Moving to Phoenix? How to move in the Arizona heat
Updated October 2026
The short answer
The easiest months to move in Phoenix are October through April. From June through September the normal high is above 100°F, so a summer move should start at sunrise and be loaded by late morning. Keep medications, electronics, candles, records and photos out of the truck and ride with them in an air-conditioned car, watch for monsoon storms from June 15 to September 30, and have SRP or APS start your electricity the day before you arrive.
When to move in Phoenix
Normal highs from the National Weather Service, Phoenix Sky Harbor, 1991 to 2020.
| Month | Normal high |
|---|---|
| May | Normal high94.5°F |
| June | Normal high104.2°F |
| July | Normal high106.5°F |
| August | Normal high105.1°F |
| September | Normal high100.4°F |
October through April is the easy half of the year. If you can choose, move then. If you cannot, the hour matters more than the date: start at sunrise, load the truck before late morning, and leave the afternoon for unpacking indoors. Evenings cool off slowly, so they are a poor second choice.
Plan breaks in the shade, drink water before you feel thirsty, and make sure anyone helping you does the same. Heat illness comes on faster when you are lifting.
What not to leave in a hot truck
A closed truck or car in a Phoenix summer gets far hotter than the air outside. Pack these together and carry them with you in the air conditioning:
- Medications and anything that says to store below room temperature.
- Laptops, phones, tablets and anything with a lithium battery.
- Candles, crayons and cosmetics, which melt.
- Vinyl records, discs and framed photos, which warp.
- Important papers: passports, birth certificates, leases and the closing documents for your new home.
- Wine, food and plants.
- Aerosol cans, which should not ride in a hot truck at all.
Never leave a pet in a vehicle, even for a few minutes.
Monsoon season and dust storms
The National Weather Service defines the Arizona monsoon as June 15 through September 30. Storms usually build in the afternoon and can bring strong wind, walls of dust and sudden heavy rain, which is one more reason to move in the morning.
- Check the forecast the night before and the morning of. Have the truck loaded and closed before storms are due.
- Keep a tarp or plastic sheeting by the door for anything that has to cross the yard in the rain.
- If a dust storm hits while you are driving, pull completely off the road, turn off your lights, set the parking brake and take your foot off the brake. The Arizona Department of Transportation puts it as "Pull aside, stay alive."
Cardboard and monsoon rain do not mix: a soaked box loses its strength. Plastic totes just need wiping off. See plastic vs cardboard moving boxes.
Moving to Phoenix: set up before you arrive
Electricity
Most homes in the Valley get power from SRP or APS, and which one depends on the address, not your choice. A few areas, including part of Mesa, are served by a city utility. Look up your new address, then schedule service to start the day before you arrive so the air conditioning has a night to cool the house.
Water, trash and the building
Water and trash are usually set up through your city. In an apartment or condo, ask the office about move-in hours, elevator reservations and where a truck can park, and book the earliest slot they offer.
Moving around the Valley
If you are moving within Ahwatukee, Central Phoenix, Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Queen Creek, South Scottsdale and Tempe, our plastic moving totes arrive by 9 AM on your delivery day, with dollies for rolling stacks to the truck in the cool of the morning, and we collect the empties from your new home. Check the ZIP codes we deliver to.
Questions people ask
Something else? Call (480) 933-0185 or read the moving box rental FAQ.
- What is the best time of year to move in Phoenix?
- October through April, when days are mild. From June through September the normal high at Phoenix Sky Harbor is above 100°F every month, peaking at about 106°F in July, so a summer move needs to start at sunrise and be loaded by late morning.
- What time of day should I move in the Phoenix summer?
- Start at sunrise and aim to have the truck loaded by late morning. Afternoons are the hottest part of the day and, from mid-June to September, the most likely time for a monsoon storm. Evenings cool off slowly, so they are a poor second choice.
- What should I not leave in a moving truck in the Arizona summer?
- Medications, electronics and anything with a lithium battery, candles, vinyl records and discs, photos and important papers, cosmetics, wine and food, plants, and aerosol cans. Pack them together and carry them in your air-conditioned car. Never leave a pet in a vehicle.
- When is monsoon season in Phoenix?
- The National Weather Service defines the Arizona monsoon season as June 15 through September 30. Storms usually build in the afternoon and can bring strong wind, dust storms and sudden heavy rain.
- Who provides electricity in Phoenix?
- Most homes in the Valley get electricity from SRP or APS, and which one depends on the address, not your choice. A few areas, including part of Mesa, are served by a city utility. Find out which serves your new address and schedule service to start the day before you arrive, so the air conditioning is running when you walk in.
Rent moving boxes, delivered to your door
Plastic moving totes and dollies from $63.75 for 7 days, with delivery and pickup included. Free cancellation until 6 AM on the delivery day.