Moving from Missoula, MT to Phoenix, AZ
About 1,088 miles across a state line, from Montana 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 Missoula, MT to Phoenix, AZ covers about 1,088 miles and is an interstate move. Full-service movers cost $4,896 – $6,528 for a two-bedroom home in our model, delivered in 3 to 7 days. About 154 people a year move between the two counties (Census).
The route
At 1,088 miles between Montana 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 $4,896 – $6,528 full-service — so ask which one you are buying.
- Move type
- Interstate move
- Driving
- 3 days on the road (about 20 hours of driving)
- Usually moves on
- either a dedicated truck or a consolidated load
- Book ahead
- 4 to 6 weeks
Cost of moving from Missoula to Phoenix
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $3,672 – $4,896 | $2,644 – $3,525 | $1,763 – $2,350 |
| 1 bedroom | $4,406 – $5,875 | $3,173 – $4,230 | $2,115 – $2,820 |
| 2 bedrooms | $4,896 – $6,528 | $3,525 – $4,700 | $2,350 – $3,133 |
| 3 bedrooms | $5,630 – $7,507 | $4,054 – $5,405 | $2,703 – $3,603 |
| 4 bedrooms | $6,365 – $8,486 | $4,583 – $6,110 | $3,055 – $4,073 |
| 5+ bedrooms | $7,344 – $9,792 | $5,288 – $7,050 | $3,525 – $4,700 |
Transport only, for an estimated 1,088 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, Missoula to Phoenix
1,088 miles × 2.0 (two-bedroom size multiplier) × $2.50 (full-service rate) = $5,440. The range runs 10% under that to 20% over: $4,896 to $6,528, 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 Missoula to Phoenix
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates that about 154 people a year (±118) moved from Missoula County, MT, home to Missoula, to Maricopa County, AZ, home to Phoenix. Going the other way: about 100 people a year (±81). Movers from Missoula 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 4,304 people a year (±2,162) moving from Montana to Arizona and about 2,330 people a year (±1,157) from Arizona to Montana — a net gain for Arizona of about 1,974 people a year.
| County | People a year |
|---|---|
| Yellowstone County, MT | 513 ±192 |
| Ravalli County, MT | 474 ±245 |
| Flathead County, MT | 439 ±206 |
| Lake County, MT | 341 ±126 |
| Silver Bow County, MT | 334 ±212 |
| 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
4 household-goods carriers with interstate authority are based within 30 miles of Missoula (5 counting those licensed only inside Montana). 2 of them had a roadside inspection in the last 24 months, and 25.0% of their 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montana TransferUSDOT 514197 | Missoula · 8 mi | 15 trucks | 0 | — |
| All Lanes Moving & Storage IncUSDOT 917105 | Missoula · 8 mi | 5 trucks | 9 | 25.0% of 4 |
| Service Long Distance Moving LLCUSDOT 4461286 | Missoula · 4 mi | 1 truck | 1 | — |
| Montana Movers LLCUSDOT 2920342 | Missoula · 8 mi | 1 truck | 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 Montana 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 Missoula 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 1,088 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 Missoula
All routes from Missoula, nearest first.
| Route | Distance | 2-bedroom, movers |
|---|---|---|
| Missoula to Spokane, WA | ~198 mi | $891 – $1,188 |
| Missoula to Billings, MT | ~318 mi | $1,431 – $1,908 |
| Missoula to Washington, DC | ~2,251 mi | $10,130 – $13,506 |
Also moving to Phoenix: from Tucson, AZ, from Saint George, UT, from Moreno Valley, CA, from Las Vegas, NV.
Missoula to Phoenix moving FAQ
How much does it cost to move from Missoula to Phoenix?
From our published model, full-service movers over about 1,088 miles cost about $3,672 – $4,896 for a studio, $4,896 – $6,528 for a two-bedroom home and $5,630 – $7,507 for a three-bedroom home, transport only; packing, storage and specialty items are extra.
How long does a move from Missoula to Phoenix take?
The drive is 3 days on the road (about 20 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 Missoula to Phoenix?
Loading a freight trailer yourself: about $2,350 – $3,133 for a two-bedroom home, against $4,896 – $6,528 with full-service movers; a moving container is $3,525 – $4,700.
Do I need an interstate-licensed mover for Missoula to Phoenix?
Yes. Missoula is in Montana and Phoenix is in Arizona, so the carrier needs active FMCSA interstate authority (an MC number) as well as a USDOT number. 4 listed movers within 30 miles of Missoula hold it.
How many people move from Missoula to Phoenix each year?
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates about 154 people a year (margin of error ±118) moved from Missoula County, which contains Missoula, 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.