Moving from Virginia to Florida in 2026 costs $1,900 to $7,200 for a full-service interstate mover, with most households paying $3,200 to $5,300. A 1-bedroom runs $1,900-$3,500, a 2-bedroom $2,900-$5,000, and a 3-bedroom house $4,200-$7,200. Virginia has two major origin clusters: Northern Virginia (the DC suburbs — Arlington, Fairfax, Alexandria, Loudoun County) and Hampton Roads (Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Newport News). The NoVA cluster is roughly 940 miles from Tampa, while Hampton Roads is only about 690 miles from Jacksonville. This corridor is heavily used by military families relocating between Virginia's large naval and Army installations and Florida bases.
| Home size | Approx. weight | Full-service movers | DIY truck rental | Portable container |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | 1,800-2,500 lbs | $1,400-$2,700 | $750-$1,500 | $1,500-$2,600 |
| 1-bedroom | 2,500-3,800 lbs | $1,900-$3,500 | $950-$1,800 | $1,800-$3,100 |
| 2-bedroom | 4,000-6,000 lbs | $2,900-$5,000 | $1,200-$2,200 | $2,300-$3,900 |
| 3-bedroom | 7,000-9,500 lbs | $4,200-$7,200 | $1,700-$2,900 | $3,100-$5,100 |
| 4-bedroom | 10,000-13,000 lbs | $5,600-$10,000 | $2,200-$3,700 | $4,000-$6,500 |
| Route | Approx. distance | 2-BR full-service cost |
|---|---|---|
| Arlington/Fairfax → Tampa | 940 mi | $3,100-$5,100 |
| Arlington/Fairfax → Orlando | 840 mi | $2,900-$4,800 |
| Arlington/Fairfax → Miami | 1,100 mi | $3,300-$5,500 |
| Norfolk → Jacksonville | 690 mi | $2,600-$4,300 |
| Norfolk → Tampa | 880 mi | $2,900-$4,800 |
| Richmond → Orlando | 780 mi | $2,800-$4,500 |
Virginia-to-Florida is one of the most common military relocation corridors. Active-duty service members with PCS orders have two main options:
| Truck size | Fits | One-way rental (VA→FL) | Fuel (~900 mi @ 9 mpg) | All-in DIY total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10-12 ft | Studio / 1-BR | $500-$900 | $370-$460 | $950-$1,550 |
| 15-16 ft | 1-2 BR | $700-$1,200 | $400-$500 | $1,250-$1,900 |
| 20-22 ft | 2-3 BR | $850-$1,500 | $440-$550 | $1,500-$2,350 |
| 26 ft | 3-4 BR | $1,100-$1,800 | $470-$590 | $1,800-$2,800 |
Add 1 night of lodging ($100-$200) for the longer NoVA-to-South-Florida routes. Tolls south of Virginia are minimal on I-95. Loading help costs $50-$90 per mover per hour per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (bls.gov).
The Martinez family is moving a 3-bedroom townhouse (~7,800 lbs) from Fairfax, Virginia to Tampa, about 940 miles, in March 2026 (off-peak). They compare full-service and a PPM (DIY for military reimbursement):
| Line item | Full-service | DIY truck (PPM) |
|---|---|---|
| Transport / rental | $5,200 | $1,350 truck rental |
| Fuel | included | $480 |
| Packing materials | included partial | $280 |
| Loading/unloading labor | included | $720 (2 movers, both ends) |
| Lodging (1 night) | included | $140 |
| Total | $5,200 | $2,970 |
| PPM reimbursement (est.) | n/a | +$4,800 (govt rate) |
| Net cost (PPM) | $5,200 | -$1,830 (profit) |
Military PPM moves on this corridor can actually generate a profit because the government reimburses based on what a full-service move would cost.
Virginia has a graduated income tax with a top rate of 5.75 percent on income above $17,000. Florida has no state income tax and no estate tax. For a household earning $150,000, the annual state-income-tax saving is roughly $7,700-$8,000. Virginia also levies a personal property tax on vehicles (the "car tax") based on the vehicle's assessed value, which varies by county but often runs $300-$800 per year for a typical car. Florida has no equivalent annual vehicle property tax, adding further savings.
Per the Florida DHSMV (flhsmv.gov): title $75.25-$85.25, registration ~$77.25, one-time $225 new-resident impact fee, Florida PIP/PDL insurance required before registration, Florida DL within 30 days (~$48). Budget $400-$500 per vehicle.
A full-service interstate move from Virginia to Florida in 2026 costs $1,900-$7,200 depending on home size and Florida destination. A 1-bedroom runs $1,900-$3,500, a 2-bedroom $2,900-$5,000, a 3-bedroom $4,200-$7,200, and a 4-bedroom $5,600-$10,000. The corridor covers roughly 750-1,100 miles from Northern Virginia or Hampton Roads to Florida destinations.
Yes. Virginia hosts some of the largest military installations in the country, including Naval Station Norfolk (the world's largest naval base), Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Marine Corps Base Quantico, and the Pentagon in Arlington. Florida has major bases including Naval Air Station Jacksonville, MacDill AFB (Tampa), and Eglin AFB. Military PCS moves between these bases are among the most common on this corridor. Active-duty military may qualify for government-funded household goods shipping through the Defense Personal Property System.
The drive from Northern Virginia (DC suburbs) to Tampa is about 940 miles and takes roughly 14 hours. To Orlando about 840 miles (12 hours) and to Miami about 1,100 miles (16 hours). From Hampton Roads to Jacksonville is only about 690 miles (10 hours). DIY truck renters typically finish in 1-2 days. Full-service movers quote 2-7 business days.
Yes. New Florida residents must title and register within 30 days. Per the Florida DHSMV, budget about $77.25 registration including new-resident fee, $75.25-$85.25 title, and a one-time $225 new-resident impact fee. Florida PIP and PDL insurance is required before registration. Florida DL due within 30 days (~$48). Budget $400-$500 per vehicle.
Virginia has a graduated income tax with a top rate of 5.75 percent on income above $17,000. Florida has no state income tax. For a household earning $150,000, the annual state income-tax saving is roughly $7,700-$8,000. Virginia also has a car-tax (personal property tax on vehicles) that Florida does not charge, which can save $300-$800 per vehicle annually depending on the county and vehicle value.
October through March offers the best rates. Summer (June-August) is peak moving season with 15-30 percent higher prices. Military PCS moves peak in summer when school-year transitions happen, adding to demand. If you have flexibility, January-February is the cheapest window and Florida weather is mild.
No. Virginia's personal property tax on vehicles (commonly called the car tax) is assessed annually based on where the vehicle is garaged as of January 1. Once you establish Florida residency and register your vehicle in Florida, you no longer owe Virginia's personal property tax on that vehicle. Florida has no equivalent annual vehicle property tax.
Open auto transport from Virginia to Florida costs $500-$1,000 depending on vehicle size and exact cities. Northern Virginia to Tampa runs about $550-$900 for a sedan. Norfolk to Jacksonville is shorter and cheaper at about $400-$700. Enclosed transport adds 40-60 percent.