Moving from San Diego, CA to Phoenix, AZ
355 miles across a state line, from California into Arizona, so the federal interstate rules apply from the first quote.
Measured driving distance. Prices from our published model, not quotes.
In short
Moving from San Diego, CA to Phoenix, AZ covers 355 miles and is an interstate move. Full-service movers cost $1,598 – $2,130 for a two-bedroom home in our model, delivered in 1 to 3 days. About 5,206 people a year move between the two counties (Census).
The route
A short interstate haul: 355 miles, about 6 hours of driving. Long enough to be priced on weight, short enough that most carriers run it on a dedicated truck rather than pooling your goods with other shipments — a two-bedroom home typically runs $1,598 – $2,130. That means a tight delivery date and far less handling.
- Move type
- Interstate move
- Driving
- about 6 hours
- Usually moves on
- a dedicated truck
- Book ahead
- 2 to 4 weeks
Cost of moving from San Diego to Phoenix
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,198 – $1,598 | $863 – $1,150 | $575 – $767 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,438 – $1,917 | $1,035 – $1,380 | $690 – $920 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,598 – $2,130 | $1,150 – $1,534 | $767 – $1,022 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,837 – $2,449 | $1,323 – $1,764 | $882 – $1,176 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,077 – $2,769 | $1,495 – $1,994 | $997 – $1,329 |
| 5+ bedrooms | $2,396 – $3,195 | $1,725 – $2,300 | $1,150 – $1,534 |
Transport only, for 355 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 Phoenix
355 miles × 2.0 (two-bedroom size multiplier) × $2.50 (full-service rate) = $1,775. The range runs 10% under that to 20% over: $1,598 to $2,130, 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 Phoenix
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates that about 5,206 people a year (±1,126) moved from San Diego County, CA, home to San Diego, to Maricopa County, AZ, home to Phoenix. Going the other way: about 2,169 people a year (±473). Movers from San Diego County make up 2.7% 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 |
|---|---|
| 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 |
|---|---|
| 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
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 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 San Diego to Phoenix
Ask whether it is hourly or flat
At 355 miles some carriers still quote hourly plus mileage rather than by weight. Get both numbers so you can compare like with like — hourly can win on a short haul with easy access at both ends.
Confirm it is a one-day run
Most carriers cover this distance in a single day, which avoids an overnight charge and a second crew. If a quote assumes two days, ask why.
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 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 Mesa, AZ | ~364 mi | $1,638 – $2,184 |
Also moving to Phoenix: from Tucson, AZ, from Saint George, UT, from Moreno Valley, CA, from Las Vegas, NV.
San Diego to Phoenix moving FAQ
How much does it cost to move from San Diego to Phoenix?
From our published model, full-service movers over 355 miles cost about $1,198 – $1,598 for a studio, $1,598 – $2,130 for a two-bedroom home and $1,837 – $2,449 for a three-bedroom home, transport only; packing, storage and specialty items are extra.
How long does a move from San Diego to Phoenix take?
The drive is about 6 hours, but the move usually takes 1 to 3 days because it moves on a dedicated truck, because the corridor is too short to be worth consolidating. Ask for the delivery window in writing. Book ahead: 2 to 4 weeks, 4 to 6 in summer.
What is the cheapest way to move from San Diego to Phoenix?
Loading a freight trailer yourself: about $767 – $1,022 for a two-bedroom home, against $1,598 – $2,130 with full-service movers; a moving container is $1,150 – $1,534.
Do I need an interstate-licensed mover for San Diego to Phoenix?
Yes. San Diego 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. 32 listed movers within 30 miles of San Diego hold it.
How many people move from San Diego to Phoenix each year?
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates about 5,206 people a year (margin of error ±1,126) moved from San Diego County, which contains San Diego, 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.