Affordable Florida to California Movers
Here’s What Folks are Saying about Pricing Van Lines
Why Moving from Florida to California Could Be Your Next Big Opportunity
Hundreds of thousands of Americans left California this year, and the exodus is getting so major that it even has its own Wikipedia article. But where some see high crime, high prices, and high taxes, others see opportunity – and the promise of a better tomorrow.
Sure, people are leaving in California in droves. But that just means more space for the folks who are ready to move in. And if you’re considering moving from Florida to California, Pricing Van Lines can help you get there on a budget.
At Pricing Van Lines, we use our over 20 years of experience to deliver long distance moving at a price that’s way less than what the big brand movers are charging. And we make sure that our affordable moves are still reliable, efficient, and carried out by teams you can trust.
We’ve helped over 500,000 customers to date, and now we’re ready to help you. Tell us more about your Florida to California move, and we’ll send you a completely personalized quote, completely free of charge.
Why Choose Pricing Van Lines?
Transparent Pricing
We don’t like hidden fees, either. What you see is what you pay.
Tailored Moves
Your move is unique. That’s why we let you pick and choose the exact services you need.
Great Customer Support
Don’t leave your move to some randos with a truck. Our teams have their paperwork in order.
Moving Services from Florida to California
We’ve been in the moving industry long enough to know that every move is different. That’s why we let you pick and choose your services. Here’s how you can customize your Florida to California move:
Packing and Unpacking
If you can’t afford to buy packing supplies, you probably can’t afford to live in California. And even if you have tons of old Amazon boxes lying around, you’ll probably be better off letting the pros take care of the packing and unpacking.
Packing is the toughest part of a move, even if you’re traveling the 2,000+ miles from Florida to California. That’s why our packing teams show up with high-quality boxes, padding supplies, and everything else they need to keep your stuff safe. You can put a price on packing services, but the convenience is priceless.
Cross Country Moving
Long distance moving is one thing, but if you’re planning to move coast to coast, you’ll need quite the support network. At Pricing Van Lines, we’re ready to help you with your cross country hauling, whether it’s planning and coordination, or just transportation with a team you can trust.
Cross country moving can be challenging, particularly because there’s a lot of questions. It’s understandable – you want to know where your stuff is, and you want to know when it’ll arrive. We’ll keep you in the loop, and we’ll always be ready to take your call.
Custom Crating
In a perfect world, everything would fit into one of those 18 1/8” x 18” x 16” boxes. But life isn’t perfect, and you’ve got lots of stuff that needs custom crating and extra TLC. If it doesn’t fit in a box, we’ll build a box around it.
When you book custom crating with Pricing Van Lines, we’ll send a specialty team to your location. They’ll show up with wood, padding, and plenty of hardware – all you have to do is sit back and spectate.
How Long Does it Take to Move from Florida to California?
Moving from Florida to California will take you between 4 and 21 days. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has rules governing the amount of hours a driver can work. If a driver clocks too many miles in one 11-hour shift, the FMCSA may investigate them for safety violations (like speeding).
Aside from the rules, moving companies typically bundle multiple moves in the same truck to minimize wasted space. They’ll keep everything separate and secure, but you’ll have to sit through some delays while they pick up and drop off other moves on the Florida to Georgia route. On the plus side, bundling moves and making the most of every cross country trip means your movers are keeping your costs down!
How Much Does it Cost to Move from Florida to California?
It’ll cost you between $700 and $25,000 to move from Florida to California. It’s a pretty big window, but the exact figure depends on the miles you’re traveling, and the weight of all your stuff.
Moving by yourself with a truck costs between $300 and $5,500+, depending on the size of your home and the distance.
| Home Size | 100 miles | 100-1000 miles | 1000-2000 miles | 2000+ miles |
| Studio/1-Bed | $700 – $1,500 | $1,500 – $3,000 | $2,500 – $5,000 | $3,500 – $6,500 |
| 2-Bedroom | $1,200 – $2,500 | $2,500 – $5,000 | $4,000 – $7,500 | $5,500 – $9,500 |
| 3-Bedroom | $1,800 – $3,800 | $3,800 – $7,500 | $6,000 – $11,000 | $8,500 – $14,000 |
| 4-Bedroom | $2,500 – $5,500 | $5,500 – $9,500 | $9,000 – $14,500 | $12,500 – $20,000 |
| 5-Bedroom | $3,500 – $7,500 | $7,500 – $13,000 | $12,000 – $18,000 | $15,000 – $25,000 |
How is California Compared to Florida?
Florida and California seem similar on the surface: They both have great weather, they both have great beaches, and they both have crazy residents. But anyone who’s been to both states can confidently say that they’re worlds apart.
When you move from Florida to California, one of the first things you’ll notice is the cultural difference. Florida is a red state, and California is about as blue as it gets. You know all those jokes about dog yoga studios, vegan bistros, and slam poetry nights about deconstructing postmodern gender roles in underprivileged neighborhoods? Yeah, those aren’t jokes. You’ll actually find stuff like that in California.
“But Pricing Van Lines,” you may be saying, “I’m from eastern California! We’re not blue-haired liberal types!” First of all, no, because nobody lives there. And if you do live there, you’re probably just hallucinating after being on crystal meth for five days straight. Go to sleep.
