($597+) Lexington, KY to Tampa, FL Movers

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Background image of a moving truck moving from Lexington, KY to Tampa, FL

Moving from Lexington, KY, to Tampa, FL, runs anywhere from $573 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,623 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 838 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 2 to 7 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 $1,937, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $8,623 or more.
  • Moving containers run $1,095 - $3,701, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $573 - $1,672.
  • Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Lexington, KY, to Tampa, FL. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,592 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.

Compare moving options from Lexington, KY to Tampa, FL

Moving options from Lexington to Tampa fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $2,592 - $5,990 on this route, with movers handling all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 60% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This 838-mile route typically takes 2 to 7 days door to door.

Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 838-mile route from Lexington to Tampa, broken down by home size:

  • Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $1,937 - $4,784, container $1,095 - $2,145, rental truck $573 - $1,080, freight trailer $1,016 - $1,856.
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $2,592 - $5,990, container $1,509 - $2,833, rental truck $625 - $1,297, freight trailer $1,125 - $2,197.
  • 4+ bedrooms: full-service $4,175 - $8,623, container $1,910 - $3,701, rental truck $774 - $1,672, freight trailer $1,638 - $2,930.

Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.

Professional
Safeway Moving
star star star star star 4.9 / 5
Read our full Safeway review
Best overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran-owned
Container
Unlimited storage
3 container sizes
10% discount
Rental Truck
Budget Truck Rental
star star star star star 4.3 / 5
Read our full Budget review
Affordable pricing
Online estimates
Several discounts
Freight
MovingYourself
star star star star star 4.5 / 5
Read our full MovingYourself review
Fast delivery
Nationwide
100+ miles moves

Full-service moving costs from Lexington, KY to Tampa, FL

For the 838-mile move from Lexington, Kentucky, to Tampa, Florida, full-service movers cost between $1,937 and $8,623. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $289 - $1,924 (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 Lexington generally start around $197 plus $70 per hour, per mover.

Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Lexington to Tampa:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,937 - $4,784
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,592 - $5,990
  • 4+ bedrooms: $4,175 - $8,623

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 Lexington to Tampa.

The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Kentucky to Florida. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.

Pro tip: The summer months (May - September) are the busiest time of year for movers during peak moving season, which drives up prices and limits scheduling options. If you can move in the fall or winter, you'll likely find better rates and more flexibility.

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Specialty moving services from Lexington, KY to Tampa, FL

Specialty needs vary by market — 100% of Lexington movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Tampa, 93% of movers offer the same service.

Service When you need it Typical cost
Full packingFull crew packing100% of local movers$481 - $4,810
Storage in transitNew place not ready100% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Wildcat Moving LLC$192 - $1,154/mo
Shuttle feeTruck can't reach door$289 - $2,309
Full-value protectionMore than $0.60/lb coverage43% of local movers$300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value)
Small movesUnder ~2,000 lbs43% of local movers$962 - $2,886
Office / commercialWorkplace relocation$2,405 - $9,620
Car shippingSecond vehicle$721 - $1,369
Antiques & fine artFragile, high-value items57% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Vincent Fister Inc.$962 - $2,405
PianoAny piano type86% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Wildcat Moving LLC$770 - $3,367
Pool tableDisassembly & re-leveling43% of local movers$289 - $1,443
Hot tubHeavy, needs disconnect14% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: From Here To There, LLC$625 - $1,924
Wine collectionClimate-controlled transport$289 - $14,430+
Pet relocationGround, air, or concierge$289 - $3,367+

What are the best full-service movers from Lexington to Tampa?

Movers licensed to operate in Florida are typically members of the Professional Movers Association of Florida, worth checking for before you book any of the three below.

  1. Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 customer support, and 30 days of free storage are included with every move.
  2. American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list, with 30+ years in business since 1995. AVL is one of the few national carriers that uses full-time in-house crews instead of contracted labor.
  3. Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, combining fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan that covers damage, loss, and breakage.

Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national full-service movers are the more cost-efficient choice. Local movers in Lexington, KY, often charge 30% - 40% more at that distance because their operations aren't built for long-haul logistics. The exception is if you want a dedicated point-to-point truck with an average 2-day delivery, though that level of service generally increases your total cost.

Moving container costs from Lexington, KY to Tampa, FL

Moving containers from Lexington, Kentucky, to Tampa, Florida, cost between $1,095 and $3,701. The container gets dropped at your door and you load it at your own pace. U-Haul gives you 3 days to load and PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're done, the company handles all the transportation. If you need extra time, storage in Lexington runs about $80/month.

Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Lexington to Tampa:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,095 - $2,145
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,509 - $2,833
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,910 - $3,701

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 $673 in Lexington, KY. 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 $72 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $144 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 Tampa, FL, destination before booking.

Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Kentucky 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 $1,095. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,509 - $2,833, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.

What are the best moving containers Lexington to Tampa?

