U-Haul Deals in Arizona

Arizona, led by the Phoenix and Tucson areas, is a popular destination for movers from California and the Midwest. Summer heat shapes how and when people move here.

Moving tips for Arizona

• Phoenix summers regularly exceed 100°F — move at dawn and protect heat-sensitive items like candles, electronics and medication.
• Winter is the most comfortable and popular moving season in Arizona.
• Long one-way moves from California are common; one-way truck coupons make the biggest difference on these routes.

Parking a moving truck in Arizona

Arizona has no statewide moving permit, and curb rules are set by each city. Many subdivisions have HOAs, and some limit how long a moving truck or storage container can sit on the street or driveway. Check your HOA rules and any apartment move-in hours before booking.

The highway rule that matters most is weather, not paperwork. During the summer monsoon, dust storms can cut visibility suddenly on interstates, and the Arizona Department of Transportation’s “Pull Aside, Stay Alive” guidance says to exit the highway completely if you can, turn off all lights including flashers, set the parking brake and take your foot off the brake pedal. ADOT notes that blowing dust has closed I-10 near the New Mexico line. If you are heading west, every major highway into California passes a CDFA border protection station where plants and produce may be inspected.

Best time of year to move in Arizona

NOAA’s Arizona climate summary says the southern deserts frequently see summer temperatures between 105°F and 115°F and that Phoenix has the hottest climate of any major U.S. city. The northern Colorado Plateau, including Flagstaff, has cold winters and mild summers, so a move up I-17 can mean snow in winter. The National Weather Service in Tucson tracks the monsoon season through September 30, bringing lightning, sudden storms and blowing dust. For the desert metros, October through April is the most comfortable loading window; in summer, load at dawn and keep electronics, candles and medication out of the hot cargo box. See the best time to rent a U-Haul.

Moving trends in and out of Arizona

Arizona ranked 7th on the U-Haul Growth Index for 2025 (published January 2026), one spot below its 2024 position. Phoenix placed 5th among U-Haul’s top 25 growth metros of 2025, after ranking 3rd in 2024.

Arizona-specific tips

• The Arizona MVD says a vehicle brought from another state must be registered as soon as you become a resident.
• Some vehicles in the Phoenix and Tucson areas need an emissions test before registration, according to the MVD.
• Heading to California? Pack plants and produce near the truck door so a CDFA inspector can see them without unloading.

Sources: ADOT, CDFA, NOAA State Climate Summaries, NWS Tucson, U-Haul Growth Index, Arizona MVD.