($555+) Sacramento, CA to Phoenix, AZ Movers
The cost to move from Sacramento, CA to Phoenix, AZ ranges from $1,231 to $7,672, with an average cost of $2,800. Moves can be as low as $555 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 755 miles and usually takes 2 to 7 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 Sacramento, CA to Phoenix, AZ
Moving options from Sacramento to Phoenix fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,231 - $7,672 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $2,800, and movers handle all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 40% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 77% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This particular route covers 755 miles and typically takes 2 to 7 days depending on the service you pick.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 755-mile route from Sacramento to Phoenix, 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 $1,231 - $4,326 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($1,025 - $1,902), rental truck ($538 - $1,012), or freight trailer ($960 - $1,660). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $2,376 - $5,613 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $7,672.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated October 30, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Sacramento, CA to Phoenix, AZ
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 755-mile move from Sacramento, California, to Phoenix, Arizona, with costs ranging from $1,231 - $7,672. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $364 - $2,428. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Sacramento and Phoenix. Local movers in Sacramento typically start around $287 as a base rate plus $130/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Sacramento to Phoenix:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,231 - $4,326
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,376 - $5,613
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,086 - $7,672
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 Sacramento to Phoenix.
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 Sacramento, CA to Phoenix, AZ
Specialty needs vary by market: 67% of Sacramento movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Phoenix, 66% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing80% of local movers | $607 - $6,070 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready67% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Two Men and a Truck Moving | $243 - $1,457/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $364 - $2,914 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage18% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs52% of local movers | $1,214 - $3,642 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,035 - $12,140 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $909 - $1,728 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items24% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Premium Movers Inc. | $1,214 - $3,035 |
| Piano | Any piano type39% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: Premium Movers Inc. | $971 - $4,249 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling8% of local movers | $364 - $1,821 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect8% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Premium Movers Inc. | $789 - $2,428 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $364 - $18,210+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $364 - $4,249+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Sacramento to Phoenix?
All three below meet the standards set by the Arizona Moving Association, the group most Arizona 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 Sacramento, CA. 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 Sacramento, CA to Phoenix, AZ
Moving containers from Sacramento, California, to Phoenix, Arizona, cost between $1,025 and $3,573. 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 Sacramento typically costs about $120/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Sacramento to Phoenix:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,025 - $1,902
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,424 - $2,611
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,819 - $3,573
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Access: Most major container brands operate in both Sacramento, CA and Phoenix, AZ. Still, double-check that a nearby facility is available if you need to access your belongings before delivery.
- Moving labor: Because containers are self-loaded, many customers hire hourly help. Two movers for about 5 hours typically cost around $850 in Sacramento, CA, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $91 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $182 for larger ones (12 - 16 feet).
- Added contents protection: For more coverage beyond the standard minimum, full-value protection is the typical upgrade, generally 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value. On a $50,000 household, that's roughly $500 - $1,000 as a one-time fee.
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 $1,025. 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 $1,424 - $2,611.
What are the best moving containers Sacramento to Phoenix?
- 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 Sacramento 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 Sacramento:
- Two Men and a Truck Moving (4.6/5), 21 years in business
- Premium Movers Inc. (4.6/5), 19 years in business
- House to Home Moving (4.8/5), 16 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Sacramento, CA to Phoenix, AZ
Plan on $538 - $1,443 for a rental moving truck on the 755-mile route from Sacramento, California, to Phoenix, Arizona. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $292 - $333
- Daily insurance: $36/day
- Equipment rentals: $8 - $24
- Sacramento daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $1.09 - $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 Sacramento to Phoenix based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $538 - $1,012
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $557 - $1,202
- 4+ bedrooms: $727 - $1,443
Pro tip: The base rate of $538 - $1,443 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Sacramento to Phoenix. Fuel ($292 - $333), lodging at around $182/night, meals, and equipment rentals are all on top of that. Factor in roughly $600 - $1,200 more for meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging 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 Sacramento, California, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $850.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $292 - $333 for the 755-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 $73 and $395, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $182 per night for hotel stops on the 755-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $364 - $546.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Sacramento to Phoenix?
- 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 Sacramento, CA to Phoenix, AZ
If you're moving a larger household from Sacramento, California, and want to stay in control of the loading process, freight trailers offer a practical middle ground between hiring movers and renting a truck yourself. A 28-foot trailer is delivered to your door, you load what you need, and the carrier handles the drive to Phoenix, Arizona.
Freight trailers are priced by the linear feet your belongings take up, so you only pay for the space you use. A 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route typically falls between $1,074 and $2,152.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Sacramento to Phoenix:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $960 - $1,660
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,074 - $2,152
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,440 - $2,637
Pro tip: Freight trailers come with a 4-foot loading ramp, which can be a challenge with bulky furniture. With 8 feet of vertical space available, stacking efficiently often requires a ladder and a plan. Since you're billed per linear foot, packing tight can make a real difference in your final 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 $91 - $182 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Sacramento, California, for about five hours typically runs $850.
What are the best freight companies from Sacramento to Phoenix?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the pick for best for large moves. The company is well-regarded as a top moving container option for its load-it-yourself, we-drive-it model, and that same model makes it a strong freight option for larger homes that benefit from the company's 53-foot trucks and footage-based pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Alongside their flagship container service, U-Pack provides a top-notch freight trailer option that follows the same model: no deposits, no upfront fees, and pricing based on the linear footage you actually use.
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: Sacramento, CA vs Phoenix, AZ
Day-to-day costs in Phoenix are close to what you're used to in Sacramento: cost of living index of 113 versus 127, with average rent of $1,695/mo compared to $1,899/mo. With an index gap that small, budgeting for this move mostly comes down to the moving costs above rather than a shift in your monthly expenses. For reference, walkability and safety scores are 49/100 and 50.79/100 in Sacramento versus 41/100 and 46.94/100 in Phoenix.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Phoenix, AZ to Sacramento, 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 1,126 movers based in California, handy for sizing up options on this 755-mile route.
Our take
A move from Sacramento, CA, to Phoenix, AZ, gives you several options depending on your budget and how much you want to do yourself. Full-service movers handle everything but cost the most, ranging from $1,231 - $7,672 on the 755-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,025 - $3,573, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $538 - $1,443. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $2,376 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and round-the-clock live support.
Beyond the move itself, people who've relocated to Phoenix tend to point to beautiful nature and bountiful arts and recreational activities, though extreme weather and tourists come up as common complaints. Major employers in the area include the State of Arizona and Walmart, Inc..
FAQs: Moving from Sacramento, CA, to Phoenix, AZ
How walkable is Phoenix?
Phoenix has a walkability score of 41 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 56, compared to 49 and 67 in Sacramento. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
Is Phoenix a safe place to live?
Phoenix has a safety index of 46.94 out of 100 and a crime index of 53.06, compared to 50.79 and 49.21 in Sacramento. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Sacramento, CA to Phoenix, 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.
What is the best time of year to move from Sacramento, CA to Phoenix, AZ?
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 long does a move from Sacramento, CA to Phoenix, AZ take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 2 to 7 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 percentage of Sacramento movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 39% of movers in Sacramento handle piano moves, and 24% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.