($735+) Jersey City, NJ to St. Petersburg, FL Movers
Moving from Jersey City, NJ, to St. Petersburg, FL, runs anywhere from $735 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,576 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,153 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 $2,030, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $7,576 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,226 - $4,060, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $735 - $2,088.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Jersey City, NJ, to St. Petersburg, FL. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,395 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 Jersey City, NJ to St. Petersburg, FL
There are 3 main ways to move from Jersey City to St. Petersburg: 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 $2,395 - $5,586. Containers cost roughly 37% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 68% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 1,153 miles, expect 2 to 8 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 1,153-mile route from Jersey City to St. Petersburg, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $2,030 - $4,433 | $1,226 - $2,294 | $735 - $1,427 | $1,038 - $2,125 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,395 - $5,586 | $1,501 - $3,132 | $755 - $1,631 | $1,226 - $2,456 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,237 - $7,576 | $2,073 - $4,060 | $938 - $2,088 | $1,659 - $3,447 |
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 Jersey City, NJ to St. Petersburg, FL
Hiring full-service movers from Jersey City, New Jersey, to St. Petersburg, Florida, costs between $2,030 and $7,576. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 1,153-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $376 - $2,504, 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 Jersey City and St. Petersburg. For a rough baseline, movers based in Jersey City tend to start around $256 plus $139/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 Jersey City to St. Petersburg:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,030 - $4,433
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,395 - $5,586
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,237 - $7,576
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 Jersey City to St. Petersburg.
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.
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 Jersey City, NJ to St. Petersburg, FL
Specialty needs vary by market: 61% of Jersey City movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In St. Petersburg, 57% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing71% of local movers | $626 - $6,260 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready61% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: White Glove Moving & Storage | $250 - $1,502/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $376 - $3,005 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage12% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs46% of local movers | $1,252 - $3,756 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,130 - $12,520 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $938 - $1,782 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items31% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: White Glove Moving & Storage | $1,252 - $3,130 |
| Piano | Any piano type38% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: White Glove Moving & Storage | $1,002 - $4,382 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling9% of local movers | $376 - $1,878 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect3% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (NJ) | $814 - $2,504 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $376 - $18,780+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $376 - $4,382+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Jersey City to St. Petersburg?
All three below meet the standards set by the Professional Movers Association of Florida, the group most Florida movers are affiliated with.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list, with flat-rate pricing that holds firm on moving day and a customer support team available around the clock.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here. With 30+ years of interstate moves behind them, AVL uses full-time in-house crews instead of the contracted labor most national carriers rely on.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, with fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan available on every long-distance move.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national full-service movers are almost always better priced than local movers in Jersey City, NJ. Local companies typically run 30% - 40% more at longer distances because they aren't set up to consolidate shipments the way national carriers do. The one case where a local mover might be worth the premium is if you want a dedicated direct-route truck, which averages a 2-day delivery time, but expect to pay more for that convenience.
Moving container costs from Jersey City, NJ to St. Petersburg, FL
Moving containers from Jersey City, New Jersey, to St. Petersburg, Florida, cost between $1,226 and $4,060. 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 Jersey City typically costs about $130/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Jersey City to St. Petersburg:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,226 - $2,294
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,501 - $3,132
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,073 - $4,060
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $94 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $188 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in St. Petersburg, FL, 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 $876 in Jersey City, NJ. 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 New Jersey 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 $1,226. 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 $1,501 - $3,132.
What are the best moving containers Jersey City to St. Petersburg?
- 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 Jersey City 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 Jersey City:
- Piece of Cake Moving & Storage (4.8/5), 8 years in business
- Moishe's Moving Systems (4.5/5), 33 years in business
- Metropolis Moving, Inc. (4.9/5), 11 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Jersey City, NJ to St. Petersburg, FL
Renting a moving truck for the 1,153-mile move from Jersey City, New Jersey, to St. Petersburg, Florida, costs between $735 and $2,088, before these typical add-ons:
- Fuel for the drive: $459 - $525
- Daily insurance: $38/day
- Equipment rentals: $9 - $25
- Jersey City daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.99 - $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 Jersey City to St. Petersburg based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $735 - $1,427
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $755 - $1,631
- 4+ bedrooms: $938 - $2,088
Pro tip: A rental truck from Jersey City to St. Petersburg looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $735 - $2,088. But once you factor in fuel ($459 - $525), overnight lodging ($188/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?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Jersey City, New Jersey, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $876.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $459 - $525 for the 1,153-mile drive, depending on whether your truck takes gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, auto transport trailers, and furniture pads are separate rentals. Expect to spend between $75 and $407, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $188 per night for hotel stops on the 1,153-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $376 - $563.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Jersey City to St. Petersburg?
- 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 Jersey City, NJ to St. Petersburg, FL
For larger DIY moves from Jersey City, New Jersey, 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 St. Petersburg, 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 a 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route, pricing typically falls between $1,226 and $2,456.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Jersey City to St. Petersburg:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,038 - $2,125
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,226 - $2,456
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,659 - $3,447
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?
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In Jersey City, New Jersey, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $876.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $94 - $188 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 Jersey City to St. Petersburg?
- 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: If speed matters on your move from Jersey City to St. Petersburg, freight trailers are one of the fastest interstate options available, second only to renting a truck and driving it yourself. The tradeoff is that freight works best when you're ready to receive your belongings on the other end. If your timeline is tight on the receiving side or you need a short storage buffer, a moving container might be a better fit.
Cost of living: Jersey City, NJ vs St. Petersburg, FL
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in St. Petersburg, side by side with Jersey City on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Jersey City, NJ | St. Petersburg, FL |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 140 | 103 |
| Average rent | $2,975/mo | $2,075/mo |
| Median home value | $538,163 | $327,967 |
| Average income | $94,813/yr | $73,118/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 8.3% | 4.6% |
| State income tax | Up to 10.7% | None |
| Walkability score | 87/100 | 43/100 |
| Safety index | 56.79/100 | 60.46/100 |
| 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 St. Petersburg, FL to Jersey City, NJ guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from New Jersey to Florida, so our pricing data reflects what movers are actually charging right now. Check our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers, the best way to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and bad actors. We track 315 movers in New Jersey, so you have real options to compare for this 1,153-mile move.
Our take
The 1,153-mile move from Jersey City, NJ, to St. Petersburg, FL, costs between $2,030 and $7,576 with full-service movers, $1,226 - $4,060 with a moving container, and $735 - $2,088 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 $2,395 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 Jabil and FADV Holdings.
FAQs: Moving from Jersey City, NJ, to St. Petersburg, FL
How walkable is St. Petersburg?
St. Petersburg has a walkability score of 43 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 59, compared to 87 and 64 in Jersey City. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
What are the best neighborhoods in St. Petersburg?
For families, Crescent Heights, Holiday Park, and Euclid-St. Paul are worth a look in St. Petersburg. If you're moving solo or without kids, North Downtown, North Shore, and Crescent Lake tend to be popular picks instead.
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 do local movers charge in Jersey City?
Local movers based in Jersey City typically start around $256 as a base rate, plus $139/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 St. Petersburg run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
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.
What percentage of Jersey City movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 38% of movers in Jersey City handle piano moves, and 31% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.