($1,054+) Milwaukee, WI to Tempe, AZ Movers

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Background image of a moving truck moving from Milwaukee, WI to Tempe, AZ

Moving from Milwaukee, WI, to Tempe, AZ, runs anywhere from $1,054 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $10,037 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,764 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 5 to 16 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 $2,291, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $10,037 or more.
  • Moving containers run $1,488 - $5,012, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,054 - $2,750.
  • Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Milwaukee, WI, to Tempe, AZ. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,276 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.

Compare moving options from Milwaukee, WI to Tempe, AZ

Moving options from Milwaukee to Tempe fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $3,276 - $6,982 on this route, with movers handling all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 41% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 66% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This 1,764-mile route typically takes 5 to 16 days door to door.

Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,764-mile route from Milwaukee to Tempe, broken down by home size:

  • Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $2,291 - $5,456, container $1,488 - $2,695, rental truck $1,054 - $1,908, freight trailer $1,325 - $2,552.
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $3,276 - $6,982, container $1,941 - $3,890, rental truck $1,130 - $2,389, freight trailer $1,553 - $2,986.
  • 4+ bedrooms: full-service $6,103 - $10,037, container $2,520 - $5,012, rental truck $1,424 - $2,750, freight trailer $2,037 - $4,305.

Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated October 30, 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 Milwaukee, WI to Tempe, AZ

Hiring full-service movers from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Tempe, Arizona, costs between $2,291 and $10,037. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 1,764-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $294 - $1,960, depending on the size of your home. Your final cost comes down to two things: the total weight of your shipment and the distance between Milwaukee and Tempe. For a rough baseline, movers based in Milwaukee tend to start around $349 plus $105/hour per mover on local jobs, before long-distance pricing takes over for a move this size.

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

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,291 - $5,456
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,276 - $6,982
  • 4+ bedrooms: $6,103 - $10,037

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 Milwaukee 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 Milwaukee, WI to Tempe, AZ

Specialty needs vary by market: 59% of Milwaukee 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 packing80% of local movers$490 - $4,900
Storage in transitNew place not ready59% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving$196 - $1,176/mo
Shuttle feeTruck can't reach door$294 - $2,352
Full-value protectionMore than $0.60/lb coverage11% of local movers$300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value)
Small movesUnder ~2,000 lbs59% of local movers$980 - $2,940
Office / commercialWorkplace relocation$2,450 - $9,800
Car shippingSecond vehicle$734 - $1,395
Antiques & fine artFragile, high-value items26% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Brothers Moving & Storage$980 - $2,450
PianoAny piano type33% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving$784 - $3,430
Pool tableDisassembly & re-leveling7% of local movers$294 - $1,470
Hot tubHeavy, needs disconnect13% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving$637 - $1,960
Wine collectionClimate-controlled transport$294 - $14,700+
Pet relocationGround, air, or concierge$294 - $3,430+

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

Arizona Moving Association membership is a quick way to confirm a mover is legitimate in Arizona, on top of the picks below.

  1. Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing means no surprise charges on moving day, and their support team is consistently rated among the most responsive in the industry.
  2. American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here, 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, with 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 movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in Milwaukee, WI. 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 Milwaukee, WI to Tempe, AZ

Moving containers from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Tempe, Arizona, cost between $1,488 and $5,012. 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 Milwaukee runs about $90/month.

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

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,488 - $2,695
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,941 - $3,890
  • 4+ bedrooms: $2,520 - $5,012

What other costs come with moving containers?

  • Moving labor: Containers are self-loaded, so many people hire hourly help for the heavy lifting. moveBuddha data shows two movers for about five hours runs around $686 in Milwaukee, WI. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
  • Added contents protection: If you want stronger coverage than the default liability, full-value protection is the upgrade to consider. Most providers charge 1% - 2% of your shipment value, roughly $500 - $1,000 for $50,000 in contents.
  • Storage: After the first month, rental fees average $74 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $147 per month for a larger 12- to 16-foot unit.
  • Access: If you anticipate needing to access items while in storage, confirm there's a facility conveniently located near your Tempe, AZ, destination before booking.

Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Wisconsin 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 $1,488. 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 $1,941 - $3,890.

What are the best moving containers Milwaukee 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 Milwaukee 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 Milwaukee:

  • College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.8/5), 10 years in business
  • TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.4/5), 33 years in business
  • Brothers Moving & Storage (4.7/5), 13 years in business

Moving truck rental costs from Milwaukee, WI to Tempe, AZ

Renting a moving truck for the 1,764-mile move from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Tempe, Arizona, costs between $1,054 and $2,750, before these typical add-ons:

  • Fuel for the drive: $550 - $629
  • Daily insurance: $29/day
  • Equipment rentals: $7 - $20
  • Milwaukee daily rental rate: $19 - $39
  • Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.59 - $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 Milwaukee to Tempe based on home size:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,054 - $1,908
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,130 - $2,389
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,424 - $2,750

Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $1,054 - $2,750 does not include fuel ($550 - $629), lodging ($147/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Milwaukee 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 $147 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 Milwaukee, Wisconsin, usually costs about $686 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
  • Gas: Fuel for the 1,764-mile drive falls between $550 and $629, 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 $49 and $294 to your total.

What are the best moving truck rentals from Milwaukee 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 Milwaukee, WI 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 Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 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 $1,553 and $2,986.

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

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,325 - $2,552
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,553 - $2,986
  • 4+ bedrooms: $2,037 - $4,305

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 $74 - $147 more per foot.
  • Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, for about five hours typically runs $686.

What are the best freight companies from Milwaukee to Tempe?

  1. MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Best known as a top moving container option thanks to its DIY hybrid model (you load, they drive), MovingYourself also doubles as a strong freight choice with their 53-foot trucks and pay-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
  2. U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. In addition to their well-known container service, U-Pack offers freight trailers that follow the same pay-by-the-foot model with no deposits or upfront fees, making them one of the most flexible freight options for budget-conscious moves.

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 Tempe 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: Milwaukee, WI 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 Milwaukee on housing, income, and taxes.

Measure Milwaukee, WI Tempe, AZ
Cost of living index88113
Average rent$1,250/mo$1,834/mo
Median home value$171,025$421,086
Average income$51,888/yr$77,643/yr
Unemployment rate7.4%5.4%
State income taxUp to 7.65%Up to 2.5%
Walkability score62/10054/100
Safety index33.24/10057.64/100
Air qualityGoodGood

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 Milwaukee, WI guide.

Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:

In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from Wisconsin to Arizona, 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 107 movers in Wisconsin, so you have real options to compare for this 1,764-mile move.

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Our take

Full-service movers on the 1,764-mile route from Milwaukee, WI, to Tempe, AZ, run $2,291 - $10,037 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,488 - $5,012, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $1,054 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,276, 30 days of free storage, and a 24/7 support team you can actually reach.

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

FAQs: Moving from Milwaukee, WI, to Tempe, AZ

How walkable is Tempe?

Tempe has a walkability score of 54 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 75, compared to 62 and 58 in Milwaukee. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.

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 33.24 and 66.76 in Milwaukee. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.

What are some tips for saving money on a move from Milwaukee, WI to Tempe, AZ?

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.

What is the best time of year to move from Milwaukee, WI 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.

How long does a move from Milwaukee, WI to Tempe, AZ take?

Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 5 to 16 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are often one of the faster options outside of driving yourself, though you'll need to be ready to receive your shipment on arrival. Driving a rental truck yourself puts the schedule entirely in your hands.

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

About 33% of movers in Milwaukee handle piano moves, and 26% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.