($695+) Orlando, FL to Houston, TX Movers
Moving from Orlando, FL, to Houston, TX, runs anywhere from $695 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,551 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 962 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 $1,942, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $7,551 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,245 - $4,054, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $695 - $1,755.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Orlando, FL, to Houston, TX. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,357 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 Orlando, FL to Houston, TX
There are 3 main ways to move from Orlando to Houston: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service is the most expensive but covers everything from labor to transportation, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route averaging $2,357 - $5,527. Containers cost roughly 30% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 60% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 962 miles, expect 2 to 7 days in transit no matter which service you choose.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 962-mile route from Orlando to Houston, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,942 - $4,339 | $1,245 - $2,221 | $695 - $1,315 | $1,034 - $2,038 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,357 - $5,527 | $1,508 - $3,178 | $714 - $1,533 | $1,170 - $2,542 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $3,973 - $7,551 | $2,074 - $4,054 | $859 - $1,755 | $1,743 - $3,371 |
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 Orlando, FL to Houston, TX
Hiring full-service movers from Orlando, Florida, to Houston, Texas, costs between $1,942 and $7,551. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 962-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $307 - $2,048, depending on the size of your home. Your final cost comes down to two things: the total weight of your shipment and the distance between Orlando and Houston. For a rough baseline, movers based in Orlando tend to start around $188 plus $80/hour per mover on local jobs, before long-distance pricing takes over for a move this size.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Orlando to Houston:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,942 - $4,339
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,357 - $5,527
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,973 - $7,551
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 Orlando to Houston.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Florida to Texas. 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 Orlando, FL to Houston, TX
Specialty needs vary by market — 93% of Orlando movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Houston, 66% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $512 - $5,120 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready93% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Big Man Movers Corp. | $205 - $1,229/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $307 - $2,458 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage20% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs55% of local movers | $1,024 - $3,072 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,560 - $10,240 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $767 - $1,457 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items48% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Big Man Movers Corp. | $1,024 - $2,560 |
| Piano | Any piano type80% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Big Man Movers Corp. | $819 - $3,584 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling30% of local movers | $307 - $1,536 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect28% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Cento Family Moving & Storage | $666 - $2,048 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $307 - $15,360+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $307 - $3,584+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Orlando to Houston?
Movers licensed to operate in Texas are typically members of the Southwest Movers 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 van lines are the smarter financial choice over local movers in Orlando, FL. Local companies can run 30% - 40% more at that range since they don't consolidate shipments the way interstate carriers do. If a direct, dedicated route with an average 2-day delivery appeals to you, a local mover could be worth it, but that convenience comes at a cost.
Moving container costs from Orlando, FL to Houston, TX
Moving containers from Orlando, Florida, to Houston, Texas, cost between $1,245 and $4,054. With a moving container, you load on your own schedule. U-Haul gives you 3 days to fill yours, while PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're ready, the company transports it straight to your new place. Need more time first? Storage in Orlando typically costs about $80/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Orlando to Houston:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,245 - $2,221
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,508 - $3,178
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,074 - $4,054
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $77 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $154 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Houston, TX, if you need to retrieve anything while items are still in storage.
- Moving labor: Since you're responsible for loading the container yourself, many customers bring in hourly help. Based on moveBuddha data, hiring 2 movers for approximately 5 hours costs about $717 in Orlando, FL. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection goes beyond the standard minimum and covers repair, replacement, or reimbursement at declared value. Pricing is typically 1% - 2% of your total shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 move.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Florida to Texas 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 $1,245. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,508 - $3,178, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Orlando to Houston?
- 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 Orlando 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 Orlando:
- Big Man Movers Corp. (4.6/5), 16 years in business
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.9/5), 10 years in business
- Best USA Movers Orlando (5.0/5), 14 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Orlando, FL to Houston, TX
Plan on $695 - $1,755 for a rental moving truck on the 962-mile route from Orlando, Florida, to Houston, Texas. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $313 - $358
- Daily insurance: $31/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $20
- Orlando daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.79 - $1.19
| 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 Orlando to Houston based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $695 - $1,315
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $714 - $1,533
- 4+ bedrooms: $859 - $1,755
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $695 - $1,755 does not include fuel ($313 - $358) , lodging ($154/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Orlando to Houston typically runs $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate alone.
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 $77 and $358.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $154.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $313 and $358 for the 962-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 $717 for 2 movers in Orlando, Florida, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Orlando to Houston?
- 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 Orlando, FL to Houston, TX
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Orlando, Florida, to Houston, Texas, when you want to do the loading yourself without having to drive a massive vehicle. The trailer is delivered, you pack it up, and the carrier handles the long haul.
What sets freight trailers apart is the pay-for-what-you-use pricing model. Each additional foot of trailer space you occupy adds to the cost. Overall pricing for a move of this size and distance typically lands around $1,170 and $2,542.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Orlando to Houston:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,034 - $2,038
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,170 - $2,542
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,743 - $3,371
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?
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In Orlando, Florida, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $717.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $77 - $154 per additional foot to your total.
- Time of year: Rates tend to climb during peak moving season (mid-May through mid-September) when trailer demand is at its highest.
What are the best freight companies from Orlando to Houston?
- 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.
- A.R. Paquette & Co, Inc. (4.38/5 stars): A.R. Paquette & Co, Inc. 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: Orlando, FL vs Houston, TX
Day-to-day costs in Houston are close to what you're used to in Orlando: cost of living index of 97 versus 106, with average rent of $1,549/mo compared to $1,943/mo. Housing, income, and taxes are all in a similar range, so budgeting for this move mostly comes down to the moving costs above rather than a shift in your monthly expenses. Walkability and safety scores are close too, at 41/100 and 50.43/100 in Orlando versus 47/100 and 36.5/100 in Houston.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Houston, TX to Orlando, FL guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Florida to Texas, so we know current pricing better than most. Checking our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates. Florida alone has 229 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 962-mile move like this one.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 962-mile route from Orlando, FL, to Houston, TX, run $1,942 - $7,551 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,245 - $4,054, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $695 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,357, 30 days of free storage, and a 24/7 support team you can actually reach.
Beyond the move itself, people who've relocated to Houston tend to point to bountiful arts and recreational activities and ample economic opportunity, though tropical storms and heat and humidity come up as common complaints. Major employers in the area include H-E-B and Houston Methodist.
FAQs: Moving from Orlando, FL, to Houston, TX
What do local movers charge in Orlando?
Local movers based in Orlando typically start around $188 as a base rate, plus $80/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 Houston run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Texas?
In-state movers operating in the Lone Star State are legally required to be licensed by the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TXDMV), which issues 10-digit TXDMV numbers to commercial carriers.
What are the best neighborhoods in Houston?
For families, Clear Lake City, Friendswood, and Kingwood are worth a look in Houston. If you're moving solo or without kids, Downtown, Greenway/Upper Kirby, and Montrose tend to be popular picks instead.
How walkable is Houston?
Houston has a walkability score of 47 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 49, compared to 41 and 57 in Orlando. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
Is Houston a safe place to live?
Houston has a safety index of 36.5 out of 100 and a crime index of 63.5, compared to 50.43 and 49.57 in Orlando. 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 Orlando movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 80% of movers in Orlando handle piano moves, and 48% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