California also has tons of outdoorsy stuff. Yeah, Florida has the Keys and the Everglades, but California has mountains and redwoods and deserts and all sorts of other cool stuff. Topographically, it’s a lot more varied than Florida.
But let’s get to the stuff you really care about: Price.
According to Zillow, Florida’s average rent is about $2,400 a month. California’s average rent is $2,795, but if you want to live someplace decent (i.e. not inland) you’ll pay closer to $3,000 or even $4,000 a month in a hellhole like San Francisco. Home prices are steep, too. Compared to Florida’s median home price of $389,000, California’s median home price of $778,000 is downright astronomical – and it’s closer to a million if you want to live anywhere decent.
If you’re moving from Florida to California, you’ll have to prepare your wallet accordingly. Fortunately, with Pricing Van Lines you don’t have to pay California money on your professional movers…
Tips to Make Moving Easier
Pricing Van Lines will handle the hard stuff, but there’s a lot you can do to make your life even easier when moving day rolls around:
Downsize as much as possible
Before you shop for quotes, make sure you downsize. Get rid of your old and unwanted items, either by selling it all off, handing it all down, or throwing it all out. Long distance movers charge by weight, so trim the fat.
Host a goodbye party
This one sounds sentimental, but there’s a good reason to host a goodbye party. Aside from getting extra help with your packing, you can also clean out your fridge and get rid of all of those perishable goods.
Use a staging area
Whether you’re paying for packing or doing it yourself, it really helps to stage everything in one easy-to-access bedroom or corner. This way, your movers don’t need to traipse through the house to collect boxes.
Know the no-go list
Every mover has their own list of restricted items that they won’t transport. This is usually perishable stuff, flammable stuff, pressurized stuff, or stuff that’s alive. Call up your movers to get the specifics.
Pack an essentials bag
For cross country moves, it’s a good idea to pack a backpack or suitcase with everything you usually need on a vacation: toiletries, spare changes of clothes, electronics, chargers, etc. You’ll live out of this bag while you unpack.
Prepare for unexpected delays
Moving can sometimes come with surprises. Make sure you have a backup plan for food, accommodations, or temporary storage in case there are any delays during the move.
Frequently Asked Questions
What factors affect your final price?
Distance and dimensions make all the difference. Moving a studio from Tallahassee to Needles is gonna be cheaper than moving a 5-bedroom from the Keys to Redding. But even if you’re moving small, there are a few other factors behind the cost of a Florida to California move:
- Extra services: Add-ons like packing, specialty item handling, and storage all come at an extra price. It may make your move a little pricier (from a few hundred bucks to a few thousand, depending on the move size), but it’s hard to beat the convenience.
- Access fees: Lots of stairs? Elevators? Long hallways or driveways? If your home or apartment building has any of this stuff, expect to pay extra money on access fees. These are all obstacles for your movers, and they’ll charge you accordingly.
- Shuttle fees: Long distance moving companies use big semi trucks for long hauls. Unfortunately, some cities don’t let these trucks clog their streets. Your movers will have to park in the sticks and use a shuttle truck to finish the job. Not cheap.
What’s the difference between long distance moving and local moving?
Local movers operate in a 100-mile radius, and only within the same state. Long distance moving companies handle everything over 100 miles, and across state lines (even if the state line is just a mile away).
While local movers charge per hour and per mover (and usually assign 2 movers per bedroom), long distance movers charge per mile and per pound – although some may use cubic feet instead. Long distance movers also need to be certified by the FMCSA.
Do I need moving insurance?
It’s almost 2,000 miles minimum to get from Florida to California. Do you need moving insurance for a long distance haul like that? We recommend it. While moving companies offer basic coverage, it’s only good for $0.60 per pound of damaged or missing items. Your PS5 is worth more than $6.00, so paying for full value insurance coverage can be a lifesaver.
How many boxes do I need when I move?
Unfortunately, there’s no easy answer to this one. The final box count depends on what kind of boxes you’ll need, and how big your house is. Small boxes are good for books, small electronics, and dishware. Larger boxes are good for comforters and pillows. And medium boxes are good for the slightly-heavier-but-not-too-heavy everything else.
A quick and dirty answer is between 30 and 100 boxes of varying sizes. But the easiest way to box up your stuff is to just pay for full service packing with Pricing Van Lines, and skip the guess work completely!
How can I tell if a moving company is legit?
When you shop for movers, always look for a DOT number issued by the Department of Transportation. You should also look for an MC number issued by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. If a moving company doesn’t have this info on their website, don’t be afraid to contact them and ask. And don’t be afraid to look them up on the FMCSA website, either!
Is moving yourself worth it?
DIY moving is cheap on paper, but in execution, not so much. We’re not just saying this because we’re pro movers, either. Turns out, when you rent a truck, pay for gas, and shell out even more money for food and lodging, your DIY savings dry up pretty quickly. And if you have to take time off from work to pack, load, and haul all your stuff, you’re missing paychecks, too. It may cost a little extra to hire full service movers, but it’s way more efficient – not to mention easier!
Book Your Move from Florida to California Today
Moving from Florida to California? Now you know what to expect. And now you also know what moving company you can trust to get you from coast to coast without breaking the bank.
At Pricing Van Lines, we’re ready to make your California dream a reality. All you have to do is tell us more about your move, and we’ll get you on the road. Share some deets, and get a custom quote on us!
- 15% off seasonal discount
- 10% off for early reservations
- 10% off for flexible pickup windows