San Diego Long-Distance Moving Services

Welcome to Colonial Van Lines, where we combine extensive long-distance moving experience with the personal care of our family-owned business.

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For a fast and accurate quote, call one of our Relocation Specialists at (800) 356-1855

Long-Distance Movers Who Know the Quirks of Moving in San Diego

With decades of experience, including countless moves in and out of San Diego, Colonial Van Lines has proven itself to be a reliable option for California moving services.

With experience comes an understanding of the unique aspects that make moving in San Diego different than in other cities. There are several distinct factors to moving in San Diego, including:

  • Street parking restrictions in San Diego can make loading a truck difficult. There are several city regulations that can make parking a moving truck near your home difficult — or even impossible. Depending on where you live, street sweeping schedules, time restrictions, and limited legal parking could necessitate a shuttle service between your home and the moving truck. 

  • Residential permit parking districts may limit move-day parking. Certain San Diego neighborhoods — like Hillcrest and Logan Heights — enforce residential permit parking, which prohibits parking by unpermitted vehicles during certain hours on certain days. Permit holders can acquire a visitor placard for the moving truck for a better chance of getting street parking during on moving day.

  • Apartment and condo buildings often require elevator reservations and proof of insurance. If you’re moving out of an apartment building or condo in San Diego, you’ll likely have to reserve an elevator in advance. Movers also typically have to provide a certificate of insurance (COI) before being allowed to access elevators or loading docks.

  • Condo associations may impose additional move-out rules. Some condo associations in San Diego enforce special move-out procedures, such as giving advance notice of your move-out date and moving only during specified hours. Some even require local and long-distance moving companies to name the association as an additional insured party on their insurance.

  • Updated parking rules could impact moves taking place in certain neighborhoods. A two-hour extension for parking meter hours has been applied to several neighborhoods around Mid-City, including North Park, Normal Heights, and College Area. Additionally, parking meter rates doubled in 2025 from $1.25 to $2.25 an hour for most meters in San Diego. Movers have to be familiar with current parking rules and regulations to navigate moving day without incurring unnecessary fines and fees.

What Our San Diego Customers Have to Say

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San Diego Local Moving Resources

Finding the right long-distance moving services is important, but there are also other resources you’ll need for your San Diego move. Knowing where to get packing supplies, drop-off donations, and get rid of hazardous or bulky waste is crucial for a streamlined move. Here are some essential moving resources for your San Diego relocation.

  • Recycling: After decluttering for your move, take advantage of local recycling programs to reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills. You can use the city’s Waste Free SD online search to look up a recycling facility near you or visit one of the locations below.
  • San Diego CRV Center
    San Diego CRV Center offers cash for aluminum cans, plastic, and glass bottles.
    857 32nd St.
    San Diego, CA 92102
    sandiegocrvcenter.com
    (619) 501-3008
  • Miramar Recycling Center
    The Miramar recycling center offers cash for aluminum cans, glass and plastic bottles, and steel beverage containers. The center also accepts electronics and a variety of household appliances (including refrigerators and hot water heaters), but for a recycling fee.
    5165 Convoy St.
    San Diego, CA 92111
    sandiego.gov
  • San Diego County Recycling
    This recycling center offers cash for a variety of materials (metal, plastic, etc.) and even allows free-drop off of large appliances like water heaters.
    3974 Spring Dr.
    Spring Valley, CA 91977
    sandiegocountyrecycling.com
    (619) 741-9780

  • Hazardous waste disposal: Certain hazardous materials and chemicals shouldn’t be thrown out with regular trash.
  • HHW Transfer Facility (San Diego, CA)
    Residents of San Diego can dispose of hazardous household waste (HHW) by making an appointment at the HHW Transfer Facility. There’s no charge for disposal. Check the website to see exactly what items are accepted.
    5161 Convoy St.
    San Diego, CA 92111
    sandiego.gov
    (858) 694-7000
  • HHW Collection Facility (Vista, CA)
    Residents of Vista, Encinitas, Solana Beach, San Marcos, and Escondido can dispose of hazardous household waste at Vista’s collection facility. 65+ residents can schedule free door-to-door collection.
    1145 E. Taylor St.
    Vista, CA 92084
    vista.gov
    (800) 714-1195
  • Bulky item pickup: The city of San Diego does not offer on-demand bulky item pickup, however Community Cleanup events (which include bulky item pickups) are provided through the Environmental Services Department (ESD).
  • Moving supplies: Moving supplies, such as boxes, tape, furniture straps, and mattress bags, can be found at local hardware and home improvement stores throughout the city of San Diego. Some stores, like The Home Depot, even offer moving kits based on home size.

Popular Long-Distance Moves from San Francisco

San Francisco residents might move for a number of reasons. Perhaps they’re chasing lower living costs, new job opportunities, or simply a change in lifestyle. No matter the motivation, a few destinations consistently rank as top choices for those leaving the Bay Area.

Here are some of the most popular San Francisco moving destinations and some helpful tips for navigating these moves.

Get started with a fast, free moving estimate.

Call us or click here to get your quote today.

What Makes Moving With Colonial Different?

With over five decades of experience, it’s no surprise that Colonial Van Lines has been acknowledged as one of the best moving companies in the country, year after year. And 2025 is no different, with U.S. News & World Report counting Colonial among the top moving companies with special recognition for our highly trained team of movers.

