($832+) Dallas, TX to San Diego, CA Movers

Easily compare and book your next move with moveBuddha
Background image of a moving truck moving from Dallas, TX to San Diego, CA

Moving from Dallas, TX, to San Diego, CA, runs anywhere from $902 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $9,920 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,358 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 $2,244, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $9,920 or more.
  • Moving containers run $1,350 - $4,961, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $902 - $2,357.
  • Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Dallas, TX, to San Diego, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,994 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.

Compare moving options from Dallas, TX to San Diego, CA

There are 3 main ways to move from Dallas 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 $2,994 - $6,904. 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 3 to 8 days for this 1,358-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 1,358-mile route from Dallas to San Diego, broken down by home size:

  • Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $2,244 - $5,456, container $1,350 - $2,621, rental truck $902 - $1,690, freight trailer $1,203 - $2,314.
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $2,994 - $6,904, container $1,812 - $3,659, rental truck $918 - $2,010, freight trailer $1,492 - $2,811.
  • 4+ bedrooms: full-service $5,101 - $9,920, container $2,291 - $4,961, rental truck $1,203 - $2,357, freight trailer $2,007 - $3,778.

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 Dallas, TX to San Diego, CA

For the 1,358-mile move from Dallas, Texas, to San Diego, California, full-service movers cost between $2,244 and $9,920. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $366 - $2,440 (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 Dallas generally start around $179 plus $60 per hour, per mover.

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

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,244 - $5,456
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,994 - $6,904
  • 4+ bedrooms: $5,101 - $9,920

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 Dallas to San Diego.

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

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.

Don't see your company listed?

Reach customers actively searching for trusted movers in your area. Tell us about your company and services to get your business listed on moveBuddha.

Get Started

Specialty moving services from Dallas, TX to San Diego, CA

Specialty needs vary by market — 94% of Dallas 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 packing99% of local movers$610 - $6,100
Storage in transitNew place not ready94% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: AB Moving$244 - $1,464/mo
Shuttle feeTruck can't reach door$366 - $2,928
Full-value protectionMore than $0.60/lb coverage26% of local movers$300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value)
Small movesUnder ~2,000 lbs69% of local movers$1,220 - $3,660
Office / commercialWorkplace relocation$3,050 - $12,200
Car shippingSecond vehicle$914 - $1,736
Antiques & fine artFragile, high-value items50% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: AB Moving$1,220 - $3,050
PianoAny piano type64% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: AB Moving$976 - $4,270
Pool tableDisassembly & re-leveling36% of local movers$366 - $1,830
Hot tubHeavy, needs disconnect23% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: AB Moving$793 - $2,440
Wine collectionClimate-controlled transport$366 - $18,300+
Pet relocationGround, air, or concierge$366 - $4,270+

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

If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in California Moving & Storage Association is a good first thing to confirm.

  1. Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving offers the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing locks in your cost upfront, and 24/7 customer support is available throughout the move.
  2. American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. Operating since 1995, AVL staffs every move with full-time in-house crews trained on antiques, art, and other high-value items.
  3. Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. As one of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, real-time shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan.

Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national van lines are the smarter financial choice over local movers in Dallas, TX. Local companies can run 30% - 40% more at that range since they don't consolidate shipments the way interstate carriers do. If a direct, dedicated route with an average 2-day delivery appeals to you, a local mover could be worth it, but that convenience comes at a cost.

Moving container costs from Dallas, TX to San Diego, CA

Moving containers from Dallas, Texas, to San Diego, California, cost between $1,350 and $4,961. 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 Dallas costs roughly $80/month if you need it.

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

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,350 - $2,621
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,812 - $3,659
  • 4+ bedrooms: $2,291 - $4,961

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 Dallas, TX, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $854, 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 $92 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $183 per month.
  • Access: Most major container companies serve both Dallas, TX, 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 Texas 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 $1,350. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,812 - $3,659, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.

What are the best moving containers Dallas 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 Dallas 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 Dallas:

  • AB Moving (4.5/5), 26 years in business
  • AM Moving Company LLC (4.4/5), 11 years in business
  • 3 Men Movers (4.8/5), 41 years in business

Moving truck rental costs from Dallas, TX to San Diego, CA

Truck rentals from Dallas, Texas, to San Diego, California, range from $902 - $2,357 for the 1,358-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:

  • Fuel for the drive: $527 - $602
  • Daily insurance: $37/day
  • Equipment rentals: $9 - $24
  • Dallas daily rental rate: $19 - $39
  • Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.59 - $0.79
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 Dallas to San Diego based on home size:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $902 - $1,690
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $918 - $2,010
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,203 - $2,357

Pro tip: A rental truck from Dallas to San Diego looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $902 - $2,357. But once you factor in fuel ($527 - $602) , overnight lodging ($183/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?

  • Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $183 per night. Most long-distance moves with rental trucks require 1 - 3 overnight stops.
  • Equipment: Tow dollies, auto trailers, and specialty moving equipment can add between $79 and $397 to your total.
  • Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
  • Gas: Plan on spending $527 - $602 in fuel for the 1,358-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
  • Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $854 in Dallas, Texas, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.

What are the best moving truck rentals from Dallas 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 Dallas, TX to San Diego, CA

For larger DIY moves from Dallas, Texas, 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 $1,492 and $2,811.

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

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,203 - $2,314
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,492 - $2,811
  • 4+ bedrooms: $2,007 - $3,778

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?

  • 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 $92 - $183 more per foot.
  • Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Dallas, Texas, for about five hours typically runs $854.

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

  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.
  3. Hazel's Expedited Freight (4.62/5 stars): Hazel's Expedited Freight 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 move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Dallas to San Diego. 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: Dallas, TX 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 Dallas on housing, income, and taxes.

Measure Dallas, TX San Diego, CA
Cost of living index100155
Average rent$1,774/mo$2,881/mo
Median home value$303,018$847,715
Average income$67,760/yr$104,321/yr
Unemployment rate3.6%6.6%
State income taxNoneUp to 13.3%
Walkability score46/10053/100
Safety index48.6/10060.17/100
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 Dallas, TX guide.

Why book your mover through moveBuddha:

moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Texas to California in the past 3 months alone, keeping our pricing data current. Run your numbers through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. For context, we track 289 movers based in Texas, handy for sizing up options on this 1,358-mile route.

30%+
Save 30%+
moveBuddha users save an average of at least 30% by checking pricing before booking.
$1K
$1,000 in coverage
We provide added coverage and dedicated support throughout for moveBuddha Certified moves.
Dispute mediation
If anything goes wrong, we help resolve it with Certified movers.

Our take

The 1,358-mile move from Dallas, TX, to San Diego, CA, costs between $2,244 and $9,920 with full-service movers, $1,350 - $4,961 with a moving container, and $902 - $2,357 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 $2,994 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 United States Navy and University of California, San Diego.

FAQs: Moving from Dallas, TX, to San Diego, CA

What are some tips for saving money on a move from Dallas, TX to San Diego, CA?

Cutting 500 pounds from your shipment, roughly one bedroom's worth of items, saves approximately $200 - $400 on a full-service move on this route. Beyond that, staying organized matters just as much. A solid moving checklist keeps you on schedule and helps you avoid costly last-minute mistakes.

How much does it cost to move from Dallas, TX to San Diego, CA?

Costs on this route range from around $2,244 to $9,920, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,244 and $9,920, 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 46 and 49 in Dallas. 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 ($527 - $602), daily insurance ($37/day), and equipment rentals ($9 - $24) on top. Overnight stops can add another $183/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 percentage of Dallas movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?

About 64% of movers in Dallas handle piano moves, and 50% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.