($792+) Missoula, MT to Tempe, AZ Movers
Moving from Missoula, MT, to Tempe, AZ, runs anywhere from $792 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $10,326 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,251 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 3 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 $2,414, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $10,326 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,231 - $4,364, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $792 - $2,215.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Missoula, MT, to Tempe, AZ. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,188 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 Missoula, MT to Tempe, AZ
Moving options from Missoula to Tempe fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $3,188 - $7,652 on this route, with movers handling all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 48% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 73% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This 1,251-mile route typically takes 3 to 8 days door to door.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,251-mile route from Missoula to Tempe, broken down by home size:
- Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $2,414 - $5,827, container $1,231 - $2,266, rental truck $792 - $1,453, freight trailer $1,097 - $2,081.
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $3,188 - $7,652, container $1,669 - $3,224, rental truck $864 - $1,763, freight trailer $1,347 - $2,632.
- 4+ bedrooms: full-service $5,403 - $10,326, container $2,108 - $4,364, rental truck $1,045 - $2,215, freight trailer $1,774 - $3,525.
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 Missoula, MT to Tempe, AZ
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 1,251-mile move from Missoula, Montana, to Tempe, Arizona, with prices running from $2,414 - $10,326. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $339 - $2,260 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between Missoula and Tempe are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, Missoula movers tend to run around $342 as a base rate plus $150/hour per mover, for comparison.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Missoula to Tempe:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,414 - $5,827
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,188 - $7,652
- 4+ bedrooms: $5,403 - $10,326
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 Tempe.
Pro tip: The summer months (May - September) are the busiest time of year for movers during peak moving season, which drives up prices and limits scheduling options. If you can move in the fall or winter, you'll likely find better rates and more flexibility.
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Specialty moving services from Missoula, MT to Tempe, AZ
Specialty needs vary by market: 50% of Missoula 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 packing75% of local movers | $565 - $5,650 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready50% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $226 - $1,356/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $339 - $2,712 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs50% of local movers | $1,130 - $3,390 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,825 - $11,300 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $846 - $1,608 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items25% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Moving On Up LLC | $1,130 - $2,825 |
| Piano | Any piano type25% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Moving On Up LLC | $904 - $3,955 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling25% of local movers | $339 - $1,695 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect25% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Moving On Up LLC | $735 - $2,260 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $339 - $16,950+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $339 - $3,955+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Missoula 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 movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in Missoula, MT. 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 Missoula, MT to Tempe, AZ
Moving containers from Missoula, Montana, to Tempe, Arizona, cost between $1,231 and $4,364. The container gets dropped at your door and you load it at your own pace. U-Haul gives you 3 days to load and PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're done, the company handles all the transportation. If you need extra time, storage in Missoula runs about $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Missoula to Tempe:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,231 - $2,266
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,669 - $3,224
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,108 - $4,364
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 Tempe, 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 $1,231. 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 $1,669 - $3,224.
What are the best moving containers Missoula 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 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:
Moving truck rental costs from Missoula, MT to Tempe, AZ
Truck rentals from Missoula, Montana, to Tempe, Arizona, range from $792 - $2,215 for the 1,251-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $450 - $514
- 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 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 Missoula to Tempe based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $792 - $1,453
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $864 - $1,763
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,045 - $2,215
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $792 - $2,215 when pricing out a rental truck from Missoula to Tempe. Fuel alone runs $450 - $514, and overnight lodging ($170/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend roughly $600 - $1,200 more on meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging by the time the move is done.
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 1,251-mile drive falls between $450 and $514, 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 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 Missoula, MT to Tempe, AZ
For larger DIY moves from Missoula, Montana, 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 Tempe, 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 $1,347 and $2,632.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Missoula to Tempe:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,097 - $2,081
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,347 - $2,632
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,774 - $3,525
Pro tip: Freight trailers come with a 4-foot loading ramp, which can be a challenge with bulky furniture. With 8 feet of vertical space available, stacking efficiently often requires a ladder and a plan. Since you're billed per linear foot, packing tight can make a real difference in your final cost.
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 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: If speed matters on your move from Missoula to Tempe, 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: Missoula, MT vs Tempe, AZ
There's not a big cost-of-living gap between Missoula and Tempe to plan around. Cost of living index: 113 vs. 113. Average rent: $1,322/mo vs. $1,834/mo. The bigger factor in your budget is the one-time cost of the move itself, covered above. Walkability: 45 vs. 54. Safety index: 66.73 vs. 57.64.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Tempe, AZ to Missoula, MT guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 1 real quote 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 25 movers in our Montana network to compare for this 1,251-mile move.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from Missoula, MT, to Tempe, 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 $2,414 - $10,326 on the 1,251-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,231 - $4,364 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $792 - $2,215 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $3,188 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and 24/7 live support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Amkor Technology, Inc. and Benchmark Electronics.
FAQs: Moving from Missoula, MT, to Tempe, AZ
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 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.
How walkable is Tempe?
Tempe has a walkability score of 54 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 75, compared to 45 and 60 in Missoula. 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 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 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 Missoula?
Local movers based in Missoula typically start around $342 as a base rate, plus $150/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.
What percentage of Missoula movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 25% of movers in Missoula handle piano moves, and 25% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.