Florida handles one of the highest volumes of interstate moves in the country, and its market has shifted in 2024-2025. After years of pandemic-era growth, the state is now seeing a more balanced flow: the 2024 United Van Lines study ranked Florida among the top inbound states (66% inbound), but more recent 2025 data from Allied Van Lines and North American Van Lines flags Florida as increasingly balanced, with rising insurance costs and home prices pushing some residents toward Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee. The majority of Florida moves are intrastate reshuffles rather than out-of-state departures, with the Miami-to-Orlando corridor (I-95 to Florida’s Turnpike and I-4) among the busiest internal routes. New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut still send the largest numbers of inbound movers, drawn by Florida’s lack of state income tax and no tax on retirement income.
Florida’s moving industry is regulated by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) under Chapter 507, Florida Statutes – the Household Moving Services Act. As of July 1, 2024, Senate Bill 304 tightened requirements significantly: all intrastate movers and brokers must register with FDACS and obtain an IM (Intrastate Mover) number, carry cargo liability insurance of at least $10,000 per shipment, and display their FDACS registration number on all vehicles, contracts, and advertisements. Refusing to release a customer’s goods when ordered by law enforcement is now a third-degree felony. Complaints go to FDACS at 1-800-HELP-FLA (435-7352) or through fdacs.gov. Interstate moves are governed by FMCSA. The FDACS Business License Lookup tool at fdacs.gov lets consumers verify any mover’s registration status before signing a contract.
Peak season runs May through September, with June and July the most congested months. The hurricane season overlap (June-November) adds logistical pressure on the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, particularly in South Florida and the Tampa Bay area, where storm prep or evacuation scheduling can compress mover availability on short notice. The average cost of a full-service move in Florida, combining local and long-distance, is approximately $3,114 – about 3% above the national average, per 2025 survey data.
Top-Rated Movers in Florida
Joe Bonnie & Son Moving & Storage
Address: 235 N Congress Ave, Delray Beach, FL 33445
Website: https://joebonniemovers.com
FDACS IM#: IM93
Family-owned and operated since 1941, Joe Bonnie & Son is one of the longest-running movers in South Florida, with four generations of the Bonnie family at the helm. The company handles local, long-distance, and international relocations, and serves as an agent for National Van Lines for interstate and overseas shipments. Services include full packing and crating, temperature-controlled storage in a hurricane-code-constructed warehouse, and specialty handling for fragile and high-value items. Their primary coverage area is South Florida – Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade counties – with 95% of new business reportedly coming from client referrals.
Good Greek Moving & Storage
Address: 1333 N Jog Rd, Suite 103, West Palm Beach, FL 33413
Website: https://greekmoving.com
USDOT: #2562486
Headquartered in West Palm Beach with additional locations in Fort Lauderdale and Tampa, Good Greek holds one of the broadest footprints of any Florida-based independent mover. With 71 registered trucks and 70 drivers logging over 4.5 million interstate miles in 2024, the company handles local, long-distance, interstate, and international moves for both residential and commercial clients. Services include packing, climate-controlled storage, junk removal, auto transport, and specialty handling for pianos and fine art. Good Greek serves as the official mover of the Florida Panthers, Miami Heat, Miami Marlins, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and was recognized at Florida’s Governor’s office in December 2025 for its role in supporting the state’s relocation economy.
First Class Moving Systems, Inc.
Address: 8110 Anderson Rd, Suite 100, Tampa, FL 33634
Website: https://movewithclass.com
USDOT: #944759
FDACS IM#: IM651
Founded in 2001, First Class Moving Systems operates from Tampa with additional offices in Miami and Orlando, making it one of the few Florida-based movers with true multi-market presence across the state. The company holds a North American Van Lines affiliation for interstate and international moves. Services cover local and long-distance residential, commercial, military relocation (with a long-standing relationship with MacDill Air Force Base), packing and crating, FF&E (furniture, fixtures, and equipment) logistics, and 32,000 square feet of Tampa warehouse storage. Service areas include Tampa Bay, South Florida, and Central Florida metro markets.
Moving Companies in Florida: Common Questions
Is my mover required to be licensed in Florida?
Yes. Under Florida’s Household Moving Services Act (Chapter 507, Florida Statutes), all movers and moving brokers performing intrastate moves must register with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) and obtain an IM number. This registration – which costs $600 for a two-year term and was significantly tightened by Senate Bill 304 in 2024 – must be displayed on all vehicles, contracts, and advertising. You can verify any mover’s current registration status using the FDACS Business License Lookup at fdacs.gov, or by calling 1-800-HELP-FLA (435-7352). For interstate moves, the mover must additionally hold USDOT and MC authority from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), searchable at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov.
How much does a local move typically cost in Florida?
Based on 2025 survey data, the average full-service move in Florida (combining local and long-distance jobs) runs approximately $3,114, which is about 3% above the national average of $3,020. Local hourly rates vary by market: in Miami and Tampa, expect two-mover crews to run roughly $100-$150 per hour. A local move for a one-bedroom apartment typically falls between $450 and $900; a three-bedroom home can run $1,500 to $4,000 depending on distance, services, and time of year. Moving during peak season (May through September) consistently costs more than scheduling in October through April.
How does Florida’s hurricane season affect moving costs and timing?
Florida’s hurricane season (June 1 through November 30) overlaps directly with peak moving season and creates specific logistical pressures. On the Gulf Coast and in South Florida, mover availability can compress quickly if a storm watch or mandatory evacuation is issued for a metro area. Booking a move for July or August in Tampa, Fort Myers, or the Miami area should include a cancellation or reschedule clause in your contract. Some movers charge higher rates or require weather-related deposits during peak season months. Moving in October through April avoids the worst of both hurricane and snowbird seasonal congestion, particularly in South Florida where November through March brings a surge of part-time residents.
What is a binding estimate and how does it protect me under Florida law?
Florida law requires movers to provide written estimates before beginning any move. A binding estimate caps your total price – you cannot be charged more than the agreed amount regardless of how long the job takes or how heavy the shipment is. A non-binding estimate is only an approximation and can be exceeded. Under Chapter 507, the contract must clearly state all charges, services, and conditions before you sign. Florida law now also prohibits movers from withholding your goods if you have paid the agreed amount; doing so is a third-degree felony under the 2024 SB 304 provisions. Always request a written, itemized contract before your moving day.
How do I file a complaint against a moving company in Florida?
Complaints against Florida intrastate movers go to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS): online at 800helpfla.com, by phone at 1-800-HELP-FLA (435-7352), or by mail to their Tallahassee office. The Florida Attorney General’s office also accepts moving fraud complaints online at myfloridalegal.com. FDACS can investigate violations, issue cease-and-desist orders, impose administrative penalties, and refer serious cases – such as goods being unlawfully withheld – for criminal prosecution. For complaints involving an interstate mover (crossing state lines), file separately with the FMCSA at fmcsa.dot.gov.