($789+) McAllen, TX to Jacksonville, FL Movers
Moving from McAllen, TX, to Jacksonville, FL, runs anywhere from $829 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $9,230 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,218 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 $2,278, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $9,230 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,257 - $4,531, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $829 - $2,226.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from McAllen, TX, to Jacksonville, FL. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,713 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
Compare moving options from McAllen, TX to Jacksonville, FL
Moving options from McAllen to Jacksonville fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $2,713 - $6,758 on this route, with movers handling all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 60% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This 1,218-mile route typically takes 2 to 8 days door to door.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,218-mile route from McAllen to Jacksonville, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $2,278 - $4,915 | $1,257 - $2,309 | $829 - $1,551 | $1,203 - $2,078 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,713 - $6,758 | $1,772 - $3,319 | $862 - $1,826 | $1,391 - $2,682 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,800 - $9,230 | $2,377 - $4,531 | $1,116 - $2,226 | $1,883 - $3,696 |
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 McAllen, TX to Jacksonville, FL
For the 1,218-mile move from McAllen, Texas, to Jacksonville, Florida, full-service movers cost between $2,278 and $9,230. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $252 - $1,680 (1 - 5+ bedrooms), crews will pack your boxes. The weight of your shipment and the mileage between the two cities are what drive your final cost. For scale, local movers in McAllen generally start around $160 plus $80 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from McAllen to Jacksonville:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,278 - $4,915
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,713 - $6,758
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,800 - $9,230
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 McAllen to Jacksonville.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Texas to Florida. 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 McAllen, TX to Jacksonville, FL
Specialty needs vary by market — 57% of McAllen movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Jacksonville, 75% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing71% of local movers | $420 - $4,200 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready57% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Jones Moving & Storage Co., Inc. | $168 - $1,008/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $252 - $2,016 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs43% of local movers | $840 - $2,520 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,100 - $8,400 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $629 - $1,195 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items29% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Rick's Moving & Storage LLC | $840 - $2,100 |
| Piano | Any piano type71% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Jones Moving & Storage Co., Inc. | $672 - $2,940 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling57% of local movers | $252 - $1,260 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect22% nationallyTop pick: | $546 - $1,680 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $252 - $12,600+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $252 - $2,940+ |
What are the best full-service movers from McAllen to Jacksonville?
If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in Professional Movers Association of Florida is a good first thing to confirm.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving offers the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing locks in your cost upfront, and 24/7 customer support is available throughout the move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. Operating since 1995, AVL staffs every move with full-time in-house crews trained on antiques, art, and other high-value items.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. As one of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, real-time shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in McAllen, TX. 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 McAllen, TX to Jacksonville, FL
Moving containers from McAllen, Texas, to Jacksonville, Florida, cost between $1,257 and $4,531. 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 Jacksonville. If you go over that window, storage in McAllen adds around $55/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from McAllen to Jacksonville:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,257 - $2,309
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,772 - $3,319
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,377 - $4,531
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $63 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $126 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Jacksonville, 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 $588 in McAllen, TX. 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 Texas 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 $1,257. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,772 - $3,319, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers McAllen to Jacksonville?
- 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 McAllen 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 McAllen:
- Groves Moving and Storage (3.5/5), 27 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from McAllen, TX to Jacksonville, FL
Renting a moving truck for the 1,218-mile move from McAllen, Texas, to Jacksonville, Florida, costs between $829 and $2,226, before these typical add-ons:
- Fuel for the drive: $326 - $372
- Daily insurance: $25/day
- Equipment rentals: $6 - $17
- McAllen daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.69
| 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 McAllen to Jacksonville based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $829 - $1,551
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $862 - $1,826
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,116 - $2,226
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $829 - $2,226 when pricing out a rental truck from McAllen to Jacksonville. Fuel alone runs ($326 - $372) , and overnight lodging ($126/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend an additional $600 - $1,200 beyond the base rate by the time the move is done.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in McAllen, Texas, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $588.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $326 - $372 for the 1,218-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 $50 and $273, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $126 per night for hotel stops on the 1,218-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $252 - $378.
