($340+) Riverside, CA to Tempe, AZ Movers
The cost to move from Riverside, CA to Tempe, AZ ranges from $1,015 to $6,821, with an average cost of $2,100. Moves can be as low as $340 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 327 miles and usually takes 1 to 4 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.
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Compare moving options from Riverside, CA to Tempe, AZ
Moving options from Riverside to Tempe fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,015 - $6,821 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $2,100, and movers handle all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 60% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This particular route covers 327 miles and typically takes 1 to 4 days depending on the service you pick.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 327-mile route from Riverside to Tempe, broken down by home size:
- A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $1,015 - $3,807 with full-service movers, $933 - $1,668 with a container, $350 - $594 with a rental truck, or $864 - $1,472 by freight.
- A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $1,747 - $5,005 full-service, $1,111 - $2,316 by container, $372 - $719 by rental truck, or $964 - $1,782 by freight.
- A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $2,576 - $6,821 full-service, $1,562 - $2,718 by container, $435 - $852 by rental truck, or $1,188 - $2,310 by freight.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 23, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Riverside, CA to Tempe, AZ
Full-service movers for the 327-mile relocation from Riverside, California, to Tempe, Arizona, cost between $1,015 and $6,821. 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 $371 - $2,476, 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 Riverside typically charge a base rate around $239 plus $75 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Riverside to Tempe:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,015 - $3,807
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,747 - $5,005
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,576 - $6,821
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 Riverside to Tempe.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from California to Arizona. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: Avoiding peak moving season dates (May - September) is one of the easiest ways to reduce costs. Off-season moves typically come with lower pricing and more room to negotiate since movers have fewer bookings.
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Specialty moving services from Riverside, CA to Tempe, AZ
Specialty needs vary by market — 84% of Riverside movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Tempe, 85% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $619 - $6,190 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready84% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: VIP Transport, Inc. | $248 - $1,486/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $371 - $2,971 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage42% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs33% of local movers | $1,238 - $3,714 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,095 - $12,380 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $927 - $1,762 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items62% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: VIP Transport, Inc. | $1,238 - $3,095 |
| Piano | Any piano type75% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: VIP Transport, Inc. | $990 - $4,333 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling38% of local movers | $371 - $1,857 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect27% of local movers21% nationallyTop pick: JFK Moving Company | $805 - $2,476 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $371 - $18,570+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $371 - $4,333+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Riverside to Tempe?
If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in Arizona Moving Association is a good first thing to confirm.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
How much do local movers cost in Riverside, CA?
Based on recent quotes for this route, a 2-bedroom move from Riverside to Tempe with a local mover averages $1,660 - $4,755. For moves under 500 miles, local movers in Riverside, CA 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 (4.3/5 stars) is our preferred moving company in Riverside, based on our analysis of feedback from 51 customers, 88.2% of which is positive.
Address: 15122 Ceres Avenue, Fontana, CA, 92335 | Founded: 2002
Moving container costs from Riverside, CA to Tempe, AZ
Moving containers from Riverside, California, to Tempe, Arizona, cost between $933 and $2,718. 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 Tempe. If you go over that window, storage in Riverside adds around $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Riverside to Tempe:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $933 - $1,668
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,111 - $2,316
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,562 - $2,718
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $93 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $186 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Tempe, AZ, if you need to retrieve anything while items are still in storage.
- Moving labor: Since you're responsible for loading the container yourself, many customers bring in hourly help. Based on moveBuddha data, hiring 2 movers for approximately 5 hours costs about $867 in Riverside, CA. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection goes beyond the standard minimum and covers repair, replacement, or reimbursement at declared value. Pricing is typically 1% - 2% of your total shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 move.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a California to Arizona 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 $933. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,111 - $2,316, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Riverside to Tempe?
- 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 Riverside 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 Riverside:
- JFK Moving Company (4.8/5), 6 years in business
- Burgess Moving and Storage (4.7/5), 80 years in business
- Alex Moving and Storage (3.6/5), 24 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Riverside, CA to Tempe, AZ
Truck rentals from Riverside, California, to Tempe, Arizona, range from $350 - $852 for the 327-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $129 - $147
- Daily insurance: $37/day
- Equipment rentals: $9 - $25
- Riverside daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.79 - $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 Riverside to Tempe based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $350 - $594
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $372 - $719
- 4+ bedrooms: $435 - $852
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $350 - $852 when pricing out a rental truck from Riverside to Tempe. Fuel alone runs ($129 - $147) , and overnight lodging ($186/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend an additional $600 - $1,200 beyond the base rate by the time the move is done.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Equipment: Tow dollies, appliance dollies, and moving pads are not included in the base rate. These extras often total between $93 and $433.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $186.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $129 and $147 for the 327-mile drive, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: If you'd rather not do all the heavy lifting, budget around $867 for 2 movers in Riverside, California, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Riverside to Tempe?
- 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 Riverside, CA to Tempe, AZ
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 Riverside, California, to Tempe, Arizona. 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. Most long-distance moves using this method run roughly between $964 and $1,782.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Riverside to Tempe:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $864 - $1,472
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $964 - $1,782
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,188 - $2,310
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 $93 - $186 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Riverside, California, for about five hours typically runs $867.
What are the best freight companies from Riverside to Tempe?
- 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.
- ALL Service Handling (4.76/5 stars): ALL Service Handling 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 one of the fastest ways to move your belongings interstate, often beating full-service movers on delivery time. If getting your stuff to Tempe quickly is a priority, freight is worth a hard look. That said, freight carriers typically require you to be available to receive your shipment within a set window, so if you need short-term storage or your new place won't be ready right away, a container or full-service mover may give you more flexibility.
Cost of living: Riverside, CA vs Tempe, AZ
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Tempe, side by side with Riverside on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Riverside, CA | Tempe, AZ |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 131 | 113 |
| Average rent | $2,295/mo | $1,834/mo |
| Median home value | $539,898 | $421,086 |
| Average income | $88,575/yr | $77,643/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 7.1% | 5.4% |
| State income tax | Up to 13.3% | Up to 2.5% |
| Walkability score | 43/100 | 54/100 |
| Safety index | 59.76/100 | 57.64/100 |
| Air quality | Moderate | 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 Tempe, AZ to Riverside, CA guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from California to Arizona in the past 3 months alone, keeping our pricing data current. Run your numbers through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. For context, we track 375 movers based in California, handy for sizing up options on this 327-mile route.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from Riverside, CA, to Tempe, AZ, 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 $1,015 - $6,821 on the 327-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $933 - $2,718 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $350 - $852 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $1,747 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 Amkor Technology, Inc. and Benchmark Electronics.
FAQs: Moving from Riverside, CA, to Tempe, AZ
What do local movers charge in Riverside?
Local movers based in Riverside typically start around $239 as a base rate, plus $75/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 Tempe run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Riverside, CA to Tempe, AZ?
Cutting 500 pounds from your shipment, roughly one bedroom's worth of items, saves approximately $200 - $400 on a full-service move on this route. Beyond that, staying organized matters just as much. A solid moving checklist keeps you on schedule and helps you avoid costly last-minute mistakes.
How much does it cost to move from Riverside, CA to Tempe, AZ?
Costs on this route range from around $1,015 to $6,821, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,015 and $6,821, 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.
How walkable is Tempe?
Tempe has a walkability score of 54 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 75, compared to 43 and 49 in Riverside. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($129 - $147), daily insurance ($37/day), and equipment rentals ($9 - $25) on top. Overnight stops can add another $186/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
What percentage of Riverside movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 75% of movers in Riverside handle piano moves, and 62% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
