($729+) McAllen, TX to Tempe, AZ Movers

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Moving from McAllen, TX, to Tempe, AZ, runs anywhere from $729 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,875 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,217 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 $2,064, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $8,875 or more.
  • Moving containers run $1,272 - $4,316, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $729 - $2,121.
  • Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from McAllen, TX, to Tempe, AZ. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,639 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.

Compare moving options from McAllen, TX to Tempe, AZ

Moving options from McAllen to Tempe fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $2,639 - $6,061 for a 2-3 bedroom home and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers cost about 42% less than full-service for the same size, and rental trucks land around 68% less, with both DIY options requiring you to load yourself. Covering 1,217 miles, this route usually takes 2 to 8 days from pickup to delivery.

Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,217-mile route from McAllen to Tempe, broken down by home size:

Home size Full-service movers Moving container Rental truck Freight trailer
Studio / 1 bedroom $2,064 - $5,075 $1,272 - $2,315 $729 - $1,477 $1,123 - $2,105
2 - 3 bedrooms $2,639 - $6,061 $1,528 - $3,035 $838 - $1,654 $1,236 - $2,683
4+ bedrooms $4,392 - $8,875 $2,069 - $4,316 $1,073 - $2,121 $1,707 - $3,249

Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated November 2, 2026.

Professional moving
Professional
Safeway Moving
star star star star star 4.9 / 5
Read our full Safeway review
Best overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran-owned
Moving container
Container
Unlimited storage
3 container sizes
10% discount
Rental truck
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 trailer
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 McAllen, TX to Tempe, AZ

For the 1,217-mile move from McAllen, Texas, to Tempe, Arizona, full-service movers cost between $2,064 and $8,875. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $272 - $1,816 (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 McAllen generally start around $160 plus $80 per hour, per mover.

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

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,064 - $5,075
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,639 - $6,061
  • 4+ bedrooms: $4,392 - $8,875

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 McAllen to Tempe.

Pro tip: Peak moving season (May - September) limits truck availability and pushes up full-service moving costs. Booking during slower months can give you more scheduling room and a lower final price.

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Specialty moving services from McAllen, TX to Tempe, AZ

Specialty needs vary by market: 63% of McAllen 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 packingFull crew packing50% of local movers$454 - $4,540
Storage in transitNew place not ready63% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: PODS Moving & Storage$182 - $1,090/mo
Shuttle feeTruck can't reach door$272 - $2,179
Full-value protectionMore than $0.60/lb coverage$300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value)
Small movesUnder ~2,000 lbs13% of local movers$908 - $2,724
Office / commercialWorkplace relocation$2,270 - $9,080
Car shippingSecond vehicle$680 - $1,292
Antiques & fine artFragile, high-value items13% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Rick's Moving & Storage LLC$908 - $2,270
PianoAny piano type38% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Rick's Moving & Storage LLC$726 - $3,178
Pool tableDisassembly & re-leveling13% of local movers$272 - $1,362
Hot tubHeavy, needs disconnect9% nationallyTop pick: InNout Movers (TX)$590 - $1,816
Wine collectionClimate-controlled transport$272 - $13,620+
Pet relocationGround, air, or concierge$272 - $3,178+

What are the best full-service movers from McAllen to Tempe?

Look for Arizona Moving Association membership as a baseline when comparing movers in Arizona beyond this list.

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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 McAllen, TX, 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 McAllen, TX to Tempe, AZ

Moving containers from McAllen, Texas, to Tempe, Arizona, cost between $1,272 and $4,316. 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 McAllen runs about $55/month.

Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from McAllen to Tempe:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,272 - $2,315
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,528 - $3,035
  • 4+ bedrooms: $2,069 - $4,316

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 McAllen, TX, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $636, 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 $68 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $136 per month.
  • Access: Most major container companies serve both McAllen, TX, and Tempe, AZ, 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 Texas 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 $1,272. 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 $1,528 - $3,035.

What are the best moving containers McAllen to Tempe?