What are the best moving truck rentals from McAllen to Jacksonville?
- 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 McAllen, TX to Jacksonville, FL
Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from McAllen, Texas, to Jacksonville, Florida. Standard trailers run 28 feet long, and you're only charged for the portion you actually fill. The carrier drops the trailer off, you load it at your own pace, and they handle the drive to your new city.
Pricing is based entirely on the linear footage your shipment occupies, not the full trailer length. Most long-distance freight moves land somewhere between $756 and $2,682.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from McAllen to Jacksonville:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,203 - $2,078
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,391 - $2,682
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,883 - $3,696
Pro tip: Loading a freight trailer is a bit different from filling a container. The 4-foot ramp can be steep with large items, and getting the most out of 8 feet of vertical clearance takes planning. Since pricing is based on linear feet used, every inch of wasted space has a cost.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- More space: Freight trailers are billed by the section you fill. If you misjudge your shipment size, each extra foot of trailer space adds around $63 - $126 to your final bill.
- Peak season pricing: Expect higher rates during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) when trailer availability tightens across the country.
- Moving labor: Loading is on you unless you hire outside help. A half-day crew of two movers in McAllen, Texas, typically costs $588.
What are the best freight companies from McAllen to Jacksonville?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Best known as a top moving container option thanks to its DIY hybrid model (you load, they drive), MovingYourself also doubles as a strong freight choice with their 53-foot trucks and pay-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. In addition to their well-known container service, U-Pack offers freight trailers that follow the same pay-by-the-foot model with no deposits or upfront fees, making them one of the most flexible freight options for budget-conscious moves.
- Royal Freight Lp (4.66/5 stars): Royal Freight Lp is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned and operated facilities give you direct access to support staff who know the area and can coordinate pickups and deliveries with greater flexibility than national carriers.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are one of the fastest ways to move your belongings interstate, often beating full-service movers on delivery time. If getting your stuff to Jacksonville quickly is a priority, freight is worth a hard look. That said, freight carriers typically require you to be available to receive your shipment within a set window, so if you need short-term storage or your new place won't be ready right away, a container or full-service mover may give you more flexibility.
Cost of living: McAllen, TX vs Jacksonville, FL
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Jacksonville, side by side with McAllen on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | McAllen, TX | Jacksonville, FL |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 76 | 96 |
| Average rent | $1,350/mo | $1,520/mo |
| Median home value | $173,919 | $262,098 |
| Average income | $60,165/yr | $66,981/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 7.9% | 4.9% |
| State income tax | None | None |
| Walkability score | 41/100 | 26/100 |
| Safety index | 63.74/100 | 43.62/100 |
| 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 Jacksonville, FL to McAllen, TX guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Texas to Florida in the past 3 months alone, keeping our pricing data current. Run your numbers through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. For context, we track 289 movers based in Texas, handy for sizing up options on this 1,218-mile route.
Our take
A move from McAllen, TX, to Jacksonville, 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 $2,278 - $9,230 on the 1,218-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,257 - $4,531, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $829 - $2,226. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $2,713 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 FIS and Southeastern Grocers.
FAQs: Moving from McAllen, TX, to Jacksonville, FL
What are the best neighborhoods in Jacksonville?
For families, Beacon Hills & Harbour, Deercreek, and Oceanway are worth a look in Jacksonville. If you're moving solo or without kids, Riverside, Brooklyn, and Baymeadows tend to be popular picks instead.
How walkable is Jacksonville?
Jacksonville has a walkability score of 26 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 41, compared to 41 and 46 in McAllen. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
Is Jacksonville a safe place to live?
Jacksonville has a safety index of 43.62 out of 100 and a crime index of 56.38, compared to 63.74 and 36.26 in McAllen. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What are some tips for saving money on a move from McAllen, TX to Jacksonville, 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.
What is the best time of year to move from McAllen, TX to Jacksonville, 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 percentage of McAllen movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 71% of movers in McAllen handle piano moves, and 29% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.