Moving from Michiganto Arizona
An interstate move, so the FMCSA's rules apply from the first quote. Between Detroit and Phoenix it is about 1,968 miles and 4 days on the road (about 36 hours of driving); the 28 city pairs we price between the two states run from 1,816 to 1,968 miles.
Prices from our published model, not quotes. Distances marked ~ are estimated from city coordinates. We do not move anyone.
Detroit to Phoenix, the representative route
Each state is represented by its largest city we cover. The map shows that corridor; the table further down prices every city pair between Michigan and Arizona.
Cost of moving from Michigan to Arizona
At about 1,968 miles, full-service movers should land around $8,856 – $11,808 for a two-bedroom home and $10,184 – $13,579 for three bedrooms. Load a container yourself and the two-bedroom figure drops to $6,376 – $8,502; a freight trailer is $4,251 – $5,668.
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $6,642 – $8,856 | $4,782 – $6,376 | $3,188 – $4,251 |
| 1 bedroom | $7,970 – $10,627 | $5,739 – $7,652 | $3,826 – $5,101 |
| 2 bedrooms | $8,856 – $11,808 | $6,376 – $8,502 | $4,251 – $5,668 |
| 3 bedrooms | $10,184 – $13,579 | $7,333 – $9,777 | $4,889 – $6,518 |
| 4 bedrooms | $11,513 – $15,350 | $8,289 – $11,052 | $5,526 – $7,368 |
| 5+ bedrooms | $13,284 – $17,712 | $9,564 – $12,753 | $6,376 – $8,502 |
Transport only, for an estimated 1,968 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.
City-to-city routes from Michigan to Arizona
Every pair of cities we cover in the two states, nearest first. 28 have a full route page with a map, transit and licensed movers.
| Route | Distance | Transit | 2 bedrooms | 3 bedrooms |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Rapids to Gilbert | ~1,816 mi | 7–14 days | $8,172 – $10,896 | $9,398 – $12,530 |
| Grand Rapids to Mesa | ~1,817 mi | 7–14 days | $8,177 – $10,902 | $9,403 – $12,537 |
| Grand Rapids to Scottsdale | ~1,818 mi | 7–14 days | $8,181 – $10,908 | $9,408 – $12,544 |
| Grand Rapids to Tucson | ~1,822 mi | 7–14 days | $8,199 – $10,932 | $9,429 – $12,572 |
| Grand Rapids to Chandler | ~1,823 mi | 7–14 days | $8,204 – $10,938 | $9,434 – $12,579 |
| Grand Rapids to Tempe | ~1,823 mi | 7–14 days | $8,204 – $10,938 | $9,434 – $12,579 |
| Grand Rapids to Phoenix | ~1,829 mi | 7–14 days | $8,231 – $10,974 | $9,465 – $12,620 |
| Lansing to Gilbert | ~1,874 mi | 7–14 days | $8,433 – $11,244 | $9,698 – $12,931 |
| Lansing to Mesa | ~1,874 mi | 7–14 days | $8,433 – $11,244 | $9,698 – $12,931 |
| Lansing to Scottsdale | ~1,876 mi | 7–14 days | $8,442 – $11,256 | $9,708 – $12,944 |
| Lansing to Tucson | ~1,878 mi | 7–14 days | $8,451 – $11,268 | $9,719 – $12,958 |
| Lansing to Chandler | ~1,881 mi | 7–14 days | $8,465 – $11,286 | $9,734 – $12,979 |
| Lansing to Tempe | ~1,881 mi | 7–14 days | $8,465 – $11,286 | $9,734 – $12,979 |
| Lansing to Phoenix | ~1,887 mi | 7–14 days | $8,492 – $11,322 | $9,765 – $13,020 |
| Ann Arbor to Gilbert | ~1,912 mi | 7–14 days | $8,604 – $11,472 | $9,895 – $13,193 |
| Ann Arbor to Mesa | ~1,913 mi | 7–14 days | $8,609 – $11,478 | $9,900 – $13,200 |
| Ann Arbor to Tucson | ~1,914 mi | 7–14 days | $8,613 – $11,484 | $9,905 – $13,207 |
| Ann Arbor to Scottsdale | ~1,915 mi | 7–14 days | $8,618 – $11,490 | $9,910 – $13,214 |
| Ann Arbor to Chandler | ~1,920 mi | 7–14 days | $8,640 – $11,520 | $9,936 – $13,248 |
| Ann Arbor to Tempe | ~1,920 mi | 7–14 days | $8,640 – $11,520 | $9,936 – $13,248 |
| Ann Arbor to Phoenix | ~1,926 mi | 7–14 days | $8,667 – $11,556 | $9,967 – $13,289 |
| Detroit to Gilbert | ~1,954 mi | 7–14 days | $8,793 – $11,724 | $10,112 – $13,483 |
| Detroit to Mesa | ~1,955 mi | 7–14 days | $8,798 – $11,730 | $10,117 – $13,490 |
| Detroit to Tucson | ~1,955 mi | 7–14 days | $8,798 – $11,730 | $10,117 – $13,490 |
| Detroit to Scottsdale | ~1,957 mi | 7–14 days | $8,807 – $11,742 | $10,127 – $13,503 |
| Detroit to Chandler | ~1,961 mi | 7–14 days | $8,825 – $11,766 | $10,148 – $13,531 |
| Detroit to Tempe | ~1,962 mi | 7–14 days | $8,829 – $11,772 | $10,153 – $13,538 |
| Detroit to Phoenix | ~1,968 mi | 7–14 days | $8,856 – $11,808 | $10,184 – $13,579 |
Routes without a link are priced on estimated distance only; the calculator measures the exact drive.
