Moving from Tempe, AZ to San Francisco, CA
About 772 miles across a state line, from Arizona into California, so the federal interstate rules apply from the first quote.
Distance estimated from city coordinates; the calculator measures your exact route. Prices from our published model, not quotes.
In short
Moving from Tempe, AZ to San Francisco, CA covers about 772 miles and is an interstate move. Full-service movers cost $3,474 – $4,632 for a two-bedroom home in our model, delivered in 3 to 7 days. About 285 people a year move between the two counties (Census).
The route
At 772 miles between Arizona and California, this sits in the range where carriers differ most. Some run it dedicated with a firm date; others consolidate it with other shipments and quote a window of 3 to 7 days. The price gap between those two is real — a two-bedroom home runs $3,474 – $4,632 full-service — so ask which one you are buying.
- Move type
- Interstate move
- Driving
- 2 days on the road (about 14 hours of driving)
- Usually moves on
- either a dedicated truck or a consolidated load
- Book ahead
- 4 to 6 weeks
Cost of moving from Tempe to San Francisco
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $2,606 – $3,474 | $1,876 – $2,501 | $1,251 – $1,668 |
| 1 bedroom | $3,127 – $4,169 | $2,251 – $3,002 | $1,501 – $2,001 |
| 2 bedrooms | $3,474 – $4,632 | $2,501 – $3,335 | $1,668 – $2,223 |
| 3 bedrooms | $3,995 – $5,327 | $2,876 – $3,835 | $1,918 – $2,557 |
| 4 bedrooms | $4,516 – $6,022 | $3,252 – $4,336 | $2,168 – $2,890 |
| 5+ bedrooms | $5,211 – $6,948 | $3,752 – $5,003 | $2,501 – $3,335 |
Transport only, for an estimated 772 miles, from our published model: distance × home-size factor × service rate, shown as −10% to +20% around the base figure. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items sit on top. How we price it.
Worked example: a two-bedroom home, Tempe to San Francisco
772 miles × 2.0 (two-bedroom size multiplier) × $2.50 (full-service rate) = $3,860. The range runs 10% under that to 20% over: $3,474 to $4,632, transport only. Every parameter is on the methodology page; moving cost per mile explains why the rate falls with distance.
How many people move from Tempe to San Francisco
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates that about 285 people a year (±167) moved from Maricopa County, AZ, home to Tempe, to San Francisco County, CA, home to San Francisco. Going the other way: about 698 people a year (±265). Movers from Maricopa County make up 0.6% of the 51,400 people a year who moved into San Francisco County from another county or state.
At state level, the 2024 survey counts about 28,174 people a year (±4,463) moving from Arizona to California and about 52,383 people a year (±6,890) from California to Arizona — a net gain for Arizona of about 24,209 people a year.
| County | People a year |
|---|---|
| Pinal County, AZ | 17,904 ±2,214 |
| Pima County, AZ | 10,124 ±953 |
| Coconino County, AZ | 6,398 ±704 |
| Yavapai County, AZ | 3,689 ±618 |
| Clark County, NV | 2,998 ±761 |
| County | People a year |
|---|---|
| Alameda County, CA | 5,296 ±738 |
| Santa Clara County, CA | 4,693 ±747 |
| San Mateo County, CA | 4,278 ±657 |
| Los Angeles County, CA | 4,003 ±458 |
| San Diego County, CA | 2,649 ±575 |
Licensed movers at each end
67 household-goods carriers with interstate authority are based within 30 miles of Tempe (250 counting those licensed only inside Arizona). 39 of them had a roadside inspection in the last 24 months, and 17.2% of their 128 vehicle inspections ended with a truck put out of service. The largest by registered fleet:
| Carrier | Based in | Size | Inspections, 24 mo | Vehicle out of service |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dircks Moving & LogisticsUSDOT 923640 | Phoenix · 16 mi | 24 trucks | 0 | — |
| Muscular Moving Men LLCUSDOT 1829172 | Phoenix · 21 mi | 22 trucks | 27 | 42.1% of 19 |
| Camelback Moving IncUSDOT 1635834 | Phoenix · 12 mi | 20 trucks | 35 | 0.0% of 26 |
| Just-In Time MovingUSDOT 1759501 | Mesa · 13 mi | 20 trucks | 32 | 4.5% of 22 |
| M&S Trucking and Moving LLCUSDOT 4035484 | Phoenix · 21 mi | 20 trucks | 2 | 0.0% of 2 |
| Two Men and A TruckUSDOT 3229932 | Mesa · 8 mi | 18 trucks | 4 | 33.3% of 3 |
How these figures are calculated
At the San Francisco end
For a local crew after delivery, the largest licensed carriers within 30 miles of San Francisco: Air Container Transfer (Brisbane, 60 trucks), Waters Moving & Storage Inc (Martinez, 35 trucks), Crown Worldwide Moving and Storage LLC (Union City, 25 trucks), Nor-Cal Moving Services (Hayward, 23 trucks).
