($959+) St. Paul, MN to Phoenix, AZ Movers
Moving from St. Paul, MN, to Phoenix, AZ, runs anywhere from $959 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $10,235 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,647 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 4 to 15 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 $2,398, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $10,235 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,487 - $4,741, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $959 - $2,628.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from St. Paul, MN, to Phoenix, AZ. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,279 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 St. Paul, MN to Phoenix, AZ
There are 3 main ways to move from St. Paul to Phoenix: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service handles labor and transportation for you, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route costing $3,279 - $7,219. Moving containers run about 44% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 67% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 4 to 15 days for this 1,647-mile route, depending on which option you go with.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,647-mile route from St. Paul to Phoenix, broken down by home size:
- Full-service movers: $2,398 for a studio up to $10,235 for a 4+ bedroom home.
- Moving containers: $1,487 - $4,741 depending on home size.
- Rental trucks: $959 - $2,628, the lowest-cost option across the board.
- Freight trailers: $1,211 - $4,072, 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 November 2, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from St. Paul, MN to Phoenix, AZ
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 1,647-mile move from St. Paul, Minnesota, to Phoenix, Arizona, with costs ranging from $2,398 - $10,235. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $319 - $2,128. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between St. Paul and Phoenix. Local movers in St. Paul typically start around $243 as a base rate plus $100/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from St. Paul to Phoenix:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,398 - $5,222
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,279 - $7,219
- 4+ bedrooms: $5,794 - $10,235
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 St. Paul to Phoenix.
Pro tip: Demand for full-service movers surges during peak moving season from May - September, pushing prices higher. Shifting your move to a cooler month could save you a meaningful amount on your total bill.
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Specialty moving services from St. Paul, MN to Phoenix, AZ
Specialty needs vary by market: 69% of St. Paul movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Phoenix, 66% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing82% of local movers | $532 - $5,320 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready69% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Matt's Moving Company | $213 - $1,277/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $319 - $2,554 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage12% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs60% of local movers | $1,064 - $3,192 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,660 - $10,640 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $797 - $1,514 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items26% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Matt's Moving Company | $1,064 - $2,660 |
| Piano | Any piano type49% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Matt's Moving Company | $851 - $3,724 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling4% of local movers | $319 - $1,596 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect10% of local movers9% nationally | $692 - $2,128 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $319 - $15,960+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $319 - $3,724+ |
What are the best full-service movers from St. Paul to Phoenix?
Look for Arizona Moving Association membership as a baseline when comparing movers in Arizona 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 carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in St. Paul, MN. 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 St. Paul, MN to Phoenix, AZ
Moving containers from St. Paul, Minnesota, to Phoenix, Arizona, cost between $1,487 and $4,741. 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 St. Paul costs roughly $70/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from St. Paul to Phoenix:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,487 - $2,692
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,829 - $3,727
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,519 - $4,741
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Access: Most major container brands operate in both St. Paul, MN and Phoenix, AZ. 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 $745 in St. Paul, MN, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $80 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $160 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 Minnesota 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 $1,487. 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 $1,829 - $3,727.
What are the best moving containers St. Paul to Phoenix?
- 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 St. Paul 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 St. Paul:
- Premium Moving Services (4.5/5), 9 years in business
- College Muscle Movers, LLC (4.5/5), 19 years in business
- Good Stuff Moving (4.8/5), 27 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from St. Paul, MN to Phoenix, AZ
Truck rentals from St. Paul, Minnesota, to Phoenix, Arizona, range from $959 - $2,628 for the 1,647-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $558 - $637
- Daily insurance: $32/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $21
- St. Paul 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 St. Paul to Phoenix based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $959 - $1,825
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,070 - $2,194
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,335 - $2,628
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from St. Paul to Phoenix starts at $959 - $2,628, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($558 - $637), overnight lodging ($160/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for roughly $600 - $1,200 more on top of fuel and lodging to cover meals, equipment, and other extras.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $160 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 $69 and $346 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $558 - $637 in fuel for the 1,647-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $745 in St. Paul, Minnesota, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from St. Paul to Phoenix?
- 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 St. Paul, MN to Phoenix, AZ
For larger DIY moves from St. Paul, Minnesota, freight trailers give you plenty of room without putting you behind the wheel. Standard trailers are 28 feet long. You load the section you need, and the carrier transports everything to Phoenix, Arizona.
Because freight companies bill by linear footage, your total is based on how much of the trailer you occupy, not the full length. For a 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route, pricing typically falls between $1,536 and $2,862.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from St. Paul to Phoenix:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,211 - $2,351
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,536 - $2,862
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,075 - $4,072
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?
- 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 St. Paul, Minnesota, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $745.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $80 and $160 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from St. Paul to Phoenix?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Best known as a top moving container option thanks to its DIY hybrid model (you load, they drive), MovingYourself also doubles as a strong freight choice with their 53-foot trucks and pay-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. In addition to their well-known container service, U-Pack offers freight trailers that follow the same pay-by-the-foot model with no deposits or upfront fees, making them one of the most flexible freight options for budget-conscious moves.
Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from St. Paul to Phoenix. 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: St. Paul, MN vs Phoenix, AZ
Good news for your budget: Phoenix isn't meaningfully more or less expensive to live in than St. Paul. Cost of living index runs 113 there against 102 here. Focus your planning on the move itself rather than a change in monthly expenses. For reference, walkability and safety scores are 60/100 and 49.14/100 here versus 41/100 and 46.94/100 there.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Phoenix, AZ to St. Paul, MN guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Minnesota to Arizona 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 151 movers based in Minnesota, handy for sizing up options on this 1,647-mile route.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from St. Paul, MN, to Phoenix, AZ, comes down to your budget and how much time and work you're able to put into it. Hands-off relocations handled by full-service movers range from $2,398 - $10,235 on the 1,647-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,487 - $4,741 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $959 - $2,628 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $3,279 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and 24/7 live support.
Beyond the move itself, people who've relocated to Phoenix tend to point to beautiful nature and bountiful arts and recreational activities, though extreme weather and tourists come up as common complaints. Major employers in the area include the State of Arizona and Walmart, Inc..
FAQs: Moving from St. Paul, MN, to Phoenix, AZ
Is Phoenix a safe place to live?
Phoenix has a safety index of 46.94 out of 100 and a crime index of 53.06, compared to 49.14 and 50.86 in St. Paul. 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 Phoenix?
Phoenix has a walkability score of 41 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 56, compared to 60 and 64 in St. Paul. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
What are the best neighborhoods in Phoenix?
For families, Arcadia/Biltmore, Ahwatukee, and Coronado are worth a look in Phoenix. If you're moving solo or without kids, Camelback East, Encanto, and Estrella Village tend to be popular picks instead.
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 do local movers charge in St. Paul?
Local movers based in St. Paul typically start around $243 as a base rate, plus $100/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 Phoenix run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
What percentage of St. Paul movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 49% of movers in St. Paul handle piano moves, and 26% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.