Every year, approximately 250,000 people move to Florida from other states, with Orlando ranking as one of the top destination cities. The appeal: no state income tax, year-round sunshine, lower cost of living than many northern metros, and a thriving job market.
But moving 500, 1,000, or 2,000+ miles to Orlando is fundamentally different from a local move. The logistics are more complex, costs are higher, and one mistake can cost thousands.
Why Cross-Country Moves Are Different
Distance Changes Everything
Local Move: Pack, load, drive an hour, unload. Done in one day.
Cross-Country Move: Professional movers take 7-21 days. More planning required (8-12 weeks vs. 4-6 for local), 3-5x more expensive, and longer without your belongings.
Weight Is Your Primary Cost Factor
Local moves charge by time. Cross-country moves charge by weight and distance.
Average Household Weight:
- 1-bedroom: 2,000-3,000 pounds
- 2-bedroom: 5,000-7,000 pounds
- 3-bedroom: 10,000-12,000 pounds
- 4-bedroom: 14,000-16,000 pounds
Cost Impact: Every 100 pounds costs $50-75 to move 1,000 miles. That extra furniture might cost $500 to move items worth $300.
Cross-Country Moving Options and Costs
Full-Service Professional Movers
How It Works: Company packs, loads, transports, and unloads everything.
Average Costs (3-bedroom home):
- 500 miles: $2,500-$4,000
- 1,000 miles: $4,000-$6,500
- 1,500 miles: $5,500-$8,500
- 2,500+ miles: $7,000-$12,000
Pros: Least physical work, professional packing, insurance available.
Cons: Most expensive, less control over timing, 7-21 day delivery.
Best For: Families, limited time, valuable items, those who can afford convenience.
Container Services (PODS, U-Pack)
How It Works: Company drops container. You pack and load. They transport. You unload.
Average Costs (3-bedroom home):
- 1,000 miles: $2,500-$4,500
- 2,000 miles: $3,500-$6,000
Pros: Control over packing timeline, no truck driving, storage options.
Cons: You do physical work, still expensive, 2-5 day delivery windows.
Best For: Those wanting control without driving, flexible schedules.
Rental Truck (DIY)
Average Costs (3-bedroom, 1,000 miles):
- Truck rental: $1,200-$2,000
- Gas (6-10 mpg): $400-$800
- Lodging (2-3 nights): $200-$450
- Food: $150-$300
- Total: $2,050-$3,750
Pros: Least expensive, complete control, faster delivery.
Cons: Extremely physically demanding, long-distance driving, you’re liable for damage, time consuming.
Best For: Young, physically able, tight budget, minimal belongings.
Timeline for Cross-Country Moves
8-12 Weeks Before
- Get quotes from 3-5 moving companies
- Research Orlando neighborhoods
- Begin decluttering aggressively
- Request copies of medical records, school transcripts
6-8 Weeks Before
- Finalize Orlando housing
- Book movers
- Notify employer of address change
- Begin packing non-essentials
4-6 Weeks Before
- Schedule utility disconnection/connection
- USPS mail forwarding
- Update address with banks, insurance
- Decide: drive or ship vehicle(s)
2-4 Weeks Before
- Pack everything except final-week essentials
- Confirm all arrangements
- Book hotels for journey if driving
Moving Week
- Pack essentials separately (toiletries, medications, documents, electronics)
- Final walkthrough of current home
- Document condition with photos
- Start journey
What to Purge Before Moving
The $50-75 Per 100 Pounds Rule
Ask: Will it cost more to move than to replace?
Common Purge Items:
- Heavy, cheap furniture (cost $30 to buy, $100-150 to move)
- Books ($0.50-$1.00 per pound to move)
- Small appliances (cheaper to replace)
- Old clothing (heavy and bulky)
- Rarely-used sports equipment
Climate-Inappropriate: Heavy winter coats, snow equipment (Orlando’s winter is 60-75°F).
Items Movers Won’t Transport: Gasoline, propane, paint, chemicals, cleaning products, perishable food.
Statistics: Aggressive decluttering can reduce moving costs by $800-$2,000.
Vehicle Transport vs. Driving
Shipping Your Vehicle
Costs:
- 1,000 miles: $600-$900
- 1,500+ miles: $800-$1,200
Pros: No wear on vehicle, no driving stress, fly to Orlando (faster).
