($565+) San Jose, CA to Phoenix, AZ Movers

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Background image of a moving truck moving from San Jose, CA to Phoenix, AZ

The cost to move from San Jose, CA to Phoenix, AZ ranges from $1,261 to $8,279, with an average cost of $2,950. Moves can be as low as $565 if you're wanting to DIY it.

This move covers about 710 miles and usually takes 1 to 6 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.

Compare moving options from San Jose, CA to Phoenix, AZ

Moving options from San Jose to Phoenix fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,261 - $8,279 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $2,950, 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 710 miles and typically takes 1 to 6 days depending on the service you pick.

Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 710-mile route from San Jose to Phoenix, broken down by home size:

Home size Full-service movers Moving container Rental truck Freight trailer
Studio / 1 bedroom $1,261 - $4,644 $1,072 - $1,908 $559 - $989 $995 - $1,858
2 - 3 bedrooms $2,367 - $5,566 $1,363 - $2,807 $574 - $1,151 $1,091 - $2,114
4+ bedrooms $3,870 - $8,279 $1,770 - $3,611 $711 - $1,452 $1,416 - $2,719

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 San Jose, CA to Phoenix, AZ

For the 710-mile move from San Jose, California, to Phoenix, Arizona, full-service movers cost between $1,261 and $8,279. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $551 - $3,676 (1 - 5+ bedrooms), crews will pack your boxes. The weight of your shipment and the mileage between the two cities are what drive your final cost. For scale, local movers in San Jose generally start around $316 plus $119 per hour, per mover.

Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from San Jose to Phoenix:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,261 - $4,644
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,367 - $5,566
  • 4+ bedrooms: $3,870 - $8,279

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 San Jose to Phoenix.

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: Peak moving season (May - September) limits truck availability and pushes up full-service moving costs. Booking during slower months can give you more scheduling room and a lower final price.

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Specialty moving services from San Jose, CA to Phoenix, AZ

Specialty needs vary by market — 81% of San Jose movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Phoenix, 85% of movers offer the same service.

Service When you need it Typical cost
Full packingFull crew packing97% of local movers$919 - $9,190
Storage in transitNew place not ready81% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Fairprice Movers$368 - $2,206/mo
Shuttle feeTruck can't reach door$551 - $4,411
Full-value protectionMore than $0.60/lb coverage47% of local movers$300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value)
Small movesUnder ~2,000 lbs44% of local movers$1,838 - $5,514
Office / commercialWorkplace relocation$4,595 - $18,380
Car shippingSecond vehicle$1,377 - $2,615
Antiques & fine artFragile, high-value items68% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Fairprice Movers$1,838 - $4,595
PianoAny piano type77% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Fairprice Movers$1,470 - $6,433
Pool tableDisassembly & re-leveling37% of local movers$551 - $2,757
Hot tubHeavy, needs disconnect28% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Arnoni Moving Services LLC$1,195 - $3,676
Wine collectionClimate-controlled transport$551 - $27,570+
Pet relocationGround, air, or concierge$551 - $6,433+

What are the best full-service movers from San Jose to Phoenix?

If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in Arizona Moving Association is a good first thing to confirm.

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.

Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in San Jose, 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 San Jose, CA to Phoenix, AZ

Moving containers from San Jose, California, to Phoenix, Arizona, cost between $1,072 and $3,611. 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 San Jose typically costs about $120/month.

Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from San Jose to Phoenix:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,072 - $1,908
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,363 - $2,807
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,770 - $3,611

What other costs come with moving containers?

  • Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $138 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $276 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 $1,287 in San Jose, CA, 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 Phoenix, AZ, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.

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 $1,072. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,363 - $2,807, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.

What are the best moving containers San Jose to Phoenix?

