Firefighter owned. Veteran operated. Licensed long distance movers taking Dallas homes to San Diego and the California coast.
Reviewed by Pat Dodson, Executive Vice President
Pat has 17 years in moving and storage and serves as an engineer with the Fort Worth Fire Department. A U.S. Navy veteran, he oversees long distance operations across all four Texas locations. Last reviewed 2026.
Dallas to San Diego is about 1,360 miles, or roughly 19 to 20 hours of driving. A move this far usually takes about 3 to 8 days from pickup to delivery, depending on your load, the route, and the delivery window agreed in your written estimate.
Because it crosses state lines, this is a long distance interstate move. Movers do not charge an hourly rate. Federal regulations require the price to be based on the total weight or volume of your belongings combined with the distance.
For a full service move, Dallas to San Diego movers typically cost about $2,100 to $3,000 for a studio or 1 bedroom, $3,000 to $5,000 for a 2 bedroom, $5,000 to $7,300 for a 3 bedroom, and $7,300 to $10,600 for a 4 bedroom. Homes with 5 or more bedrooms start around $10,600 and are quoted individually.
Your final number comes in a written estimate, based on your inventory, your access at both ends, and your date.
Licensed and insured: US DOT 2783472. MC #1016781. TX DMV No. 006924557C.
How Much Does It Cost to Move From Dallas to San Diego?
The biggest factor is the size of your home, because a bigger home means more weight, a bigger crew, and more truck space. Here is what a full service Dallas to San Diego move typically costs by home size, based on our Dallas pricing and the distance.
| Home size | Movers needed | Typical cost range |
|---|---|---|
| Studio or 1 bedroom apartment | 2 movers | $2,100 to $3,000 |
| 2 bedroom apartment or home | 2 to 3 movers | $3,000 to $5,000 |
| 3 bedroom apartment or home | 3 to 4 movers | $5,000 to $7,300 |
| 4 bedroom home | 4 to 6 movers | $7,300 to $10,600 |
| 5+ bedroom home | 5 or more movers | $10,600 and up |
How Long Distance Moves Are Priced
Interstate moving quotes are based on the total weight of your belongings, or the volume they take up in the truck, combined with the distance.
That is why two homes of the same size can price differently. A home full of furniture weighs more than one that has been downsized.
The best way to lower the cost of moving from Dallas to San Diego is to move less. Sell or donate what you will not use before the truck is loaded.
Included in Every Move
- Signed inventory before the doors close in Dallas
- Pad wrapping, stretch film, dollies, and floor protection at both ends
- Basic disassembly and reassembly of standard furniture
- Released value protection of $0.60 per pound per item, at no charge
- A written estimate and the federal moving rights booklet before you sign
What Costs Extra
- Professional packing, priced by home size
- Specialty items such as pianos, gun safes, and fine art
- Stairs, long carries, or a shuttle truck at the San Diego end
- Building fees, such as an elevator reservation or a deposit
- Storage and Full Value Protection, if you want them
What Else Goes Into a Dallas to San Diego Moving Estimate?
Home size sets the starting point. These are the other things that move a long distance estimate up or down.
- 1Inventory and weight.Every box and piece of furniture adds weight. A short inventory walk-through gives us a far better number than a guess by room count.
- 2Distance and fuel.About 1,360 miles means roughly 19 to 20 hours of driving, with fuel, tolls, and drivers on the road for days.
- 3Access in San Diego.A beach cottage with tight street parking, a downtown high rise with a freight elevator, and a hillside home with steep stairs are three different jobs. Tell us which one you are moving into.
- 4Season and date.Spring and early summer fill up first, along with month end. Booking a few weeks ahead gets you more choice of dates.
- 5Packing and services.Professional packing, loading help, storage, and extra coverage are priced separately and only if you want them.
Dallas to San Diego Long Distance Movers: Is It an Interstate Move?
Yes. Crossing from Texas into California puts this move under federal FMCSA rules, so the mover has to be federally registered.
Our federal registration is US DOT 2783472 and MC #1016781. You can look both up on the FMCSA website before you sign anything, and you should do the same for every company quoting you.
Federal rules also give you a written estimate, the Ready to Move brochure, and a choice of liability coverage.
Released value protection at $0.60 per pound per item is included at no charge. Full Value Protection is available at a higher level of liability.
Be careful with any quote that arrives by email without anyone seeing your home or inventory, or that asks for a large deposit up front. A real estimate is based on what is actually moving.
What Moving From Dallas to San Diego Has to Plan Around
San Diego is a great place to land, with mild weather, the Pacific coast, and a strong job market. It also costs more to live in than Dallas, so many people arrive with a smaller home and a plan.
- 1Downsizing before you load.Housing is the biggest jump in cost, and homes tend to be smaller than what you have in Dallas. Decide what fits before the truck arrives, and store the rest on a month to month agreement with no long term contract.
