Our team at Moving APT did the heavy lifting to put together a list of the best California to Arizona moving companies.
We looked over real customer feedback and pulled from our 22 years of experience in the moving industry to bring you the best of the best, and insider info you can’t find anywhere else.
In this article, we’ll walk you through what it takes to make an out of state move, and we’ll introduce you to our top 3 moving companies from California to Arizona. If you’re ready to move from the Golden State to the Grand Canyon State, keep reading to see what movers are best for you.
Our Top Recommended Movers from California to Arizona
Native Van Lines
- Award-winning company
- Customized moves available
Roadway Moving
- High customer ratings
- Specialty moves available
Rockstar Pro Movers
- Range of moving services
- Great customer reviews
In this article
How Much Does it Cost to Hire Movers from California to Arizona?
A move from California to Arizona will cost you anywhere between $1200 and $9000, and sometimes a little more.
It’s a big window, but your final price depends on how far you’re moving, and the weight of all your stuff.
The Cost of Moving from California to Arizona
| 1 Bedroom | 2 – 3 Bedroom | 4 – 5 Bedroom | |
| San Diego to Phoenix | $1200 – $2400 | $1800 – $3500 | $3900 – $7000 |
| Los Angeles to Phoenix | $1400 – $2700 | $2100 – $4000 | $4300 – $7200 |
| Bay Area to Phoenix | $1600 – $3100 | $2400 – $5000 | $5200 – $9000 |
Moving from Redding to Tombstone is going to be more expensive than moving from Los Angeles to Phoenix. And moving your five-bedroom home is going to be pricier than moving a one-bedroom apartment. Aside from weight and distance, there are other factors to keep in mind for your budget.
When you get in touch with your out of state movers, it’s important to ask ahead about any extra fees that can be added to your final tally. To give you a better idea of your budget, your movers can send a representative to look over your home and your belongings to see if there are any major challenges that will affect how much you pay.
Check out our list of factors behind the price of a move if you want to avoid any unpleasant surprises on moving day, and use a moving cost calculator to get a rough estimate before you make any calls.
How Long Does it Take to Move from California to Arizona?
Moving east can can take between 1 and 10 days, and sometimes even longer. As with the price of your move, the amount of time a move takes depends on the distance traveled and the amount of stuff you have to get from point A to point B.
| Distance | Days |
| San Diego to Phoenix | 1-4 days |
| Los Angeles to Phoenix | 2-5 days |
| Bay Area to Phoenix | 3-10 days |
People usually assume that a lighter load gets moved faster. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case. Movers don’t like sending half-empty trucks all over the place, and for the sake of efficiency they’ll wait for a truck to be filled with multiple moves.
This saves on fuel costs, but it means you may have to wait for someone else’s stuff to be picked up and dropped off before yours.
On the other hand, if you’re able to fill an entire truck with just your move, you can expect it to be sent much faster.
Top 3 California to Arizona Moving Companies
Even if you’re living right along the state line, getting your stuff moved out of state can be stressful and complicated.
Fortunately, the movers in our list can help you with your California to Arizona move. Decide which sounds best for your needs, and get in touch to get a quote.
If you’re looking for a highly-rated, award-winning state to state mover, Native Van Lines has you covered.
Native offers a wide variety of different moving services to make your California to Arizona move as easy and stress-free as possible, and they have the experience to prove it.The team at Native Van Lines is totally professional, and they know a thing or two about out of state moving.
Every move is different, which is why they go above and beyond to help you pick and choose the services you’ll need. Native can help you plan out a custom-tailored move, including corporate relocations, car shipping, and even storage.
Pros
- Excellent customer service
- Broad range of moving services available
- Award-winning company
- Customized moves available
- Storage services
Cons
- No up-front info about price of extra services
Why we recommend Native Van Lines
Even though it’s right next door, moving from California to Arizona can be a little chaotic. Fortunately, the team at Native Van Lines can get you packed, hauled, unpacked, and reassembled with little fuss and even less stress.
