($1,290+) San Francisco, CA to Memphis, TN Movers
The cost to move from San Francisco, CA to Memphis, TN ranges from $1,271 to $11,501, with an average cost of $4,350. Moves can be as low as $1,290 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 2,090 miles and usually takes 6 to 17 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 Memphis, TN
Moving options from San Francisco to Memphis fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,271 - $11,501 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $4,350, 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 2,090 miles and typically takes 6 to 17 days depending on the service you pick.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 2,090-mile route from San Francisco to Memphis, 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 $1,271 - $5,554 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($1,636 - $3,114), rental truck ($1,277 - $2,367), or freight trailer ($1,565 - $2,948). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $3,784 - $7,861 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $11,501.
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 Memphis, TN
For the 2,090-mile move from San Francisco, California, to Memphis, Tennessee, full-service movers cost between $1,271 and $11,501. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $544 - $3,628 (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 Memphis:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,271 - $5,554
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,784 - $7,861
- 4+ bedrooms: $7,095 - $11,501
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 Memphis.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from California to Tennessee. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: The summer months (May - September) are the busiest time of year for movers during peak moving season, which drives up prices and limits scheduling options. If you can move in the fall or winter, you'll likely find better rates and more flexibility.
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Specialty moving services from San Francisco, CA to Memphis, TN
Specialty needs vary by market — 87% of San Francisco movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Memphis, 100% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $907 - $9,070 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready87% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Eagle Moving & Storage, Inc. | $363 - $2,177/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $544 - $4,354 |
| 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 | $1,814 - $5,442 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $4,535 - $18,140 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,359 - $2,581 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items70% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Eagle Moving & Storage, Inc. | $1,814 - $4,535 |
| Piano | Any piano type79% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Eagle Moving & Storage, Inc. | $1,451 - $6,349 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling39% of local movers | $544 - $2,721 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect27% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Luigy's Moving & Storage | $1,179 - $3,628 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $544 - $27,210+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $544 - $6,349+ |
What are the best full-service movers from San Francisco to Memphis?
- 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 movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in San Francisco, CA. Van lines spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments, while local movers tend to charge 30% - 40% more for the same distance. A direct route with a local mover averages 2-day delivery, but that added speed typically carries a higher price tag.
Moving container costs from San Francisco, CA to Memphis, TN
Moving containers from San Francisco, California, to Memphis, Tennessee, cost between $1,636 and $6,327. You're in charge of loading, and the timeline is yours to set. U-Haul allows 3 days while PODS gives you a full 30. After that, the company picks it up and delivers it to your new address. Running behind schedule? Storage in San Francisco costs roughly $120/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from San Francisco to Memphis:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,636 - $3,114
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,316 - $4,366
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,055 - $6,327
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Containers are self-loaded, so many people hire hourly help for the heavy lifting. moveBuddha data shows two movers for about five hours runs around $1,270 in San Francisco, CA. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: If you want stronger coverage than the default liability, full-value protection is the upgrade to consider. Most providers charge 1% - 2% of your shipment value, roughly $500 - $1,000 for $50,000 in contents.
- Storage: After the first month, rental fees average $136 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $272 per month for a larger 12- to 16-foot unit.
- Access: If you anticipate needing to access items while in storage, confirm there's a facility conveniently located near your Memphis, TN, destination before booking.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a California to Tennessee 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 $1,636. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $2,316 - $4,366, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers San Francisco to Memphis?
- 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 Memphis, TN
Truck rentals from San Francisco, California, to Memphis, Tennessee, range from $1,277 - $3,697 for the 2,090-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $1,206 - $1,379
- Daily insurance: $54/day
- Equipment rentals: $13 - $36
- 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 Memphis based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,277 - $2,367
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,423 - $2,989
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,795 - $3,697
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $1,277 - $3,697 does not include fuel ($1,206 - $1,379) , lodging ($272/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from San Francisco to Memphis typically runs $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate alone.
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 $1,270.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $1,206 - $1,379 for the 2,090-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 $109 and $590, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $272 per night for hotel stops on the 2,090-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $544 - $816.
What are the best moving truck rentals from San Francisco to Memphis?
- 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 Memphis, TN
If you're moving a larger household from San Francisco, 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 Memphis, Tennessee.
Freight trailers are priced by the linear feet your belongings take up, so you only pay for the space you use. Most moves on this route fall between $1,765 and $3,747.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from San Francisco to Memphis:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,565 - $2,948
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,765 - $3,747
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,517 - $4,767
Pro tip: A 4-foot ramp sounds simple, but heavy or awkward furniture can make the climb tricky. With 8 feet of height to work with, smart vertical stacking is key. Since freight companies charge by the linear foot, every extra foot you use adds to the bill.
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 $136 - $272 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in San Francisco, California, for about five hours typically runs $1,270.
What are the best freight companies from San Francisco to Memphis?
- 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.
- PRO Logistics (4.54/5 stars): PRO Logistics 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: If speed matters on your move from San Francisco to Memphis, 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 Francisco, CA vs Memphis, TN
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Memphis, side by side with San Francisco on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | San Francisco, CA | Memphis, TN |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 245 | 86 |
| Average rent | $3,250/mo | $1,299/mo |
| Median home value | $1,374,773 | $154,209 |
| Average income | $141,446/yr | $51,211/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 5.4% | 8.0% |
| State income tax | Up to 13.3% | None |
| Walkability score | 99/100 | 35/100 |
| Safety index | 38.59/100 | 22.51/100 |
| 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 Memphis, TN to San Francisco, CA guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from California to Tennessee, so our pricing data reflects what movers are actually charging right now. Check our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers, the best way to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and bad actors. We track 374 movers in California, so you have real options to compare for this 2,090-mile move.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 2,090-mile route from San Francisco, CA, to Memphis, TN, run $1,271 - $11,501 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,636 - $6,327, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $1,277 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,784, 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 FedEx and AutoZone.
FAQs: Moving from San Francisco, CA, to Memphis, TN
What are some tips for saving money on a move from San Francisco, CA to Memphis, TN?
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 San Francisco, CA to Memphis, TN?
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 San Francisco, CA to Memphis, TN 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 extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($1,206 - $1,379), daily insurance ($54/day), and equipment rentals ($13 - $36) on top. Overnight stops can add another $272/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
What is the cheapest way to move from San Francisco, CA to Memphis, TN?
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 $1,423 - $2,989. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
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.
