($881+) Tempe, AZ to Tacoma, WA Movers

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Background image of a moving truck moving from Tempe, AZ to Tacoma, WA

Moving from Tempe, AZ, to Tacoma, WA, runs anywhere from $965 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $10,162 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,461 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 $2,266, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $10,162 or more.
  • Moving containers run $1,366 - $4,960, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $965 - $2,709.
  • Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Tempe, AZ, to Tacoma, WA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,210 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.

Compare moving options from Tempe, AZ to Tacoma, WA

There are 3 main ways to move from Tempe to Tacoma: 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 $3,210 - $6,836. Containers cost roughly 30% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 60% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 1,461 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 1,461-mile route from Tempe to Tacoma, broken down by home size:

  • Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $2,266 - $5,402, container $1,366 - $2,530, rental truck $965 - $1,865, freight trailer $1,319 - $2,468.
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $3,210 - $6,836, container $1,910 - $3,905, rental truck $973 - $2,154, freight trailer $1,483 - $3,064.
  • 4+ bedrooms: full-service $5,439 - $10,162, container $2,522 - $4,960, rental truck $1,249 - $2,709, freight trailer $1,998 - $3,967.

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 Tempe, AZ to Tacoma, WA

Full-service movers for the 1,461-mile relocation from Tempe, Arizona, to Tacoma, Washington, cost between $2,266 and $10,162. 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 $351 - $2,340, 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 Tacoma:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,266 - $5,402
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,210 - $6,836
  • 4+ bedrooms: $5,439 - $10,162

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 Tacoma.

The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Arizona to Washington. 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 Tempe, AZ to Tacoma, WA

Specialty needs vary by market — 85% of Tempe movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Tacoma, 97% of movers offer the same service.

Service When you need it Typical cost
Full packingFull crew packing98% of local movers$585 - $5,850
Storage in transitNew place not ready85% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Mentors Moving & Storage$234 - $1,404/mo
Shuttle feeTruck can't reach door$351 - $2,808
Full-value protectionMore than $0.60/lb coverage38% of local movers$300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value)
Small movesUnder ~2,000 lbs59% of local movers$1,170 - $3,510
Office / commercialWorkplace relocation$2,925 - $11,700
Car shippingSecond vehicle$876 - $1,665
Antiques & fine artFragile, high-value items55% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Mentors Moving & Storage$1,170 - $2,925
PianoAny piano type77% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Mentors Moving & Storage$936 - $4,095
Pool tableDisassembly & re-leveling30% of local movers$351 - $1,755
Hot tubHeavy, needs disconnect30% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Mentors Moving & Storage$761 - $2,340
Wine collectionClimate-controlled transport$351 - $17,550+
Pet relocationGround, air, or concierge$351 - $4,095+

What are the best full-service movers from Tempe to Tacoma?

All three below meet the standards set by the Washington Movers Conference, the group most Washington movers are affiliated with.

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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 van lines are the smarter financial choice over local movers in Tempe, AZ. 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 Tempe, AZ to Tacoma, WA

Moving containers from Tempe, Arizona, to Tacoma, Washington, cost between $1,366 and $4,960. With a moving container, you load on your own schedule. U-Haul gives you 3 days to fill yours, while PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're ready, the company transports it straight to your new place. Need more time first? Storage in Tempe typically costs about $90/month.

Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Tempe to Tacoma:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,366 - $2,530
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,910 - $3,905
  • 4+ bedrooms: $2,522 - $4,960

What other costs come with moving containers?

  • Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $88 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $176 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 $819 in Tempe, 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 Tacoma, WA, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.

Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Arizona to Washington 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 $1,366. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,910 - $3,905, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.

What are the best moving containers Tempe to Tacoma?

  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 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:

  • Mentors Moving & Storage (4.7/5), 9 years in business
  • Gilbert Moving & Storage (4.9/5), 9 years in business
  • Camelback Moving (4.8/5), 21 years in business

Moving truck rental costs from Tempe, AZ to Tacoma, WA

Plan on $965 - $2,709 for a rental moving truck on the 1,461-mile route from Tempe, Arizona, to Tacoma, Washington. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:

  • Fuel for the drive: $544 - $622
  • Daily insurance: $35/day
  • Equipment rentals: $8 - $23
  • Tempe 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 Tempe to Tacoma based on home size:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $965 - $1,865
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $973 - $2,154
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,249 - $2,709

Pro tip: The base rate of $965 - $2,709 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Tempe to Tacoma. Fuel ($544 - $622) , lodging at around $176/night, meals, and equipment rentals are all on top of that. Factor in an extra $600 - $1,200 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 Tempe, Arizona, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $819.
  • Gas: Fuel costs total $544 - $622 for the 1,461-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 $70 and $380, depending on what you need.
  • Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
  • Lodging: Budget around $176 per night for hotel stops on the 1,461-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $351 - $527.

What are the best moving truck rentals from Tempe to Tacoma?

  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 Tempe, AZ to Tacoma, WA

Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Tempe, Arizona, to Tacoma, Washington, 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 $1,483 and $3,064.

Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Tempe to Tacoma:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,319 - $2,468
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,483 - $3,064
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,998 - $3,967

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?

  • 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 Tempe, Arizona, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $819.
  • More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $88 and $176 per foot.

What are the best freight companies from Tempe to Tacoma?

  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. Empire Transport (4.84/5 stars): Empire Transport 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: If speed matters on your move from Tempe to Tacoma, 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: Tempe, AZ vs Tacoma, WA

Good news for your budget: Tacoma isn't meaningfully more or less expensive to live in than Tempe. Cost of living index runs 123 there against 113 here, and rent, income, and tax rates all fall in a comparable band. Focus your planning on the move itself rather than a change in monthly expenses. Walkability and safety scores land in a similar range too - 54/100 and 57.64/100 here versus 54/100 and 44.45/100 there.

Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Tacoma, WA to Tempe, AZ guide.

Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:

In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from Arizona to Washington, so our pricing data stays current. Use our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and spot bad actors early. We track 97 movers licensed in Arizona, useful context for sizing up this 1,461-mile move.

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Our take

The 1,461-mile move from Tempe, AZ, to Tacoma, WA, costs between $2,266 and $10,162 with full-service movers, $1,366 - $4,960 with a moving container, and $965 - $2,709 for a rental truck. Your budget and how much heavy lifting you want to do are the two biggest factors in choosing the right option. If you go with full-service movers, Safeway Moving is our top recommendation, with transparent flat-rate pricing starting around $3,210 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage, and 24/7 customer support.

Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Joint Base Lewis-McChord and MultiCare Health System.

FAQs: Moving from Tempe, AZ, to Tacoma, WA

Is Tacoma a safe place to live?

Tacoma has a safety index of 44.45 out of 100 and a crime index of 55.55, compared to 57.64 and 42.36 in Tempe. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.

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.

What is the best time of year to move from Tempe, AZ to Tacoma, WA?

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 Washington?

Movers operating within Washington DC city limits are subject to regulation by the Utilities and Transportation Commission, which issues operating permits to household goods moving companies.

What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?

The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($544 - $622), daily insurance ($35/day), and equipment rentals ($8 - $23) on top. Overnight stops can add another $176/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.

What percentage of Tempe movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?

About 77% of movers in Tempe handle piano moves, and 55% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.