  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 San Jose 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 San Jose:

  • Best California Movers (5.0/5), 7 years in business
  • College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (5.0/5), 16 years in business
  • Trek Movers (4.8/5), 10 years in business

Moving truck rental costs from San Jose, CA to Phoenix, AZ

Plan on $559 - $1,452 for a rental moving truck on the 710-mile route from San Jose, California, to Phoenix, Arizona. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:

  • Fuel for the drive: $415 - $475
  • Daily insurance: $55/day
  • Equipment rentals: $13 - $37
  • San Jose daily rental rate: $19 - $49
  • Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.99 - $1.19
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 San Jose to Phoenix based on home size:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $559 - $989
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $574 - $1,151
  • 4+ bedrooms: $711 - $1,452

Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $559 - $1,452 does not include fuel ($415 - $475) , lodging ($276/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from San Jose to Phoenix typically runs $600 - $1,200 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 $276 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 San Jose, California, usually costs about $1,287 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
  • Gas: Fuel for the 710-mile drive falls between $415 and $475, 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 $92 and $551 to your total.

What are the best moving truck rentals from San Jose to Phoenix?

  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 San Jose, CA to Phoenix, AZ

Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from San Jose, California, to Phoenix, Arizona, 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 $1,091 and $2,114.

Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from San Jose to Phoenix:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $995 - $1,858
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,091 - $2,114
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,416 - $2,719

Pro tip: Freight pricing rewards efficient packing. Trailers are 8 feet tall and accessed via a 4-foot ramp, so technique matters, especially for heavy pieces. Since each additional linear foot adds to your quote, packing strategically is one of the easiest ways to control costs.

What other costs come with freight trailers?

  • More space: Freight trailers are billed by the section you fill. If you misjudge your shipment size, each extra foot of trailer space adds around $138 - $276 to your final bill.
  • Peak season pricing: Expect higher rates during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) when trailer availability tightens across the country.
  • Moving labor: Loading is on you unless you hire outside help. A half-day crew of two movers in San Jose, California, typically costs $1,287.

What are the best freight companies from San Jose to Phoenix?

  1. MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is our pick for best for large moves. The company is best known as a top moving container option for its hybrid model where you load and they drive, and that same model translates well to freight thanks to their 53-foot trucks and pay-by-the-foot pricing.
  2. U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Beyond their flagship container service, U-Pack also runs freight trailers with the same no-deposit, no-upfront-fee model, charging only for the linear footage you actually fill.
  3. PRO Logistics (4.54/5 stars): PRO Logistics is our pick for best locally owned freight company. Their locally owned and operated facilities mean you work with support staff who know the route and the area, giving you more responsive scheduling than national-only carriers typically offer.

Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from San Jose to Phoenix, 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: San Jose, CA vs Phoenix, AZ

The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Phoenix, side by side with San Jose on housing, income, and taxes.

Measure San Jose, CA Phoenix, AZ
Cost of living index231113
Average rent$3,095/mo$1,695/mo
Median home value$1,184,000$380,294
Average income$141,565/yr$77,041/yr
Unemployment rate6.6%6.6%
State income taxUp to 13.3%Up to 2.5%
Walkability score51/10041/100
Safety index52.27/10046.94/100
Air qualityModerateModerate

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 Phoenix, AZ to San Jose, CA guide.

Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:

In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from California to Arizona, 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 374 movers licensed in California, useful context for sizing up this 710-mile move.

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Our take

How you handle your interstate move from San Jose, CA, to Phoenix, 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 $1,261 - $8,279 on the 710-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,072 - $3,611 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $559 - $1,452 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $2,367 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and 24/7 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 San Jose, CA, to Phoenix, AZ

What is the cheapest way to move from San Jose, CA to Phoenix, AZ?

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 $574 - $1,151. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.

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 52.27 and 47.73 in San Jose. 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 San Jose, 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 do I know a mover is licensed in Arizona?

Though Arizona is largely an “unregulated” state, local moving companies are subject to some Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) and Department of Weights and Measures regulations intended to ensure that they operate safely and ethically.

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

About 77% of movers in San Jose handle piano moves, and 68% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.