Moving from Tucson, AZ to San Jose, CA
About 831 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 Tucson, AZ to San Jose, CA covers about 831 miles and is an interstate move. Full-service movers cost $3,740 – $4,986 for a two-bedroom home in our model, delivered in 3 to 7 days. About 169 people a year move between the two counties (Census).
The route
At 831 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 $3,740 – $4,986 full-service — so ask which one you are buying.
- Move type
- Interstate move
- Driving
- 2 days on the road (about 15 hours of driving)
- Usually moves on
- either a dedicated truck or a consolidated load
- Book ahead
- 4 to 6 weeks
Cost of moving from Tucson to San Jose
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $2,805 – $3,740 | $2,019 – $2,692 | $1,346 – $1,795 |
| 1 bedroom | $3,366 – $4,487 | $2,423 – $3,231 | $1,615 – $2,154 |
| 2 bedrooms | $3,740 – $4,986 | $2,692 – $3,590 | $1,795 – $2,393 |
| 3 bedrooms | $4,300 – $5,734 | $3,096 – $4,128 | $2,064 – $2,752 |
| 4 bedrooms | $4,861 – $6,482 | $3,500 – $4,667 | $2,333 – $3,111 |
| 5+ bedrooms | $5,609 – $7,479 | $4,039 – $5,385 | $2,692 – $3,590 |
Transport only, for an estimated 831 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, Tucson to San Jose
831 miles × 2.0 (two-bedroom size multiplier) × $2.50 (full-service rate) = $4,155. The range runs 10% under that to 20% over: $3,740 to $4,986, 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 Tucson to San Jose
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates that about 169 people a year (±115) moved from Pima County, AZ, home to Tucson, to Santa Clara County, CA, home to San Jose. Going the other way: about 412 people a year (±225). Movers from Pima County make up 0.2% of the 78,912 people a year who moved into Santa Clara 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 |
|---|---|
| Maricopa County, AZ | 6,565 ±949 |
| Pinal County, AZ | 4,624 ±829 |
| San Diego County, CA | 1,342 ±952 |
| Coconino County, AZ | 907 ±297 |
| Clark County, NV | 896 ±464 |
| County | People a year |
|---|---|
| Alameda County, CA | 8,231 ±986 |
| San Mateo County, CA | 6,043 ±854 |
| Los Angeles County, CA | 5,413 ±752 |
| San Francisco County, CA | 3,735 ±605 |
| Santa Cruz County, CA | 2,272 ±673 |
Licensed movers at each end
17 household-goods carriers with interstate authority are based within 30 miles of Tucson (54 counting those licensed only inside Arizona). 5 of them had a roadside inspection in the last 24 months, and 28.6% of their 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Two Men and A TruckUSDOT 1423974 | Tucson · 9 mi | 11 trucks | 0 | — |
| AAA Soto's Moving & Storage LLCUSDOT 2591333 | Tucson · 6 mi | 7 trucks | 2 | 0.0% of 1 |
| Swift & Gentle Moving & Storage LLCUSDOT 2293951 | Tucson · 0 mi | 6 trucks | 1 | 100.0% of 1 |
| All My Sons Moving & Storage of Tucson LLCUSDOT 1050329 | Tucson · 6 mi | 6 trucks | 2 | 0.0% of 1 |
| Citizens Transfer & Storage Company IncUSDOT 118397 | Tucson · 3 mi | 5 trucks | 0 | — |
| Swanson's Moving & Delivery LLCUSDOT 2006371 | Tucson · 11 mi | 4 trucks | 0 | — |
How these figures are calculated
At the San Jose end
For a local crew after delivery, the largest licensed carriers within 30 miles of San Jose: Crown Worldwide Moving and Storage LLC (Union City, 25 trucks), Nor-Cal Moving Services (Hayward, 23 trucks), Ontrack Moving LLC (Hayward, 20 trucks), Moving Solutions Inc (Newark, 18 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 Tucson to San Jose
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 831 miles the gap between a guess and a weighed load is measured in four figures.
Arriving in San Jose
A local move inside San Jose 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 Jose are Fremont (about 13 mi), Oakland (about 45 mi), San Francisco (about 49 mi).
Other routes from Tucson
All routes from Tucson, nearest first.
| Route | Distance | 2-bedroom, movers |
|---|---|---|
| Tucson to Phoenix, AZ | ~124 mi | $558 – $744 |
| Tucson to El Paso, TX | ~309 mi | $1,391 – $1,854 |
| Tucson to Albuquerque, NM | ~370 mi | $1,665 – $2,220 |
| Tucson to San Diego, CA | ~422 mi | $1,899 – $2,532 |
| Tucson to Las Vegas, NV | ~422 mi | $1,899 – $2,532 |
| Tucson to Moreno Valley, CA | ~442 mi | $1,989 – $2,652 |
| Tucson to Anaheim, CA | ~477 mi | $2,147 – $2,862 |
| Tucson to Los Angeles, CA | ~512 mi | $2,304 – $3,072 |
Also moving to San Jose: from Fremont, CA, from San Francisco, CA, from Modesto, CA, from Stockton, CA.
Tucson to San Jose moving FAQ
How much does it cost to move from Tucson to San Jose?
From our published model, full-service movers over about 831 miles cost about $2,805 – $3,740 for a studio, $3,740 – $4,986 for a two-bedroom home and $4,300 – $5,734 for a three-bedroom home, transport only; packing, storage and specialty items are extra.
How long does a move from Tucson to San Jose take?
The drive is 2 days on the road (about 15 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 Tucson to San Jose?
Loading a freight trailer yourself: about $1,795 – $2,393 for a two-bedroom home, against $3,740 – $4,986 with full-service movers; a moving container is $2,692 – $3,590.
Do I need an interstate-licensed mover for Tucson to San Jose?
Yes. Tucson is in Arizona and San Jose is in California, so the carrier needs active FMCSA interstate authority (an MC number) as well as a USDOT number. 17 listed movers within 30 miles of Tucson hold it.
How many people move from Tucson to San Jose each year?
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates about 169 people a year (margin of error ±115) moved from Pima County, which contains Tucson, to Santa Clara County, which contains San Jose.
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.