($1,416+) Arlington, VA to San Diego, CA Movers
Moving from Arlington, VA, to San Diego, CA, runs anywhere from $1,416 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $11,250 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 2,683 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 $2,412, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $11,250 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,829 - $7,017, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,416 - $4,097.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Arlington, VA, to San Diego, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,589 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 Arlington, VA to San Diego, CA
There are 3 main ways to move from Arlington to San Diego: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service is the most expensive but covers everything from labor to transportation, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route averaging $3,589 - $7,189. Containers cost roughly 33% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 56% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 2,683 miles, expect 7 to 21 days in transit no matter which service you choose.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 2,683-mile route from Arlington to San Diego, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $2,412 - $5,835 | $1,829 - $3,590 | $1,416 - $2,862 | $1,664 - $3,134 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $3,589 - $7,189 | $2,421 - $4,896 | $1,568 - $3,476 | $1,936 - $3,876 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $7,023 - $11,250 | $3,304 - $7,017 | $2,144 - $4,097 | $2,724 - $5,502 |
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated October 30, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Arlington, VA to San Diego, CA
For the 2,683-mile move from Arlington, Virginia, to San Diego, California, full-service movers cost between $2,412 and $11,250. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $481 - $3,208 (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 Arlington generally start around $200 plus $110 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Arlington to San Diego:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,412 - $5,835
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,589 - $7,189
- 4+ bedrooms: $7,023 - $11,250
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 Arlington to San Diego.
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 Arlington, VA to San Diego, CA
Specialty needs vary by market: 70% of Arlington movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In San Diego, 69% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing80% of local movers | $802 - $8,020 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready70% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: 495 Movers, Inc | $321 - $1,925/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $481 - $3,850 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage13% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs54% of local movers | $1,604 - $4,812 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $4,010 - $16,040 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,201 - $2,282 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items34% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: 495 Movers, Inc | $1,604 - $4,010 |
| Piano | Any piano type42% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: 495 Movers, Inc | $1,283 - $5,614 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling9% of local movers | $481 - $2,406 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect8% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $1,043 - $3,208 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $481 - $24,060+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $481 - $5,614+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Arlington 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 movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in Arlington, VA. 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 Arlington, VA to San Diego, CA
Moving containers from Arlington, Virginia, to San Diego, California, cost between $1,829 and $7,017. 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 Arlington typically runs around $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Arlington to San Diego:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,829 - $3,590
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,421 - $4,896
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,304 - $7,017
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Access: Most major container brands operate in both Arlington, VA and San Diego, CA. Still, double-check that a nearby facility is available if you need to access your belongings before delivery.
- Moving labor: Because containers are self-loaded, many customers hire hourly help. Two movers for about 5 hours typically cost around $1,123 in Arlington, VA, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $120 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $241 for larger ones (12 - 16 feet).
- Added contents protection: For more coverage beyond the standard minimum, full-value protection is the typical upgrade, generally 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value. On a $50,000 household, that's roughly $500 - $1,000 as a one-time fee.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Virginia 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 $1,829. 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 $2,421 - $4,896.
What are the best moving containers Arlington 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 Arlington 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 Arlington:
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.9/5), 0 years in business
- BoxStar Movers (5.0/5), 5 years in business
- Zip Moving And Storage, Inc. (4.9/5), 11 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Arlington, VA to San Diego, CA
Renting a moving truck for the 2,683-mile move from Arlington, Virginia, to San Diego, California, costs between $1,416 and $4,097, before these typical add-ons:
- Fuel for the drive: $1,369 - $1,565
- Daily insurance: $48/day
- Equipment rentals: $11 - $32
- Arlington daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.99 - $1.19
| 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 Arlington to San Diego based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,416 - $2,862
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,568 - $3,476
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,144 - $4,097
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $1,416 - $4,097 does not include fuel ($1,369 - $1,565), lodging ($241/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Arlington to San Diego 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 $241 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 Arlington, Virginia, usually costs about $1,123 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 2,683-mile drive falls between $1,369 and $1,565, 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 $80 and $481 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Arlington 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 Arlington, VA to San Diego, CA
Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from Arlington, Virginia, to San Diego, California. Standard trailers run 28 feet long, and you're only charged for the portion you actually fill. The carrier drops the trailer off, you load it at your own pace, and they handle the drive to your new city.
Pricing is based entirely on the linear footage your shipment occupies, not the full trailer length. Most long-distance freight moves land somewhere between $1,444 and $3,876.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Arlington to San Diego:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,664 - $3,134
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,936 - $3,876
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,724 - $5,502
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?
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In Arlington, Virginia, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $1,123.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $120 - $241 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 Arlington to San Diego?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is our pick for best for large moves. The company is best known as a top moving container option for its hybrid model where you load and they drive, and that same model translates well to freight thanks to their 53-foot trucks and pay-by-the-foot pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Beyond their flagship container service, U-Pack also runs freight trailers with the same no-deposit, no-upfront-fee model, charging only for the linear footage you actually fill.
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: Arlington, VA vs San Diego, CA
Day-to-day costs in San Diego are close to what you're used to in Arlington: cost of living index of 155 versus 164, with average rent of $2,881/mo compared to $2,718/mo. With an index gap that small, budgeting for this move mostly comes down to the moving costs above rather than a shift in your monthly expenses. For reference, walkability and safety scores are 71/100 and 79.15/100 in Arlington versus 53/100 and 60.17/100 in San Diego.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our San Diego, CA to Arlington, VA guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Virginia 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 262 movers based in Virginia, handy for sizing up options on this 2,683-mile route.
Our take
A move from Arlington, VA, to San Diego, CA, gives you several options depending on your budget and how much you want to do yourself. Full-service movers handle everything but cost the most, ranging from $2,412 - $11,250 on the 2,683-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,829 - $7,017, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $1,416 - $4,097. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $3,589 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and round-the-clock live 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 Arlington, VA, to San Diego, CA
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.
What do local movers charge in Arlington?
Local movers based in Arlington typically start around $200 as a base rate, plus $110/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.
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 71 and 72 in Arlington. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
What percentage of Arlington movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 42% of movers in Arlington handle piano moves, and 34% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.