Moving from Irvine, CA to Tucson, AZ
About 474 miles across a state line, from California into Arizona, 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 Irvine, CA to Tucson, AZ covers about 474 miles and is an interstate move. Full-service movers cost $2,133 – $2,844 for a two-bedroom home in our model, delivered in 3 to 7 days. About 832 people a year move between the two counties (Census).
The route
At 474 miles between California and Arizona, 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 $2,133 – $2,844 full-service — so ask which one you are buying.
- Move type
- Interstate move
- Driving
- about 9 hours
- Usually moves on
- either a dedicated truck or a consolidated load
- Book ahead
- 4 to 6 weeks
Cost of moving from Irvine to Tucson
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,600 – $2,133 | $1,152 – $1,536 | $768 – $1,024 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,920 – $2,560 | $1,382 – $1,843 | $921 – $1,229 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,133 – $2,844 | $1,536 – $2,048 | $1,024 – $1,365 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,453 – $3,271 | $1,766 – $2,355 | $1,177 – $1,570 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,773 – $3,697 | $1,996 – $2,662 | $1,331 – $1,775 |
| 5+ bedrooms | $3,200 – $4,266 | $2,304 – $3,072 | $1,536 – $2,048 |
Transport only, for an estimated 474 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, Irvine to Tucson
474 miles × 2.0 (two-bedroom size multiplier) × $2.50 (full-service rate) = $2,370. The range runs 10% under that to 20% over: $2,133 to $2,844, 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 Irvine to Tucson
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates that about 832 people a year (±360) moved from Orange County, CA, home to Irvine, to Pima County, AZ, home to Tucson. Going the other way: about 357 people a year (±151). Movers from Orange County make up 1.4% of the 60,943 people a year who moved into Pima County from another county or state.
At state level, the 2024 survey counts about 52,383 people a year (±6,890) moving from California to Arizona and about 28,174 people a year (±4,463) from Arizona to California — a net gain for Arizona of about 24,209 people a year.
| County | People a year |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles County, CA | 23,839 ±1,290 |
| Riverside County, CA | 18,321 ±1,804 |
| San Diego County, CA | 8,261 ±1,298 |
| San Bernardino County, CA | 7,799 ±1,869 |
| Maricopa County, AZ | 5,179 ±1,141 |
| County | People a year |
|---|---|
| Maricopa County, AZ | 10,124 ±953 |
| Pinal County, AZ | 2,942 ±711 |
| Cochise County, AZ | 2,144 ±529 |
| Los Angeles County, CA | 1,719 ±590 |
| San Diego County, CA | 1,425 ±539 |
Licensed movers at each end
56 household-goods carriers with interstate authority are based within 30 miles of Irvine (245 counting those licensed only inside California). 39 of them had a roadside inspection in the last 24 months, and 15.1% of their 199 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pro Movers IncUSDOT 2211293 | Anaheim · 12 mi | 13 trucks | 4 | 0.0% of 2 |
| Lucky Transportation CompanyUSDOT 586392 | City Industry · 22 mi | 12 trucks | 21 | 0.0% of 14 |
| Terry Moving and Storage IncUSDOT 649215 | Lake Forest · 6 mi | 11 trucks | 10 | 42.9% of 7 |
| Costa Mesa Moving Company IncUSDOT 1706190 | Santa Ana · 8 mi | 9 trucks | 11 | 0.0% of 10 |
| Norwalk Transfer IncUSDOT 182059 | La Habra · 21 mi | 9 trucks | 28 | 18.2% of 22 |
| Golden West MovingUSDOT 3872242 | Huntington Beach · 16 mi | 8 trucks | 18 | 8.3% of 12 |
How these figures are calculated
At the Tucson end
For a local crew after delivery, the largest licensed carriers within 30 miles of Tucson: Desert Sun Moving Service (Tucson, 11 trucks), Two Men and A Truck (Tucson, 11 trucks), Ralph's Moving & Storage (Tucson, 9 trucks), Delivery Doctors Movers LLC (Tucson, 7 trucks).
Rules that apply to this move
Because the truck crosses from California into Arizona, 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 Irvine to Tucson
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 474 miles the gap between a guess and a weighed load is measured in four figures.
Arriving in Tucson
A local move inside Tucson later — across town, out of temporary housing — is billed by the hour: about $515 – $845 for a two-bedroom home and $867 – $1,560 for three bedrooms. The nearest cities we cover from Tucson are Gilbert (about 102 mi), Chandler (about 104 mi), Mesa (about 112 mi).
Other routes from Irvine
All routes from Irvine, nearest first.
| Route | Distance | 2-bedroom, movers |
|---|---|---|
| Irvine to Phoenix, AZ | ~383 mi | $1,724 – $2,298 |
| Irvine to Chandler, AZ | ~399 mi | $1,796 – $2,394 |
| Irvine to Tulsa, OK | ~1,449 mi | $6,521 – $8,694 |
| Irvine to Tampa, FL | ~2,474 mi | $11,133 – $14,844 |
| Irvine to New York City, NY | ~2,835 mi | $12,758 – $17,010 |
Also moving to Tucson: from Phoenix, AZ, from Las Cruces, NM, from El Paso, TX, from Albuquerque, NM.
Irvine to Tucson moving FAQ
How much does it cost to move from Irvine to Tucson?
From our published model, full-service movers over about 474 miles cost about $1,600 – $2,133 for a studio, $2,133 – $2,844 for a two-bedroom home and $2,453 – $3,271 for a three-bedroom home, transport only; packing, storage and specialty items are extra.
How long does a move from Irvine to Tucson take?
The drive is about 9 hours, 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 Irvine to Tucson?
Loading a freight trailer yourself: about $1,024 – $1,365 for a two-bedroom home, against $2,133 – $2,844 with full-service movers; a moving container is $1,536 – $2,048.
Do I need an interstate-licensed mover for Irvine to Tucson?
Yes. Irvine is in California and Tucson is in Arizona, so the carrier needs active FMCSA interstate authority (an MC number) as well as a USDOT number. 56 listed movers within 30 miles of Irvine hold it.
How many people move from Irvine to Tucson each year?
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates about 832 people a year (margin of error ±360) moved from Orange County, which contains Irvine, to Pima County, which contains Tucson.
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.