($769+) McAllen, TX to Jacksonville, FL Movers
Moving from McAllen, TX, to Jacksonville, FL, runs anywhere from $769 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,811 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,218 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 2 to 8 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 $2,153, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $8,811 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,225 - $4,325, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $769 - $2,104.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from McAllen, TX, to Jacksonville, FL. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,590 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
Compare moving options from McAllen, TX to Jacksonville, FL
Moving options from McAllen to Jacksonville fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $2,590 - $6,008 for a 2-3 bedroom home and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers cost about 40% less than full-service for the same size, and rental trucks land around 67% less, with both DIY options requiring you to load yourself. Covering 1,218 miles, this route usually takes 2 to 8 days from pickup to delivery.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,218-mile route from McAllen to Jacksonville, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $2,153 - $4,889 | $1,225 - $2,204 | $769 - $1,481 | $1,092 - $2,193 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,590 - $6,008 | $1,563 - $3,265 | $864 - $1,812 | $1,315 - $2,560 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,674 - $8,811 | $2,225 - $4,325 | $1,075 - $2,104 | $1,693 - $3,391 |
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated October 30, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from McAllen, TX to Jacksonville, FL
For the 1,218-mile move from McAllen, Texas, to Jacksonville, Florida, full-service movers cost between $2,153 and $8,811. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $252 - $1,680 (1 - 5+ bedrooms), crews will pack your boxes. The weight of your shipment and the mileage between the two cities are what drive your final cost. For scale, local movers in McAllen generally start around $160 plus $80 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from McAllen to Jacksonville:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,153 - $4,889
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,590 - $6,008
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,674 - $8,811
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 McAllen to Jacksonville.
Pro tip: Demand for full-service movers surges during peak moving season from May - September, pushing prices higher. Shifting your move to a cooler month could save you a meaningful amount on your total bill.
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Specialty moving services from McAllen, TX to Jacksonville, FL
Specialty needs vary by market: 63% of McAllen movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Jacksonville, 66% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing38% of local movers | $420 - $4,200 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready63% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: PODS Moving & Storage | $168 - $1,008/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $252 - $2,016 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs13% of local movers | $840 - $2,520 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,100 - $8,400 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $629 - $1,195 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items13% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: A Better Tripp Moving & Storage (TX) | $840 - $2,100 |
| Piano | Any piano type25% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: Gulf Moving Systems | $672 - $2,940 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling13% of local movers | $252 - $1,260 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect9% nationally | $546 - $1,680 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $252 - $12,600+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $252 - $2,940+ |
What are the best full-service movers from McAllen to Jacksonville?
If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in Professional Movers Association of Florida is a good first thing to confirm.
- 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 McAllen, TX. 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 McAllen, TX to Jacksonville, FL
Moving containers from McAllen, Texas, to Jacksonville, Florida, cost between $1,225 and $4,325. You load everything on your own schedule (U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30). When you're ready, the company takes care of getting the container from point A to point B. Need more time than that? Extra storage in McAllen typically runs around $55/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from McAllen to Jacksonville:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,225 - $2,204
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,563 - $3,265
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,225 - $4,325
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 $588 in McAllen, TX. 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 $63 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $126 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 Jacksonville, FL, destination before booking.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Texas to Florida 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 $1,225. Underestimating how much you have and needing an extra container means paying for another one, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise. For reference, a 2 - 3 bedroom home typically runs $1,563 - $3,265.
What are the best moving containers McAllen to Jacksonville?
- 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 McAllen 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 McAllen:
- PODS Moving & Storage (3.7/5), 27 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from McAllen, TX to Jacksonville, FL
Renting a moving truck for the 1,218-mile move from McAllen, Texas, to Jacksonville, Florida, costs between $769 and $2,104, before these typical add-ons:
- Fuel for the drive: $326 - $372
- Daily insurance: $25/day
- Equipment rentals: $6 - $17
- McAllen daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.69
| 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 McAllen to Jacksonville based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $769 - $1,481
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $864 - $1,812
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,075 - $2,104
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $769 - $2,104 when pricing out a rental truck from McAllen to Jacksonville. Fuel alone runs $326 - $372, and overnight lodging ($126/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend roughly $600 - $1,200 more on meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging by the time the move is done.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Equipment: Tow dollies, appliance dollies, and moving pads are not included in the base rate. These extras often total between $63 and $294.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $126.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $326 and $372 for the 1,218-mile drive, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: If you'd rather not do all the heavy lifting, budget around $588 for 2 movers in McAllen, Texas, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from McAllen to Jacksonville?
