($1,697+) Manchester, NH to San Diego, CA Movers

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Background image of a moving truck moving from Manchester, NH to San Diego, CA

Moving from Manchester, NH, to San Diego, CA, runs anywhere from $1,732 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $15,792 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 3,034 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 7 to 21 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 $3,299, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $15,792 or more.
  • Moving containers run $2,207 - $8,130, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,732 - $4,668.
  • Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Manchester, NH, to San Diego, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $4,822 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.

Compare moving options from Manchester, NH to San Diego, CA

There are 3 main ways to move from Manchester to San Diego: 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 $4,822 - $9,886. Moving containers run about 30% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 60% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 7 to 21 days for this 3,034-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 3,034-mile route from Manchester to San Diego, broken down by home size:

Home size makes the biggest difference in what you'll pay on this route. A studio or 1-bedroom runs $3,299 - $8,117 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($2,207 - $4,061), rental truck ($1,732 - $3,462), or freight trailer ($1,891 - $3,506). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $4,822 - $9,886 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $15,792.

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 Manchester, NH to San Diego, CA

For the 3,034-mile move from Manchester, New Hampshire, to San Diego, California, full-service movers cost between $3,299 and $15,792. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $386 - $2,572 (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 Manchester generally start around $682 plus $210 per hour, per mover.

Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Manchester to San Diego:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $3,299 - $8,117
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $4,822 - $9,886
  • 4+ bedrooms: $9,838 - $15,792

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 Manchester to San Diego.

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

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 Manchester, NH to San Diego, CA

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

Service When you need it Typical cost
Full packingFull crew packing97% of local movers$643 - $6,430
Storage in transitNew place not ready100% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Trend Moving & Storage$257 - $1,543/mo
Shuttle feeTruck can't reach door$386 - $3,086
Full-value protectionMore than $0.60/lb coverage40% of local movers$300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value)
Small movesUnder ~2,000 lbs53% of local movers$1,286 - $3,858
Office / commercialWorkplace relocation$3,215 - $12,860
Car shippingSecond vehicle$963 - $1,830
Antiques & fine artFragile, high-value items43% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Trend Moving & Storage$1,286 - $3,215
PianoAny piano type87% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Trend Moving & Storage$1,029 - $4,501
Pool tableDisassembly & re-leveling30% of local movers$386 - $1,929
Hot tubHeavy, needs disconnect17% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: College Bound Movers$836 - $2,572
Wine collectionClimate-controlled transport$386 - $19,290+
Pet relocationGround, air, or concierge$386 - $4,501+

What are the best full-service movers from Manchester to San Diego?

Movers licensed to operate in California are typically members of the California Moving & Storage Association, worth checking for before you book any of the three below.

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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 Manchester, NH. 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 Manchester, NH to San Diego, CA

Moving containers from Manchester, New Hampshire, to San Diego, California, cost between $2,207 and $8,130. 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 Manchester typically costs about $100/month.

Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Manchester to San Diego:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,207 - $4,061
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,754 - $5,485
  • 4+ bedrooms: $3,730 - $8,130

What other costs come with moving containers?

  • Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $96 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $193 per month.
  • Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in San Diego, CA, if you need to retrieve anything while items are still in storage.
  • Moving labor: Since you're responsible for loading the container yourself, many customers bring in hourly help. Based on moveBuddha data, hiring 2 movers for approximately 5 hours costs about $900 in Manchester, NH. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
  • Added contents protection: Full-value protection goes beyond the standard minimum and covers repair, replacement, or reimbursement at declared value. Pricing is typically 1% - 2% of your total shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 move.

Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a New Hampshire 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 $2,207. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $2,754 - $5,485, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.

What are the best moving containers Manchester to San Diego?

