Sterling Heights, MI → Lakeland, FL · Long-distance move

Movers from Sterling Heights to Lakeland

About 1,186 road miles heading south. Typical two-bedroom cost $5,060–$7,530, delivery in 3–7 days, 754 carriers on the Sterling Heights side and 509 in Lakeland.

1,186 miroad distance
21 h 9 mindriving time
3–7 daysdelivery window
$5,060–$7,5302-bedroom estimate

Photo: Connor J. Williams · CC BY 3.0

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Route summary

From: Sterling Heights, Michigan
To: Lakeland, Florida
Road distance: ≈ 1,186 miles (1,005 straight-line)
Drive time: 21 h 9 min
Delivery window: 3–7 days
Move type: Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin: 754 (308 interstate)
Movers at destination: 509 (177 interstate)

Reverse: Lakeland → Sterling Heights

The route from Sterling Heights, MI to Lakeland, FL covers roughly 1,186 miles by road, a south-bound trip that falls into the 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 $5,060 to $7,530 with a full-service mover, and delivery usually takes 3 to 7 days after pickup because long-haul trucks consolidate several households per trip. Driving it yourself takes about 21 h 9 min.

On the Sterling Heights side there are 754 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (308 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.

Sterling Heights has a population of about 133,931 and Lakeland about 125,520. Sterling Heights is considerably denser (3,691 people per square mile versus 1,702), so expect tighter loading conditions, parking permits or elevator reservations at the origin and easier truck access at the destination. Florida levies no state income tax on wages, a frequent reason people make this exact move.

Cost of moving from Sterling Heights to Lakeland

Full-service estimate for 1,186 miles, by home size
Home size	Est. weight	Low	Typical	High
Studio	2,000 lb	$2,020	$2,470	$3,010
1 Bedroom	3,000 lb	$3,040	$3,700	$4,520
2 Bedrooms	5,000 lb	$5,060	$6,170	$7,530
3 Bedrooms	8,000 lb	$8,090	$9,870	$12,040
4+ Bedrooms	11,000 lb	$11,130	$13,570	$16,560

Rental truck (DIY)

$1,670–$2,360

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

Portable container

$2,080–$3,060

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

Full-service mover

$5,060–$7,530

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

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Sterling Heights, MI → 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 Sterling Heights (origin)

Priority Waste

Interstate carrier

Legal name: Priority Waste LLC

USDOT: 3097519
Based in: Clinton Township, MI 48038 (5 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 859 trucks, 682 drivers
USDOT registered: 2018

Call (586) 228-1200 Route Verify on FMCSA

Universal

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Universal Intermodal Services INC

USDOT: 1162977
MC: 468507
Based in: Warren, MI 48089 (8 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 124 trucks, 116 drivers
USDOT registered: 2003

Call (800) 233-9445 Route Verify on FMCSA

Rzs Express LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3171509
MC: 118718
Based in: Warren, MI 48093 (5 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 110 trucks, 110 drivers
USDOT registered: 2018

Call (586) 343-8680 Route Verify on FMCSA

Standard Trucking LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2512112
MC: 871317
Based in: Hamtramck, MI 48212 (12 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 110 trucks, 110 drivers
USDOT registered: 2014

Call (800) 982-5240 Route Verify on FMCSA

McClay Transportation USA LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2465324
MC: 852043
Based in: Harrison Township, MI 48045 (11 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 96 trucks, 110 drivers
USDOT registered: 2014

Call (810) 533-8989 Route Verify on FMCSA

General Trucking INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 1556061
MC: 578193
Based in: Warren, MI 48091 (8 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 74 trucks, 85 drivers
USDOT registered: 2006

Call (866) 943-6878 Route Verify on FMCSA

Logistic One LTD

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 1339068
MC: 515593
Based in: Warren, MI 48089 (8 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 74 trucks, 60 drivers
USDOT registered: 2005

Call (586) 775-0090 Route Verify on FMCSA

Mra

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Mobility Resource Associates INC

USDOT: 896198
MC: 196605
Based in: Madison Heights, MI 48071 (6 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 68 trucks, 42 drivers
USDOT registered: 2000

Call (248) 629-2929 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 754 movers in Sterling Heights

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

Tips for this move

Verify the carrier's USDOT and MC numbers on the FMCSA site before paying a deposit.
Ask how the delivery window is calculated and what the delay compensation is.
Declutter first: long-haul pricing is by weight, so every hundred pounds you sell or donate saves money.
Check whether a shuttle truck is needed in Lakeland if a 53-foot trailer cannot reach your street.

Near Sterling Heights

Near Lakeland

Related routes

Other destinations from Sterling Heights

Other origins to Lakeland

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to move from Sterling Heights to Lakeland?

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $2,020 to $3,010 for a studio, $3,040 to $4,520 for a one-bedroom, $5,060 to $7,530 for a two-bedroom, $8,090 to $12,040 for a three-bedroom and $11,130 to $16,560 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Lakeland from Sterling Heights?

About 1,186 road miles (1,005 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 21 h 9 min.

How long will the movers take to deliver?

Expect a delivery window of 3 to 7 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 Michigan 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 Sterling Heights to Lakeland?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $1,670 to $2,360 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $2,080 to $3,060. 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 Sterling Heights–Lakeland corridor.