We’re huge fans of their commitment to customer service, and all those awards and positive reviews give them an extra edge in terms of reputation.
Roadway Moving got their start in New York, but they’ve been expanding across the US with their signature brand of customer service and high tech moving.
Because they’re still getting started in the western US, they’re extra committed to making sure your move goes smoothly.
When you’re moving – whether it’s down the street or across state lines – you always want to know where your stuff is, and whether it’s safe.
That’s why Roadway provides GPS tracking and camera support. They let you know where your stuff is and when you can expect it, and in the chaos of a state to state move, that’s a super valuable service.
Pros
- High customer ratings
- Excellent customer service
- Specialty moves available
- High tech tracking
Cons
- Personal information required before receiving quote
Why we recommend Roadway Moving
340,000 Californians became ex-Californians in 2022 alone, and Roadway Moving is doing their part to boost those numbers. We appreciate their high tech approach to moving, and their customer service is excellent.
They’re an up-and-coming mover, and they go out of the way to make sure their customers move happy and stay happy.
Sometimes moving can be a little uncertain. You may not have an exact move-in date, and you may not be sure that you can fit everything from your old place into your new home.
That’s what makes Rockstar Pro Movers so helpful: They offer secure storage and a wide variety of other moving services that can be tailored to meet your changing needs.
To sweeten the deal, Rockstar also provides junk removal services. If you know you don’t need that old couch or dinged-up coffee table, they’ll take it off your hands so you don’t have to take it with you. It’s a great way to downsize your stuff and save a bit of money on shipping.
Pros
- Wide range of moving services
- Helpful online articles
- Great customer reviews
- Secure storage
- Junk removal
Cons
- Need a quote before getting price info
Why we recommend Rockstar Pro Movers
Rockstar Pro Movers offers a whole range of moving, storage, and junk removal services – but even before you book a move with them, they’re already helping you out.
If you pay a visit to their website, you’ll find tons of useful information and articles about moving, and we’re fans of anyone who produces and publishes that kind of helpful content.
What Factors Affect the Cost of a California to Arizona Move?
Moving costs money – but how much money depends on the services you’ll require, and the extra fees that may be tacked on to your initial price tag.
Read on to learn more about the different factors behind the cost of your California to Arizona move.
- Weight and distance. These are the biggest factors behind the price of your move. A shorter move costs less, and a lighter load costs less, too. Make sure you get rid of the stuff you don’t need before getting a quote.
- Long carries. If you have a long driveway, or your apartment building has long hallways, expect to pay a little extra. Long carries are typically defined as anything over 75 feet, and usually warrant an additional fee.
- Stairs and elevators. Like long carries, stairs and elevators can cost you extra. It can be difficult for your moving team to navigate staircases and elevators, so they may include an access fee in your final quote.
- Insurance. It’s definitely recommended that you pay a little extra for insurance, too. On the (rare) occasion that anything goes missing or gets broken in transit, you’ll be thankful you paid for the peace of mind.
- White glove service. Speaking of fragile stuff, if a mover offers white glove service, it means they’re equipped to help you safely move your valuables and breakables. Pay extra for this service unless you want a bunch of broken china on your hands.
- Shuttle fees. Unfortunately, many cities don’t allow you to park an entire semi full of furniture right outside your building. Instead, you’ll have to park that big truck elsewhere, and pay for a smaller shuttle to transport everything from the semi to your new place.
- Specialized moves. Pianos, pool tables, sectionals, and other big, awkward items require a bit of planning and logistics. Your movers will have to science out how they’ll get everything crammed through doors (and sometimes windows!) so it may cost extra.
- Disassembly and reassembly. Your movers may have to disassemble and reassemble some large items of furniture, especially if they need everything to fit into a shuttle. You’ll have to pay a little extra for this service as well.
