($1,722+) Burlington, VT to San Diego, CA Movers

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Background image of a moving truck moving from Burlington, VT to San Diego, CA

Moving from Burlington, VT, to San Diego, CA, runs anywhere from $1,774 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $15,040 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 2,954 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 7 to 21 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 $3,112, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $15,040 or more.
  • Moving containers run $2,143 - $7,565, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,774 - $4,983.
  • Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Burlington, VT, to San Diego, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $5,183 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.

Compare moving options from Burlington, VT to San Diego, CA

Moving options from Burlington to San Diego fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $5,183 - $9,605 for a 2-3 bedroom home and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers cost about 30% less than full-service for the same size, and rental trucks land around 60% less, with both DIY options requiring you to load yourself. Covering 2,954 miles, this route usually takes 7 to 21 days from pickup to delivery.

Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 2,954-mile route from Burlington to San Diego, broken down by home size:

Home size Full-service movers Moving container Rental truck Freight trailer
Studio / 1 bedroom $3,112 - $7,667 $2,143 - $3,893 $1,774 - $3,177 $1,871 - $3,540
2 - 3 bedrooms $5,183 - $9,605 $2,724 - $5,708 $1,921 - $3,783 $2,136 - $4,611
4+ bedrooms $9,471 - $15,040 $3,688 - $7,565 $2,406 - $4,983 $3,010 - $6,239

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 Burlington, VT to San Diego, CA

Hiring full-service movers from Burlington, Vermont, to San Diego, California, costs between $3,112 and $15,040. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 2,954-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $388 - $2,584, 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 Burlington and San Diego. For a rough baseline, movers based in Burlington tend to start around $594 plus $200/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 Burlington to San Diego:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $3,112 - $7,667
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $5,183 - $9,605
  • 4+ bedrooms: $9,471 - $15,040

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 Burlington to San Diego.

The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Vermont to California. 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 Burlington, VT to San Diego, CA

Specialty needs vary by market — 80% of Burlington movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In San Diego, 100% of movers offer the same service.

Service When you need it Typical cost
Full packingFull crew packing60% of local movers$646 - $6,460
Storage in transitNew place not ready80% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Booska Movers$258 - $1,550/mo
Shuttle feeTruck can't reach door$388 - $3,101
Full-value protectionMore than $0.60/lb coverage80% of local movers$300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value)
Small movesUnder ~2,000 lbs$1,292 - $3,876
Office / commercialWorkplace relocation$3,230 - $12,920
Car shippingSecond vehicle$968 - $1,839
Antiques & fine artFragile, high-value items40% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Vermont Moving & Storage$1,292 - $3,230
PianoAny piano type100% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Booska Movers$1,034 - $4,522
Pool tableDisassembly & re-leveling60% of local movers$388 - $1,938
Hot tubHeavy, needs disconnect60% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Local Muscle Movers$840 - $2,584
Wine collectionClimate-controlled transport$388 - $19,380+
Pet relocationGround, air, or concierge$388 - $4,522+

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

If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in California Moving & Storage Association is a good first thing to confirm.

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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 van lines are the smarter financial choice over local movers in Burlington, VT. Local companies can run 30% - 40% more at that range since they don't consolidate shipments the way interstate carriers do. If a direct, dedicated route with an average 2-day delivery appeals to you, a local mover could be worth it, but that convenience comes at a cost.

Moving container costs from Burlington, VT to San Diego, CA

Moving containers from Burlington, Vermont, to San Diego, California, cost between $2,143 and $7,565. 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 Burlington typically runs around $100/month.

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

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,143 - $3,893
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,724 - $5,708
  • 4+ bedrooms: $3,688 - $7,565

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 $904 in Burlington, VT. 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 $97 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $194 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 Diego, CA, destination before booking.

Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Vermont 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 $2,143. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $2,724 - $5,708, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.

What are the best moving containers Burlington to San Diego?

  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 Burlington 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 Burlington:

  • Local Muscle Movers (4.9/5), 16 years in business

Moving truck rental costs from Burlington, VT to San Diego, CA

A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 2,954 miles from Burlington, Vermont, to San Diego, California, running $1,774 - $4,983. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:

  • Fuel for the drive: $1,214 - $1,388
  • Daily insurance: $39/day
  • Equipment rentals: $9 - $26
  • Burlington daily rental rate: $19 - $39
  • Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.89
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 Burlington to San Diego based on home size:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,774 - $3,177
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,921 - $3,783
  • 4+ bedrooms: $2,406 - $4,983

Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $1,774 - $4,983 does not include fuel ($1,214 - $1,388) , lodging ($194/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Burlington to San Diego typically runs $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate alone.

What other costs come with rental trucks?

  • Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Burlington, Vermont, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $904.
  • Gas: Fuel costs total $1,214 - $1,388 for the 2,954-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 $78 and $420, depending on what you need.
  • Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
  • Lodging: Budget around $194 per night for hotel stops on the 2,954-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $388 - $581.

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

  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 Burlington, VT to San Diego, CA

Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Burlington, Vermont, to San Diego, 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. Overall pricing for a move of this size and distance typically lands around $2,136 and $4,611.

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

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,871 - $3,540
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,136 - $4,611
  • 4+ bedrooms: $3,010 - $6,239

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 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 $97 and $194.
  • 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 Burlington, Vermont, for roughly five hours typically average $904.

What are the best freight companies from Burlington to San Diego?

  1. MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Primarily known as a top moving container option for its DIY hybrid model where customers load and the company drives, MovingYourself also functions as a strong freight option thanks to its 53-foot trucks and pay-only-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
  2. U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. Best known for its container service, U-Pack also runs a top-notch freight trailer operation with the same no-deposit, pay-by-the-foot approach that keeps overall costs lower than most freight competitors.
  3. DFA Northeast Logistics, Inc. (4.5/5 stars): DFA Northeast Logistics, Inc. is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned facilities and accessible live support staff make scheduling and route coordination easier on local-area routes than what most national freight providers can offer.

Pro tip: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in San Diego 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: Burlington, VT vs San Diego, CA

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

Measure Burlington, VT San Diego, CA
Cost of living index112155
Average rent$2,200/mo$2,881/mo
Median home value$402,586$847,715
Average income$68,854/yr$104,321/yr
Unemployment rate3.2%6.6%
State income taxUp to 8.75%Up to 13.3%
Walkability score59/10053/100
Safety index56.67/10060.17/100
Air qualityGoodModerate

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 Diego, CA to Burlington, VT guide.

Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:

In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from Vermont 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 5 movers in Vermont, so you have real options to compare for this 2,954-mile move.

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Our take

Full-service movers on the 2,954-mile route from Burlington, VT, to San Diego, CA, run $3,112 - $15,040 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $2,143 - $7,565, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $1,774 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $5,183, 30 days of free storage, and a 24/7 support team you can actually reach.

Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include United States Navy and University of California, San Diego.

FAQs: Moving from Burlington, VT, to San Diego, CA

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 Burlington, VT to San Diego, CA?

Costs on this route range from around $3,112 to $15,040, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $3,112 and $15,040, 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 Burlington, VT to San Diego, 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 $1,921 - $3,783. 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 ($1,214 - $1,388), daily insurance ($39/day), and equipment rentals ($9 - $26) on top. Overnight stops can add another $194/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.

How long does a move from Burlington, VT to San Diego, CA 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 percentage of Burlington movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?

About 100% of movers in Burlington handle piano moves, and 40% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.