($1,573+) St. Petersburg, FL to Long Beach, CA Movers
Moving from St. Petersburg, FL, to Long Beach, CA, runs anywhere from $1,543 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $11,145 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 2,556 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 7 to 21 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 $2,252, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $11,145 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,900 - $6,971, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,543 - $4,363.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from St. Petersburg, FL, to Long Beach, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,543 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 Long Beach, CA
Moving options from St. Petersburg to Long Beach fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move on this route costs $3,543 - $7,128 and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, while rental trucks land about 60% less, though both require you to load the truck or container yourself. This route spans 2,556 miles and typically takes 7 to 21 days.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 2,556-mile route from St. Petersburg to Long Beach, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $2,252 - $5,495 | $1,900 - $3,794 | $1,543 - $2,755 | $1,727 - $3,481 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $3,543 - $7,128 | $2,488 - $5,177 | $1,558 - $3,315 | $2,089 - $4,017 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $6,466 - $11,145 | $3,460 - $6,971 | $2,070 - $4,363 | $2,850 - $5,859 |
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 Long Beach, CA
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 2,556-mile move from St. Petersburg, Florida, to Long Beach, California, with costs ranging from $2,252 - $11,145. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $380 - $2,532. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between St. Petersburg and Long Beach. 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 Long Beach:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,252 - $5,495
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,543 - $7,128
- 4+ bedrooms: $6,466 - $11,145
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 Long Beach.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Florida to California. 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 Long Beach, CA
Specialty needs vary by market — 93% of St. Petersburg movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Long Beach, 87% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing98% of local movers | $633 - $6,330 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready93% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Let's Get Moving, Inc. | $253 - $1,519/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $380 - $3,038 |
| 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 | $1,266 - $3,798 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,165 - $12,660 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $948 - $1,802 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items50% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Let's Get Moving, Inc. | $1,266 - $3,165 |
| Piano | Any piano type74% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Let's Get Moving, Inc. | $1,013 - $4,431 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling38% of local movers | $380 - $1,899 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect31% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Big Man's Moving Company, LLC | $823 - $2,532 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $380 - $18,990+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $380 - $4,431+ |
What are the best full-service movers from St. Petersburg to Long Beach?
Movers licensed to operate in California are typically members of the California Moving & Storage Association, 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 St. Petersburg, FL. 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 St. Petersburg, FL to Long Beach, CA
Moving containers from St. Petersburg, Florida, to Long Beach, California, cost between $1,900 and $6,971. 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 St. Petersburg typically runs around $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from St. Petersburg to Long Beach:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,900 - $3,794
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,488 - $5,177
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,460 - $6,971
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Access: Most major container brands operate in both St. Petersburg, FL and Long Beach, CA. 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 $886 in St. Petersburg, FL, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $95 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $190 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 Florida to California 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 $1,900. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $2,488 - $5,177, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers St. Petersburg to Long Beach?
- 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 Long Beach, CA
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 2,556 miles from St. Petersburg, Florida, to Long Beach, California, running $1,543 - $4,363. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $1,030 - $1,177
- Daily insurance: $38/day
- Equipment rentals: $9 - $25
- 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 Long Beach based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,543 - $2,755
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,558 - $3,315
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,070 - $4,363
Pro tip: A rental truck from St. Petersburg to Long Beach looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $1,543 - $4,363. But once you factor in fuel ($1,030 - $1,177) , overnight lodging ($190/night), meals, and equipment rentals, most people end up spending $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate suggests. 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 $95 and $443.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $190.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $1,030 and $1,177 for the 2,556-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 $886 for 2 movers in St. Petersburg, Florida, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from St. Petersburg to Long Beach?
- 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 Long Beach, CA
If you're moving a larger household from St. Petersburg, Florida, and want to stay in control of the loading process, freight trailers offer a practical middle ground between hiring movers and renting a truck yourself. A 28-foot trailer is delivered to your door, you load what you need, and the carrier handles the drive to Long Beach, California.
Freight trailers are priced by the linear feet your belongings take up, so you only pay for the space you use. Most moves on this route fall between $2,089 and $4,017.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from St. Petersburg to Long Beach:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,727 - $3,481
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,089 - $4,017
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,850 - $5,859
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?
- Seasonal demand: Pricing tends to rise during peak moving season, particularly between mid-May and mid-September.
- Moving labor: Most customers hire loading help since freight is self-loaded. Two movers in St. Petersburg, Florida, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $886.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $95 and $190 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from St. Petersburg to Long Beach?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the best for large moves pick. While it's a top moving container option for the DIY hybrid setup (you handle the loading, they handle the driving), the same approach makes it a strong freight choice for 3 to 5+ bedroom homes that need 53 feet of trailer capacity with pay-as-you-go pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer here. In addition to their popular container service, U-Pack delivers a top-tier freight trailer option that uses the same pay-by-the-foot pricing model and skips deposits and upfront fees entirely.
- Quality Carriers (4.42/5 stars): Quality Carriers is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Local ownership translates to accessible support staff and facilities based in the communities they serve, giving customers more direct communication than they'd typically get from a national-only freight network.
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: St. Petersburg, FL vs Long Beach, CA
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Long Beach, side by side with St. Petersburg on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | St. Petersburg, FL | Long Beach, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 103 | 162 |
| Average rent | $2,075/mo | $2,075/mo |
| Median home value | $327,967 | $762,188 |
| Average income | $73,118/yr | $83,969/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 4.6% | 5.2% |
| State income tax | None | Up to 13.3% |
| Walkability score | 43/100 | 73/100 |
| Safety index | 60.46/100 | 41.42/100 |
| Air quality | Good | 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 Long Beach, CA 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 California, 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 2,556-mile move.
Our take
The 2,556-mile move from St. Petersburg, FL, to Long Beach, CA, costs between $2,252 and $11,145 with full-service movers, $1,900 - $6,971 with a moving container, and $1,543 - $4,363 for a rental truck. Your budget and how much heavy lifting you want to do are the two biggest factors in choosing the right option. If you go with full-service movers, Safeway Moving is our top recommendation, with transparent flat-rate pricing starting around $3,543 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage, and 24/7 customer support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include UTi Worldwide and Molina Healthcare.
FAQs: Moving from St. Petersburg, FL, to Long Beach, CA
How do I know a mover is licensed in California?
When contacting a local moving company for an estimate in California, make sure each has a “T Number” issued by the California Public Utilities Commission (CAPUC). Moving companies with valid T Numbers have met state requirements for insurance, safety, and financial stability and have passed criminal clearance checks conducted by the California Department of Justice.
What is the best time of year to move from St. Petersburg, FL to Long Beach, CA?
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.
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.
Is Long Beach a safe place to live?
Long Beach has a safety index of 41.42 out of 100 and a crime index of 58.58, compared to 60.46 and 39.54 in St. Petersburg. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What is the cheapest way to move from St. Petersburg, FL to Long Beach, CA?
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 $1,558 - $3,315. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
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.