- 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 McAllen, TX to Jacksonville, FL
Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from McAllen, Texas, to Jacksonville, Florida. Standard trailers run 28 feet long, and you're only charged for the portion you actually fill. The carrier drops the trailer off, you load it at your own pace, and they handle the drive to your new city.
Pricing is based entirely on the linear footage your shipment occupies, not the full trailer length. Most long-distance freight moves land somewhere between $756 and $2,560.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from McAllen to Jacksonville:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,092 - $2,193
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,315 - $2,560
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,693 - $3,391
Pro tip: Freight trailers come with a 4-foot loading ramp, which can be a challenge with bulky furniture. With 8 feet of vertical space available, stacking efficiently often requires a ladder and a plan. Since you're billed per linear foot, packing tight can make a real difference in your final cost.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- More space: Freight trailers are billed by the section you fill. If you misjudge your shipment size, each extra foot of trailer space adds around $63 - $126 to your final bill.
- Peak season pricing: Expect higher rates during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) when trailer availability tightens across the country.
- Moving labor: Loading is on you unless you hire outside help. A half-day crew of two movers in McAllen, Texas, typically costs $588.
What are the best freight companies from McAllen to Jacksonville?
- 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.
Pro tip: One of the biggest advantages of freight trailers is speed. For an interstate move, freight delivery is one of the fastest options you have short of driving a rental truck yourself. It's a smart choice when your timeline is firm and you'll be ready to receive your shipment. If there's any chance your new place won't be ready or you need a few weeks of storage, a moving container with built-in storage may serve you better.
Cost of living: McAllen, TX vs Jacksonville, FL
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Jacksonville, side by side with McAllen on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | McAllen, TX | Jacksonville, FL |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 76 | 96 |
| Average rent | $1,350/mo | $1,520/mo |
| Median home value | $173,919 | $262,098 |
| Average income | $60,165/yr | $66,981/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 7.9% | 4.9% |
| State income tax | None | None |
| Walkability score | 41/100 | 26/100 |
| Safety index | 63.74/100 | 43.62/100 |
| Air quality | Moderate | Good |
Cost of living index is relative to the U.S. average of 100. Figures reflect the latest available city and state data.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Jacksonville, FL to McAllen, TX guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from Texas to Florida over the past 3 months, giving us some of the most up-to-date pricing data around. Running your move through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. There are 803 movers in our Texas network to compare for this 1,218-mile move.
Our take
A move from McAllen, TX, to Jacksonville, FL, gives you several options depending on your budget and how much you want to do yourself. Full-service movers handle everything but cost the most, ranging from $2,153 - $8,811 on the 1,218-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,225 - $4,325, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $769 - $2,104. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $2,590 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and round-the-clock live support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include FIS and Southeastern Grocers.
FAQs: Moving from McAllen, TX, to Jacksonville, FL
What are the best neighborhoods in Jacksonville?
For families, Beacon Hills & Harbour, Deercreek, and Oceanway are worth a look in Jacksonville. If you're moving solo or without kids, Riverside, Brooklyn, and Baymeadows tend to be popular picks instead.
How walkable is Jacksonville?
Jacksonville has a walkability score of 26 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 41, compared to 41 and 46 in McAllen. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
Is Jacksonville a safe place to live?
Jacksonville has a safety index of 43.62 out of 100 and a crime index of 56.38, compared to 63.74 and 36.26 in McAllen. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What are some tips for saving money on a move from McAllen, TX to Jacksonville, FL?
Cutting 500 pounds from your shipment, roughly one bedroom's worth of items, saves approximately $200 - $400 on a full-service move on this route. Beyond that, staying organized matters just as much. A solid moving checklist keeps you on schedule and helps you avoid costly last-minute mistakes.
What is the best time of year to move from McAllen, TX to Jacksonville, FL?
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. Florida also has a hurricane season running June through November, worth factoring into your timing if you have flexibility. A midweek, mid-month date outside peak season is your best bet for saving money.
What percentage of McAllen movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 25% of movers in McAllen handle piano moves, and 13% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.