($1,621+) Newark, NJ to San Diego, CA Movers
Moving from Newark, NJ, to San Diego, CA, runs anywhere from $1,557 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $12,425 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 2,749 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 $2,428, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $12,425 or more.
- Moving containers run $2,038 - $7,078, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,557 - $4,364.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Newark, NJ, to San Diego, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,681 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 Newark, NJ to San Diego, CA
Moving options from Newark to San Diego 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 $3,681 - $7,638 and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, while rental trucks land about 60% less, though both require you to load the truck or container yourself. This route spans 2,749 miles and typically takes 7 to 21 days.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 2,749-mile route from Newark to San Diego, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $2,428 - $5,501 | $2,038 - $3,654 | $1,557 - $3,233 | $1,745 - $3,392 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $3,681 - $7,638 | $2,566 - $5,571 | $1,721 - $3,776 | $2,115 - $4,500 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $7,066 - $12,425 | $3,645 - $7,078 | $2,154 - $4,364 | $2,859 - $6,194 |
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Newark, NJ to San Diego, CA
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 2,749-mile move from Newark, New Jersey, to San Diego, California, with costs ranging from $2,428 - $12,425. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $429 - $2,860. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Newark and San Diego. Local movers in Newark typically start around $260 as a base rate plus $120/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Newark to San Diego:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,428 - $5,501
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,681 - $7,638
- 4+ bedrooms: $7,066 - $12,425
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 Newark to San Diego.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from New Jersey to California. 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 Newark, NJ to San Diego, CA
Specialty needs vary by market — 94% of Newark 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 packing | Full crew packing98% of local movers | $715 - $7,150 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready94% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Roadway Moving | $286 - $1,716/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $429 - $3,432 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage53% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs38% of local movers | $1,430 - $4,290 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,575 - $14,300 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,071 - $2,035 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items70% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Oz Moving & Storage, Inc. | $1,430 - $3,575 |
| Piano | Any piano type87% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Roadway Moving | $1,144 - $5,005 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling42% of local movers | $429 - $2,145 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect31% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Oz Moving & Storage, Inc. | $930 - $2,860 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $429 - $21,450+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $429 - $5,005+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Newark to San Diego?
Look for California Moving & Storage Association membership as a baseline when comparing movers in California 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 full-service movers are the more cost-efficient choice. Local movers in Newark, NJ, often charge 30% - 40% more at that distance because their operations aren't built for long-haul logistics. The exception is if you want a dedicated point-to-point truck with an average 2-day delivery, though that level of service generally increases your total cost.
Moving container costs from Newark, NJ to San Diego, CA
Moving containers from Newark, New Jersey, to San Diego, California, cost between $2,038 and $7,078. You load everything on your own schedule (U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30). When you're ready, the company takes care of getting the container from point A to point B. Need more time than that? Extra storage in Newark typically runs around $130/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Newark to San Diego:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,038 - $3,654
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,566 - $5,571
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,645 - $7,078
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 Newark, NJ, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $1,001, 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 $107 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $215 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Newark, NJ, and San Diego, CA, 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 New Jersey 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 $2,038. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $2,566 - $5,571, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Newark to San Diego?
- 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 Newark 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 Newark:
- Roadway Moving (4.9/5), 18 years in business
- Oz Moving & Storage, Inc. (4.8/5), 33 years in business
- Ample Moving (4.8/5), 8 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Newark, NJ to San Diego, CA
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 2,749 miles from Newark, New Jersey, to San Diego, California, running $1,557 - $4,364. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $1,251 - $1,429
- Daily insurance: $43/day
- Equipment rentals: $10 - $29
- Newark daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.99 - $0.99
| 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 Newark to San Diego based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,557 - $3,233
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,721 - $3,776
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,154 - $4,364
Pro tip: A rental truck from Newark to San Diego looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $1,557 - $4,364. But once you factor in fuel ($1,251 - $1,429) , overnight lodging ($215/night), meals, and equipment rentals, most people end up spending $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate suggests. Building that into your budget upfront saves you from sticker shock at the end of the move.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Equipment: Tow dollies, appliance dollies, and moving pads are not included in the base rate. These extras often total between $107 and $501.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $215.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $1,251 and $1,429 for the 2,749-mile drive, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: If you'd rather not do all the heavy lifting, budget around $1,001 for 2 movers in Newark, New Jersey, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Newark to San Diego?