  1. Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
  2. U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
  3. 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 Lexington 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 Lexington:

  • TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.6/5), 20 years in business
  • Saunier Moving & Storage, Inc. (4.6/5), 38 years in business
  • My 3 Son's Moving, 9 years in business

Moving truck rental costs from Lexington, KY to Tampa, FL

Renting a moving truck for the 838-mile move from Lexington, Kentucky, to Tampa, Florida, costs between $573 and $1,672, before these typical add-ons:

  • Fuel for the drive: $257 - $293
  • Daily insurance: $29/day
  • Equipment rentals: $7 - $19
  • Lexington daily rental rate: $19 - $39
  • Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.59 - $0.79
Home sizeTypical truck size
Studio / 1 bedroom10 - 12 ft
2 - 3 bedrooms15 - 17 ft
4+ bedrooms20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel)

These are typical moving truck rental costs from Lexington to Tampa based on home size:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $573 - $1,080
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $625 - $1,297
  • 4+ bedrooms: $774 - $1,672

Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $573 - $1,672 does not include fuel ($257 - $293) , lodging ($144/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Lexington to Tampa typically runs $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate alone.

What other costs come with rental trucks?

  • Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
  • Lodging: Budget around $144 per night if your drive requires an overnight stop. Typically, you'll make 1 - 3 overnight stops, depending on move distance.
  • Moving labor: Bringing in professional loading help in Lexington, Kentucky, usually costs about $673 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
  • Gas: Fuel for the 838-mile drive falls between $257 and $293, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
  • Equipment: Appliance dollies, moving pads, and vehicle trailers are easy to overlook but can add between $48 and $289 to your total.

What are the best moving truck rentals from Lexington to Tampa?

  1. Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
  2. Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
  3. 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 Lexington, KY to Tampa, FL

For larger DIY moves from Lexington, Kentucky, freight trailers give you plenty of room without putting you behind the wheel. Standard trailers are 28 feet long. You load the section you need, and the carrier transports everything to Tampa, Florida.

Because freight companies bill by linear footage, your total is based on how much of the trailer you occupy, not the full length. For most medium-to-large moves on this route, pricing typically falls between $1,125 and $2,197.

Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Lexington to Tampa:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,016 - $1,856
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,125 - $2,197
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,638 - $2,930

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 $72 and $144.
  • 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 Lexington, Kentucky, for roughly five hours typically average $673.

What are the best freight companies from Lexington to Tampa?

  1. MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is our pick for best for large moves. The company is best known as a top moving container option for its hybrid model where you load and they drive, and that same model translates well to freight thanks to their 53-foot trucks and pay-by-the-foot pricing.
  2. U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Beyond their flagship container service, U-Pack also runs freight trailers with the same no-deposit, no-upfront-fee model, charging only for the linear footage you actually fill.
  3. Phoenix Transportation Services, LLC (4.38/5 stars): Phoenix Transportation Services, LLC is our pick for best locally owned freight company. Their locally owned and operated facilities mean you work with support staff who know the route and the area, giving you more responsive scheduling than national-only carriers typically offer.

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: Lexington, KY vs Tampa, FL

Good news for your budget: Tampa isn't meaningfully more or less expensive to live in than Lexington. Cost of living index runs 104 there against 91 here, and rent, income, and tax rates all fall in a comparable band. Focus your planning on the move itself rather than a change in monthly expenses. Walkability and safety scores land in a similar range too - 90/100 and 49.12/100 here versus 51/100 and 53.85/100 there.

Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Tampa, FL to Lexington, KY guide.

Why book your mover through moveBuddha:

moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Kentucky to Florida in the past 3 months alone, keeping our pricing data current. Run your numbers through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. For context, we track 27 movers based in Kentucky, handy for sizing up options on this 838-mile route.

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Our take

A move from Lexington, KY, to Tampa, 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 $1,937 - $8,623 on the 838-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,095 - $3,701, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $573 - $1,672. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $2,592 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 Bloomin' Brands and Sykes Enterprises.

FAQs: Moving from Lexington, KY, to Tampa, FL

What do local movers charge in Lexington?

Local movers based in Lexington typically start around $197 as a base rate, plus $70/hour per mover. That's a useful baseline if you're hiring help just to load a rental truck or container rather than booking a full long-distance move. Rates in Tampa run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.

How do I know a mover is licensed in Florida?

Individuals and companies engaging in for-profit local and intrastate moving within the Sunshine State must register each year with the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services – Division of Consumer Services.

What are the best neighborhoods in Tampa?

For families, Bayshore Beautiful, Bayshore Gardens, and Beach Park are worth a look in Tampa. If you're moving solo or without kids, Channel District, Courier City-Oscawana, and Downtown tend to be popular picks instead.

How walkable is Tampa?

Tampa has a walkability score of 51 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 51, compared to 90 and 85 in Lexington. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.

Is Tampa a safe place to live?

Tampa has a safety index of 53.85 out of 100 and a crime index of 46.15, compared to 49.12 and 50.88 in Lexington. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.

What percentage of Lexington movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?

About 86% of movers in Lexington handle piano moves, and 57% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.