Central Florida is one of the fastest-growing and most diverse regions in the United States. From the beachside communities of Brevard County to the theme-park corridors of Orange County and the quieter, rolling landscapes of Lake County, the region is anything but uniform.
For residents, however, Central Florida is not a single destination it’s a network of distinct counties, each with its own traffic patterns, housing styles, regulations and logistical challenges. Moving from a downtown Orlando high-rise to a single-family home in Davenport isn’t just a simple local move; it’s a cross-county relocation that requires a different level of planning.
The Tweener Move: Defining Cross-County Logistics
In the moving industry, we often categorize moves into two buckets: Local (usually hourly) and Long Distance (usually by weight/mileage). But cross-county moves in Florida often fall into a hybrid category.
A move from Altamonte Springs (Seminole County) to Lakeland (Polk County) is roughly 50 to 60 miles. It involves significant drive time, toll roads and potentially different regulations regarding parking and HOAs.
Why This Matters for You
When you move across counties, the travel time becomes a major cost factor.
- The Double Drive Time: Most moving companies charge for the time it takes to get from their HQ to your old home, then to your new home and back to HQ. In a cross-county scenario, this windshield time can add 2 to 3 hours to your bill before a single box is lifted.
- Tolls and weigh stations: While local moving trucks usually bypass weigh stations, crossing county lines on major highways can sometimes subject commercial vehicles to different scrutiny or toll costs (SunPass/E-Pass) that are passed onto the final invoice.
County-by-County: What to Expect in Each Region
To understand your move, you need to understand the terrain. Here is what to expect when moving to or from the major counties we serve.
1. Orange County: The Urban Core
Orange County is the heart of the region. Whether you are in Winter Park, Windermere, or downtown Orlando, the challenges here are traffic and access.
- High-Rises & Apartments: Moving in downtown often requires reserving freight elevators weeks in advance.
- Traffic: The I-4 Ultimate project has improved things, but rush hour is still a gridlock. We always schedule Orange County moves to avoid the 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM peak times if possible.
- The Challenge: Parking permits. If you are moving into a historic neighborhood like Thornton Park, getting a 26-foot moving truck down a brick street lined with oak trees requires a skilled driver.
2. Seminole County: The Suburban Oasis
Home to Lake Mary, Sanford and Oviedo, Seminole County is known for its family-friendly subdivisions.
- HOA Restrictions: This is the land of the Homeowners Association. Many communities in Heathrow or Longwood have strict rules about when moving trucks can enter the gates (often not before 8 AM or after 6 PM) and where they can park.
- The Benefit: Driveways are usually wider and access is easier than in downtown Orlando.
- Expert Tip: If you are moving to Seminole County, check your HOA bylaws for commercial vehicle restrictions overnight.
3. Volusia County: The Coast & The Country
Moving east to Daytona Beach, Deltona, or New Smyrna Beach changes the game.
- Distance: This is often a 45+ minute drive from the Orlando core.
- Weather: Being closer to the coast means unpredictable sea breezes and storms. Salt air can also affect how we pack electronics if they are going into storage.
- The Drive: The I-4 corridor leading into Volusia County is prone to heavy tourism traffic, especially during events like Bike Week or the Daytona 500. We always check the event calendar before scheduling these moves.
4. Osceola County: The Vacation Capital
Kissimmee, Celebration and St. Cloud make up this bustling area.
- Short-Term Rentals: Many moves here involve vacation homes or investment properties. Access can be tricky in resort communities with strict security gates.
- Traffic Congestion: The tourist corridor (192 and I-4 near Disney) is notoriously slow. A move that looks like 10 miles on a map can take 45 minutes.
- Our Approach: For Osceola County moves, patience and route planning are key to keeping hourly costs down.
5. Polk County: The Emerging Giant
Davenport, Haines City and Lakeland are booming.
- Rural vs. Urban: You might be moving from a modern subdivision in Davenport to a rural property in Winter Haven.
- The Commute: Moving to Polk County often involves the longest drive times from Orlando, pushing the move into a full-day affair.
- Access: Rural driveways can be unpaved or narrow, which might require a shuttle service (using a smaller van to ferry items to the big truck) if the main truck cannot reach the house.
6. Brevard County: The Space Coast
Melbourne, Cocoa Beach and Titusville.
- The Bridge Factor: Crossing the causeways to the barrier islands adds time.
- Condos: Many beachside condos have strict elevator reservation policies and may require specific insurance certificates (COI) from the mover.
- Salt & Sand: When moving to Brevard County, we take extra care to wrap furniture to protect it from the salty air during the unload.
The Highway Factor: Navigating Central Florida Roads
When you hire professional movers for a cross-county trip, you are hiring professional drivers. The route we take matters.
The Toll Road Debate
Central Florida is crisscrossed by toll roads: the 408, 417 (Greeneway), 429 and the 528 (Beachline).
- The Cost vs. Time Trade-off: Taking the toll road (417) around Orlando is often faster than taking I-4 through the city, even though it costs more in tolls.
- Commercial Rates: Moving trucks pay higher tolls than passenger cars (based on the number of axles). Most moving companies will include an estimated toll charge in your quote or bill it as a reimbursable expense. It is worth it. Saving 45 minutes of labor at $150/hour is worth paying $15 in tolls.
