($635+) Detroit, MI to Tallahassee, FL Movers
Moving from Detroit, MI, to Tallahassee, FL, runs anywhere from $635 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,065 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 990 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 $2,204, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $8,065 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,083 - $3,830, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $635 - $1,689.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Detroit, MI, to Tallahassee, FL. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,566 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
Fact Checked by:
Compare moving options from Detroit, MI to Tallahassee, FL
There are 3 main ways to move from Detroit to Tallahassee: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service handles labor and transportation for you, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route costing $2,566 - $6,303. Moving containers run about 43% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 72% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 2 to 7 days for this 990-mile route, depending on which option you go with.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 990-mile route from Detroit to Tallahassee, broken down by home size:
Home size makes the biggest difference in what you'll pay on this route. A studio or 1-bedroom runs $2,204 - $4,873 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($1,083 - $2,117), rental truck ($635 - $1,168), or freight trailer ($994 - $1,849). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $2,566 - $6,303 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $8,065.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated November 2, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Detroit, MI to Tallahassee, FL
Full-service movers for the 990-mile relocation from Detroit, Michigan, to Tallahassee, Florida, cost between $2,204 and $8,065. With a long-distance moving company, loading, transportation, and unloading are all taken care of. If you want to skip packing boxes, too, that can be added for $275 - $1,832, depending on your home size. What you pay in the end is mainly a function of how much your shipment weighs and how far it's traveling. As a point of reference, local movers in Detroit typically charge a base rate around $248 plus $100 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Detroit to Tallahassee:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,204 - $4,873
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,566 - $6,303
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,394 - $8,065
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 Detroit to Tallahassee.
Pro tip: Avoiding peak moving season dates (May - September) is one of the easiest ways to reduce costs. Off-season moves typically come with lower pricing and more room to negotiate since movers have fewer bookings.
Don't see your company listed?
Reach customers actively searching for trusted movers in your area. Tell us about your company and services to get your business listed on moveBuddha.
Specialty moving services from Detroit, MI to Tallahassee, FL
Specialty needs vary by market: 59% of Detroit movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Tallahassee, 90% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing82% of local movers | $458 - $4,580 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready59% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Grosse Pointe Moving & Storage | $183 - $1,099/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $275 - $2,198 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage5% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs58% of local movers | $916 - $2,748 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,290 - $9,160 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $686 - $1,303 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items19% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Handle With Care Moving | $916 - $2,290 |
| Piano | Any piano type42% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Men on the Move | $733 - $3,206 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling9% of local movers | $275 - $1,374 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect15% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $595 - $1,832 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $275 - $13,740+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $275 - $3,206+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Detroit to Tallahassee?
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Detroit, MI. At that distance, local movers often charge 30% - 40% more because they don't spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments the way national carriers do. If a direct route and faster delivery (averaging 2 days) are priorities, a local mover may be worth considering, but that service comes at a higher price.
Moving container costs from Detroit, MI to Tallahassee, FL
Moving containers from Detroit, Michigan, to Tallahassee, Florida, cost between $1,083 and $3,830. 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 Tallahassee. If you go over that window, storage in Detroit adds around $85/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Detroit to Tallahassee:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,083 - $2,117
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,467 - $2,826
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,877 - $3,830
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Access: Most major container brands operate in both Detroit, MI and Tallahassee, FL. Still, double-check that a nearby facility is available if you need to access your belongings before delivery.
- Moving labor: Because containers are self-loaded, many customers hire hourly help. Two movers for about 5 hours typically cost around $641 in Detroit, MI, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $69 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $137 for larger ones (12 - 16 feet).
- Added contents protection: For more coverage beyond the standard minimum, full-value protection is the typical upgrade, generally 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value. On a $50,000 household, that's roughly $500 - $1,000 as a one-time fee.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Michigan 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 $1,083. 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 $1,467 - $2,826.
What are the best moving containers Detroit to Tallahassee?
- 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 Detroit 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 Detroit:
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.9/5), 15 years in business
- O'Sullivan Moving & Storage CO. (4.3/5), 44 years in business
- Men on the Move (4.6/5), 34 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Detroit, MI to Tallahassee, FL
Truck rentals from Detroit, Michigan, to Tallahassee, Florida, range from $635 - $1,689 for the 990-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $289 - $330
- Daily insurance: $27/day
- Equipment rentals: $6 - $18
- Detroit daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.59 - $0.79
| 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 Detroit to Tallahassee based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $635 - $1,168
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $708 - $1,505
- 4+ bedrooms: $896 - $1,689
Pro tip: A rental truck from Detroit to Tallahassee looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $635 - $1,689. But once you factor in fuel ($289 - $330), overnight lodging ($137/night), meals, and equipment rentals, most people end up spending roughly $600 - $1,200 more on meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging. Building that into your budget upfront saves you from sticker shock at the end of the move.
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 $69 and $321.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $137.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $289 and $330 for the 990-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 $641 for 2 movers in Detroit, Michigan, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Detroit to Tallahassee?
- 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 Detroit, MI to Tallahassee, FL
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 Detroit, Michigan, to Tallahassee, Florida. 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. A 2 - 3 bedroom long-distance move using this method runs roughly between $1,126 and $2,261.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Detroit to Tallahassee:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $994 - $1,849
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,126 - $2,261
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,550 - $2,910
Pro tip: Freight pricing rewards efficient packing. Trailers are 8 feet tall and accessed via a 4-foot ramp, so technique matters, especially for heavy pieces. Since each additional linear foot adds to your quote, packing strategically is one of the easiest ways to control costs.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Demand cycles: Trailer costs climb during peak moving season, especially from mid-May through mid-September when demand is at its highest.
- More space: You're billed only for the linear feet you use, but underestimating your inventory means paying for extra space, typically around $69 - $137 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Detroit, Michigan, for about five hours typically runs $641.
What are the best freight companies from Detroit to Tallahassee?
- 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.
- 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.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in Tallahassee 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: Detroit, MI vs Tallahassee, FL
There's not a big cost-of-living gap between Detroit and Tallahassee to plan around. Cost of living index: 92 vs. 91. Average rent: $1,250/mo vs. $1,410/mo. The bigger factor in your budget is the one-time cost of the move itself, covered above. Walkability: 51 vs. 30. Safety index: 27.08 vs. 41.65.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Tallahassee, FL to Detroit, MI guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from Michigan to Florida, 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 173 movers licensed in Michigan, useful context for sizing up this 990-mile move.
Our take
A move from Detroit, MI, to Tallahassee, 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 $2,204 - $8,065 on the 990-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,083 - $3,830, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $635 - $1,689. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $2,566 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 Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare and Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.
FAQs: Moving from Detroit, MI, to Tallahassee, FL
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 4 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
How much does it cost to move from Detroit, MI to Tallahassee, FL?
Costs on this route range from around $635 to $8,065, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,204 and $8,065, while DIY options like rental trucks and containers come in lower. Moving during peak season (May - September) tends to push prices higher across the board.
What is the cheapest way to move from Detroit, MI to Tallahassee, FL?
Renting a moving truck is almost always the most affordable option, since you handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself. A 2-bedroom rental truck move on this route averages $708 - $1,505. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($289 - $330), daily insurance ($27/day), and equipment rentals ($6 - $18) on top. Overnight stops can add another $137/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How long does a move from Detroit, MI to Tallahassee, FL take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 2 to 7 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are often one of the faster options outside of driving yourself, though you'll need to be ready to receive your shipment on arrival. Driving a rental truck yourself puts the schedule entirely in your hands.
What percentage of Detroit movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 42% of movers in Detroit handle piano moves, and 19% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.