Athens, GA → Lakeland, FL · Regional long-distance move

Movers from Athens to Lakeland

About 491 road miles heading south. Typical two-bedroom cost $3,350–$4,980, delivery in 1–3 days, 312 carriers on the Athens side and 509 in Lakeland.

491 miroad distance
9 h 10 mindriving time
1–3 daysdelivery window
$3,350–$4,9802-bedroom estimate

Photo: Connor J. Williams · CC BY 3.0

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Route summary

From: Athens, Georgia
To: Lakeland, Florida
Road distance: ≈ 491 miles (416 straight-line)
Drive time: 9 h 10 min
Delivery window: 1–3 days
Move type: Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin: 312 (166 interstate)
Movers at destination: 509 (177 interstate)

Reverse: Lakeland → Athens

The route from Athens, GA to Lakeland, FL covers roughly 491 miles by road, a south-bound trip that falls into the regional long-distance move category for pricing purposes.

At this distance carriers price by shipment weight and mileage rather than by the hour. A two-bedroom home (around 5,000 lb of goods) typically costs $3,350 to $4,980 with a full-service mover, and delivery usually takes 1 to 3 days after pickup because long-haul trucks consolidate several households per trip. Driving it yourself takes about 9 h 10 min.

On the Athens side there are 312 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (166 of them authorized for interstate work), and 509 around Lakeland (177 interstate). For an interstate move you can book from either end; movers near the origin handle loading and are usually the better first call, while a destination-side company can be useful if you need storage or delivery-day help in Lakeland.

Athens has a population of about 128,612 and Lakeland about 125,520. Lakeland is the denser city (1,702 people per square mile versus 1,095 in Athens), which often means shuttle trucks, parking restrictions or building move-in windows on delivery day. Florida levies no state income tax on wages, a frequent reason people make this exact move.

Cost of moving from Athens to Lakeland

Full-service estimate for 491 miles, by home size
Home size	Est. weight	Low	Typical	High
Studio	2,000 lb	$1,340	$1,630	$1,990
1 Bedroom	3,000 lb	$2,010	$2,450	$2,990
2 Bedrooms	5,000 lb	$3,350	$4,090	$4,980
3 Bedrooms	8,000 lb	$5,360	$6,540	$7,970
4+ Bedrooms	11,000 lb	$7,370	$8,990	$10,970

Rental truck (DIY)

$800–$1,140

One-way truck for the distance, mileage and fuel included; you load and drive.

Portable container

$1,460–$2,140

Container delivered, you load, company transports; transit is slower than a mover.

Full-service mover

$3,350–$4,980

Two-bedroom reference; crew loads, hauls and unloads.

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Athens, GA → Lakeland, FL. Adjust the other options to see your range.

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Typical full-service range.

Estimates use market baselines described on the cost guide; your quotes will vary by inventory, access and date.

Moving companies for this route

Near Athens (origin)

Lindsay Transfer & Storage INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 830257
MC: 468785
Based in: Bogart, GA 30622 (9 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 15 trucks, 11 drivers
USDOT registered: 1999

Call (706) 549-8902 Route Verify on FMCSA

Two Men And A Truck

Licensed interstate

Legal name: The Keeling Group LLC

USDOT: 1142555
MC: 454168
Based in: Athens, GA 30606 (4 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 10 trucks, 8 drivers
USDOT registered: 2003

Call (706) 227-4100 Route Verify on FMCSA

University Moving & Storage

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Gee Transport INC

USDOT: 864502
MC: 667732
Based in: Athens, GA 30607 (6 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 7 trucks, 10 drivers
USDOT registered: 2000

Call (706) 353-1141 Route Verify on FMCSA

Puff Land

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Crawford Handling LLC

USDOT: 4253552
MC: 1649165
Based in: Athens, GA 30606 (4 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 5 trucks, 6 drivers
USDOT registered: 2024

Call (706) 201-6674 Route Verify on FMCSA

Wood Truck Lines LLC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 1810822
MC: 676733
Based in: Athens, GA 30607 (6 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 5 trucks, 5 drivers
USDOT registered: 2008