Rules that apply to this move
Because the truck crosses from Arizona into California, 49 CFR Part 375 applies: a written estimate before loading, no more than 110% of a non-binding estimate collected at delivery, and full-value protection unless you choose released value in writing. See binding vs non-binding estimates and valuation explained.
Before you book Tempe to San Francisco
Ask: dedicated or consolidated?
This is the distance where carriers split. A dedicated truck costs more and delivers on a date; a consolidated load costs less and delivers in a window. Decide which you are buying before you compare prices.
Get it binding or not-to-exceed
A non-binding estimate is a guess with no ceiling. On 772 miles the gap between a guess and a weighed load is measured in four figures.
Arriving in San Francisco
A local move inside San Francisco later — across town, out of temporary housing — is billed by the hour: about $515 – $859 for a two-bedroom home and $867 – $1,587 for three bedrooms. The nearest cities we cover from San Francisco are Oakland (about 9 mi), Fremont (about 38 mi), San Jose (about 49 mi).
Other routes from Tempe
All routes from Tempe, nearest first.
| Route | Distance | 2-bedroom, movers |
|---|---|---|
| Tempe to Saint George, UT | ~316 mi | $1,422 – $1,896 |
| Tempe to Lancaster, CA | ~430 mi | $1,935 – $2,580 |
| Tempe to Atlanta, GA | ~1,843 mi | $8,294 – $11,058 |
| Tempe to Ann Arbor, MI | ~1,920 mi | $8,640 – $11,520 |
Also moving to San Francisco: from Fremont, CA, from San Jose, CA, from Stockton, CA, from Sacramento, CA.
Tempe to San Francisco moving FAQ
How much does it cost to move from Tempe to San Francisco?
From our published model, full-service movers over about 772 miles cost about $2,606 – $3,474 for a studio, $3,474 – $4,632 for a two-bedroom home and $3,995 – $5,327 for a three-bedroom home, transport only; packing, storage and specialty items are extra.
How long does a move from Tempe to San Francisco take?
The drive is 2 days on the road (about 14 hours of driving), but the move usually takes 3 to 7 days because it moves on either a dedicated truck or a consolidated load, depending on the carrier and the season. Ask for the delivery window in writing. Book ahead: 4 to 6 weeks, 6 to 8 in summer.
What is the cheapest way to move from Tempe to San Francisco?
Loading a freight trailer yourself: about $1,668 – $2,223 for a two-bedroom home, against $3,474 – $4,632 with full-service movers; a moving container is $2,501 – $3,335.
Do I need an interstate-licensed mover for Tempe to San Francisco?
Yes. Tempe is in Arizona and San Francisco is in California, so the carrier needs active FMCSA interstate authority (an MC number) as well as a USDOT number. 67 listed movers within 30 miles of Tempe hold it.
How many people move from Tempe to San Francisco each year?
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates about 285 people a year (margin of error ±167) moved from Maricopa County, which contains Tempe, to San Francisco County, which contains San Francisco.
Sources for this page
The published cost model; US Census Bureau ACS migration flows (± is the 90% margin of error); the FMCSA Motor Carrier Census and Safety Measurement System; 49 CFR Part 375. Data last refreshed September 24, 2026.