Shipping Cost from San Jose, California to St. Petersburg, Florida

Moving a piano costs roughly $150-$650 locally and $500-$2,500+ for long distances, depending heavily on the piano's type (grand is more), weight, distance, and obstacles like stairs, which add significant fees. Expect to pay more for larger pianos (concert grands) and complex moves involving many steps or tight spaces, potentially increasing costs to several thousand dollars, while simple upright moves are at the lower end.

When planning a move from California to Florida, professional movers typically run between $3,528 and $7,441, a moving container averages about $3,688, and a rental truck is around $2,471. *Estimates assume a 2–3 bedroom household with seven–21 day delivery.

A piano dolly makes moving easier but hiring professional piano movers is generally better and safer, especially for valuable or large pianos, stairs, or long distances, as they have specialized equipment, experience, insurance, and manpower, preventing costly damage or injury that can easily happen with a DIY approach, even with a dolly. While a dolly reduces strain and protects floors, it doesn't replace expertise, proper padding, and liability coverage, making movers the superior choice for most situations.