How To Move from California to Florida in 2024
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People are moving from California to Florida for a range of reasons, like warm weather, beautiful beaches, and a lower cost of living. If you’re considering a cross-country trek from the Pacific coast to South Florida, the Gulf of Mexico, or any point in between, use our guide to compare the top moving companies in California and Florida to get an idea of relocation costs and which services you’ll need. International Van Lines (IVL) is our top choice due to their competitive rates and variety of services.
We’ve dedicated thousands of hours to researching the most highly-rated moving providers serving California and Florida based on their customer experience, costs, and services, with pointers for moving from coast to coast.
7 Best California to Florida Movers
Your move to Florida will begin with an assessment of your belongings and your budget. Balancing moving services with expenses will help you determine a realistic idea of what kind of moving experience—full-service, partial-service, or DIY—best suits you. Based on our research, these are the top moving services for relocating from California to Florida.
- International Van Lines: Best Full-Service Mover
- American Van Lines: Best Overall Moving Labor
- Allied Van Lines: Best for Vehicle Relocation
- North American Van Lines: Best for Claims
- 1-800-PACK-RAT: Best Self-Service Mover
- PODS: Convenience
Compare the Top California to Florida Movers
| Company | Logo | Star Rating | BBB Rating | Deposit Required | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A+ | Up to 25% | Get Quote | ||
| A+ | Up to 50% | Get Quote | ||
 | A+ | $250 | Read Our Review | ||
 | A+ | None | Get Quote | ||
 | A+ | None | Get Quote |
Benefits of Moving from California to Florida
Here are three of the top reasons to move from California to Florida:
1. Lower Cost of Living
California remains one of the most expensive states in the country, so moving to Florida can represent some major savings on housing, property taxes, and everyday expenses like groceries. The cost of living in Florida is slightly higher than some of its surrounding southern states, but on average it is still about 60% more affordable, according to U.S. Census Bureau data. The median home price in Orlando is just under $295,000, for example, while the average cost of a home in Los Angeles is approximately $883,000.
2. Attractive Beaches
If you’re familiar with the West Coast, then you’ll feel at home along Florida’s 663 miles of white-sand beaches. While California’s coastline is certainly appealing, Florida boasts some of the top-ranked beaches in the country, including Destin, St. Petersburg, Naples, and Pensacola Beach.
3. Theme Parks and Attractions
There is plenty to do throughout Florida. The state is home to one of the world’s most-loved destinations—Disney World. Nearby Disney are two other major attractions for thrill-seekers and marine-life enthusiasts of all ages, Universal Studios, and SeaWorld. And Florida boasts some of the best nightlife around in major cities like Miami and Palm Beach.
Our Top Picks For California to Florida Movers
Overall, we recommend International Van Lines (IVL) for your move from California to Florida because of the company’s widespread availability and comprehensive services. Founded in 2004, IVL can accommodate long-distance moves in all 50 states, making it a great option for your cross-country relocation from California to Florida. In addition to standard full-service offerings like packing, loading, unloading, and unpacking, the company offers add-on options for a customized move.
Optional add-on services with IVL include vehicle shipping, short- and long-term storage, and special handling of oversized, fragile, and/or high-value items like antiques and pianos.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Provides basic liability protection and full-value protection for an additional fee
- Offers a 15% discount for senior citizens
- Provides sample costs for insurance and commonly moving fees to help you budget
Cons
- Requires a 25% deposit to schedule a moving date
- Works with local agents within a larger network, so procedures, policies, and customer service could vary
Cost
International Van Lines will factor the distance and size of your move and any add-on services you select to develop a detailed ballpark estimate for you, and IVL lists all associated moving fees on its website to help customers understand and anticipate potential surprise charges.
We got a general price range from IVL for the sample quote below. The estimate includes mileage, fuel, and any applicable toll charges.
- Sample Quote: $4,200 to $6,150 (3 bedroom move from San Diego, CA to Tallahassee, FL in mid-April)
With nearly nine decades in the moving industry, American Van Lines is our choice for experienced full-service relocations. Since the company specializes in long-distance relocations, it is well-equipped to accommodate your move from California to Florida and can handle any fragile or difficult-to-move items you have.