What the interstate rules give you
A licensed carrier. Active interstate operating authority (an MC number) and a USDOT number, both checkable on the FMCSA register. A company that offers neither is a broker at best.
A written estimate before loading. Binding fixes the price for the listed inventory; non-binding follows the weighed shipment. The carrier cannot demand more than 110% of a non-binding estimate at delivery, with the balance billed within 30 days. Ask for binding not-to-exceed by name, after a survey.
Valuation. Released-value protection is included at 60 cents per pound per item; full-value protection is the upgrade worth buying for 1,968 miles of handling.
A delivery window, in writing. If it is on the bill of lading, missing it entitles you to delay costs. If it is not, it entitles you to an apology.
Interstate movers based in Michigan
380 household-goods carriers in Michigan are active on the FMCSA register. The largest with interstate authority, by registered fleet:
- Corrigan Moving Systems Premier Relocations, Dearborn · USDOT 153343 · 245 trucks
- Powell Relocation Group, Grand Rapids · USDOT 261884 · 57 trucks
- White Star Movers Inc, Sterling Heights · USDOT 624288 · 32 trucks
- University Moving & Storage Company, Farmingtn Hls · USDOT 438382 · 20 trucks
- College Hunks Hauling Junk And Moving, Ira · USDOT 3451138 · 19 trucks
At the Arizona end
373 household-goods carriers are based in Arizona — useful if you need a local crew after delivery. A local move inside Phoenix runs about $475 – $775 for a two-bedroom home.
Timing the move
| Home size | October – April, mid-week | Summer weekend (+25%) |
|---|---|---|
| 2 bedrooms | $8,856 – $11,808 | $11,070 – $14,760 |
| 3 bedrooms | $10,184 – $13,579 | $12,730 – $16,974 |
Transit is 7 to 14 days. Book ahead: 6 to 8 weeks, 8 to 12 in summer. Trailers on this corridor fill faster in summer, but crews and trucks are stretched, so windows get wider, not shorter.
Other moves from Michigan
Michigan to Arizona moving FAQ
How much does it cost to move from Michigan to Arizona?
Between the two states' main cities, Detroit and Phoenix, the distance is about 1,968 miles. From our model that is $8,856 – $11,808 for a two-bedroom home and $10,184 – $13,579 for three bedrooms with full-service movers, transport only. A container you load yourself is about $6,376 – $8,502 for the two-bedroom home; a freight trailer about $4,251 – $5,668. Across the 28 city pairs we price between Michigan and Arizona, distances run from 1,816 to 1,968 miles, so use the table for your own cities.
How long does a move from Michigan to Arizona take?
Detroit to Phoenix is 4 days on the road (about 36 hours of driving). The move itself typically takes 7 to 14 days, because at this distance it usually travels on a consolidated load sharing trailer space with other households. Get the delivery window in writing. Book ahead: 6 to 8 weeks, 8 to 12 in summer.
Do I need an interstate-licensed mover for Michigan to Arizona?
Yes. Any move that crosses from Michigan into Arizona is regulated by the FMCSA, and the carrier must hold active interstate operating authority (an MC number) as well as a USDOT number. Check both on the FMCSA register before you sign. Interstate carriers must give you a written estimate, the federal "Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move" booklet, and access to an arbitration programme, and cannot demand more than 110% of a non-binding estimate before releasing your goods.
What is the cheapest way to move from Michigan to Arizona?
Load a freight trailer yourself: about $4,251 – $5,668 for a two-bedroom home over 1,968 miles against $8,856 – $11,808 with full-service movers. A container splits the difference and gives you days to load. On any of them, moving between October and April, mid-month and mid-week, is worth another 20 to 30 percent — a peak-season date puts the three-bedroom figure at $12,730 – $16,974 rather than $10,184 – $13,579.