Moving in Broward County: Coast, Canals and the Western Suburbs

October 2026  |  Broward County

Broward County sits between Miami-Dade and Palm Beach, and on a map it looks simple: beaches to the east, suburbs to the west, the Everglades beyond that. On move day it is a little more involved. Canals thread through whole neighborhoods, drawbridges cross the Intracoastal, and a large share of homes sit inside HOA communities with their own rules about trucks and timing.

Use this as the county-level overview. It explains how the east and west halves differ, what changes when you move to or from a waterfront home, and how the major highways fit together. For city detail, see our guides to Fort Lauderdale and Miramar.

East Broward vs West Broward

The clearest way to understand the county is to split it at I-95 and again at the Turnpike.

The coastal cities

East of I-95 you find the older, denser part of the county: Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Hallandale Beach, Dania Beach, Pompano Beach, Deerfield Beach, Lauderdale-by-the-Sea and Lighthouse Point. Housing ranges from beachfront condo towers along A1A to mid-century ranch homes, small apartment buildings and townhouses. Streets are narrower, lots are smaller, and parking a full-size truck often takes some thought.

Moves here tend to involve elevators and condo associations near the beach, and tight driveways or alleys in the older neighborhoods. Our Moving to Fort Lauderdale guide goes neighborhood by neighborhood, and the high-rise condo moving guide covers tower logistics.

The central belt

Between I-95 and the Turnpike are cities like Wilton Manors, Oakland Park, Plantation, Lauderhill, Tamarac and Margate. This is a mix of established single-family streets, garden apartments and older condo communities, many of them low-rise without elevators. Second- and third-floor walk-ups are common, so it helps to tell your movers about stairs in advance.

The western suburbs

West of the Turnpike and out toward the Sawgrass Expressway and US-27, the county is newer and more spread out: Weston, Davie, Sunrise, Pembroke Pines, Miramar, Coral Springs, Parkland and Coconut Creek. Larger single-family homes, master-planned communities and gated neighborhoods are the norm. Moves are usually bigger by volume, with full garages and outdoor furniture, but access is easier: wide streets, driveways and room for the truck. The Moving to Miramar guide is a good example of what southwest Broward looks like up close.

Canals, waterfront homes and drawbridges

Broward has a lot of homes on canals and the Intracoastal Waterway, especially in Fort Lauderdale, Lighthouse Point, Pompano Beach and parts of Hollywood. Waterfront homes bring a few specific move-day details:

• Back-of-house access. The pretty side of the house faces the water, but the truck can only reach the street side. Long carries through the house or around the side yard add time.
• Docks and outdoor gear. Patio furniture, grills and dock equipment often get left to the end. Make a list so nothing is forgotten by the water.
• Dead-end finger streets. Many canal neighborhoods sit on narrow streets that end at the water, so turning a large truck around can be tricky. Let your movers know so they can plan the vehicle size.
• Drawbridges. Bridges over the Intracoastal open for boat traffic. A crossing to or from the barrier island can add a few minutes you did not plan for.

HOA communities: what to sort out early

A large part of Broward housing, from beach condos to western gated communities, is governed by an HOA or condo association. Rules vary widely, so do not assume what applied at your last place applies at the next. Before you book a date, ask the association:

1. Which days and hours moves are allowed, and whether weekends are restricted.
2. Whether they need a Certificate of Insurance (COI) from the moving company, and what it has to name.
3. Whether the truck needs to be registered at the gate, and if there is a size limit for vehicles.
4. Whether a move-in or move-out fee or deposit applies.
5. Where the truck can park while it is loaded or unloaded.

Getting answers in writing saves a lot of stress if a guard or manager asks questions on the day.

How the highways fit together

Broward's highway grid is fairly logical once you see it, and choosing the right road can save real time with a loaded truck.