Every member of our long-distance moving team — from packers to loaders to drivers — goes through a comprehensive two- to four-week training program at Colonial Van Lines University (CVLU). Our movers are trained in our fully furnished demo home to master the best long-distance moving practices, ensuring a safe and efficient move every time.

San Diego Long-Distance Moving Services

With extensive experience as a long-distance moving company and over 250,000 moves completed (and counting), our team of movers is expert in cross-country, interstate, and long-distance regional moves. Whether you’re relocating across the state or the nation, we have the expertise to make your move as stress-free and streamlined as possible.

Interstate Moving Services

As a DOT-licensed interstate moving company, Colonial Van Lines knows how to simplify the interstate moving process by taking care of the details for you. This allows you to focus on the more personal aspects of your move with fewer distractions and less stress. We offer comprehensive state-to-state moving services designed to take care of everything — from packing and furniture disassembly/assembly to transportation and storage solutions.

Cross-Country Movers

Colonial Van Lines movers receive specific training on every aspect of cross-country moving — from packing and loading to transport and unloading. With the expertise that comes from training and experience, we ensure your belongings are handled with care and transported securely to arrive safely to your new home. As a full-service cross-country moving company, we offer loading/unloading, furniture assembly/disassembly, furniture wrapping, transport, and more.

We offer cross-country moving services for a number of popular San Diego moving routes, including:

  • Moving from San Diego to San Francisco

  • Moving from San Diego to Los Angeles

  • Moving from San Diego to Phoenix

  • Moving from San Diego to Las Vegas

  • Moving from San Diego to Seattle

  • Moving from San Diego to Houston

  • Moving from San Diego to Tucson

  • Moving from San Diego to Chicago

  • Moving from San Diego to Dallas

  • Moving from San Diego to Portland

  • Moving from San Diego to Nashville

  • Moving from San Diego to Sacramento

  • Moving from San Diego to NYC

Customizable Full-Service Moving

Colonial Van Lines delivers full-service moving for every move, which includes loading, unloading, furniture assembly and disassembly, and furniture protection with pad-wrapping. Moving out of a large city like San Diego may require additional specialized moving services, which are also available. 

To save you time and stress during your San Diego move, we offer a variety of additional services like:

  • Professional packing services

  • Additional insurance protection options

  • Automobile shipping

  • Storage services

  • Moving supplies

  • Specialty item moving services for antiques and large pieces (e.g., pianos, pool tables, hot tubs)

  • And more

From Our Blog: Long-Distance Moving Tips From the Experts

To help you prepare for your San Diego move, start with our moving checklist and these pro packing and moving tip guides from our blog.

FAQs: Colonial Long-Distance Moving Services in San Diego

How much does it cost to move out of San Diego long distance?

It can cost anywhere from $1,800 and $7,000 to complete a long-distance move from San Diego for the average two-bedroom home. Exactly how much the move will cost depends on a variety of factors, such as how much stuff you have, your moving date, special handling requirements, and your destination city. To give you a good idea of what to expect, here are some popular moving routes out of San Diego with moving cost estimates.

  • Long-Distance from San Diego to Camden: $6,000-$7,000
  • Interstate Moving from San Diego to Los Angeles: $1,800-$4,400
  • Long-Distance Moving from San Diego to Phoenix: $3,400-$4,400
  • Cross-Country Moving from San Diego to Seattle: $4,400-$5,400

What’s the best time of year to move out of San Diego?

The most affordable time to move out of San Diego is during the late fall and winter months. This is because it’s a less convenient time for most people to move and demand is low. If you prioritize convenience over cost, then moving during the summer may be best for you as you can schedule your move during school and/or work breaks, causing less disruption to your and your family’s lives.

Are there special permits or parking rules to consider when moving out of San Diego?

Depending on the San Diego neighborhood you’re moving out of, there are several parking restrictions that may apply, including permit-only parking and no parking during scheduled street sweepings. Check if street parking in your area is restricted to residential permit holders and, if so, be sure to get a visitor placard in advance for the moving truck to display. Also, double-check the street-sweeping schedule so you don’t schedule your move-out on the same day.

What should I do with items I don’t want to take with me?

Decluttering before a move is a great way to minimize the effort and cost of a long-distance move. Items that are in good condition can be sold or donated and others can be recycled at a facility such as San Diego CRV Center, Miramar Recycling Center, or San Diego County Recycling. Whatever remains should be properly disposed of, either with curbside trash or at a specialty waste facility.

How far in advance should I book a long-distance move from San Diego?

Book your long-distance movers at least six to eight weeks in advance of your San Diego move. The earlier, the better. This increases your chances of securing the specific move-date you want and allows for plenty of time to plan and prep for moving day.

Get Your Long Distance Moving Quote Today

Get started on your cross country move! Call our moving specialists or click here to get your online quote today.

San Diego Neighborhoods We Service

From suburban Encinitas to seaside Coronado, we service the following San Diego communities and more.

Carlsbad | Encinitas | La Jolla | Del Mar | Oceanside | Poway | Chula Vista | Solana Beach | Coronado | San Marcos | La Mesa | Escondido | Carmel Valley | Rancho Santa Fe | Rancho Bernardo | Santee | Hillcrest | Vista | El Cajon | Mission Valley | Mission Hills | National City | Rancho Peñasquitos