($463+) St. Petersburg, FL to Chattanooga, TN Movers
Moving from St. Petersburg, FL, to Chattanooga, TN, runs anywhere from $496 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,366 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 596 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 1 to 6 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.
- Full-service moves for smaller spaces (studio apartments and 1-bedrooms) start around $1,222, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $7,366 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,027 - $3,237, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $496 - $1,225.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from St. Petersburg, FL, to Chattanooga, TN. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,037 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
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Compare moving options from St. Petersburg, FL to Chattanooga, TN
Moving options from St. Petersburg to Chattanooga fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $2,037 - $4,790 for a 2-3 bedroom home and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers cost about 30% less than full-service for the same size, and rental trucks land around 60% less, with both DIY options requiring you to load yourself. Covering 596 miles, this route usually takes 1 to 6 days from pickup to delivery.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 596-mile route from St. Petersburg to Chattanooga, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,222 - $3,588 | $1,027 - $1,832 | $496 - $846 | $962 - $1,665 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,037 - $4,790 | $1,357 - $2,686 | $489 - $1,099 | $1,011 - $1,965 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $3,464 - $7,366 | $1,687 - $3,237 | $604 - $1,225 | $1,350 - $2,695 |
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from St. Petersburg, FL to Chattanooga, TN
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 596-mile move from St. Petersburg, Florida, to Chattanooga, Tennessee, with costs ranging from $1,222 - $7,366. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $293 - $1,956. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between St. Petersburg and Chattanooga. Local movers in St. Petersburg typically start around $318 as a base rate plus $185/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from St. Petersburg to Chattanooga:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,222 - $3,588
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,037 - $4,790
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,464 - $7,366
Packing, storage, shuttle fees, and added coverage can stack on top of the base price. See the full add-ons and specialty services table below for what each runs from St. Petersburg to Chattanooga.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Florida to Tennessee. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: Peak moving season (May - September) limits truck availability and pushes up full-service moving costs. Booking during slower months can give you more scheduling room and a lower final price.
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Specialty moving services from St. Petersburg, FL to Chattanooga, TN
Specialty needs vary by market — 93% of St. Petersburg movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Chattanooga, 100% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing98% of local movers | $489 - $4,890 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready93% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Let's Get Moving, Inc. | $196 - $1,174/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $293 - $2,347 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage31% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs57% of local movers | $978 - $2,934 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,445 - $9,780 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $733 - $1,392 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items50% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Let's Get Moving, Inc. | $978 - $2,445 |
| Piano | Any piano type74% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Let's Get Moving, Inc. | $782 - $3,423 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling38% of local movers | $293 - $1,467 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect31% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Big Man's Moving Company, LLC | $636 - $1,956 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $293 - $14,670+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $293 - $3,423+ |
What are the best full-service movers from St. Petersburg to Chattanooga?
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving offers the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing locks in your cost upfront, and 24/7 customer support is available throughout the move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. Operating since 1995, AVL staffs every move with full-time in-house crews trained on antiques, art, and other high-value items.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. As one of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, real-time shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in St. Petersburg, FL. Van lines spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments, while local movers tend to charge 30% - 40% more for the same distance. A direct route with a local mover averages 2-day delivery, but that added speed typically carries a higher price tag.
Moving container costs from St. Petersburg, FL to Chattanooga, TN
Moving containers from St. Petersburg, Florida, to Chattanooga, Tennessee, cost between $1,027 and $3,237. A container is delivered to your home and you load it on your own time. Loading windows vary by company: U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30. From there, the company takes over and transports it to Chattanooga. If you go over that window, storage in St. Petersburg adds around $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from St. Petersburg to Chattanooga:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,027 - $1,832
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,357 - $2,686
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,687 - $3,237
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Containers are self-loaded, so many people hire hourly help for the heavy lifting. moveBuddha data shows two movers for about five hours runs around $685 in St. Petersburg, FL. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: If you want stronger coverage than the default liability, full-value protection is the upgrade to consider. Most providers charge 1% - 2% of your shipment value, roughly $500 - $1,000 for $50,000 in contents.
- Storage: After the first month, rental fees average $73 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $147 per month for a larger 12- to 16-foot unit.
- Access: If you anticipate needing to access items while in storage, confirm there's a facility conveniently located near your Chattanooga, TN, destination before booking.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Florida to Tennessee move in the past 90 days. Our pricing data is drawn from 1,500+ monthly data points across our vetted mover network and refreshed every month.
Pro tip: Before ordering moving containers, take a careful inventory of everything you're moving. A typical 1-bedroom home weighs around 3,000 pounds and fits in a single container starting at $1,027. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,357 - $2,686, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers St. Petersburg to Chattanooga?
- Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
- U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
- MovingYourself (5.0/5 stars)
Want a hand without paying for full service? A container or truck move does not mean doing all the heavy lifting yourself. You can hire a labor-only crew in St. Petersburg to load and unload while you handle the drive, then book full help later if you change your mind. Three top-rated local crews for labor-only help in St. Petersburg:
- Big Man's Moving Company, LLC (4.8/5), 9 years in business
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.8/5), 9 years in business
- 2 College Brothers Moving and Storage (4.9/5), 11 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from St. Petersburg, FL to Chattanooga, TN
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 596 miles from St. Petersburg, Florida, to Chattanooga, Tennessee, running $496 - $1,225. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $185 - $212
- Daily insurance: $29/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $20
- St. Petersburg daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.99
| Home size | Typical truck size |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | 10 - 12 ft |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | 15 - 17 ft |
| 4+ bedrooms | 20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel) |
These are typical moving truck rental costs from St. Petersburg to Chattanooga based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $496 - $846
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $489 - $1,099
- 4+ bedrooms: $604 - $1,225
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $496 - $1,225 when pricing out a rental truck from St. Petersburg to Chattanooga. Fuel alone runs ($185 - $212) , and overnight lodging ($147/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend an additional $600 - $1,200 beyond the base rate by the time the move is done.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Gas: Fuel adds $185 - $212 for the 596-mile drive, depending on whether your rental truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: You'll handle the heavy lifting unless you bring in help. Two movers in St. Petersburg, Florida, for about 5 hours typically costs around $685.
- Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
- Lodging: The 596-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $147 per night, adding $293 - $440 in hotel costs total.
- Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $49 and $293.
What are the best moving truck rentals from St. Petersburg to Chattanooga?
- Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
- Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
- U-Haul Truck Rental (4.2/5 stars)
The best truck rental companies for this route, based on moveBuddha's ratings.
Freight trailer costs from St. Petersburg, FL to Chattanooga, TN
Freight trailers are a good fit for medium-to-large moves where you need more space than a container but don't want to drive a rental truck from St. Petersburg, Florida, to Chattanooga, Tennessee. The trailer is delivered to your address, you load it, and the carrier takes it the rest of the way.
Unlike truck rentals with flat rates, freight trailers scale with your shipment. Every additional section of trailer space you fill increases your total. Most long-distance moves using this method run roughly between $1,011 and $1,965.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from St. Petersburg to Chattanooga:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $962 - $1,665
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,011 - $1,965
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,350 - $2,695
Pro tip: Freight trailers offer generous space but reward good packing strategy. The 4-foot ramp can be challenging for large or heavy pieces, and using the full 8-foot height takes careful stacking. Because you're billed by the linear foot, maximizing vertical space keeps your costs lower.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- More space: Freight pricing is based on exactly how much of the trailer you fill. If your items take up more than expected, the added footage can increase your cost by between $73 and $147.
- Peak season impact: Moving during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) often means higher trailer rates as demand increases across the board.
- Moving labor: Unless you plan to load everything yourself, factor in labor costs. Two movers in St. Petersburg, Florida, for roughly five hours typically average $685.
What are the best freight companies from St. Petersburg to Chattanooga?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Best known as a top moving container option thanks to its DIY hybrid model (you load, they drive), MovingYourself also doubles as a strong freight choice with their 53-foot trucks and pay-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. In addition to their well-known container service, U-Pack offers freight trailers that follow the same pay-by-the-foot model with no deposits or upfront fees, making them one of the most flexible freight options for budget-conscious moves.
- Quality Carriers (4.42/5 stars): Quality Carriers is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned and operated facilities give you direct access to support staff who know the area and can coordinate pickups and deliveries with greater flexibility than national carriers.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in Chattanooga fast. For interstate moves, freight is one of the quickest delivery methods out there. Just keep in mind that freight carriers expect you to be available to receive your shipment, so it works best when your move-in is locked in and you don't need temporary storage on either end.
Cost of living: St. Petersburg, FL vs Chattanooga, TN
St. Petersburg and Chattanooga land in a similar range on everyday costs. The cost of living index sits at 103 in St. Petersburg and 90 in Chattanooga, and rent tracks closely too ($2,075/mo vs. $1,475/mo). You likely won't need to rework your monthly budget much after this move. Walkability (43 vs 29) and safety scores (60.46 vs 46.11) come out about the same too.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Chattanooga, TN to St. Petersburg, FL guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from Florida to Tennessee, so our pricing data stays current. Use our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and spot bad actors early. We track 229 movers licensed in Florida, useful context for sizing up this 596-mile move.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 596-mile route from St. Petersburg, FL, to Chattanooga, TN, run $1,222 - $7,366 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,027 - $3,237, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $496 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,037, 30 days of free storage, and a 24/7 support team you can actually reach.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Hamilton County and Schools Erlanger.
FAQs: Moving from St. Petersburg, FL, to Chattanooga, TN
What size moving truck do I need for this route?
Rental trucks generally range from 10 to 26 feet. A 15- to 17-foot truck covers most 2-bedroom moves, while a smaller 10- to 12-foot truck works for a studio or 1-bedroom. Homes with 3 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
What is the best time of year to move from St. Petersburg, FL to Chattanooga, TN?
Aim for a move between October and March, when demand drops and rates tend to be lower across all service types. Peak season runs mid-May through mid-September, and weekends and month-end dates are pricier regardless of season. A midweek, mid-month date outside peak season is your best bet for saving money.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Tennessee?
Although a local license is not required in Tennessee, make sure the moving company you’ll be hiring is registered with U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). To verify if you’re dealing with a legal and licensed mover, you may ask them their USDOT registration number.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($185 - $212), daily insurance ($29/day), and equipment rentals ($7 - $20) on top. Overnight stops can add another $147/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How walkable is Chattanooga?
Chattanooga has a walkability score of 29 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 35, compared to 43 and 59 in St. Petersburg. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
What percentage of St. Petersburg movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 74% of movers in St. Petersburg handle piano moves, and 50% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