  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 Manchester 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 Manchester:

  • Trend Moving & Storage (4.9/5), 8 years in business
  • College Bound Movers (4.7/5), 34 years in business
  • Liberty Bell Moving & Storage, Inc (4.5/5), 17 years in business

Moving truck rental costs from Manchester, NH to San Diego, CA

Truck rentals from Manchester, New Hampshire, to San Diego, California, range from $1,732 - $4,668 for the 3,034-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:

  • Fuel for the drive: $1,241 - $1,419
  • Daily insurance: $39/day
  • Equipment rentals: $9 - $26
  • Manchester daily rental rate: $19 - $39
  • Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.89
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 Manchester to San Diego based on home size:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,732 - $3,462
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,950 - $4,201
  • 4+ bedrooms: $2,443 - $4,668

Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $1,732 - $4,668 when pricing out a rental truck from Manchester to San Diego. Fuel alone runs ($1,241 - $1,419) , and overnight lodging ($193/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend an additional $600 - $1,200 beyond the base rate by the time the move is done.

What other costs come with rental trucks?

  • Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Manchester, New Hampshire, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $900.
  • Gas: Fuel costs total $1,241 - $1,419 for the 3,034-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 $418, depending on what you need.
  • Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
  • Lodging: Budget around $193 per night for hotel stops on the 3,034-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $386 - $579.

What are the best moving truck rentals from Manchester to San Diego?

  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 Manchester, NH to San Diego, CA

For larger DIY moves from Manchester, New Hampshire, 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 San Diego, California.

Because freight companies bill by linear footage, your total is based on how much of the trailer you occupy, not the full length. For most medium-to-large moves on this route, pricing typically falls between $2,204 and $4,618.

Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Manchester to San Diego:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,891 - $3,506
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,204 - $4,618
  • 4+ bedrooms: $3,197 - $5,999

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 Manchester, New Hampshire, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $900.
  • More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $96 and $193 per foot.

What are the best freight companies from Manchester to San Diego?

  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. Brian Forst Transport (4.7/5 stars): Brian Forst Transport 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 are a great option when you need your belongings in San Diego fast. For interstate moves, freight is one of the quickest delivery methods out there. Just keep in mind that freight carriers expect you to be available to receive your shipment, so it works best when your move-in is locked in and you don't need temporary storage on either end.

Cost of living: Manchester, NH 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 Manchester on housing, income, and taxes.

Measure Manchester, NH San Diego, CA
Cost of living index111155
Average rent$2,004/mo$2,881/mo
Median home value$335,093$847,715
Average income$77,415/yr$104,321/yr
Unemployment rate3.8%6.6%
State income taxUp to 4.0%Up to 13.3%
Walkability score51/10053/100
Safety index43.91/10060.17/100
Air qualityGoodModerate

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 Manchester, NH guide.

Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:

In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from New Hampshire to California, 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 22 movers in New Hampshire, so you have real options to compare for this 3,034-mile move.

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Our take

For a move from Manchester, NH, to San Diego, CA, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $3,299 for a studio to $15,792 for a 4 - 5 bedroom home on the 3,034-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $2,207 - $8,130. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $1,732 - $4,668, 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 $4,822 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 United States Navy and University of California, San Diego.

FAQs: Moving from Manchester, NH, to San Diego, CA

How much does it cost to move from Manchester, NH to San Diego, CA?

Costs on this route range from around $3,299 to $15,792, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $3,299 and $15,792, while DIY options like rental trucks and containers come in lower. Moving during peak season (May - September) tends to push prices higher across the board.

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 do local movers charge in Manchester?

Local movers based in Manchester typically start around $682 as a base rate, plus $210/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 San Diego run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.

How do I know a mover is licensed in California?

When contacting a local moving company for an estimate in California, make sure each has a “T Number” issued by the California Public Utilities Commission (CAPUC). Moving companies with valid T Numbers have met state requirements for insurance, safety, and financial stability and have passed criminal clearance checks conducted by the California Department of Justice.

What are the best neighborhoods in San Diego?

For families, Carmel Valley, Del Mar Heights, and Loma Portal are worth a look in San Diego. If you're moving solo or without kids, Gaslamp Quarter, Hillcrest, and North Park tend to be popular picks instead.

What percentage of Manchester movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?

About 87% of movers in Manchester handle piano moves, and 43% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.