Moving from San Diego, CA to Boise, ID
About 880 miles across a state line, from California into Idaho, 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 San Diego, CA to Boise, ID covers about 880 miles and is an interstate move. Full-service movers cost $3,960 – $5,280 for a two-bedroom home in our model, delivered in 3 to 7 days. About 737 people a year move between the two counties (Census).
The route
At 880 miles between California and Idaho, 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 $3,960 – $5,280 full-service — so ask which one you are buying.
- Move type
- Interstate move
- Driving
- 2 days on the road (about 16 hours of driving)
- Usually moves on
- either a dedicated truck or a consolidated load
- Book ahead
- 4 to 6 weeks
Cost of moving from San Diego to Boise
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $2,970 – $3,960 | $2,138 – $2,851 | $1,426 – $1,901 |
| 1 bedroom | $3,564 – $4,752 | $2,566 – $3,421 | $1,711 – $2,281 |
| 2 bedrooms | $3,960 – $5,280 | $2,851 – $3,802 | $1,901 – $2,534 |
| 3 bedrooms | $4,554 – $6,072 | $3,279 – $4,372 | $2,186 – $2,915 |
| 4 bedrooms | $5,148 – $6,864 | $3,707 – $4,942 | $2,471 – $3,295 |
| 5+ bedrooms | $5,940 – $7,920 | $4,277 – $5,702 | $2,851 – $3,802 |
Transport only, for an estimated 880 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, San Diego to Boise
880 miles × 2.0 (two-bedroom size multiplier) × $2.50 (full-service rate) = $4,400. The range runs 10% under that to 20% over: $3,960 to $5,280, 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 San Diego to Boise
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates that about 737 people a year (±570) moved from San Diego County, CA, home to San Diego, to Ada County, ID, home to Boise. Going the other way: about 440 people a year (±207). Movers from San Diego County make up 2.4% of the 31,351 people a year who moved into Ada County from another county or state.
At state level, the 2024 survey counts about 15,385 people a year (±2,919) moving from California to Idaho and about 6,509 people a year (±1,562) from Idaho to California — a net gain for Idaho of about 8,876 people a year.
| County | People a year |
|---|---|
| Riverside County, CA | 15,263 ±2,340 |
| Los Angeles County, CA | 8,898 ±761 |
| Orange County, CA | 6,978 ±1,357 |
| San Bernardino County, CA | 6,204 ±739 |
| Maricopa County, AZ | 5,206 ±1,126 |
| County | People a year |
|---|---|
| Canyon County, ID | 3,357 ±924 |
| Orange County, CA | 1,192 ±462 |
| Bannock County, ID | 1,162 ±362 |
| San Diego County, CA | 737 ±570 |
| Twin Falls County, ID | 734 ±269 |
Licensed movers at each end
32 household-goods carriers with interstate authority are based within 30 miles of San Diego (155 counting those licensed only inside California). 22 of them had a roadside inspection in the last 24 months, and 16.2% of their 204 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republic Moving & StorageUSDOT 3369820 | Chula Vista · 13 mi | 21 trucks | 19 | 43.8% of 16 |
| Ackley Moving ServicesUSDOT 1868365 | Poway · 21 mi | 21 trucks | 48 | 17.1% of 35 |
| The CMS CompaniesUSDOT 56181 | San Diego · 6 mi | 17 trucks | 32 | 18.5% of 27 |
| A-Accurate Moving CompanyUSDOT 2023330 | El Cajon · 13 mi | 11 trucks | 42 | 17.2% of 29 |
| National City Transfer & StorageUSDOT 56567 | National City · 5 mi | 9 trucks | 5 | 0.0% of 4 |
| The Rock MoversUSDOT 3653432 | San Diego · 8 mi | 8 trucks | 29 | 0.0% of 24 |
How these figures are calculated
At the Boise end
For a local crew after delivery, the largest licensed carriers within 30 miles of Boise: Peasley Transfer & Storage Co (Boise, 30 trucks), Merchants Moving & Storage LLC (Boise, 15 trucks), Air Van (Boise, 11 trucks), All My Sons Moving & Storage of Idaho LLC (Garden City, 11 trucks).
Rules that apply to this move
Because the truck crosses from California into Idaho, 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 San Diego to Boise
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 880 miles the gap between a guess and a weighed load is measured in four figures.
Arriving in Boise
A local move inside Boise later — across town, out of temporary housing — is billed by the hour: about $475 – $775 for a two-bedroom home and $795 – $1,425 for three bedrooms. The nearest cities we cover from Boise are Missoula (about 290 mi), Ogden (about 317 mi), Spokane (about 333 mi).
Other routes from San Diego
All routes from San Diego, nearest first.
| Route | Distance | 2-bedroom, movers |
|---|---|---|
| San Diego to Moreno Valley, CA | ~97 mi | $515 – $859 |
| San Diego to Anaheim, CA | ~100 mi | $515 – $859 |
| San Diego to Fontana, CA | ~114 mi | $513 – $684 |
| San Diego to Los Angeles, CA | 126 mi | $567 – $756 |
| San Diego to Oxnard, CA | ~182 mi | $819 – $1,092 |
| San Diego to Bakersfield, CA | ~247 mi | $1,112 – $1,482 |
| San Diego to Las Vegas, NV | ~309 mi | $1,391 – $1,854 |
| San Diego to Phoenix, AZ | 355 mi | $1,598 – $2,130 |
Also moving to Boise: from Spokane, WA, from Salt Lake City, UT, from Provo, UT, from Reno, NV.
San Diego to Boise moving FAQ
How much does it cost to move from San Diego to Boise?
From our published model, full-service movers over about 880 miles cost about $2,970 – $3,960 for a studio, $3,960 – $5,280 for a two-bedroom home and $4,554 – $6,072 for a three-bedroom home, transport only; packing, storage and specialty items are extra.
How long does a move from San Diego to Boise take?
The drive is 2 days on the road (about 16 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 San Diego to Boise?
Loading a freight trailer yourself: about $1,901 – $2,534 for a two-bedroom home, against $3,960 – $5,280 with full-service movers; a moving container is $2,851 – $3,802.
Do I need an interstate-licensed mover for San Diego to Boise?
Yes. San Diego is in California and Boise is in Idaho, so the carrier needs active FMCSA interstate authority (an MC number) as well as a USDOT number. 32 listed movers within 30 miles of San Diego hold it.
How many people move from San Diego to Boise each year?
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates about 737 people a year (margin of error ±570) moved from San Diego County, which contains San Diego, to Ada County, which contains Boise.
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.