($748+) San Francisco, CA to Albuquerque, NM Movers
The cost to move from San Francisco, CA to Albuquerque, NM ranges from $1,241 to $8,215, with an average cost of $3,300. Moves can be as low as $748 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 1,084 miles and usually takes 2 to 8 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 San Francisco, CA to Albuquerque, NM
Moving options from San Francisco to Albuquerque fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,241 - $8,215 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $3,300, 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 1,084 miles and typically takes 2 to 8 days depending on the service you pick.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,084-mile route from San Francisco to Albuquerque, broken down by home size:
- Full-service movers: $1,241 for a studio up to $8,215 for a 4+ bedroom home.
- Moving containers: $1,241 - $4,250 depending on home size.
- Rental trucks: $740 - $1,955, the lowest-cost option across the board.
- Freight trailers: $1,162 - $3,366, billed by the space you actually use.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from San Francisco, CA to Albuquerque, NM
For the 1,084-mile move from San Francisco, California, to Albuquerque, New Mexico, full-service movers cost between $1,241 and $8,215. 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 Francisco generally start around $284 plus $150 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from San Francisco to Albuquerque:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,241 - $5,215
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,685 - $6,515
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,553 - $8,215
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 Francisco to Albuquerque.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from California to New Mexico. 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 Francisco, CA to Albuquerque, NM
Specialty needs vary by market — 87% of San Francisco movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Albuquerque, 100% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $919 - $9,190 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready87% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Eagle Moving & Storage, Inc. | $368 - $2,206/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $551 - $4,411 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage56% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs49% of local movers | $1,838 - $5,514 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $4,595 - $18,380 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,377 - $2,615 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items70% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Eagle Moving & Storage, Inc. | $1,838 - $4,595 |
| Piano | Any piano type79% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Eagle Moving & Storage, Inc. | $1,470 - $6,433 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling39% of local movers | $551 - $2,757 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect27% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Luigy's Moving & Storage | $1,195 - $3,676 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $551 - $27,570+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $551 - $6,433+ |
What are the best full-service movers from San Francisco to Albuquerque?
Look for New Mexico Warehousemen’s Association membership as a baseline when comparing movers in New Mexico beyond this list.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is our pick for best overall value. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 support, and 30 days of free storage make Safeway the clearest value on this list.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. AVL has been moving customers since 1995 and uses full-time in-house crews trained on high-value items like art and antiques.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. One of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, 24/7 monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan against damage, loss, and breakage.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national van lines are the smarter financial choice over local movers in San Francisco, CA. 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 San Francisco, CA to Albuquerque, NM
Moving containers from San Francisco, California, to Albuquerque, New Mexico, cost between $1,241 and $4,250. The container gets dropped at your door and you load it at your own pace. U-Haul gives you 3 days to load and PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're done, the company handles all the transportation. If you need extra time, storage in San Francisco runs about $120/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from San Francisco to Albuquerque:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,241 - $2,431
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,582 - $3,286
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,071 - $4,250
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Access: Most major container brands operate in both San Francisco, CA and Albuquerque, NM. 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 $1,287 in San Francisco, CA, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $138 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $276 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 New Mexico 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 $1,241. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,582 - $3,286, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers San Francisco to Albuquerque?
- 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 San Francisco 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 Francisco:
- Good Green Moving (4.7/5), 13 years in business
- Dependable Movers, LLC (4.9/5), 8 years in business
- Johnson & Daly Moving and Storage (4.9/5), 47 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from San Francisco, CA to Albuquerque, NM
Renting a moving truck for the 1,084-mile move from San Francisco, California, to Albuquerque, New Mexico, costs between $740 and $1,955, before these typical add-ons:
- Fuel for the drive: $634 - $725
- Daily insurance: $55/day
- Equipment rentals: $13 - $37
- San Francisco daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.79 - $1.59
| 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 San Francisco to Albuquerque based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $740 - $1,420
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $808 - $1,722
- 4+ bedrooms: $945 - $1,955
Pro tip: A rental truck from San Francisco to Albuquerque looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $740 - $1,955. But once you factor in fuel ($634 - $725) , overnight lodging ($276/night), meals, and equipment rentals, most people end up spending $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate suggests. Building that into your budget upfront saves you from sticker shock at the end of the move.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in San Francisco, California, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $1,287.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $634 - $725 for the 1,084-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 $110 and $597, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $276 per night for hotel stops on the 1,084-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $551 - $827.
What are the best moving truck rentals from San Francisco to Albuquerque?
- 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 San Francisco, CA to Albuquerque, NM
Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from San Francisco, California, to Albuquerque, New Mexico. Standard trailers run 28 feet long, and you're only charged for the portion you actually fill. The carrier drops the trailer off, you load it at your own pace, and they handle the drive to your new city.
Pricing is based entirely on the linear footage your shipment occupies, not the full trailer length. Most long-distance freight moves land somewhere between $1,654 and $2,500.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from San Francisco to Albuquerque:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,162 - $2,187
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,317 - $2,500
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,796 - $3,366
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?
- 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 San Francisco, California, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $1,287.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $138 and $276 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from San Francisco to Albuquerque?
- 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 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: 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: San Francisco, CA vs Albuquerque, NM
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Albuquerque, side by side with San Francisco on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | San Francisco, CA | Albuquerque, NM |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 245 | 92 |
| Average rent | $3,250/mo | $1,250/mo |
| Median home value | $1,374,773 | $265,984 |
| Average income | $141,446/yr | $65,604/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 5.4% | 7.4% |
| State income tax | Up to 13.3% | Up to 5.9% |
| Walkability score | 99/100 | 43/100 |
| Safety index | 38.59/100 | 28.28/100 |
| 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 Albuquerque, NM to San Francisco, CA guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from California to New Mexico 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 374 movers based in California, handy for sizing up options on this 1,084-mile route.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 1,084-mile route from San Francisco, CA, to Albuquerque, NM, run $1,241 - $8,215 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,241 - $4,250, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $740 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,685, 30 days of free storage, and a 24/7 support team you can actually reach.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include SunBridge Healthcare and Khi.
FAQs: Moving from San Francisco, CA, to Albuquerque, NM
What is the cheapest way to move from San Francisco, CA to Albuquerque, NM?
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 $808 - $1,722. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What are the best neighborhoods in Albuquerque?
For families, Academy Hills Park, Altura, and Bear Canyon are worth a look in Albuquerque. If you're moving solo or without kids, Nob HIll, Downtown, and Balloon Fiesta tend to be popular picks instead.
How long does a move from San Francisco, CA to Albuquerque, NM take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 5 - 7 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are usually the fastest option outside of driving yourself, with deliveries in 3 - 5 days, 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 do local movers charge in San Francisco?
Local movers based in San Francisco typically start around $284 as a base rate, plus $150/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 Albuquerque 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 San Francisco, CA to Albuquerque, NM?
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 percentage of San Francisco movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 79% of movers in San Francisco handle piano moves, and 70% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