American Van Lines prides itself on its skilled moving crews. The company claims that all crew members are employed full-time and are fully vetted through background checks before being hired. American Van Lines also requires its movers to complete annual training and certifications. As a result, the company has designated moving crews to handle the disassembly and reassembly of pianos and the packaging and transport of antiques.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Honors lower estimates from competitors
- Has climate-controlled storage facilities with 24-hour camera surveillance
- Offers an optional guaranteed delivery date at an additional cost
Cons
- Requires a 10%–50% deposit to schedule your move
- Does not give instant quotes through its website
Cost
American Van Lines provides binding estimates after conducting an in-person or virtual home assessment to compile a list of your moving inventory. The distance of your move and date of your move will also impact the final cost.
We were able to receive a ballpark estimate from American Van Lines for the sample quote below.
- Sample Quote: $9,800 (3 bedroom move from San Diego, CA to Tallahassee, FL)
JK Moving Services provides flexible full-service moves that can be customized to fit your needs. With the help of a personal moving coordinator, you can choose the add-on options that best support your move from California to Florida.
All basic full-service packages with JK Moving include packing, unpacking, loading, and unloading. If you have difficult-to-package items or fragile pieces, JK Moving can provide special handling. The company also provides vehicle relocation and comprehensive coverage of your belongings.
JK Moving has a user-friendly app for making payments, tracking shipments, and receiving updates during the moving process.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Offers financing options through a partnership with Enhancify
- Has 24/7 live customer support
- Provides ongoing training for moving crews at its onsite model home
Cons
- Will not honor competitor pricing
- Has limited storage facilities (only in Maryland and Virginia)
Cost
Full-replacement coverage ensures you will be reimbursed based on the value of any lost, broken, or damaged items, rather than on weight. Following a virtual or in-person review of your home, JK Moving will provide you with a binding estimate to gauge the size of your move and identify any potential issues like hard-to-move items or narrow staircases.
If you need assistance paying for your move—or just want to spread out the cost over time—you can apply for in-house financing. Through its partnership with Enhancify, JK Moving offers loans with low to no interest rates for those who qualify.
We got a ballpark estimate from JK Moving for the sample quote below. The sample quote includes wrapping, padding, loading, and unloading, as well as furniture disassembly and full-replacement coverage of your items.
- Sample Quote: $9,500 (3 bedroom move from San Diego, CA to Tallahassee, FL)
If you will need assistance moving vehicles from California to your new home in Florida, we recommend checking out Allied Van Lines.
In business for more than 90 years, Allied handles full-, partial-, and self-service moves of all sizes nationwide. The company has an extensive menu of optional services that can be added to your moving package to complement your cross-country move, including disconnection and reconnection of appliances, climate-controlled storage, and vehicle shipping.
Allied owns and operates open and enclosed carriers for transporting cars, SUVs, trucks, RVs, and watercraft. The company provides up to $100,000 in coverage against damage for vehicle shipments, with no deductible.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Provides free delivery of items in storage for fewer than 90 days
- Has mobile containers, offered through Allied Express, that include small moving crews
- Offers a fragile-only packing option
Cons
- Does not have an online live chat feature for customer service
- Requires full payment one week ahead of moving day
Cost
Allied Van Lines provides binding estimates after doing in-person or virtual review of your moving inventory. Allied will use that inventory to estimate the size of your move in terms of total weight.
We received an online estimate from Allied Van Lines for the sample quote below.
- Sample Quote: $8,140–$8,900 (3 bedroom move from San Diego, CA to Tallahassee, FL in late May)
For added peace of mind during your cross-country move, North American Van Lines (NAVL) might be worth considering. The full-service company stands out for its streamlined claims process.
In the event that some or all of your belongings are damaged, broken, stolen, or lost during transit, you can file a claim directly through NAVL’s website. The website also includes helpful information about claims and contents coverage plans. NAVL also has a customer service line reserved just for claims support if you need further assistance.
NAVL provides full-service moving packages that include packing and unpacking and loading and unloading. Optional add-on services include vehicle shipping, disconnection and reconnection of appliances. and short- and long-term storage.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Offers discounts to American Legion and labor union members and their immediate families
- Trains drivers for all weather and roadway conditions through a simulation tool
- Has crane vans for handling large pieces of equipment and oversized household items
Cons
- Requires a deposit of up to half of your total bill to schedule a moving date
- Has mixed customer reviews due to outsourcing some moves to third-party agents
Cost
Factors that affect the cost of your move with NAVL include how far you are moving and the time of year you plan to move. The total weight of your belongings will also impact pricing, as will the size and layout of your home and any large or bulky items requiring special handling.
We used North American Van Lines’ online moving calculator for the sample quote below.
