($525+) Tempe, AZ to Oakland, CA Movers
Moving from Tempe, AZ, to Oakland, CA, runs anywhere from $525 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,890 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 748 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 1 to 6 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 $1,645, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $7,890 or more.
- Moving containers run $981 - $3,349, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $525 - $1,446.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Tempe, AZ, to Oakland, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,145 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 Tempe, AZ to Oakland, CA
Moving options from Tempe to Oakland fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $2,145 - $5,508 on this route, with movers handling all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 41% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 75% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This 748-mile route typically takes 1 to 6 days door to door.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 748-mile route from Tempe to Oakland, 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 $1,645 - $4,011 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($981 - $1,783), rental truck ($525 - $1,015), or freight trailer ($920 - $1,757). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $2,145 - $5,508 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $7,890.
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 Tempe, AZ to Oakland, CA
Full-service movers for the 748-mile relocation from Tempe, Arizona, to Oakland, California, cost between $1,645 and $7,890. With a long-distance moving company, loading, transportation, and unloading are all taken care of. If you want to skip packing boxes, too, that can be added for $439 - $2,924, depending on your home size. What you pay in the end is mainly a function of how much your shipment weighs and how far it's traveling. As a point of reference, local movers in Tempe typically charge a base rate around $200 plus $85 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Tempe to Oakland:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,645 - $4,011
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,145 - $5,508
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,055 - $7,890
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 Tempe to Oakland.
Pro tip: Moving company rates climb during peak moving season (May –-September) when demand peaks. Scheduling your move outside of that window can lead to noticeably lower costs and better availability.
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Specialty moving services from Tempe, AZ to Oakland, CA
Specialty needs vary by market: 66% of Tempe movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Oakland, 53% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing79% of local movers | $731 - $7,310 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready66% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Mentors Moving & Storage | $292 - $1,754/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $439 - $3,509 |
| 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 | $1,462 - $4,386 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,655 - $14,620 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,095 - $2,080 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items26% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Moving Team Six LLC | $1,462 - $3,655 |
| Piano | Any piano type35% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Get Your Move On | $1,170 - $5,117 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling14% of local movers | $439 - $2,193 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect9% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Nicolosi Moving & Storage Inc. (AZ) | $950 - $2,924 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $439 - $21,930+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $439 - $5,117+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Tempe to Oakland?
All three below meet the standards set by the California Moving & Storage Association, the group most California movers are affiliated with.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Tempe, AZ. 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 Tempe, AZ to Oakland, CA
Moving containers from Tempe, Arizona, to Oakland, California, cost between $981 and $3,349. A container is delivered to your home and you load it on your own time. Loading windows vary by company: U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30. From there, the company takes over and transports it to Oakland. If you go over that window, storage in Tempe adds around $90/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Tempe to Oakland:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $981 - $1,783
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,260 - $2,575
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,724 - $3,349
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 $1,023 in Tempe, AZ. 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 $110 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $219 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 Oakland, CA, destination before booking.
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 $981. 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 $1,260 - $2,575.
What are the best moving containers Tempe to Oakland?
- 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 Tempe 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 Tempe:
- 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 Tempe, AZ to Oakland, CA
A rental truck for this 748-mile move from Tempe, Arizona, to Oakland, California, costs between $525 and $1,446. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $348 - $398
- Daily insurance: $44/day
- Equipment rentals: $10 - $29
- Tempe 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 Tempe to Oakland based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $525 - $1,015
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $533 - $1,205
- 4+ bedrooms: $736 - $1,446
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $525 - $1,446 does not include fuel ($348 - $398), lodging ($219/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Tempe to Oakland typically runs more than the base rate alone, with meals, equipment, and other extras adding roughly $600 - $1,200 on top of fuel and lodging.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Gas: Fuel adds $348 - $398 for the 748-mile drive, depending on whether your rental truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: You'll handle the heavy lifting unless you bring in help. Two movers in Tempe, Arizona, for about 5 hours typically costs around $1,023.
- Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
- Lodging: The 748-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $219 per night, adding $439 - $658 in hotel costs total.
- Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $73 and $439.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Tempe to Oakland?
- 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 Tempe, AZ to Oakland, CA
Freight trailers are a good fit for medium-to-large moves where you need more space than a container but don't want to drive a rental truck from Tempe, Arizona, to Oakland, California. The trailer is delivered to your address, you load it, and the carrier takes it the rest of the way.
Unlike truck rentals with flat rates, freight trailers scale with your shipment. Every additional section of trailer space you fill increases your total. A 2 - 3 bedroom long-distance move using this method runs roughly between $1,008 and $2,185.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Tempe to Oakland:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $920 - $1,757
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,008 - $2,185
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,493 - $2,842
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?
- 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 $110 and $219.
- 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 Tempe, Arizona, for roughly five hours typically average $1,023.
What are the best freight companies from Tempe to Oakland?
- 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.
- 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.
Pro tip: One of the biggest advantages of freight trailers is speed. For an interstate move, freight delivery is one of the fastest options you have short of driving a rental truck yourself. It's a smart choice when your timeline is firm and you'll be ready to receive your shipment. If there's any chance your new place won't be ready or you need a few weeks of storage, a moving container with built-in storage may serve you better.
Cost of living: Tempe, AZ vs Oakland, CA
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Oakland, side by side with Tempe on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Tempe, AZ | Oakland, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 113 | 196 |
| Average rent | $1,834/mo | $2,200/mo |
| Median home value | $421,086 | $925,411 |
| Average income | $77,643/yr | $97,369/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 5.4% | 4.5% |
| State income tax | Up to 2.5% | Up to 13.3% |
| Walkability score | 54/100 | 75/100 |
| Safety index | 57.64/100 | 31.38/100 |
| 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 Oakland, CA to Tempe, AZ guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from Arizona to California over the past 3 months, giving us some of the most up-to-date pricing data around. Running your move through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. There are 242 movers in our Arizona network to compare for this 748-mile move.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 748-mile route from Tempe, AZ, to Oakland, CA, run $1,645 - $7,890 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $981 - $3,349, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $525 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,145, 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 Kaiser Permanente and Dreyer's.
FAQs: Moving from Tempe, AZ, to Oakland, CA
What is the best time of year to move from Tempe, AZ to Oakland, 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.
How do I know a mover is licensed in California?
When contacting a local moving company for an estimate in California, make sure each has a “T Number” issued by the California Public Utilities Commission (CAPUC). Moving companies with valid T Numbers have met state requirements for insurance, safety, and financial stability and have passed criminal clearance checks conducted by the California Department of Justice.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($348 - $398), daily insurance ($44/day), and equipment rentals ($10 - $29) on top. Overnight stops can add another $219/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How walkable is Oakland?
Oakland has a walkability score of 75 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 65, compared to 54 and 75 in Tempe. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
How much does it cost to move from Tempe, AZ to Oakland, CA?
Costs on this route range from around $525 to $7,890, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,645 and $7,890, 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 percentage of Tempe movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 35% of movers in Tempe handle piano moves, and 26% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.