- 2Know your neighborhood.Downtown and the Gaslamp Quarter are urban, with docks and elevators. Pacific Beach and Mission Beach have tight streets and limited parking. La Jolla and the hills can mean steep driveways. Each needs a different plan for the truck.
- 3Building rules.Many condos and apartment buildings want a certificate of insurance, a reserved elevator window, and set move-in hours. Check with your building before you choose a date.
- 4Plan on having a car.Public transit exists but is not as complete as in a big city. If you are bringing a vehicle, factor in its transport, and expect busy traffic on the I-5 and I-405 corridors at peak hours.
- 5What cannot ride on the truck.Hazardous goods cannot travel with a household move: aerosols, propane, paint, solvents, pool chemicals, and ammunition. Keep valuables, documents, and medications with you.
Our Dallas to San Diego Moving Services
Packing, loading, the long haul, storage if you need it, and delivery, under one company and one written estimate.
Professional Packing
When you are moving this far, packing matters. Our trained packers use quality boxes and proper padding so nothing shifts over 1,360 miles. See our packing services.
Loading and Unloading
Pad wrapping, stretch film, dollies, and floor protection. Signed inventory before the doors close in Dallas. Southern California heat is intense, and professionals load faster than you will.
Storage
Climate controlled storage in Dallas on a month to month basis, if your San Diego place is not ready when your belongings are.
Commercial and Corporate
Office and employee relocations from DFW to San Diego, sequenced around your downtime, with consistent documentation for a relocation program.
Specialty Items
Gun safes, pianos, fine art, and antiques move with specialized dollies and technique, and are flagged on the estimate before the date, not on it.
Coverage
Released value protection at $0.60 per pound per item is included at no charge. Full Value Protection is available at a higher level of liability.
From Frisco, Plano, Richardson, Highland Park, or Uptown, our crew comes to you. Also see our Dallas long distance movers and residential moving services.
Why Choose Firefighting’s Finest as Your Dallas to San Diego Movers?
We were founded by first responders and former military members, and discipline, hard work, and care are built into how we work. Every mover is a uniformed, background checked, drug tested employee.
We run our business out of 4924 Woodall St in Dallas and give clear estimates with no hidden fees. Our company runs on five values we call S.E.R.V.E: Safety, Excellence, Relationships, Value, and Ethics.
- Ft. Worth Texas Magazine Moving Company of the Year, 2015, 2016, and 2017
- Ft. Worth Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year, 2016
- Angie’s List Super Service Award, 2016 and 2017
- AMSA Independent Mover of the Year Award, 2018
- Ft. Worth BBB Torch Award for Marketing Ethics
- Southwest Movers Association Pinnacle Mover status
- ProMover, American Moving and Storage Association
- ESGR Pro Patria Award for military employer support
See our full list of awards, read our story, or meet the Dallas team.
Frequently Asked Questions About Moving From Dallas to San Diego
How much do Dallas to San Diego movers cost?
A full service move typically costs about $2,100 to $3,000 for a studio or 1 bedroom, $3,000 to $5,000 for a 2 bedroom, $5,000 to $7,300 for a 3 bedroom, and $7,300 to $10,600 for a 4 bedroom. Larger homes are quoted individually.
Your final price is set in a written estimate based on the weight or volume of your belongings, the distance, and your services.
Do movers charge by the hour for a Dallas to San Diego move?
No. For a move of about 1,360 miles, federal regulations require the quote to be based on the total weight or volume of your belongings combined with the distance, not an hourly rate.
How many movers do I need for a Dallas to San Diego move?
A 1 bedroom apartment needs 2 movers. A 2 bedroom needs 2 to 3, a 3 bedroom needs 3 to 4, a 4 bedroom needs 4 to 6, and a 5 bedroom or larger home needs 5 or more, with a second truck for the largest homes.
How long does a move from Dallas to San Diego take?
Most Dallas to San Diego moves take about 3 to 8 days from pickup to delivery. The route is about 1,360 miles and roughly 19 to 20 hours of driving, and your delivery window is agreed in writing before loading.
Is Dallas to San Diego an interstate move?
Yes. Moving from Texas to California puts the move under federal FMCSA rules. Our registration is US DOT 2783472 and MC #1016781, and you can verify both on the FMCSA website.
What extra costs should I expect when moving to San Diego?
Common extras are professional packing, specialty items, stairs or a long carry, a shuttle truck, and building fees such as an elevator reservation or deposit. Storage and Full Value Protection are priced separately.
What if my San Diego home is not ready?
We can hold your belongings in climate controlled storage in Dallas on a month to month agreement with no long term contract, and deliver when your place is ready.
How far ahead should I book?
We recommend booking a few weeks in advance, and earlier for spring, early summer, and month end dates, which fill first.
More Routes and Locations
Movers in Dallas, TX, Dallas Long Distance Movers, Dallas to New York, Dallas to Austin, Dallas to Fresno
Ready to Head to San Diego?
Tell us your home size, your San Diego address, and your date, and we will put a written estimate in front of you. Call 469-737-7800 or email dallas@firefightermovers.com.
