The LA-to-Phoenix corridor is the single busiest relocation route in the Southwest. Tech jobs, lower cost of living, and the ability to actually afford a house with a yard — that’s what’s driving it.
Sunset Moving runs this route daily. 370 miles on the I-10, direct transit, flat-rate pricing, and thermal protection built into every load. No hand-offs. No warehouse stops. Your stuff gets on our truck in LA and comes off our truck in Phoenix.
Route Stats
| Metric | Details |
|---|---|
| Distance | 370 miles via I-10 East |
| Drive Time | 5–6 hours (actual driving) |
| Transit Time | 2–3 days (studio/1BR) · 3–5 days (2–3BR) · 5–7 days (4+BR estate) |
| Route | Los Angeles → Palm Springs → Quartzsite → Buckeye → Phoenix |
| Pricing | Verified Flat-Rate — locked in before loading |
| Departures | Daily from Los Angeles metro |
Why People Move from Los Angeles to Phoenix
This isn’t a random migration. There are specific, practical reasons people are leaving LA for the Valley — and we hear them every week on this route.
- Housing costs: A 3-bedroom home in Phoenix averages $350K–$450K. In LA, that same home runs $800K–$1.2M. The math is straightforward.
- Tech job growth: TSMC’s semiconductor campus in North Phoenix and Intel’s Ocotillo expansion in Chandler are pulling engineers and operations staff directly from Southern California.
- Remote work flexibility: If your job doesn’t require you in an LA office, Phoenix gives you more house, more space, and lower taxes on the same salary.
- No state income tax: Arizona’s flat 2.5% rate (and no tax on the first $27,272 for single filers) is a meaningful difference from California’s top bracket.
- Lifestyle upgrade: Yards, garages, newer construction, and a 20-minute commute instead of a 90-minute crawl on the 405.
- Family space: Schools, parks, and family-oriented communities in Gilbert, Chandler, and Peoria that don’t require a $1M mortgage.
How It Works: LA to Phoenix in 5 Steps
Step 1: Virtual Inventory Audit You schedule a video walkthrough of your home. We catalog everything — furniture, boxes, specialty items — and build your flat-rate quote. Takes about 30 minutes. No in-home visit required.
Step 2: Flat-Rate Quote, Locked In We send your guaranteed price within 24 hours. That number doesn’t change. It covers packing materials, thermal protection, transit, and delivery.
Step 3: Pack & Load Day Our crew arrives at your LA home — typically early morning to stay ahead of traffic and heat. Full packing service is available, or we load what you’ve already packed. Every item gets inventoried and tagged.
Step 4: Direct Transit on I-10 Your shipment stays on our truck with our crew. No warehouse layovers in Riverside or Quartzsite. The I-10 East corridor is a straight shot — LA to Phoenix, door to door.
Step 5: Phoenix Delivery & Setup We arrive at your new home within your confirmed delivery window. We place furniture, reassemble beds and desks, and can set up your home office if that’s part of your package. You sign off when everything checks out.
Los Angeles vs. Phoenix: What Changes
Moving from LA to Phoenix isn’t just a change of address. Here’s what shifts.
Climate: LA averages 70°F year-round with marine layer mornings. Phoenix averages 106°F in July and drops to the 40s in January. You’re trading mild consistency for extreme seasons. Air conditioning isn’t optional — it’s survival infrastructure.
Cost of Living: Housing is roughly 50–60% cheaper. Groceries and utilities are comparable. Gas is slightly cheaper. The biggest savings hit on housing and state taxes.
Urban Layout: LA is dense, vertical, and tangled. Phoenix is flat, spread out, and grid-based. You’ll drive more, but traffic moves. The 101 and 202 loops are nothing like the 405.
Culture & Pace: LA runs on industry hustle — entertainment, tech, fashion. Phoenix is more grounded. Outdoor culture dominates: hiking, golf, lake weekends. The pace is slower, but deliberately so.
Housing: In LA, you might rent a 700 sq ft apartment for $2,500/month. In Phoenix, that same budget gets you a 3-bedroom house with a garage and a pool. New construction is everywhere — especially in Gilbert, Goodyear, and North Phoenix.
LA to Phoenix Route FAQ
Driving time is about 5–6 hours on the I-10. For moving transit, expect 2–3 days for a studio or 1-bedroom, 3–5 days for a 2–3 bedroom home, and 5–7 days for larger estates. We provide a confirmed delivery window, not a vague range.
October through April. You avoid both LA’s peak moving season and Phoenix’s worst heat. If you need to move in summer, we run early-morning load-ins (5:00–6:00 AM on both ends) and use full thermal protection on every shipment.
A studio or 1-bedroom typically runs $1,950–$3,200. A 2–3 bedroom home costs $3,400–$5,800. Larger estates start at $6,500. All Sunset Moving quotes are flat-rate and locked in before loading day.
We offer 30 days of free climate-controlled storage in our Phoenix facility. If your closing gets delayed or your lease start date shifts, your belongings stay safe and humidity-monitored until you’re ready.
Basic liability coverage and thermal protection packing are included in every quote. Full-service packing (we pack your entire home) is available as an add-on and quoted during your inventory audit.
We coordinate vehicle transport through trusted partners. It’s quoted separately from your household move. Let us know during your inventory audit and we’ll include it in your move plan.
