($336+) Scottsdale, AZ to San Diego, CA Movers
Moving from Scottsdale, AZ, to San Diego, CA, runs anywhere from $336 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $6,375 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 365 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 1 to 4 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 $1,067, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $6,375 or more.
- Moving containers run $891 - $2,768, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $336 - $915.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Scottsdale, AZ, to San Diego, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $1,784 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 Scottsdale, AZ to San Diego, CA
Moving options from Scottsdale to San Diego fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $1,784 - $4,665 on this route, with movers handling all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 37% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 80% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This 365-mile route typically takes 1 to 4 days door to door.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 365-mile route from Scottsdale to San Diego, 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 $1,067 - $3,573 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($891 - $1,595), rental truck ($336 - $620), or freight trailer ($755 - $1,408). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $1,784 - $4,665 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $6,375.
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 Scottsdale, AZ to San Diego, CA
Hiring full-service movers from Scottsdale, Arizona, to San Diego, California, costs between $1,067 and $6,375. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 365-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $389 - $2,596, 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 Scottsdale and San Diego. For a rough baseline, movers based in Scottsdale tend to start around $155 plus $85/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 Scottsdale to San Diego:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,067 - $3,573
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,784 - $4,665
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,614 - $6,375
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 Scottsdale to San Diego.
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 Scottsdale, AZ to San Diego, CA
Specialty needs vary by market: 66% of Scottsdale movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In San Diego, 72% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing79% of local movers | $649 - $6,490 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready66% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Mentors Moving & Storage | $260 - $1,558/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $389 - $3,115 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage13% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs53% of local movers | $1,298 - $3,894 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,245 - $12,980 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $972 - $1,847 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items26% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Moving Team Six LLC | $1,298 - $3,245 |
| Piano | Any piano type35% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: You Move Me | $1,038 - $4,543 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling14% of local movers | $389 - $1,947 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect9% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Nicolosi Moving & Storage Inc. (AZ) | $844 - $2,596 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $389 - $19,470+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $389 - $4,543+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Scottsdale to San Diego?
California Moving & Storage Association membership is a quick way to confirm a mover is legitimate in California, 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.
How much do local movers cost in Scottsdale, AZ?
Based on recent quotes for this route, a 2-bedroom move from Scottsdale to San Diego with a local mover averages $1,855 - $4,851. For moves under 500 miles, local movers in Scottsdale, AZ can be a smart choice. Many use hourly pricing models that may reduce your total compared to what a national carrier would charge, and tighter coverage areas often mean faster turnaround and more hands-on communication.
That said, licensing requirements still apply. Make sure any company you're considering is properly licensed for interstate moves for the route you need.
Flex Moving & Storage (4.28/5 stars) is our preferred moving company in Scottsdale, based on our analysis of feedback from 146 customers, 82.9% of which is positive.
Address: 5335 North 55th Ave, Phoenix, AZ, 85031 | Founded: 2022
Moving container costs from Scottsdale, AZ to San Diego, CA
Moving containers from Scottsdale, Arizona, to San Diego, California, cost between $891 and $2,768. 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 Scottsdale runs about $90/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Scottsdale to San Diego:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $891 - $1,595
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,128 - $2,026
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,508 - $2,768
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $97 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $195 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 $909 in Scottsdale, AZ, 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 San Diego, CA, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Arizona 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 $891. 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 $1,128 - $2,026.
What are the best moving containers Scottsdale to San Diego?
- 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 Scottsdale 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 Scottsdale:
- B Line Movers (4.9/5), 10 years in business
- Bellhop Moving (4.2/5), 15 years in business
- Aardvark Movers Inc (4.5/5), 23 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Scottsdale, AZ to San Diego, CA
Plan on $336 - $915 for a rental moving truck on the 365-mile route from Scottsdale, Arizona, to San Diego, California. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $151 - $172
- Daily insurance: $39/day
- Equipment rentals: $9 - $26
- Scottsdale daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.89
| 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 Scottsdale to San Diego based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $336 - $620
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $358 - $743
- 4+ bedrooms: $439 - $915
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $336 - $915 does not include fuel ($151 - $172), lodging ($195/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Scottsdale to San Diego typically runs more than the base rate alone.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $195 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 Scottsdale, Arizona, usually costs about $909 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 365-mile drive falls between $151 and $172, 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 $65 and $389 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Scottsdale to San Diego?
- 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 Scottsdale, AZ to San Diego, CA
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Scottsdale, Arizona, 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. Pricing for a 2 - 3 bedroom move of this distance typically lands between $848 and $1,689.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Scottsdale to San Diego:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $755 - $1,408
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $848 - $1,689
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,158 - $2,171
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 $97 - $195 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Scottsdale, Arizona, for about five hours typically runs $909.
What are the best freight companies from Scottsdale to San Diego?
- 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: If speed matters on your move from Scottsdale to San Diego, 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: Scottsdale, AZ 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 Scottsdale on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Scottsdale, AZ | San Diego, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 113 | 155 |
| Average rent | $3,300/mo | $2,881/mo |
| Median home value | $709,486 | $847,715 |
| Average income | $107,372/yr | $104,321/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 4.7% | 6.6% |
| State income tax | Up to 2.5% | Up to 13.3% |
| Walkability score | 32/100 | 53/100 |
| Safety index | 74.2/100 | 60.17/100 |
| 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 Diego, CA to Scottsdale, AZ guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Arizona to California, 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. Arizona alone has 242 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 365-mile move like this one.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from Scottsdale, AZ, to San Diego, 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 $1,067 - $6,375 on the 365-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $891 - $2,768 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $336 - $915 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $1,784 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 United States Navy and University of California, San Diego.
FAQs: Moving from Scottsdale, AZ, to San Diego, CA
How much does it cost to move from Scottsdale, AZ to San Diego, CA?
Costs on this route range from around $336 to $6,375, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,067 and $6,375, 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 Scottsdale, AZ 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 $358 - $743. 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 ($151 - $172), daily insurance ($39/day), and equipment rentals ($9 - $26) on top. Overnight stops can add another $195/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How long does a move from Scottsdale, AZ to San Diego, CA take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 1 to 4 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 Scottsdale, AZ to San Diego, 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 percentage of Scottsdale movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 35% of movers in Scottsdale handle piano moves, and 26% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.