Cons: Expensive, 7-14 day delivery.
Driving Your Vehicle
Costs (1,500 miles):
- Gas: $150-$300
- Lodging: $200-$450
- Food: $150-$300
- Total: $500-$1,050
Pros: Less expensive, have car immediately, can transport items in vehicle.
Cons: Exhausting, wear on vehicle, time consuming.
State-to-State Requirements
Florida Driver’s License
Requirement: Within 30 days of establishing residency.
What You Need: Proof of identity, Social Security number, two proofs of address, surrender out-of-state license.
Cost: $48
Vehicle Registration
Requirement: Within 10 days of employment or 30 days of residency.
What You Need: Out-of-state title, Florida insurance, VIN inspection, registration fees and sales tax.
Insurance Changes
Florida Auto Insurance Requirements:
- $10,000 Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
- $10,000 Property Damage Liability (PDL)
Florida is a “no-fault” insurance state. Rates typically higher than northern states.
Other Updates
- Voter registration in Florida
- Update pet microchip information
- Find new vet in Orlando
Temporary Housing
If Your Housing Isn’t Ready:
Extended Stay Hotels: $80-$150 per night (Homewood Suites, Residence Inn)
Short-Term Rentals: $1,500-$3,000 per month (Airbnb)
Storage: $100-$250/month for climate-controlled units if movers arrive before housing is ready.
First Week in Orlando
Immediate Priorities:
- Verify utilities working
- Unpack essentials and set up beds
- Get Florida driver’s license
- Register vehicles
- Update insurance
- Find essential services (grocery, pharmacy)
- Explore neighborhood
Adjusting to Orlando:
- Climate is hot and humid year-round
- Calculate state income tax savings (3-10% of income)
- Learn hurricane preparedness (season June-November)
- More relaxed pace than northern cities
Cost Summary: 3-Bedroom Home, 1,000 Miles
Full-Service Movers:
- Moving: $4,000-$6,500
- Travel (flying): $400-$800
- Temporary housing: $500-$2,000
- Vehicle shipping: $600-$900
- Total: $5,500-$10,200
Container Service:
- Container/transport: $3,000-$4,500
- Travel (driving): $500-$1,200
- Temporary housing: $500-$2,000
- Total: $4,000-$7,700
DIY Rental Truck:
- Truck, gas, lodging: $2,000-$3,500
- Food/misc: $200-$400
- Total: $2,200-$3,900
Plus First-Month Orlando Costs:
- Security deposit/rent: $2,000-$4,000
- Utility deposits: $200-$500
- Immediate supplies: $300-$800
- License/registration: $100-$300
Grand Total: $7,000-$18,000 depending on options.
Cross-Country Moving Checklist
8-12 Weeks Before:
- Get moving quotes
- Research Orlando
- Declutter aggressively
6-8 Weeks Before:
- Finalize housing
- Book movers
- Begin packing non-essentials
4-6 Weeks Before:
- Arrange utilities
- Forward mail
- Update addresses
2-4 Weeks Before:
- Finish packing except essentials
- Confirm everything
Moving Week:
- Pack essentials separately
- Final walkthrough
- Begin journey
First Week in Orlando:
- Get driver’s license
- Register vehicles
- Update insurance
- Explore new area
Orlando Express Movers for Cross-Country Moves
At Orlando Express Movers, we’ve helped hundreds of families relocate to Orlando from across the country.
Our Services:
Competitive Pricing: Clear, detailed quotes with no surprises.
Coordination Expertise: We handle complex timing and communicate clearly throughout.
Orlando Knowledge: We know the area and can provide local insights.
Flexible Options: Full-service packing or just transport—we customize to your needs.
We’re here to make your move to Orlando successful, whether you’re coming from 500 or 2,500 miles away.
Ready to Move to Orlando?
Moving across the country is one of life’s biggest transitions. With proper planning and the right moving partner, your relocation to Orlando can be the start of an exciting new chapter.
Contact Orlando Express Movers today for a free quote on your cross-country move. Let us know where you’re moving from, and we’ll create a plan that fits your timeline and budget.
Call us to discuss your move to Orlando. Welcome to Florida!