($955+) San Diego, CA to McAllen, TX Movers
The cost to move from San Diego, CA to McAllen, TX ranges from $1,197 to $9,197, with an average cost of $3,450. Moves can be as low as $955 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 1,514 miles and usually takes 4 to 15 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 Diego, CA to McAllen, TX
Moving options from San Diego to McAllen fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,197 - $9,197 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $3,450, and movers handle all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 36% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 66% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This particular route covers 1,514 miles and typically takes 4 to 15 days depending on the service you pick.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,514-mile route from San Diego to McAllen, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,197 - $5,078 | $1,310 - $2,690 | $937 - $1,744 | $1,217 - $2,235 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,843 - $6,725 | $1,816 - $3,686 | $955 - $2,075 | $1,496 - $2,977 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $5,043 - $9,197 | $2,496 - $5,066 | $1,276 - $2,434 | $1,842 - $4,014 |
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 San Diego, CA to McAllen, TX
Full-service movers for the 1,514-mile relocation from San Diego, California, to McAllen, Texas, cost between $1,197 and $9,197. With a long-distance moving company, loading, transportation, and unloading are all taken care of. If you want to skip packing boxes, too, that can be added for $370 - $2,468, depending on your home size. What you pay in the end is mainly a function of how much your shipment weighs and how far it's traveling. As a point of reference, local movers in San Diego typically charge a base rate around $226 plus $200 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from San Diego to McAllen:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,197 - $5,078
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,843 - $6,725
- 4+ bedrooms: $5,043 - $9,197
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 Diego to McAllen.
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 Diego, CA to McAllen, TX
Specialty needs vary by market: 69% of San Diego movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In McAllen, 63% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing86% of local movers | $617 - $6,170 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready69% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Cali Moving & Storage Corp | $247 - $1,481/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $370 - $2,962 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage9% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs58% of local movers | $1,234 - $3,702 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,085 - $12,340 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $924 - $1,756 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items30% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Grizzly Moving | $1,234 - $3,085 |
| Piano | Any piano type50% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: One Stop Moving & Storage | $987 - $4,319 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling10% of local movers | $370 - $1,851 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect12% of local movers9% nationally | $802 - $2,468 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $370 - $18,510+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $370 - $4,319+ |
What are the best full-service movers from San Diego to McAllen?
Movers licensed to operate in Texas are typically members of the Southwest Movers Association, worth checking for before you book any of the three below.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 customer support, and 30 days of free storage are included with every move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list, with 30+ years in business since 1995. AVL is one of the few national carriers that uses full-time in-house crews instead of contracted labor.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, combining fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan that covers damage, loss, and breakage.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national full-service movers are almost always better priced than local movers in San Diego, CA. Local companies typically run 30% - 40% more at longer distances because they aren't set up to consolidate shipments the way national carriers do. The one case where a local mover might be worth the premium is if you want a dedicated direct-route truck, which averages a 2-day delivery time, but expect to pay more for that convenience.
Moving container costs from San Diego, CA to McAllen, TX
Moving containers from San Diego, California, to McAllen, Texas, cost between $1,310 and $5,066. 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 McAllen. If you go over that window, storage in San Diego adds around $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from San Diego to McAllen:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,310 - $2,690
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,816 - $3,686
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,496 - $5,066
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 $864 in San Diego, 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 $93 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $185 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 McAllen, TX, destination before booking.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a California to Texas 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 $1,310. 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 $1,816 - $3,686.
What are the best moving containers San Diego to McAllen?
- 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 Diego 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 Diego:
- 24/7 Moving and Storage (5.0/5), 14 years in business
- Coast 2 Coast Moving Inc (5.0/5), 8 years in business
- Best California Movers (5.0/5), 8 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from San Diego, CA to McAllen, TX
A rental truck for this 1,514-mile move from San Diego, California, to McAllen, Texas, costs between $937 and $2,434. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $594 - $679
- Daily insurance: $37/day
- Equipment rentals: $9 - $25
- San Diego 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 San Diego to McAllen based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $937 - $1,744
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $955 - $2,075
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,276 - $2,434
Pro tip: A rental truck from San Diego to McAllen looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $937 - $2,434. But once you factor in fuel ($594 - $679), overnight lodging ($185/night), meals, and equipment rentals, most people end up spending roughly $600 - $1,200 more on meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging. Building that into your budget upfront saves you from sticker shock at the end of the move.
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 $93 and $432.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $185.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $594 and $679 for the 1,514-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 $864 for 2 movers in San Diego, California, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from San Diego to McAllen?
- 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 Diego, CA to McAllen, TX
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from San Diego, California, to McAllen, Texas, 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. Pricing for a 2 - 3 bedroom move of this distance typically lands between $1,496 and $2,977.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from San Diego to McAllen:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,217 - $2,235
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,496 - $2,977
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,842 - $4,014
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 pricing is based on exactly how much of the trailer you fill. If your items take up more than expected, the added footage can increase your cost by between $93 and $185.
- Peak season impact: Moving during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) often means higher trailer rates as demand increases across the board.
- Moving labor: Unless you plan to load everything yourself, factor in labor costs. Two movers in San Diego, California, for roughly five hours typically average $864.
What are the best freight companies from San Diego to McAllen?
- 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 tip: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in McAllen fast. For interstate moves, freight is one of the quickest delivery methods out there. Just keep in mind that freight carriers expect you to be available to receive your shipment, so it works best when your move-in is locked in and you don't need temporary storage on either end.
Cost of living: San Diego, CA vs McAllen, TX
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in McAllen, side by side with San Diego on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | San Diego, CA | McAllen, TX |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 155 | 76 |
| Average rent | $2,881/mo | $1,350/mo |
| Median home value | $847,715 | $173,919 |
| Average income | $104,321/yr | $60,165/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 6.6% | 7.9% |
| State income tax | Up to 13.3% | None |
| Walkability score | 53/100 | 41/100 |
| Safety index | 60.17/100 | 63.74/100 |
| Air quality | Moderate | Moderate |
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 McAllen, TX to San Diego, CA guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from California to Texas, 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 1,126 movers in California, so you have real options to compare for this 1,514-mile move.
Our take
The 1,514-mile move from San Diego, CA, to McAllen, TX, costs between $1,197 and $9,197 with full-service movers, $1,310 - $5,066 with a moving container, and $937 - $2,434 for a rental truck. Your budget and how much heavy lifting you want to do are the two biggest factors in choosing the right option. If you go with full-service movers, Safeway Moving is our top recommendation, with transparent flat-rate pricing starting around $2,843 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage, and 24/7 customer support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include The Monitor Group and Am-Mex Products.
FAQs: Moving from San Diego, CA, to McAllen, TX
How do I know a mover is licensed in Texas?
In-state movers operating in the Lone Star State are legally required to be licensed by the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TXDMV), which issues 10-digit TXDMV numbers to commercial carriers.
What is the best time of year to move from San Diego, CA to McAllen, TX?
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. Texas also has a hurricane season running June through November, worth factoring into your timing if you have flexibility. A midweek, mid-month date outside peak season is your best bet for saving money.
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.
Is McAllen a safe place to live?
McAllen has a safety index of 63.74 out of 100 and a crime index of 36.26, compared to 60.17 and 39.83 in San Diego. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What is the cheapest way to move from San Diego, CA to McAllen, TX?
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 $955 - $2,075. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What percentage of San Diego movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 50% of movers in San Diego handle piano moves, and 30% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.