Moving from Phoenix to Reno

Census counts put the flow from Maricopa and Pinal counties to Washoe County at about 273 people a year (2016-2020), while about 858 a year moved the other way. In 2024 about 5,504 people moved from Arizona to Nevada. The move trades one hot desert for a cooler, higher one.

The drive: AZ 74, US 93, I-11 and US 95

The routing uses AZ 74 for about 30 miles at the start, then US 93 for about 175 miles across northwest Arizona. I-11 covers about 42 miles near Las Vegas, and US 95 carries the truck about 272 miles north through central Nevada. The total is about 718 miles.

Most of the route is US highway in open desert. US 95 north of Las Vegas has long distances between services, so a driver plans fuel and rest in advance. The route avoids Sierra summits completely, which matters in winter: the weather risk is mostly ice on the high desert at the north end rather than a pass closure.

At 500 miles a day the map says two days behind the wheel, with a free-flow time of 14 h 18 min. A loaded truck also has loading time and a scheduled Sparks arrival, so your written estimate sets the delivery window. Arizona 511 covers the start, and the Nevada 511 site covers the long north-south run through Nevada.

Heat is the other factor. A midsummer load leaves Phoenix at a very hot time of year, so pickup times are usually early in the day.

Phoenix and Reno side by side

Phoenix averages a July high of 104.0 F with a low of 80.8 F, against a Reno July high of 93.9 F and a low of 60.4 F. The January average high is 65.4 F in Phoenix and 47.7 F in Reno. Phoenix averages about 8.9 inches of precipitation a year and Reno about 7.4. Reno also averages about 20.9 inches of snow, which Phoenix does not see.

The table above uses Census figures for the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler metro area, with median gross rent of $1,702, a median home value of $440,900 and 33.4 percent of households renting. Reno-Sparks has a median gross rent of $1,592 and a median home value of $502,300. Arizona taxes wages and Nevada does not.

How the move works with O'Brien's

You book the move with O'Brien's, the Bekins Van Lines agent in Sparks, and we coordinate it from your Phoenix home through the Bekins network. When the shipment reaches Northern Nevada, we handle delivery, unpacking and, if your new place is not ready, storage in our 30,000 square foot Sparks warehouse (vault storage from $40 per month). Call 775-359-6683 for a phone ballpark, or send an online request.

Settling in

Long-distance moves are priced by weight, and the estimate is itemized and in writing. Our Arizona to Reno guide covers Nevada license and registration steps, and the winter moving guide is worth a read for a first Sierra winter.