Moving From New Jersey to Florida: Movers, Costs, and Benefits

Florida is Florida. New Jersey is… well, it’s New Jersey. Tons of people are moving out, whether they’re in search of better weather, nicer people, or a little bit of both. And tons of people are moving to Florida for all of the above.

It’s about 1000 miles to get from the Garden State to the Sunshine State. That’s a lot of ground to cover, and you’ll have plenty of boxes to pack, miles to drive, and furniture to unload, rearrange, and resituate. Fortunately, iMoving is here to help.

At iMoving, we’ve built a whole marketplace of over 1000 vetted and verified moving pros. We made it easier than ever to shop, compare prices, and book your Florida to New Jersey movers, all online and from the comfort of your web browser.

Not ready to pack your bags just yet? No problem. Read on to see what you can expect before, during, and after the big day.

Your New Jersey to Florida move will take you anywhere from 3 - 21 days. Under federal law, drivers can’t clock more than 400 miles of interstate travel per day, so that’s 3 days at the minimum for the ~1000 miles between Jersey and Florida.

Federal restrictions aside, the distance and volume play a big role in the duration of your move - just like the price. But unlike the price, a smaller move doesn’t mean a smaller wait.

Moving companies try to avoid empty trucks whenever they can. This means if your move only fills up ⅓ of a trailer, your movers will fill the other ⅔ with other moves (while keeping everything separate and secure, of course).

This is great for efficiency, but not so great if you’re in a hurry. Your movers will have to make a few stops for dropoffs and deliveries along the way.

$2,010 - $8,514 is quite a window. The final price of your New Jersey to Florida move depends on a few important factors. Let’s take a look at why you’ll pay more or less on a moving day:

1. Distance

When you’re dealing with long distance movers, the distance is going to be (arguably) the biggest factor behind your price. More miles means more money.

Unfortunately, New Jersey and Florida are about 1,000 miles apart at the closest - but the more distance between Jersey and wherever you’re moving, the better, right?

2. Volume

The distance is just half of the equation. Long-distance movers also charge by volume or the physical size of your move. This is usually by weight or cubic feet.

Your movers will use an in-home estimate or a detailed inventory list, assigning a pound or cubic-foot value to all of your boxes and furniture.

3. Packing and Add-Ons

There are a lot of add-ons and extras to think about, especially if your moving company offers à la carte pricing for custom moving plans.

Will you need packing? Will you need storage? Every move is different, and so is every quote. While these extras may cost more, they’re oftentimes worth every penny. You’ll spend more cash, but save on sanity.

4. Access Fees

Access fees are a catch-all term for any extra obstacles between your front door and the moving truck. If you have a long driveway (usually over 75 feet), or if your movers have to Tetris your stuff into an elevator or up and down extra staircases, you’ll have to pay a little more. It’s a good idea to call your movers and walk them through your floor plan so there aren’t any unpleasant surprises - for them, or for you.

5. Insurance

It’s rare, but sometimes it happens. Stuff can get lost, damaged, or destroyed during your move. Under federal law, moving companies have to offer a bare minimum policy, but that federal minimum is just $0.60 per pound.

That means if you lose a 4-pound Macbook, you’re just getting $2.40 back. If you want full-value compensation, you’ll have to pay extra for full-value coverage.

6. Season/Time of Year

June, July, and August are the busiest months for moving. It’s bleeding into May and September, too. During this season, expect higher prices, and a harder time locking down the dates you’d prefer.

Take our advice, and try to book a move in the middle of the week, the middle of the month, and far away from major vacations or holidays.

7. Expedited Delivery

Moving from New Jersey to Florida will take you from 3 - 21 days, but that 3-day minimum is only if the stars really align. Your movers will make pickups and deliveries on way, so you’ll have to wait a little longer than expected.

If you absolutely must have your stuff as soon as possible, pay for expedited delivery if it’s on the menu. Just remember it comes at a price.

If you’re reading this article, you probably have your own reasons for getting out of the Garden State. And if you’ve ever been to Florida, you’ll know there’s plenty of reason to head down south. Here are some of the other reasons you may have forgotten:

• Weather: This one’s pretty unforgettable, but we’ll put it here as a reminder, anyway. Have you ever heard of someone shoveling snow in Miami? Yeah, didn’t think so. Florida has great weather, and even during cold snaps, it’s nothing compared to Jersey.

• Beaches: The Jersey Shore and its consequences have been a disaster for Atlantic City (and the rest of the state). Fortunately, Florida has a lot more coastline for you to explore, with plenty of white sand and warm water.

• Always Entertaining: All you have to do is search “Florida Man” in Google News, and you’ll see some really crazy stuff. To some, this may be a turnoff, but to others, it’s a sure sign that Floridians will always have something to talk about.

• Nature and the Outdoors: Did you know that New Jersey has more superfund sites than anywhere else in the US? There’s 115 hazardous waste sites throughout the Garden State. If you want to explore the great outdoors, do it in Florida instead.

• Taxes: New Jersey has a pretty punishing income tax. It can range from around 1.40% to 10.75%, which is crazy steep. On the other hand, Florida has no state income tax. That’s more money in your wallet for all the cool activities in the Sunshine State…

We’ve been ragging on New Jersey a lot, and we’ll admit there’s some pretty low-hanging fruit. If you’re getting a little offended, don’t worry - we’ll pivot and talk about some of the nice things to see in Florida, instead.

• Miami: That’s it, just the ENTIRE MIAMI. The Magic City is a wild time, and there’s a little something for everyone. Whether you’re a foodie (even though you hate that word), a history buff, or you’re just looking for a place to party all night, Miami’s the ticket.

• Disney World: We couldn’t make a list of things to do in Florida without mentioning Disney World. It’s Disneyland on steroids. Take a trip to the Magic Kingdom and let your inner child run free.

• The Everglades: A beautiful slice of nature, with all sorts of critters like gators and crocodiles to keep you on your toes and firmly in the boat. The Everglades offer a world-class outdoor experience.

• St. Augustine: This is the oldest European settlement in the lower 48. Founded way back in 1565, St. Augustine is worth the trip. Whether you’re into history, or you just want a laid-back place to unwind, you’ll find it in St. Augustine.

• Daytona International Speedway: Ready for some high-octane fun? Gearheads rejoice. Florida is home to the Daytona International Speedway, a world-famous racetrack that hosts NASCAR, superbike, IndyCar, and endurance racing.

• NASA Kennedy Space Center: After you’ve blown your eardrums out, take some time to enjoy some peace and quiet at the Kennedy Space Center. It’s a whole complex dedicated to the science of space exploration and a great way to feed your mind.

You’ve seen our top movers, and you’ve learned a thing or two about moving from New Jersey to Florida. Now, all you have to do is tell us a little more about your move, and we can get you on the road.

iMoving is the only platform that lets you shop, compare prices, and book your long distance movers entirely online. If you’re looking for moving companies from New Jersey to Florida, we’ve got you covered. Tell us what you’re hauling, and we’ll connect you with the best of the best!