  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 McAllen 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 McAllen:

  • PODS Moving & Storage (3.7/5), 27 years in business

Moving truck rental costs from McAllen, TX to Tempe, AZ

A rental truck for this 1,217-mile move from McAllen, Texas, to Tempe, Arizona, costs between $729 and $2,121. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:

  • Fuel for the drive: $352 - $402
  • Daily insurance: $27/day
  • Equipment rentals: $6 - $18
  • McAllen daily rental rate: $19 - $39
  • Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.69
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 McAllen to Tempe based on home size:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $729 - $1,477
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $838 - $1,654
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,073 - $2,121

Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $729 - $2,121 does not include fuel ($352 - $402), lodging ($136/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from McAllen to Tempe typically runs more than the base rate alone, with meals, equipment, and other extras adding roughly $600 - $1,200 on top of fuel and lodging.

What other costs come with rental trucks?

  • Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
  • Lodging: Budget around $136 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 McAllen, Texas, usually costs about $636 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
  • Gas: Fuel for the 1,217-mile drive falls between $352 and $402, 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 $45 and $272 to your total.

What are the best moving truck rentals from McAllen to Tempe?

  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 McAllen, TX to Tempe, AZ

Freight trailers are a good fit for medium-to-large moves where you need more space than a container but don't want to drive a rental truck from McAllen, Texas, to Tempe, Arizona. The trailer is delivered to your address, you load it, and the carrier takes it the rest of the way.

Unlike truck rentals with flat rates, freight trailers scale with your shipment. Every additional section of trailer space you fill increases your total. A 2 - 3 bedroom long-distance move using this method runs roughly between $1,236 and $2,683.

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

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,123 - $2,105
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,236 - $2,683
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,707 - $3,249

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?

  • More space: Freight trailers are billed by the section you fill. If you misjudge your shipment size, each extra foot of trailer space adds around $68 - $136 to your final bill.
  • Peak season pricing: Expect higher rates during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) when trailer availability tightens across the country.
  • Moving labor: Loading is on you unless you hire outside help. A half-day crew of two movers in McAllen, Texas, typically costs $636.

What are the best freight companies from McAllen to Tempe?

  1. 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.
  2. 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.

Pro tip: One of the biggest advantages of freight trailers is speed. For an interstate move, freight delivery is one of the fastest options you have short of driving a rental truck yourself. It's a smart choice when your timeline is firm and you'll be ready to receive your shipment. If there's any chance your new place won't be ready or you need a few weeks of storage, a moving container with built-in storage may serve you better.

Cost of living: McAllen, TX vs Tempe, AZ

The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Tempe, side by side with McAllen on housing, income, and taxes.

Measure McAllen, TX Tempe, AZ
Cost of living index76113
Average rent$1,350/mo$1,834/mo
Median home value$173,919$421,086
Average income$60,165/yr$77,643/yr
Unemployment rate7.9%5.4%
State income taxNoneUp to 2.5%
Walkability score41/10054/100
Safety index63.74/10057.64/100
Air qualityModerateGood

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 Tempe, AZ to McAllen, TX guide.

Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:

In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from Texas to Arizona, so our pricing data stays current. Use our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and spot bad actors early. We track 843 movers licensed in Texas, useful context for sizing up this 1,217-mile move.

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Our take

The 1,217-mile move from McAllen, TX, to Tempe, AZ, costs between $2,064 and $8,875 with full-service movers, $1,272 - $4,316 with a moving container, and $729 - $2,121 for a rental truck. Your budget and how much heavy lifting you want to do are the two biggest factors in choosing the right option. If you go with full-service movers, Safeway Moving is our top recommendation, with transparent flat-rate pricing starting around $2,639 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage, and 24/7 customer support.

Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Amkor Technology, Inc. and Benchmark Electronics.

FAQs: Moving from McAllen, TX, to Tempe, AZ

What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?

The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($352 - $402), daily insurance ($27/day), and equipment rentals ($6 - $18) on top. Overnight stops can add another $136/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.

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 is the best time of year to move from McAllen, TX to Tempe, 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.

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

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 63.74 and 36.26 in McAllen. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.

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

About 38% of movers in McAllen handle piano moves, and 13% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.