- 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 Newark, NJ to San Diego, CA
If you're moving a larger household from Newark, New Jersey, and want to stay in control of the loading process, freight trailers offer a practical middle ground between hiring movers and renting a truck yourself. A 28-foot trailer is delivered to your door, you load what you need, and the carrier handles the drive to San Diego, California.
Freight trailers are priced by the linear feet your belongings take up, so you only pay for the space you use. Most moves on this route fall between $2,115 and $4,500.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Newark to San Diego:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,745 - $3,392
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,115 - $4,500
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,859 - $6,194
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?
- Demand cycles: Trailer costs climb during peak moving season, especially from mid-May through mid-September when demand is at its highest.
- More space: You're billed only for the linear feet you use, but underestimating your inventory means paying for extra space, typically around $107 - $215 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Newark, New Jersey, for about five hours typically runs $1,001.
What are the best freight companies from Newark to San Diego?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the best for large moves pick. While it's a top moving container option for the DIY hybrid setup (you handle the loading, they handle the driving), the same approach makes it a strong freight choice for 3 to 5+ bedroom homes that need 53 feet of trailer capacity with pay-as-you-go pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer here. In addition to their popular container service, U-Pack delivers a top-tier freight trailer option that uses the same pay-by-the-foot pricing model and skips deposits and upfront fees entirely.
- Freehold Cartage, Inc. (4.84/5 stars): Freehold Cartage, Inc. is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Local ownership translates to accessible support staff and facilities based in the communities they serve, giving customers more direct communication than they'd typically get from a national-only freight network.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are one of the fastest ways to move your belongings interstate, often beating full-service movers on delivery time. If getting your stuff to San Diego quickly is a priority, freight is worth a hard look. That said, freight carriers typically require you to be available to receive your shipment within a set window, so if you need short-term storage or your new place won't be ready right away, a container or full-service mover may give you more flexibility.
Cost of living: Newark, NJ 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 Newark on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Newark, NJ | San Diego, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 135 | 155 |
| Average rent | $2,300/mo | $2,881/mo |
| Median home value | $335,418 | $847,715 |
| Average income | $48,416/yr | $104,321/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 13.0% | 6.6% |
| State income tax | Up to 10.7% | Up to 13.3% |
| Walkability score | 76/100 | 53/100 |
| Safety index | 24.76/100 | 60.17/100 |
| Air quality | Good | Moderate |
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 Newark, NJ guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from New Jersey to California, so we know current pricing better than most. Checking our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates. New Jersey alone has 89 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 2,749-mile move like this one.
Our take
For a move from Newark, NJ, to San Diego, CA, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $2,428 for a studio to $12,425 for a 4 - 5 bedroom home on the 2,749-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $2,038 - $7,078. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $1,557 - $4,364, 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 $3,681 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 Newark, NJ, to San Diego, CA
How much does it cost to move from Newark, NJ to San Diego, CA?
Costs on this route range from around $2,428 to $12,425, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,428 and $12,425, 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.
How walkable is San Diego?
San Diego has a walkability score of 53 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 43, compared to 76 and 51 in Newark. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($1,251 - $1,429), daily insurance ($43/day), and equipment rentals ($10 - $29) on top. Overnight stops can add another $215/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
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 is the best time of year to move from Newark, NJ to San Diego, CA?
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.
What percentage of Newark movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 87% of movers in Newark handle piano moves, and 70% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
