Florida is one of the top destinations for Californians leaving the state — a true coast-to-coast move of 2,500+ miles. We run every California-to-Florida corridor weekly, from LA, San Diego, and the Bay Area into Miami, Tampa, Orlando, and beyond. Licensed, insured carriers, transparent cubic-footage pricing, and a dedicated relocation coordinator from estimate to delivery.
Distance
~2,500–2,800 mi
Transit time
10–16 days
Service
Weekly
No obligation · Response in 30–60 minutes
Overview
Moving from California to Florida is one of the longest and most popular relocations in the country — a coast-to-coast haul of roughly 2,500 to 2,800 miles from the Pacific to the Atlantic. Quick Ship Van Lines coordinates this corridor weekly with licensed, carefully selected carriers who handle both ends: California pickups from LA’s hills to Bay Area walk-ups, and Florida deliveries into high-rise condos and master-planned communities. Whether you’re relocating a San Francisco one-bedroom to Tampa, an LA family home to Orlando, or retiring from San Diego to the Gulf Coast, you get upfront pricing based on the cubic footage of your inventory, a dedicated relocation coordinator, and a realistic delivery window. Most quote requests get a response in 30–60 minutes.
Popular Routes
We move from every major California metro to every major Florida city. Distances and transit windows vary by pairing:
Route | Approx. distance | Est. transit |
2,720 mi | 10–14 days | |
Los Angeles → Orlando | 2,510 mi | 10–14 days |
Los Angeles → Tampa | 2,560 mi | 10–14 days |
San Diego → Miami | 2,610 mi | 10–14 days |
San Francisco → Miami | 3,050 mi | 11–16 days |
Los Angeles → Jacksonville | 2,430 mi | 9–13 days |
Route Details
~2,500–2,800 miles depending on your origin and destination
10–16 business days
I-10 E coast to coast through AZ, NM, TX & the Gulf states into Florida
California · Arizona · New Mexico · Texas · Louisiana · Mississippi · Alabama · Florida
Pacific → Eastern (+3 hours)
October – April (winter “snowbird” demand into Florida)
Demand into Florida peaks October through April with snowbird season — the busiest and priciest window. Late spring and summer offer better rates and availability, with the trade-off of heat, humidity, and hurricane season (June–November). Because this is one of the longest domestic moves, booking 3–4 weeks ahead is recommended to secure dedicated space and preferred dates.
Pricing
Real-world estimates by home size, based on the cubic footage your inventory takes on the truck. As one of the longest routes in the country, pricing runs higher than regional moves, and South Florida (Miami, Fort Lauderdale) costs a bit more than North/Central Florida. Get an accurate upfront quote in about 60 seconds.
$3,000 – $5,400
~250 cubic ft of inventory
$5,000 – $8,200
Couple or small family
Most common
$7,000 – $11,500
Average family home
$10,000 – $16,000+
Larger homes / specialty items
What affects your California to Florida moving cost
Final pricing may vary if inventory or service requirements change prior to pickup.
Real-World Examples
Three representative scenarios based on typical moves on this route.
Cameron
Move
San Francisco, CA → Tampa, FL
Inventory
Queen bed, sectional, standing desk, 25 boxes — a typical 1-bedroom
$3,900
12 days
“A no-income-tax move powered by remote work; a narrow-street shuttle handled the Bay Area pickup.”
The Foster Family
Move
Los Angeles, CA → Orlando, FL
Inventory
3-bedroom home — full household, kids’ rooms, 70+ boxes
$8,600
13 days
“Traded LA prices for a single-family home with a yard; delivery timed to the school-year start.“
Victor & Elena
Move
San Diego, CA → Naples, FL
Inventory
2-bedroom — curated furniture, a lifetime art collection, 45 boxes
$6,800
12 days
“A coast-to-coast retirement; custom crating for framed art and timing around the closing on both ends.“
Good to Know
Three things every California to Florida mover should know before pickup day.
Florida requires you to register your vehicle and transfer your driver’s license within 30 days of establishing residency. There’s no state income tax to file, but budget for registration fees and tolls — a SunPass transponder is worth setting up early.
You’re trading California’s dry, mild coast for Florida’s heat and year-round humidity. Wood furniture, leather, electronics, and paper goods benefit from humidity-aware packing. Hurricane season runs June through November and can occasionally affect delivery scheduling — your coordinator monitors the forecast and adjusts as needed.
A household earning around $150,000 can save an estimated $10,000–$15,000 a year in combined tax and housing costs by moving from California to Florida. The honest caveat unique to Florida is home insurance: premiums run high across much of the state, especially near the coast, so budget for that if you’re buying. For most movers the overall move is still a clear win, but insurance is the line item to check before you commit to a specific home.
More Ways We Help
Rather than drive 2,500+ miles, most customers ship a car alongside the household move. Open transport on this coast-to-coast route typically runs $1,100–$1,500 and enclosed transport for luxury or classic vehicles runs $1,700–$2,400, with vehicle transit usually 7–10 days.
Full or partial packing is available, along with climate-controlled short-term storage if your Florida move-in date falls after your California move-out date — common on cross-country timelines. Ask your coordinator to build either into your quote.
Pianos, antiques, artwork, and collections are handled by experienced crews, with custom crating available for fragile or high-value pieces making the long haul. Flag any specialty items when you request your quote so the right equipment and team are scheduled.
Why Quick Ship
Reviews
FAQs
Full-service moves typically range from $3,000 for a studio to $16,000+ for a 4+ bedroom home, based on the cubic footage of your inventory. It’s one of the longest routes in the country, so pricing runs higher than regional moves. Get an exact number with a free quote in 30–60 minutes.
Plan on 10–16 business days depending on the pairing — Southern California to North Florida is quicker than the Bay Area to Miami — and whether your items travel on a dedicated or consolidated truck. Your coordinator confirms a delivery window before pickup.
Miami and Fort Lauderdale offer the most California-like diversity and city energy, Tampa and St. Pete bring Gulf beaches at lower cost, Orlando is family-friendly and affordable, and Naples, Sarasota, or Vero Beach suit retirees. We serve them all.
Florida has no state income tax versus California’s 13.3% top rate, and its cost of living is far lower — a household at $150,000 can save an estimated $10,000–$15,000 a year in combined tax and housing costs. Budget for higher home insurance in Florida, especially near the coast.
Yes. California is Pacific Time and most of Florida — including Miami, Tampa, Orlando, and Jacksonville — is Eastern Time, a 3-hour difference. Factor this into delivery scheduling and utility setup.
Most carriers take the I-10 East coast to coast through Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and the Gulf states into Florida — crossing eight states. The exact path can vary with the carrier’s other stops and weather.
Yes — and on a coast-to-coast move most people do. Open transport typically costs $1,100–$1,500, enclosed transport for luxury or classic vehicles runs $1,700–$2,400, and vehicle transit is usually 7–10 days. We can bundle it with your household move.
Late spring through summer is generally cheaper than the October–April snowbird peak, with the trade-off of heat, humidity, and hurricane season. Mid-month dates are typically cheaper than month-end.
Join 1,000+ families who chose Quick Ship Van Lines for a stress-free move. Request a quote and we’ll get back to you in 30–60 minutes with a free, no-obligation estimate.
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