($1,013+) Lexington, KY to Tempe, AZ Movers
Moving from Lexington, KY, to Tempe, AZ, runs anywhere from $1,013 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $10,509 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,782 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 5 to 16 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 $2,436, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $10,509 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,539 - $5,417, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,013 - $2,983.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Lexington, KY, to Tempe, AZ. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,095 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
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Compare moving options from Lexington, KY to Tempe, AZ
Moving options from Lexington to Tempe fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move on this route costs $3,095 - $7,286 and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 38% less for the same home size, while rental trucks land about 62% less, though both require you to load the truck or container yourself. This route spans 1,782 miles and typically takes 5 to 16 days.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,782-mile route from Lexington to Tempe, broken down by home size:
- A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $2,436 - $5,136 with full-service movers, $1,539 - $2,656 with a container, $1,013 - $1,889 with a rental truck, or $1,292 - $2,517 by freight.
- A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $3,095 - $7,286 full-service, $1,913 - $3,913 by container, $1,174 - $2,343 by rental truck, or $1,485 - $3,256 by freight.
- A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $6,266 - $10,509 full-service, $2,744 - $5,417 by container, $1,423 - $2,983 by rental truck, or $2,091 - $4,417 by freight.
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 Lexington, KY to Tempe, AZ
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 1,782-mile move from Lexington, Kentucky, to Tempe, Arizona, with prices running from $2,436 - $10,509. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $299 - $1,996 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between Lexington and Tempe are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, Lexington movers tend to run around $197 as a base rate plus $70/hour per mover, for comparison.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Lexington to Tempe:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,436 - $5,136
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,095 - $7,286
- 4+ bedrooms: $6,266 - $10,509
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 Lexington to Tempe.
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 Lexington, KY to Tempe, AZ
Specialty needs vary by market: 67% of Lexington movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Tempe, 66% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing67% of local movers | $499 - $4,990 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready67% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Wildcat Moving LLC | $200 - $1,198/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $299 - $2,395 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage23% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs68% of local movers | $998 - $2,994 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,495 - $9,980 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $748 - $1,420 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items27% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $998 - $2,495 |
| Piano | Any piano type42% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: From Here To There, LLC | $798 - $3,493 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling14% of local movers | $299 - $1,497 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect18% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: From Here To There, LLC | $649 - $1,996 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $299 - $14,970+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $299 - $3,493+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Lexington to Tempe?
Movers licensed to operate in Arizona are typically members of the Arizona Moving 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 carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Lexington, KY. At that distance, local movers often charge 30% - 40% more because they don't spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments the way national carriers do. If a direct route and faster delivery (averaging 2 days) are priorities, a local mover may be worth considering, but that service comes at a higher price.
Moving container costs from Lexington, KY to Tempe, AZ
Moving containers from Lexington, Kentucky, to Tempe, Arizona, cost between $1,539 and $5,417. 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 Lexington costs roughly $80/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Lexington to Tempe:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,539 - $2,656
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,913 - $3,913
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,744 - $5,417
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 Lexington, KY, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $699, 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 $75 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $150 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Lexington, KY, and Tempe, 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 Kentucky 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 $1,539. 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 $1,913 - $3,913.
What are the best moving containers Lexington to Tempe?
- 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 Lexington 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 Lexington:
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.6/5), 20 years in business
- From Here To There, LLC (4.9/5), 6 years in business
- My 3 Son's Moving, 9 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Lexington, KY to Tempe, AZ
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 1,782 miles from Lexington, Kentucky, to Tempe, Arizona, running $1,013 - $2,983. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $566 - $647
- Daily insurance: $30/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $20
- Lexington 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 Lexington to Tempe based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,013 - $1,889
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,174 - $2,343
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,423 - $2,983
Pro tip: A rental truck from Lexington to Tempe looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $1,013 - $2,983. But once you factor in fuel ($566 - $647), overnight lodging ($150/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?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $150 per night. Most long-distance moves with rental trucks require 1 - 3 overnight stops.
- Equipment: Tow dollies, auto trailers, and specialty moving equipment can add between $65 and $324 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $566 - $647 in fuel for the 1,782-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $699 in Lexington, Kentucky, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Lexington to Tempe?
- 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 Lexington, KY to Tempe, 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 Lexington, Kentucky, to Tempe, 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 $1,485 and $3,256.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Lexington to Tempe:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,292 - $2,517
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,485 - $3,256
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,091 - $4,417
Pro tip: Loading a freight trailer is a bit different from filling a container. The 4-foot ramp can be steep with large items, and getting the most out of 8 feet of vertical clearance takes planning. Since pricing is based on linear feet used, every inch of wasted space has a 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 Lexington, Kentucky, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $699.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $75 and $150 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Lexington to Tempe?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the pick for best for large moves. The company is well-regarded as a top moving container option for its load-it-yourself, we-drive-it model, and that same model makes it a strong freight option for larger homes that benefit from the company's 53-foot trucks and footage-based pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Alongside their flagship container service, U-Pack provides a top-notch freight trailer option that follows the same model: no deposits, no upfront fees, and pricing based on the linear footage you actually use.
Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Lexington to Tempe. If you have a hard move-in date and want your stuff there as soon as possible, freight is hard to beat. It's worth noting that freight works best when you're ready to receive your delivery, so if your move-in date is still up in the air or you'll need short-term storage, a moving container is likely the more practical choice.
Cost of living: Lexington, KY vs Tempe, AZ
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Tempe, side by side with Lexington on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Lexington, KY | Tempe, AZ |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 91 | 113 |
| Average rent | $1,345/mo | $1,834/mo |
| Median home value | $272,002 | $421,086 |
| Average income | $67,631/yr | $77,643/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 4.3% | 5.4% |
| State income tax | Up to 4.0% | Up to 2.5% |
| Walkability score | 90/100 | 54/100 |
| Safety index | 49.12/100 | 57.64/100 |
| Air quality | Good | 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 Tempe, AZ to Lexington, KY guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from Kentucky to Arizona, 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 75 movers in Kentucky, so you have real options to compare for this 1,782-mile move.
Our take
For a move from Lexington, KY, to Tempe, AZ, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $2,436 for a studio to $10,509 for a 4+ bedroom home on the 1,782-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,539 - $5,417. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $1,013 - $2,983, though you'll be handling the driving and loading yourself. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with quotes starting around $3,095 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage included, and 24/7 live customer support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Amkor Technology, Inc. and Benchmark Electronics.
FAQs: Moving from Lexington, KY, to Tempe, AZ
What do local movers charge in Lexington?
Local movers based in Lexington typically start around $197 as a base rate, plus $70/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 Tempe 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 Tempe?
For families, Alta Mira, Dava-Lakeshore, and Meyer Park are worth a look in Tempe. If you're moving solo or without kids, Cyprus Southwest, Daley Park, and Kyrene-Superstition tend to be popular picks instead.
How walkable is Tempe?
Tempe has a walkability score of 54 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 75, compared to 90 and 85 in Lexington. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
Is Tempe a safe place to live?
Tempe has a safety index of 57.64 out of 100 and a crime index of 42.36, compared to 49.12 and 50.88 in Lexington. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What percentage of Lexington movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 42% of movers in Lexington handle piano moves, and 27% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.