($842+) Missoula, MT to Phoenix, AZ Movers

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Moving from Missoula, MT, to Phoenix, AZ, runs anywhere from $793 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $11,065 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,242 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 $2,713, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $11,065 or more.
  • Moving containers run $1,375 - $4,488, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $793 - $2,287.
  • Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Missoula, MT, to Phoenix, AZ. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,353 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.

Compare moving options from Missoula, MT to Phoenix, AZ

Moving options from Missoula to Phoenix fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $3,353 - $7,914 on this route, with movers handling 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 1,242-mile route typically takes 2 to 8 days door to door.

Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,242-mile route from Missoula to Phoenix, broken down by home size:

Home size Full-service movers Moving container Rental truck Freight trailer
Studio / 1 bedroom $2,713 - $5,980 $1,375 - $2,528 $793 - $1,562 $1,141 - $2,120
2 - 3 bedrooms $3,353 - $7,914 $1,736 - $3,523 $867 - $1,893 $1,416 - $2,845
4+ bedrooms $5,945 - $11,065 $2,283 - $4,488 $1,146 - $2,287 $1,772 - $3,518

Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.

Professional
Safeway Moving
star star star star star 4.9 / 5
Read our full Safeway review
Best overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran-owned
Container
Unlimited storage
3 container sizes
10% discount
Rental Truck
Budget Truck Rental
star star star star star 4.3 / 5
Read our full Budget review
Affordable pricing
Online estimates
Several discounts
Freight
MovingYourself
star star star star star 4.5 / 5
Read our full MovingYourself review
Fast delivery
Nationwide
100+ miles moves

Full-service moving costs from Missoula, MT to Phoenix, AZ

Full-service movers for the 1,242-mile relocation from Missoula, Montana, to Phoenix, Arizona, cost between $2,713 and $11,065. 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 $339 - $2,260, 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 Missoula typically charge a base rate around $342 plus $150 per hour, per mover.

Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Missoula to Phoenix:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,713 - $5,980
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,353 - $7,914
  • 4+ bedrooms: $5,945 - $11,065

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 Missoula to Phoenix.

The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Montana to Arizona. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.

Pro tip: Moving company rates climb during peak moving season (May –-September) when demand peaks. Scheduling your move outside of that window can lead to noticeably lower costs and better availability.

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Specialty moving services from Missoula, MT to Phoenix, AZ

Specialty needs vary by market — 100% of Missoula movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Phoenix, 85% of movers offer the same service.

Service When you need it Typical cost
Full packingFull crew packing100% of local movers$565 - $5,650
Storage in transitNew place not ready100% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK$226 - $1,356/mo
Shuttle feeTruck can't reach door$339 - $2,712
Full-value protectionMore than $0.60/lb coverage33% of local movers$300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value)
Small movesUnder ~2,000 lbs33% of local movers$1,130 - $3,390
Office / commercialWorkplace relocation$2,825 - $11,300
Car shippingSecond vehicle$846 - $1,608
Antiques & fine artFragile, high-value items46% nationallyTop pick: $1,130 - $2,825
PianoAny piano type100% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK$904 - $3,955
Pool tableDisassembly & re-leveling67% of local movers$339 - $1,695
Hot tubHeavy, needs disconnect22% nationallyTop pick: $735 - $2,260
Wine collectionClimate-controlled transport$339 - $16,950+
Pet relocationGround, air, or concierge$339 - $3,955+

What are the best full-service movers from Missoula to Phoenix?

All three below meet the standards set by the Arizona Moving Association, the group most Arizona movers are affiliated with.

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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 full-service movers are almost always better priced than local movers in Missoula, MT. 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 Missoula, MT to Phoenix, AZ

Moving containers from Missoula, Montana, to Phoenix, Arizona, cost between $1,375 and $4,488. 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 Missoula costs roughly $100/month if you need it.

Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Missoula to Phoenix:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,375 - $2,528
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,736 - $3,523
  • 4+ bedrooms: $2,283 - $4,488

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 $791 in Missoula, MT. 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 $85 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $170 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 Phoenix, AZ, destination before booking.

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 $1,375. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,736 - $3,523, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.

What are the best moving containers Missoula to Phoenix?

  1. Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
  2. U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
  3. 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 Missoula 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 Missoula:

  • TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.5/5), 9 years in business
  • All Lanes Moving & Storage (5.0/5), 26 years in business

Moving truck rental costs from Missoula, MT to Phoenix, AZ

A rental truck for this 1,242-mile move from Missoula, Montana, to Phoenix, Arizona, costs between $793 and $2,287. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:

  • Fuel for the drive: $447 - $510
  • Daily insurance: $34/day
  • Equipment rentals: $8 - $23
  • Missoula daily rental rate: $19 - $39
  • Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.99 - $1.09
Home sizeTypical truck size
Studio / 1 bedroom10 - 12 ft
2 - 3 bedrooms15 - 17 ft
4+ bedrooms20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel)

These are typical moving truck rental costs from Missoula to Phoenix based on home size:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $793 - $1,562
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $867 - $1,893
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,146 - $2,287

Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $793 - $2,287 does not include fuel ($447 - $510) , lodging ($170/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Missoula to Phoenix typically runs $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate alone.

What other costs come with rental trucks?

  • Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
  • Lodging: Budget around $170 per night if your drive requires an overnight stop. Typically, you'll make 1 - 3 overnight stops, depending on move distance.
  • Moving labor: Bringing in professional loading help in Missoula, Montana, usually costs about $791 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
  • Gas: Fuel for the 1,242-mile drive falls between $447 and $510, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
  • Equipment: Appliance dollies, moving pads, and vehicle trailers are easy to overlook but can add between $57 and $339 to your total.

What are the best moving truck rentals from Missoula to Phoenix?

  1. Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
  2. Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
  3. 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 Missoula, MT to Phoenix, AZ

Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Missoula, Montana, to Phoenix, Arizona, 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. Overall pricing for a move of this size and distance typically lands around $1,416 and $2,845.

Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Missoula to Phoenix:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,141 - $2,120
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,416 - $2,845
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,772 - $3,518

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?

  • Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In Missoula, Montana, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $791.
  • More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $85 - $170 per additional foot to your total.
  • Time of year: Rates tend to climb during peak moving season (mid-May through mid-September) when trailer demand is at its highest.

What are the best freight companies from Missoula to Phoenix?

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Jones Bros Trucking (4.58/5 stars): Jones Bros Trucking is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned and based facilities mean accessible support staff and area-specific scheduling flexibility that national-only freight carriers typically don't match.

Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Missoula 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: Missoula, MT vs Phoenix, AZ

There's not a big cost-of-living gap between Missoula and Phoenix to plan around. Cost of living index: 113 vs. 113. Average rent: $1,322/mo vs. $1,695/mo. The bigger factor in your budget is the one-time cost of the move itself, covered above. Walkability: 45 vs. 41. Safety index: 66.73 vs. 46.94.

Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Phoenix, AZ to Missoula, MT guide.

Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:

We've processed 1 real quotes from Montana to Arizona 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 11 movers in our Montana network to compare for this 1,242-mile move.

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Our take

For a move from Missoula, MT, to Phoenix, AZ, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $2,713 for a studio to $11,065 for a 4 - 5 bedroom home on the 1,242-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,375 - $4,488. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $793 - $2,287, 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 $3,353 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage included, and 24/7 live customer 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 Missoula, MT, to Phoenix, AZ

What is the cheapest way to move from Missoula, MT to Phoenix, AZ?

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 $867 - $1,893. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.

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 66.73 and 33.27 in Missoula. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.

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 3 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.

What is the best time of year to move from Missoula, MT to Phoenix, AZ?

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 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 percentage of Missoula movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?

About 100% of movers in Missoula handle piano moves, compared to 71% nationally.