Moving from San Diego, CA to Missoula, MT
About 1,157 miles across a state line, from California into Montana, 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 Missoula, MT covers about 1,157 miles and is an interstate move. Full-service movers cost $5,207 – $6,942 for a two-bedroom home in our model, delivered in 3 to 7 days. About 110 people a year move between the two counties (Census).
The route
At 1,157 miles between California and Montana, 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 $5,207 – $6,942 full-service — so ask which one you are buying.
- Move type
- Interstate move
- Driving
- 3 days on the road (about 21 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 Missoula
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $3,905 – $5,207 | $2,812 – $3,749 | $1,874 – $2,499 |
| 1 bedroom | $4,686 – $6,248 | $3,374 – $4,498 | $2,249 – $2,999 |
| 2 bedrooms | $5,207 – $6,942 | $3,749 – $4,998 | $2,499 – $3,332 |
| 3 bedrooms | $5,987 – $7,983 | $4,311 – $5,748 | $2,874 – $3,832 |
| 4 bedrooms | $6,768 – $9,025 | $4,873 – $6,498 | $3,249 – $4,332 |
| 5+ bedrooms | $7,810 – $10,413 | $5,623 – $7,497 | $3,749 – $4,998 |
Transport only, for an estimated 1,157 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 Missoula
1,157 miles × 2.0 (two-bedroom size multiplier) × $2.50 (full-service rate) = $5,785. The range runs 10% under that to 20% over: $5,207 to $6,942, 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 Missoula
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates that about 110 people a year (±102) moved from San Diego County, CA, home to San Diego, to Missoula County, MT, home to Missoula. Going the other way: about 29 people a year (±45). Movers from San Diego County make up 1.0% of the 10,974 people a year who moved into Missoula County from another county or state.
At state level, the 2024 survey counts about 4,872 people a year (±1,563) moving from California to Montana and about 2,531 people a year (±925) from Montana to California — a net gain for Montana of about 2,341 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 |
|---|---|
| Flathead County, MT | 1,029 ±524 |
| Yellowstone County, MT | 683 ±293 |
| Cascade County, MT | 575 ±268 |
| Ravalli County, MT | 461 ±163 |
| King County, WA | 424 ±320 |
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 Missoula end
For a local crew after delivery, the largest licensed carriers within 30 miles of Missoula: Montana Transfer (Missoula, 15 trucks), All Lanes Moving & Storage Inc (Missoula, 5 trucks), Garden City Movers LLC (Missoula, 2 trucks), Service Long Distance Moving LLC (Missoula, 1 truck).
Rules that apply to this move
Because the truck crosses from California into Montana, 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 Missoula
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 1,157 miles the gap between a guess and a weighed load is measured in four figures.
Arriving in Missoula
A local move inside Missoula later — across town, out of temporary housing — is billed by the hour: about $515 – $831 for a two-bedroom home and $867 – $1,533 for three bedrooms. The nearest cities we cover from Missoula are Spokane (about 198 mi), Boise (about 290 mi), Billings (about 318 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 Missoula: from Spokane, WA, from Billings, MT, from Seattle, WA, from Reno, NV.
San Diego to Missoula moving FAQ
How much does it cost to move from San Diego to Missoula?
From our published model, full-service movers over about 1,157 miles cost about $3,905 – $5,207 for a studio, $5,207 – $6,942 for a two-bedroom home and $5,987 – $7,983 for a three-bedroom home, transport only; packing, storage and specialty items are extra.
How long does a move from San Diego to Missoula take?
The drive is 3 days on the road (about 21 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 Missoula?
Loading a freight trailer yourself: about $2,499 – $3,332 for a two-bedroom home, against $5,207 – $6,942 with full-service movers; a moving container is $3,749 – $4,998.
Do I need an interstate-licensed mover for San Diego to Missoula?
Yes. San Diego is in California and Missoula is in Montana, 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 Missoula each year?
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates about 110 people a year (margin of error ±102) moved from San Diego County, which contains San Diego, to Missoula County, which contains Missoula.
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.