($351+) Santa Ana, CA to Mesa, AZ Movers
The cost to move from Santa Ana, CA to Mesa, AZ ranges from $1,024 to $6,979, with an average cost of $2,100. Moves can be as low as $351 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 375 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.
Fact Checked by:
Compare moving options from Santa Ana, CA to Mesa, AZ
Moving options from Santa Ana to Mesa fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,024 - $6,979 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 40% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 80% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This particular route covers 375 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 375-mile route from Santa Ana to Mesa, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,024 - $3,555 | $857 - $1,508 | $330 - $670 | $835 - $1,456 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $1,802 - $4,702 | $1,074 - $2,098 | $356 - $742 | $878 - $1,766 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $2,888 - $6,979 | $1,513 - $2,704 | $461 - $898 | $1,199 - $2,317 |
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 Santa Ana, CA to Mesa, AZ
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 375-mile move from Santa Ana, California, to Mesa, Arizona, with costs ranging from $1,024 - $6,979. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $433 - $2,884. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Santa Ana and Mesa. Local movers in Santa Ana typically start around $185 as a base rate plus $75/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Santa Ana to Mesa:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,024 - $3,555
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,802 - $4,702
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,888 - $6,979
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 Santa Ana to Mesa.
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.
Don't see your company listed?
Reach customers actively searching for trusted movers in your area. Tell us about your company and services to get your business listed on moveBuddha.
Specialty moving services from Santa Ana, CA to Mesa, AZ
Specialty needs vary by market: 54% of Santa Ana movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Mesa, 66% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing78% of local movers | $721 - $7,210 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready54% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Meathead Movers | $288 - $1,730/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $433 - $3,461 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage12% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs55% of local movers | $1,442 - $4,326 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,605 - $14,420 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,080 - $2,052 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items29% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: SOS Moving, LLC | $1,442 - $3,605 |
| Piano | Any piano type39% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: SOS Moving, LLC | $1,154 - $5,047 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling10% of local movers | $433 - $2,163 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect5% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Silicon Valley Moving and Storage (CA) | $937 - $2,884 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $433 - $21,630+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $433 - $5,047+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Santa Ana to Mesa?
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 Santa Ana, CA?
Based on recent quotes for this route, a 2-bedroom move from Santa Ana to Mesa with a local mover averages $1,838 - $4,796. For moves under 500 miles, local movers in Santa Ana, 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 (4.28/5 stars) is our preferred moving company in Santa Ana, 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 Santa Ana, CA to Mesa, AZ
Moving containers from Santa Ana, California, to Mesa, Arizona, cost between $857 and $2,704. 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 Mesa. If you go over that window, storage in Santa Ana adds around $110/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Santa Ana to Mesa:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $857 - $1,508
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,074 - $2,098
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,513 - $2,704
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Because loading is on you with a container move, hourly labor help is a popular add-on. In Santa Ana, CA, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $1,009, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: After the first month, ongoing rental fees kick in. A small container (7 - 8 feet) averages about $108 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $216 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Santa Ana, CA, and Mesa, AZ, but confirm a facility is within reasonable distance if you need to retrieve items while in storage.
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection provides broader coverage than the standard liability in your contract. It typically costs 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on $50,000 worth of belongings.
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 $857. 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 $1,074 - $2,098.
What are the best moving containers Santa Ana to Mesa?
- 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 Santa Ana 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 Santa Ana:
- Meathead Movers (4.7/5), 24 years in business
- Best Fit Movers (4.8/5), 8 years in business
- Maison Moving (4.6/5), 18 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Santa Ana, CA to Mesa, AZ
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 375 miles from Santa Ana, California, to Mesa, Arizona, running $330 - $898. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $172 - $197
- Daily insurance: $43/day
- Equipment rentals: $10 - $29
- Santa Ana 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 Santa Ana to Mesa based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $330 - $670
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $356 - $742
- 4+ bedrooms: $461 - $898
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $330 - $898 when pricing out a rental truck from Santa Ana to Mesa. Fuel alone runs $172 - $197, and overnight lodging ($216/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly.
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 $108 and $505.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $216.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $172 and $197 for the 375-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 $1,009 for 2 movers in Santa Ana, California, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Santa Ana to Mesa?
- 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 Santa Ana, CA to Mesa, 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 Santa Ana, California, to Mesa, 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. A 2 - 3 bedroom long-distance move using this method runs roughly between $878 and $1,766.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Santa Ana to Mesa:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $835 - $1,456
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $878 - $1,766
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,199 - $2,317
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?
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In Santa Ana, California, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $1,009.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $108 - $216 per additional foot to your total.
- Time of year: Rates tend to climb during peak moving season (mid-May through mid-September) when trailer demand is at its highest.
What are the best freight companies from Santa Ana to Mesa?
- 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.
- 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.
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 Mesa 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: Santa Ana, CA vs Mesa, AZ
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Mesa, side by side with Santa Ana on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Santa Ana, CA | Mesa, AZ |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 165 | 113 |
| Average rent | $2,650/mo | $1,786/mo |
| Median home value | $657,015 | $354,997 |
| Average income | $88,354/yr | $78,779/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 7.0% | 6.1% |
| State income tax | Up to 13.3% | Up to 2.5% |
| Walkability score | 67/100 | 38/100 |
| Safety index | 45.83/100 | 55.33/100 |
| 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 Mesa, AZ to Santa Ana, 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 1,154 movers based in California, handy for sizing up options on this 375-mile route.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 375-mile route from Santa Ana, CA, to Mesa, AZ, run $1,024 - $6,979 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $857 - $2,704, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $330 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $1,802, 30 days of free storage, and a 24/7 support team you can actually reach.
Beyond the move itself, people who've relocated to Mesa tend to point to bountiful outdoor activities and beautiful nature, though terrible traffic and tourists come up as common complaints. Major employers in the area include Banner Health System and Mesa Public Schools.
FAQs: Moving from Santa Ana, CA, to Mesa, AZ
How much does it cost to move from Santa Ana, CA to Mesa, AZ?
Costs on this route range from around $351 to $6,979, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,024 and $6,979, 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 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 4 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
What do local movers charge in Santa Ana?
Local movers based in Santa Ana typically start around $185 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 Mesa run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
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 are the best neighborhoods in Mesa?
For families, Red Mountain Ranch, Superstition Springs, and Eastmark are worth a look in Mesa. If you're moving solo or without kids, Central, Southwest, and Northwest tend to be popular picks instead.
What percentage of Santa Ana movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 39% of movers in Santa Ana handle piano moves, and 29% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.