($688+) Colorado Springs, CO to San Diego, CA Movers
Moving from Colorado Springs, CO, to San Diego, CA, runs anywhere from $688 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,232 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,145 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 2 to 8 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.
- Full-service moves for smaller spaces (studio apartments and 1-bedrooms) start around $2,201, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $8,232 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,169 - $3,940, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $688 - $1,936.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Colorado Springs, CO, to San Diego, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,630 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
Fact Checked by:
Compare moving options from Colorado Springs, CO to San Diego, CA
There are 3 main ways to move from Colorado Springs to San Diego: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service is the most expensive but covers everything from labor to transportation, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route averaging $2,630 - $6,219. Containers cost roughly 40% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 69% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 1,145 miles, expect 2 to 8 days in transit no matter which service you choose.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,145-mile route from Colorado Springs to San Diego, broken down by home size:
- A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $2,201 - $5,200 with full-service movers, $1,169 - $2,186 with a container, $688 - $1,337 with a rental truck, or $1,041 - $2,029 by freight.
- A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $2,630 - $6,219 full-service, $1,568 - $3,075 by container, $821 - $1,606 by rental truck, or $1,242 - $2,536 by freight.
- A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $4,637 - $8,232 full-service, $2,057 - $3,940 by container, $993 - $1,936 by rental truck, or $1,782 - $3,484 by freight.
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 Colorado Springs, CO to San Diego, CA
For the 1,145-mile move from Colorado Springs, Colorado, to San Diego, California, full-service movers cost between $2,201 and $8,232. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $384 - $2,560 (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 Colorado Springs generally start around $250 plus $125 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Colorado Springs to San Diego:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,201 - $5,200
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,630 - $6,219
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,637 - $8,232
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 Colorado Springs to San Diego.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Colorado to California. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: Avoiding peak moving season dates (May - September) is one of the easiest ways to reduce costs. Off-season moves typically come with lower pricing and more room to negotiate since movers have fewer bookings.
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 Colorado Springs, CO to San Diego, CA
Specialty needs vary by market: 61% of Colorado Springs movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In San Diego, 69% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing74% of local movers | $640 - $6,400 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready61% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Johnson Storage & Moving | $256 - $1,536/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $384 - $3,072 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage11% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs57% of local movers | $1,280 - $3,840 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,200 - $12,800 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $959 - $1,821 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items28% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Moving Day | $1,280 - $3,200 |
| Piano | Any piano type41% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: Moving Day | $1,024 - $4,480 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling13% of local movers | $384 - $1,920 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect20% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $832 - $2,560 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $384 - $19,200+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $384 - $4,480+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Colorado Springs to San Diego?
All three below meet the standards set by the California Moving & Storage Association, the group most California movers are affiliated with.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list, with flat-rate pricing that holds firm on moving day and a customer support team available around the clock.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here. With 30+ years of interstate moves behind them, AVL uses full-time in-house crews instead of the contracted labor most national carriers rely on.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, with fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan available on every long-distance move.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in Colorado Springs, CO. 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 Colorado Springs, CO to San Diego, CA
Moving containers from Colorado Springs, Colorado, to San Diego, California, cost between $1,169 and $3,940. 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 Colorado Springs typically costs about $80/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Colorado Springs to San Diego:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,169 - $2,186
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,568 - $3,075
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,057 - $3,940
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 $896 in Colorado Springs, CO. 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 $96 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $192 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 San Diego, CA, destination before booking.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Colorado to California 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 $1,169. 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 $1,568 - $3,075.
What are the best moving containers Colorado Springs to San Diego?
- 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 Colorado Springs 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 Colorado Springs:
- Moving Day (4.7/5), 27 years in business
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.8/5), 2 years in business
- Skyline Moving Company (4.9/5), 10 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Colorado Springs, CO to San Diego, CA
Plan on $688 - $1,936 for a rental moving truck on the 1,145-mile route from Colorado Springs, Colorado, to San Diego, California. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $466 - $533
- Daily insurance: $38/day
- Equipment rentals: $9 - $26
- Colorado Springs daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.59 - $0.79
| 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 Colorado Springs to San Diego based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $688 - $1,337
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $821 - $1,606
- 4+ bedrooms: $993 - $1,936
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $688 - $1,936 does not include fuel ($466 - $533), lodging ($192/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Colorado Springs to San Diego typically runs more than the base rate alone, with meals, equipment, and other extras adding roughly $600 - $1,200 on top of fuel and lodging.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Colorado Springs, Colorado, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $896.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $466 - $533 for the 1,145-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 $77 and $416, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $192 per night for hotel stops on the 1,145-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $384 - $576.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Colorado Springs to San Diego?
- 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 Colorado Springs, CO to San Diego, CA
Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from Colorado Springs, Colorado, to San Diego, California. 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 $1,152 and $2,536.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Colorado Springs to San Diego:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,041 - $2,029
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,242 - $2,536
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,782 - $3,484
Pro tip: Freight trailers offer generous space but reward good packing strategy. The 4-foot ramp can be challenging for large or heavy pieces, and using the full 8-foot height takes careful stacking. Because you're billed by the linear foot, maximizing vertical space keeps your costs lower.
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 Colorado Springs, Colorado, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $896.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $96 and $192 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Colorado Springs to San Diego?
- 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: If speed matters on your move from Colorado Springs to San Diego, 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: Colorado Springs, CO vs San Diego, CA
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in San Diego, side by side with Colorado Springs on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Colorado Springs, CO | San Diego, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 110 | 155 |
| Average rent | $1,799/mo | $2,881/mo |
| Median home value | $419,923 | $847,715 |
| Average income | $83,198/yr | $104,321/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 6.8% | 6.6% |
| State income tax | Up to 5.49% | Up to 13.3% |
| Walkability score | 36/100 | 53/100 |
| Safety index | 58.06/100 | 60.17/100 |
| 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 San Diego, CA to Colorado Springs, CO guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from Colorado to California over the past 3 months, giving us some of the most up-to-date pricing data around. Running your move through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. There are 267 movers in our Colorado network to compare for this 1,145-mile move.
Our take
A move from Colorado Springs, CO, to San Diego, CA, gives you several options depending on your budget and how much you want to do yourself. Full-service movers handle everything but cost the most, ranging from $2,201 - $8,232 on the 1,145-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,169 - $3,940, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $688 - $1,936. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $2,630 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and round-the-clock live support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include United States Navy and University of California, San Diego.
FAQs: Moving from Colorado Springs, CO, to San Diego, CA
How long does a move from Colorado Springs, CO to San Diego, CA take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 2 to 8 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are often one of the faster options outside of driving yourself, 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 is the best time of year to move from Colorado Springs, CO to San Diego, CA?
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.
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Colorado Springs, CO to San Diego, CA?
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.
Is San Diego a safe place to live?
San Diego has a safety index of 60.17 out of 100 and a crime index of 39.83, compared to 58.06 and 41.94 in Colorado Springs. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
How walkable is San Diego?
San Diego has a walkability score of 53 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 43, compared to 36 and 45 in Colorado Springs. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
What percentage of Colorado Springs movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 41% of movers in Colorado Springs handle piano moves, and 28% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.