ
Specialty needs vary by market — 100% of Missoula movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Tucson, 92% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $533 - $5,330 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready100% of local movers85% 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 coverage33% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs33% 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 items46% nationallyTop pick: | $1,066 - $2,665 |
| Piano | Any piano type100% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $853 - $3,731 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling67% of local movers | $320 - $1,599 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect22% nationallyTop pick: | $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?
Movers licensed to operate in Arizona are typically members of the Arizona Moving Association, worth checking for before you book any of the three below.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 customer support, and 30 days of free storage are included with every move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list, 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, combining 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 movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in Missoula, MT. 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 Missoula, MT to Tucson, AZ
Moving containers from Missoula, Montana, to Tucson, Arizona, cost between $1,398 and $4,536. You're in charge of loading, and the timeline is yours to set. U-Haul allows 3 days while PODS gives you a full 30. After that, the company picks it up and delivers it to your new address. Running behind schedule? Storage in Missoula costs roughly $100/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Missoula to Tucson:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,398 - $2,450
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,698 - $3,626
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,231 - $4,536
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Access: Most major container brands operate in both Missoula, MT and Tucson, AZ. 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 $746 in Missoula, MT, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $80 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $160 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.
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 $1,398. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,698 - $3,626, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
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:
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.5/5), 9 years in business
- All Lanes Moving & Storage (5.0/5), 26 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Missoula, MT to Tucson, AZ
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 1,295 miles from Missoula, Montana, to Tucson, Arizona, running $862 - $2,294. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- 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: $862 - $1,660
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $923 - $1,976
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,126 - $2,294
Pro tip: A rental truck from Missoula to Tucson looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $862 - $2,294. But once you factor in fuel ($439 - $502) , overnight lodging ($160/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?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $160 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 $69 and $346 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $439 - $502 in fuel for the 1,295-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $746 in Missoula, Montana, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
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 most medium-to-large moves on this route, pricing typically falls between $1,455 and $2,650.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Missoula to Tucson:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,245 - $2,318
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,455 - $2,650
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,935 - $3,555
Pro tip: A 4-foot ramp sounds simple, but heavy or awkward furniture can make the climb tricky. With 8 feet of height to work with, smart vertical stacking is key. Since freight companies charge by the linear foot, every extra foot you use adds to the bill.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- More space: Freight pricing is based on exactly how much of the trailer you fill. If your items take up more than expected, the added footage can increase your cost by between $80 and $160.
- Peak season impact: Moving during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) often means higher trailer rates as demand increases across the board.
- Moving labor: Unless you plan to load everything yourself, factor in labor costs. Two movers in Missoula, Montana, for roughly five hours typically average $746.
What are the best freight companies from Missoula to Tucson?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is our pick for best for large moves. The company is best known as a top moving container option for its hybrid model where you load and they drive, and that same model translates well to freight thanks to their 53-foot trucks and pay-by-the-foot pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Beyond their flagship container service, U-Pack also runs freight trailers with the same no-deposit, no-upfront-fee model, charging only for the linear footage you actually fill.
- Jones Bros Trucking (4.58/5 stars): Jones Bros Trucking is our pick for best locally owned freight company. Their locally owned and operated facilities mean you work with support staff who know the route and the area, giving you more responsive scheduling than national-only carriers typically offer.
Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from Missoula to Tucson, freight trailers are one of the fastest interstate options available, second only to renting a truck and driving it yourself. The tradeoff is that freight works best when you're ready to receive your belongings on the other end. If your timeline is tight on the receiving side or you need a short storage buffer, a moving container might be a better fit.
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 quotes 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 11 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 1,295-mile move like this one.
Our take
For a move from Missoula, MT, to Tucson, AZ, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $2,781 for a studio to $11,046 for a 4 - 5 bedroom home on the 1,295-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,398 - $4,536. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $862 - $2,294, 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 $3,373 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage included, and 24/7 live customer 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 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 3 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
How much does it cost to move from Missoula, MT to Tucson, AZ?
Costs on this route range from around $2,781 to $11,046, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,781 and $11,046, while DIY options like rental trucks and containers come in lower. Moving during peak season (May - September) tends to push prices higher across the board.
What is the cheapest way to move from Missoula, MT to Tucson, 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 $923 - $1,976. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What percentage of Missoula movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 100% of movers in Missoula handle piano moves, compared to 71% nationally.
