($468+) Chattanooga, TN to St. Petersburg, FL Movers
Moving from Chattanooga, TN, to St. Petersburg, FL, runs anywhere from $468 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,266 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 596 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 1 to 6 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 $1,303, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $8,266 or more.
- Moving containers run $969 - $3,240, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $468 - $1,179.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Chattanooga, TN, to St. Petersburg, FL. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,112 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 Chattanooga, TN to St. Petersburg, FL
Moving options from Chattanooga to St. Petersburg 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 $2,112 - $5,436 and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 38% less for the same home size, while rental trucks land about 77% less, though both require you to load the truck or container yourself. This route spans 596 miles and typically takes 1 to 6 days.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 596-mile route from Chattanooga to St. Petersburg, broken down by home size:
- Full-service movers: $1,303 for a studio up to $8,266 for a 4+ bedroom home.
- Moving containers: $969 - $3,240 depending on home size.
- Rental trucks: $468 - $1,179, the lowest-cost option across the board.
- Freight trailers: $829 - $2,617, billed by the space you actually use.
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 Chattanooga, TN to St. Petersburg, FL
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 596-mile move from Chattanooga, Tennessee, to St. Petersburg, Florida, with prices running from $1,303 - $8,266. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $286 - $1,904 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between Chattanooga and St. Petersburg are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, Chattanooga movers tend to run around $280 as a base rate plus $99/hour per mover, for comparison.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Chattanooga to St. Petersburg:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,303 - $3,827
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,112 - $5,436
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,735 - $8,266
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 Chattanooga to St. Petersburg.
Pro tip: Demand for full-service movers surges during peak moving season from May - September, pushing prices higher. Shifting your move to a cooler month could save you a meaningful amount on your total bill.
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 Chattanooga, TN to St. Petersburg, FL
Specialty needs vary by market: 45% of Chattanooga 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 packing77% of local movers | $476 - $4,760 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready45% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $190 - $1,142/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $286 - $2,285 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage13% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs63% of local movers | $952 - $2,856 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,380 - $9,520 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $713 - $1,355 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items19% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Elizabeth's Moving & Storage | $952 - $2,380 |
| Piano | Any piano type23% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $762 - $3,332 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling6% of local movers | $286 - $1,428 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect6% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $619 - $1,904 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $286 - $14,280+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $286 - $3,332+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Chattanooga to St. Petersburg?
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 van lines are the smarter financial choice over local movers in Chattanooga, TN. 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 Chattanooga, TN to St. Petersburg, FL
Moving containers from Chattanooga, Tennessee, to St. Petersburg, Florida, cost between $969 and $3,240. You're in charge of loading, and the timeline is yours to set. U-Haul allows 3 days while PODS gives you a full 30. After that, the company picks it up and delivers it to your new address. Running behind schedule? Storage in Chattanooga costs roughly $60/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Chattanooga to St. Petersburg:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $969 - $1,728
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,305 - $2,389
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,624 - $3,240
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Because loading is on you with a container move, hourly labor help is a popular add-on. In Chattanooga, TN, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $666, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: After the first month, ongoing rental fees kick in. A small container (7 - 8 feet) averages about $71 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $143 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Chattanooga, TN, and St. Petersburg, FL, but confirm a facility is within reasonable distance if you need to retrieve items while in storage.
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection provides broader coverage than the standard liability in your contract. It typically costs 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on $50,000 worth of belongings.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Tennessee 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 $969. 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 $1,305 - $2,389.
What are the best moving containers Chattanooga 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 Chattanooga 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 Chattanooga:
- Good Guys Moving & Delivery (4.8/5), 13 years in business
- Bellhop Moving (4.6/5), 15 years in business
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.5/5), 26 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Chattanooga, TN to St. Petersburg, FL
Truck rentals from Chattanooga, Tennessee, to St. Petersburg, Florida, range from $468 - $1,179 for the 596-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $181 - $206
- Daily insurance: $29/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $19
- Chattanooga daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.79 - $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 Chattanooga to St. Petersburg based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $468 - $839
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $481 - $947
- 4+ bedrooms: $588 - $1,179
Pro tip: A rental truck from Chattanooga to St. Petersburg looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $468 - $1,179. But once you factor in fuel ($181 - $206), overnight lodging ($143/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 $71 and $333.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $143.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $181 and $206 for the 596-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 $666 for 2 movers in Chattanooga, Tennessee, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Chattanooga 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 Chattanooga, TN to St. Petersburg, 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 Chattanooga, Tennessee, to St. Petersburg, 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 $944 and $1,969.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Chattanooga to St. Petersburg:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $829 - $1,508
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $944 - $1,969
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,300 - $2,617
Pro tip: A 4-foot ramp sounds simple, but heavy or awkward furniture can make the climb tricky. With 8 feet of height to work with, smart vertical stacking is key. Since freight companies charge by the linear foot, every extra foot you use adds to the bill.
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 Chattanooga, Tennessee, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $666.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $71 and $143 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Chattanooga to St. Petersburg?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the pick for best for large moves. The company is well-regarded as a top moving container option for its load-it-yourself, we-drive-it model, and that same model makes it a strong freight option for larger homes that benefit from the company's 53-foot trucks and footage-based pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Alongside their flagship container service, U-Pack provides a top-notch freight trailer option that follows the same model: no deposits, no upfront fees, and pricing based on the linear footage you actually use.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in St. Petersburg 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: Chattanooga, TN vs St. Petersburg, FL
Chattanooga and St. Petersburg land in a similar range on everyday costs. The cost of living index sits at 90 in Chattanooga and 103 in St. Petersburg, and average rent is $1,475/mo vs. $2,075/mo. With an index gap that small, you likely won't need to rework your monthly budget much after this move. For reference, walkability is 29 vs 43 and safety scores are 46.11 vs 60.46.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our St. Petersburg, FL to Chattanooga, TN guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from Tennessee 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 213 movers licensed in Tennessee, useful context for sizing up this 596-mile move.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 596-mile route from Chattanooga, TN, to St. Petersburg, FL, run $1,303 - $8,266 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $969 - $3,240, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $468 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,112, 30 days of free storage, and a 24/7 support team you can actually reach.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Jabil and FADV Holdings.
FAQs: Moving from Chattanooga, TN, to St. Petersburg, FL
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($181 - $206), daily insurance ($29/day), and equipment rentals ($7 - $19) on top. Overnight stops can add another $143/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How long does a move from Chattanooga, TN to St. Petersburg, FL take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 1 to 6 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 is the best time of year to move from Chattanooga, TN to St. Petersburg, FL?
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. Florida also has a hurricane season running June through November, worth factoring into your timing if you have flexibility. A midweek, mid-month date outside peak season is your best bet for saving money.
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Chattanooga, TN to St. Petersburg, FL?
Cutting 500 pounds from your shipment, roughly one bedroom's worth of items, saves approximately $200 - $400 on a full-service move on this route. Beyond that, staying organized matters just as much. A solid moving checklist keeps you on schedule and helps you avoid costly last-minute mistakes.
Is St. Petersburg a safe place to live?
St. Petersburg has a safety index of 60.46 out of 100 and a crime index of 39.54, compared to 46.11 and 53.89 in Chattanooga. 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 Chattanooga movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 23% of movers in Chattanooga handle piano moves, and 19% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.