- Sample Quote: $7,000–$8,500 (3 bedroom move from San Diego, CA to Tallahassee, FL in early fall)
1-800-PACK-RAT is a great option if you are moving from California to Florida with only a small number of belongings or prefer to take a more DIY approach to your cross-country relocation.
PACK-RAT provides steel moving and storage containers, delivered to your door. Once you are finished loading your containers, the company will pick them up and transport them to your new home. Containers are weatherproof, and PACK-RAT uses a patented lift system to load them onto and off of moving trucks.
Long-distance customers can take advantage of a free no-cut lock for their container, as well as a complimentary $10,000 contents protection plan for added peace of mind.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Offers containers in three sizes: eight feet, 12 feet, and 16 feet
- Provides monthly container rentals, giving customers up to 30 days to load and unload
- Has an online tool for estimating the number of storage containers you will need
Cons
- Does not have an option to book deliveries online
- Will not deliver on Sundays
Cost
Using the online calculator tool from 1-800-PACK-Rat for the sample quote below. The estimate is for a 12-foot storage container without any add-on services, such as moving assistance.
- Sample Quote: $4,800 (3 bedroom move from San Diego, CA to Tallahassee, FL in mid-May)
If you are looking for an alternative to traditional full-service moves, PODS may be worth considering. The company has three container sizes—eight, 12, and 16 feet—and will drop off your selected containers to your home for loading at your convenience. Since PODS charges for containers based on a monthly rental fee, you can move at your own pace within the 30-day timeframe.
After you have filled your container, PODS will pick it up and move it to your new home. If you don’t need your belongings right away, the company will drop them off at a conveniently located storage facility until you are ready to have them delivered.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Provides optional moving crews through third-party providers
- Can ship vehicles
- Has aluminum-coated containers that help prevent water leakage
Cons
- Does not give online instant quotes for long-distance moves
- Charges per month, regardless of the actual amount of time you use a container
Cost
PODS quotes are based on a flat monthly rate, so you will not receive a prorated price if you plan to use the containers for fewer than 30 days.
We contacted PODS and received the sample quote below.
- Sample Quote: $4,250 (16-foot container moving from Sacramento, CA to Tallahassee, FL)
Our Conclusion
International Van Lines is the best California to Florida mover, based on our extensive research and comparison of the nation’s top moving companies. It’s best to get quotes from at least three moving companies based on the size of your home, distance of your move and time of year you are moving to get a better idea of pricing.
Keep in mind that most moving companies will conduct an in-person or virtual home assessment before providing a detailed estimate.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Florida from California?
From Fresno, CA to Tampa, FL, it’s about 2300 miles. It would take approximately 40 hours to drive this distance.
What is the average cost of a long-distance move from California to Florida?
According to the American Trucking Associations (ATA), which represents the moving and storage industry, it costs approximately $4,300, on average, to relocate a two- to three-bedroom home 1,000 miles or more. That figure is based on a total shipping weight of 7,400 pounds of furniture and household items.
What factors affect the cost of moving from California to Florida?
Major factors that affect the cost of moving from California to Florida include:
- The exact distance of your relocation
- Amount of items you need to transport
- Type of belongings being moved
For example, moving costs for homes with more than three bedrooms are likely to be higher than moves for homes with difficult items like hot tubs and spas, pianos, and pool tables.c
When Is the cheapest time to move from California to Florida?
Data also shows that it can be cheaper to move during the week, as opposed to weekends, and moving in the middle of the month could save you some money. The most expensive time of year to move is mid-summer because of its popularity.
What should I do with my pets on moving day?
It may be worth the money to invest in a sturdy, high-quality pet carrier that will be comfortable – and comforting – to your four-legged family member. Talk to your veterinarian if your pet has any anxiety issues. If relevant, research and book pet-friendly hotels in advance. On the day of the move, keep your cat or dog quietly and comfortably out of the way, perhaps in a guest bathroom.
Should I tip my movers?
Tipping is customary, though not required. The general rule of thumb for tipping movers is $5 per person per hour. That’s approximately $40 for each mover per 8-hour day. On long-distance moves, the driver should also be compensated for time on the road, should you choose to tip.
Our Rating Methodology
We back up our moving company ratings and recommendations with a detailed rating methodology to objectively score each company. We conduct research by reading through the company websites, analyzing customer reviews, conducting consumer surveys, requesting quotes, and speaking with customer representatives. We then score each moving company against our review standards for services, contents coverage, scheduling, trailer and container options, additional benefits, and reputation to arrive at a final score out of 100.
To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.