- Gratuity. Your movers are doing hard work, and in the moving industry, tips are usually expected. Unless a company explicitly declines tips, you should budget out 15% – 20% of the cost of your move as a gratuity, to be divided up across your moving team.
- Taxes. It’s hard to forget taxes if you’re living in California. Some cities charge a sales tax of up to 10% of your initial price tag, just as a final kick in the pants from the Golden State as you head to greener pastures.
Here’s How We Rank Our Movers
Moving APT has 22 years of experience in long distance moving, and we do real business with movers to get data that’s more in-depth and reliable than anything else online.
Our rating methodology is based on the following:
Reviews
- Reputation: Reviews and profiles show if movers are highly-rated and experienced.
- Industry-Insider Info: We see what the best companies in the industry are doing.
- Mystery Shopping: We call and pose as complete strangers to keep movers honest.
Licensing and Accreditation
- Arbitration Program: We ensure movers provide arbitration for lost or damaged items.
- Active Claim Department: We monitor how quickly movers help with compensation.
- Safety Record: We get up-to date safety information about accidents and inspections.
- Moving Insurance: We make sure movers provide full or released-value protection.
Client Feedback
- Video and phone reviews: Client testimony tells us which movers are worth your time.
- Online surveys: We read about each completed move to see how movers perform.
As a moving broker, Moving APT deals with movers on a daily basis. We negotiate for our clients, and we ensure movers always honor their contracts. It’s how we help you get moved, and it’s how we maintain clear communication between clients and moving companies.
More customers for better movers If a mover is exceeding expectations, we send them more business. If a mover needs to improve, we don’t. It’s simple.
California to Arizona FAQ
What is the cost of living like in Arizona compared to California?
Since 2016, about 64,000 Californians have moved to Arizona each year. And when you look at the price differences, you can’t really blame them.
California is almost 30% more expensive than Arizona across the board, and when it comes to housing prices, the difference is even more pronounced. A typical home in Los Angeles costs about $800,000 (and usually more), while a house in Phoenix will set you back about half that much: $410,000.
Where are the best places to live if I’m moving to Arizona from California?
Scottsdale and Flagstaff are both highly rated cities in Arizona, but where you move really depends on your preferences for weather.
While most people assume Arizona is all desert, the northern half of Arizona actually boasts a much cooler climate and even skiing during the winter. If you’re looking for more sun and heat, southern Arizona is the way to go. But if you want something a little less scorching hot, check out northern Arizona instead.
What is the cheapest way to move long distance?
The cheapest way to move long distance is going DIY. Unfortunately, this doesn’t usually translate to huge savings. When people decide to move by themselves, they oftentimes forget to factor in the price of their gas, their food, and their lodging – never mind the missed work and missed paychecks. If you want to save some sanity, hire full-service movers instead.
How far in advance should I hire movers?
If you’re trying to minimize stress, hire your movers around 3 – 6 months in advance. It’s a long way off, but with all the chaos of moving you’ll be happy for the extra leeway. Plus, when you’re planning far enough in advance, it gives you a chance to avoid peak moving season. June, July, and August are the most expensive times to move, so planning far ahead means you can save some extra money, too.
What items can’t be moved long distance?
Long distance movers can move pretty much everything, but there are a few notable exceptions. They won’t touch anything flammable or explosive, so propane tanks, aerosols, and even nail polish are out of the question. They also have restrictions on certain plants and perishable foods. Get in touch with your mover ahead of time to get a full list of what they can and can’t move for you.
Arizona’s Calling. Time to Get Packing.
If you’re going to live someplace that never rains, you may as well pay less for the warm weather. And for those of you folks from NorCal, you’ll really appreciate the lower cost of living that Arizona has to offer.
Californians are leaving en masse, and the exodus doesn’t show any signs of easing up. If you’re interested in making your escape from the craziness of California, get in touch with the movers on our list, and use our moving calculator to get started.
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