Moving from Modesto, CA to Phoenix, AZ
About 675 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 Modesto, CA to Phoenix, AZ covers about 675 miles and is an interstate move. Full-service movers cost $3,038 – $4,050 for a two-bedroom home in our model, delivered in 3 to 7 days. About 269 people a year move between the two counties (Census).
The route
At 675 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 $3,038 – $4,050 full-service — so ask which one you are buying.
- Move type
- Interstate move
- Driving
- 2 days on the road (about 12 hours of driving)
- Usually moves on
- either a dedicated truck or a consolidated load
- Book ahead
- 4 to 6 weeks
Cost of moving from Modesto to Phoenix
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $2,278 – $3,038 | $1,640 – $2,187 | $1,094 – $1,458 |
| 1 bedroom | $2,734 – $3,645 | $1,968 – $2,624 | $1,312 – $1,750 |
| 2 bedrooms | $3,038 – $4,050 | $2,187 – $2,916 | $1,458 – $1,944 |
| 3 bedrooms | $3,493 – $4,657 | $2,515 – $3,353 | $1,677 – $2,236 |
| 4 bedrooms | $3,949 – $5,265 | $2,843 – $3,791 | $1,895 – $2,527 |
| 5+ bedrooms | $4,556 – $6,075 | $3,281 – $4,374 | $2,187 – $2,916 |
Transport only, for an estimated 675 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, Modesto to Phoenix
675 miles × 2.0 (two-bedroom size multiplier) × $2.50 (full-service rate) = $3,375. The range runs 10% under that to 20% over: $3,038 to $4,050, 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 Modesto to Phoenix
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates that about 269 people a year (±201) moved from Stanislaus County, CA, home to Modesto, to Maricopa County, AZ, home to Phoenix. Going the other way: about 168 people a year (±131). Movers from Stanislaus County make up 0.1% of the 189,397 people a year who moved into Maricopa 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 |
|---|---|
| Merced County, CA | 2,559 ±884 |
| San Joaquin County, CA | 2,276 ±533 |
| Sacramento County, CA | 1,262 ±381 |
| San Diego County, CA | 893 ±445 |
| Alameda County, CA | 873 ±288 |
| County | People a year |
|---|---|
| Pinal County, AZ | 11,423 ±1,245 |
| Los Angeles County, CA | 8,614 ±1,297 |
| Pima County, AZ | 6,565 ±949 |
| San Diego County, CA | 5,206 ±1,126 |
| Coconino County, AZ | 5,198 ±805 |
Licensed movers at each end
9 household-goods carriers with interstate authority are based within 30 miles of Modesto (29 counting those licensed only inside California). 6 of them had a roadside inspection in the last 24 months, and 4.2% of their 24 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Motivated MoversUSDOT 3314910 | Salida · 7 mi | 4 trucks | 0 | — |
| Golden State Moving Pros LLCUSDOT 4545596 | Turlock · 13 mi | 3 trucks | 0 | — |
| Brewer Moving LLCUSDOT 3329727 | Modesto · 4 mi | 2 trucks | 3 | 0.0% of 2 |
| Kabs Delivery & Moving Service IncUSDOT 3984283 | Modesto · 6 mi | 2 trucks | 11 | 12.5% of 8 |
| All Star Movers & StorageUSDOT 2971368 | Manteca · 17 mi | 2 trucks | 5 | 0.0% of 5 |
| Alphia's MoversUSDOT 4500636 | Atwater · 30 mi | 2 trucks | 0 | — |
How these figures are calculated
At the Phoenix end
For a local crew after delivery, the largest licensed carriers within 30 miles of Phoenix: Dircks Moving & Logistics (Phoenix, 24 trucks), Muscular Moving Men LLC (Phoenix, 22 trucks), Camelback Moving Inc (Phoenix, 20 trucks), M&S Trucking and Moving LLC (Phoenix, 20 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 Modesto to Phoenix
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 675 miles the gap between a guess and a weighed load is measured in four figures.
Arriving in Phoenix
A local move inside Phoenix 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 Phoenix are Scottsdale (about 11 mi), Tempe (about 11 mi), Mesa (about 17 mi).
Other routes from Modesto
All routes from Modesto, nearest first.
| Route | Distance | 2-bedroom, movers |
|---|---|---|
| Modesto to Stockton, CA | ~34 mi | $515 – $859 |
| Modesto to Fremont, CA | ~61 mi | $515 – $859 |
| Modesto to San Jose, CA | ~62 mi | $515 – $859 |
| Modesto to Sacramento, CA | ~82 mi | $515 – $859 |
| Modesto to San Francisco, CA | ~90 mi | $515 – $859 |
| Modesto to Roseville, CA | ~93 mi | $515 – $859 |
| Modesto to Fresno, CA | ~107 mi | $482 – $642 |
| Modesto to Bakersfield, CA | ~224 mi | $1,008 – $1,344 |
Also moving to Phoenix: from Tucson, AZ, from Saint George, UT, from Moreno Valley, CA, from Las Vegas, NV.
Modesto to Phoenix moving FAQ
How much does it cost to move from Modesto to Phoenix?
From our published model, full-service movers over about 675 miles cost about $2,278 – $3,038 for a studio, $3,038 – $4,050 for a two-bedroom home and $3,493 – $4,657 for a three-bedroom home, transport only; packing, storage and specialty items are extra.
How long does a move from Modesto to Phoenix take?
The drive is 2 days on the road (about 12 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 Modesto to Phoenix?
Loading a freight trailer yourself: about $1,458 – $1,944 for a two-bedroom home, against $3,038 – $4,050 with full-service movers; a moving container is $2,187 – $2,916.
Do I need an interstate-licensed mover for Modesto to Phoenix?
Yes. Modesto is in California and Phoenix is in Arizona, so the carrier needs active FMCSA interstate authority (an MC number) as well as a USDOT number. 9 listed movers within 30 miles of Modesto hold it.
How many people move from Modesto to Phoenix each year?
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates about 269 people a year (margin of error ±201) moved from Stanislaus County, which contains Modesto, to Maricopa County, which contains Phoenix.
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.