Call (706) 354-8948 Route Verify on FMCSA

Duncan Transportation Service LLC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 2056835
MC: 719961
Based in: Bogart, GA 30622 (9 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 5 trucks, 5 drivers
USDOT registered: 2010

Call (706) 424-6740 Route Verify on FMCSA

Two Men And A Truck Albany

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Sullivan Brothers Ventures INC

USDOT: 4339831
MC: 1728857
Based in: Athens, GA 30606 (4 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 4 trucks, 5 drivers
USDOT registered: 2024

Call (229) 329-8100 Route Verify on FMCSA

Cooper Transport Logistics

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3965988
MC: 1480525
Based in: Athens, GA 30601 (4 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 2 trucks, 3 drivers
USDOT registered: 2022

Call (706) 352-1434 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 312 movers in Athens

Near Lakeland (destination)

Publix

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Publix Super Markets INC

USDOT: 439262
MC: 1576808
Based in: Lakeland, FL 33815 (3 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 945 trucks, 1,720 drivers
USDOT registered: 1991

Call (863) 688-1188 Route Verify on FMCSA

Saddle Creek Transportation INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 1196553
MC: 470192
Based in: Lakeland, FL 33801 (4 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 409 trucks, 535 drivers
USDOT registered: 2003

Call (863) 241-3533 Route Verify on FMCSA

Southeast Independent Delivery Services

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Se Independent Delivery Services INC

USDOT: 842212
MC: 370980
Based in: Lakeland, FL 33811 (7 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 748 trucks, 950 drivers
USDOT registered: 1999

Call (863) 616-6060 Route Verify on FMCSA

Mega Trucking LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2582238
MC: 904298
Based in: Auburndale, FL 33823 (9 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 550 trucks, 275 drivers
USDOT registered: 2015

Call (786) 345-7841 Route Verify on FMCSA

C & S Wholesale Services LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 1338655
MC: 525824
Based in: Plant City, FL 33566 (10 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 388 trucks, 401 drivers
USDOT registered: 2005

Call (904) 545-7825 Route Verify on FMCSA

Phoenix Logistics & Cold Storage LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3348075
MC: 1069873
Based in: Lakeland, FL 33801 (4 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 257 trucks, 243 drivers
USDOT registered: 2019

Call (305) 691-3535 Route Verify on FMCSA

Exxact Transport

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Exxact Transport INC

USDOT: 612401
MC: 277158
Based in: Lakeland, FL 33801 (4 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 91 trucks, 96 drivers
USDOT registered: 1995

Call (863) 682-4101 Route Verify on FMCSA

Star Transportation Company

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 549928
MC: 153627
Based in: Plant City, FL 33563 (11 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 74 trucks, 85 drivers
USDOT registered: 1994

Call (813) 659-1002 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 509 movers in Lakeland

Related routes

Other destinations from Athens

Other origins to Lakeland

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to move from Athens to Lakeland?

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $1,340 to $1,990 for a studio, $2,010 to $2,990 for a one-bedroom, $3,350 to $4,980 for a two-bedroom, $5,360 to $7,970 for a three-bedroom and $7,370 to $10,970 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Lakeland from Athens?

About 491 road miles (416 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 9 h 10 min.

How long will the movers take to deliver?

Expect a delivery window of 1 to 3 days after pickup. Carriers give a spread rather than a fixed date because long-distance trucks carry several shipments; a dedicated truck or expedited service shortens the window for an extra fee.

Does my mover need interstate authority for this move?

Yes. Crossing from Georgia into Florida makes this an interstate move, so the carrier must hold active FMCSA operating authority (an MC number) in addition to its USDOT number. The company cards on this page flag which carriers are authorized for interstate work.

Is it cheaper to rent a truck or use a container for Athens to Lakeland?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $800 to $1,140 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,460 to $2,140. Both save money versus a full-service crew but you do the loading, and container transit can take longer than a mover's delivery window.

When is the least expensive time to book this move?

Rates are highest in summer and around the last days of any month, when demand peaks. Mid-month, mid-week and winter dates are usually quoted below the standard rate. Booking four to eight weeks ahead gives you the widest choice of carriers on the Athens–Lakeland corridor.