The I-4 Ultimate Variable
Interstate 4 is the spine of Central Florida. However, accidents are frequent. A professional moving team uses GPS systems that account for commercial vehicle restrictions (trucks cannot go in the Express Lanes) and real-time traffic data to reroute if I-4 becomes a parking lot.
Budgeting for Your Cross-County Move
How much does it cost to move from Winter Park (Orange) to Clermont (Lake)?
Since these moves are often billed hourly, the Travel Time fee is the biggest variable.
The Formula
Total Cost = (Loading Time + Drive Time + Unloading Time) x Hourly Rate + Trip Fee
- Loading Time: Dependent on your home size (approx. 3-6 hours).
- Drive Time: For cross-county, this is significant. A 50-mile drive in a loaded heavy truck takes longer than in your sedan. Expect a truck to average 50-55 mph on highways.
- Unloading Time: Usually slightly faster than loading.
Example Scenario: 3-Bedroom Home, Orlando to Lakeland (55 Miles)
- Loading: 4 Hours (3 Movers).
- Drive: 1.5 Hours each way (Traffic + Truck Speed).
- Unloading: 3 Hours.
- Total Billable Hours: ~9-10 Hours.
- Conclusion: This is a full-day job. You should budget for a full day of labor and ensure you have childcare/pet care arranged for the entire day.
Specialized Services for Regional Moves
Because these moves are longer, the risk of damage shifts slightly. Vibration inside the truck over 60 miles of highway can cause items to shift if not packed perfectly.
1. Professional Packing is Crucial
For a move down the street, you might get away with throwing loose items in your car. For a move to another county, everything must be boxed and sealed. Professional packing services ensure that your dishes don’t rattle and break while the truck hits bumps on the 408.
2. Storage Buffers
Cross-county moves often align with closing dates that don’t match up. You might close on your house in Seminole County on Friday but can’t close on the new house in Lake County until Monday.
- Solution: We offer short-term storage solutions. We can load your belongings, keep them safe in our secure facility or on the truck (depending on duration) and deliver them once you have the keys. This prevents the double move of unloading into a self-storage unit and reloading days later.
3. Junk Removal Before You Go
Don’t pay to move junk across county lines! If you are moving from a large house in Lake County to a condo in Orlando, downsizing is key. Many clients utilize junk removal services before moving day to lower the weight and volume of the shipment.
Preparing for the Long Local Move
Since the crew will be with you for 8-10 hours, preparation is different than a quick morning move.
The Essentials Cooler
You won’t have access to your fridge for most of the day.
- Pack a cooler with plenty of water, sodas and sandwiches for your family.
- Tip: Offering cold water to your movers during a cross-county trek is a great way to keep energy high.
The Last Load in Your Car
Since the truck is traveling a long distance, there is a risk (however small) of a flat tire or traffic delay. Keep absolute essentials in your personal vehicle:
- Medications.
- Important documents (Closing papers!).
- Laptops and chargers.
- A change of clothes.
Address Updates
Moving to a new county affects more than just your mail.
- School Districts: Ensure your children’s records are transferred from Orange County Public Schools to Seminole County Public Schools (or relevant district).
- Utilities: Duke Energy covers much of the area, but you might be switching to OUC, KUA (Kissimmee), or a municipal water provider.
- Taxes: Homestead exemption rules apply by county. You will need to file for your new homestead exemption in your new county appraiser’s office.
Why Man with a Van Won’t Cut It
For a small move within the same apartment complex, a gig-worker with a van might suffice. But for a cross-county move involving highways and high speeds, you need a licensed professional.
Risks of Amateur Movers on Highways:
- Improper Loading: If the weight isn’t distributed correctly, a truck can sway or tip at highway speeds.
- Lack of Insurance: If an unlicensed mover gets into an accident on I-4, your belongings are likely not covered.
- Mechanical Failure: Professional fleets are maintained for long hauls. A rental truck or an old van is more likely to break down, leaving your sofa stranded on the side of the Turnpike.
At Legend Movers 4 You, our fleet is maintained to the highest standards, ensuring we can handle the miles between Volusia,Polk and beyond without skipping a beat.
Conclusion: Bridging the Distance
Moving across Central Florida is an exciting step. You might be chasing better schools in Seminole, the beach life in Brevard, or more land in Lake County. While the miles may add a layer of complexity to the move, they also bring you closer to the lifestyle you desire.
The key to a successful cross-county move is acknowledging that it is a big day. It requires a full-day commitment, a budget for travel time and a professional crew that knows the difference between the 408 and the 429.
Planning a move from one county to another?
Don’t trust your journey to just anyone. Choose a team that knows every corner of Central Florida. Contact Legend Movers 4 You today for a customized quote that accounts for the unique logistics of your cross-county relocation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Does moving to a different county change the price of my move?
Yes, primarily due to the increased travel time for the truck and crew. While the hourly labor rate remains the same, the billable hours increase with the distance driven.
Q: Do I need to pay for the movers return trip?
Yes. In the moving industry, the clock typically starts when the truck leaves the yard and stops when it returns. For a move that ends 60 miles away, the return drive is part of the service time.
Q: Can you move me from Orlando to Tampa?
Absolutely. While Tampa is technically outside the immediate Central Florida core, we handle in-state moves regularly. These may be billed as a flat-rate long-distance move rather than hourly, depending on the specific mileage.
Q: What if I have to wait a day to get my keys?
This is common in cross-county real estate deals. We can hold your items on the truck overnight (for a fee) or place them in short-term storage until you have access to the new property.