• I-95 runs north-south through the eastern part of the county and links straight into Miami-Dade and Palm Beach.
• I-595 runs east-west through the middle, connecting the Fort Lauderdale airport and port area to I-95, the Turnpike, Davie and the western suburbs, and on toward I-75.
• Florida's Turnpike runs north-south through the central and western part of the county, often a calmer alternative to I-95 for longer trips.
• The Sawgrass Expressway sweeps along the northwest edge, serving Sunrise, Coral Springs and Parkland.
• I-75 runs along the western edge of the suburbs, serving Weston, Pembroke Pines and Miramar.
• US-1 and A1A carry local traffic along the coast and the barrier island.

For a coast-to-west move, I-595 is usually the spine of the trip. For a north-to-south move inside the county, the choice between I-95 and the Turnpike depends on where each address sits and the time of day. Weekday rush hours on I-95 and I-595 are the main things to plan around.

Choosing where in Broward to live

Most people moving within or into Broward are weighing the beach against space. The coastal cities put you near the water, restaurants and older neighborhoods with character, but homes are smaller and parking is tighter. The western suburbs give you larger homes, newer construction and organized community amenities, with more driving. If you commute into Miami-Dade, the southern cities like Hollywood, Pembroke Pines and Miramar shorten the drive. If your work is in Palm Beach County, the northern cities like Deerfield Beach, Coconut Creek and Parkland make more sense.

Coming from another county? Our guides for Miami-Dade County and Palm Beach County describe what differs on each side of the line, and the South Florida movers page explains how we work across all three.

Moving in Broward with Hercules Local Movers

Hercules Local Movers is licensed and insured, FL Mover Registration #IM150012, and serves every part of Broward seven days a week from 6:30 AM to 10:00 PM. We coordinate COIs, freight elevators and loading docks with buildings and associations, and we handle specialty items such as pianos, antiques, safes and pool tables. Truck, fuel, blankets, wrap and basic disassembly and reassembly are included, with no weight or size minimums. Details are on our Fort Lauderdale movers page.

Online local estimates start at $299 for a 2-hour move, with a service charge on every move that is confirmed in the written estimate, and billing follows actual time. See the local move cost guide for how that works. When your dates and HOA rules are clear, get your free estimate or call 1 (754) 354-2008.

How to Find the Best, Most Affordable Movers in Broward County

The best mover for your Broward County move is the one that is properly registered, prices your job in writing, and does not charge you for space or weight you are not using. Before you book anyone, check these:

• State registration. Florida movers register with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Ask for the number and look it up. Ours is IM150012.
• A written estimate before move day. You should know the crew, the expected time and what is included before anyone loads a box.
• No weight or size minimums. On a smaller move, minimums are where a "cheap" quote stops being cheap.
• Recent reviews. Read what customers wrote on Google and Thumbtack in the last few months, not just the star rating.

For an affordable local move, Hercules Local Movers estimates start at $299 for a 2-hour job under 50 miles, with no weight or size minimums. A service charge applies to all moves and is confirmed in your written estimate, and the final bill follows the actual time. See small move prices for details.

What Customers Say

“Hercules Movers provided the best moving experience I have ever had! From the booking, consultation and move management provided by Alex, to the most professional and hardest working team that executed the move, Hercules provided a 100% customer-focused experience!”

“I needed help with a basement move and they helped me with everything and the quotes were great one of the best moving companies I've used”

“I had a wonderful experience with Hercules Movers for my move, moving from one city to another. They arrived exactly on time. They were very professional and respectful of my belongings. There also wasn’t any hidden fees, the price that I was quoted was my final prices. I highly recommend them for anyone is needing movers.”

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it better to take I-95 or the Turnpike for a move within Broward County?

It depends on where your two addresses are and the time of day. I-95 serves the eastern cities directly, while the Turnpike can be a calmer option for central and western addresses, and I-595 is usually the main east-west link.

Do Broward HOA communities require anything from movers?

Many do, but the rules vary by association. Common requests include a Certificate of Insurance, set move hours and registering the truck at the gate, so ask your HOA in advance and get the answers in writing.

What should I know about moving out of a canal-front home?

Expect the truck to park on the street side, which can mean a long carry through or around the house. Narrow dead-end streets can also limit truck size, so mention the location when you request an estimate.

Can drawbridges delay a move in Broward?

They can add a few minutes when a bridge opens for boat traffic, especially for moves to or from the barrier island. It is a small delay but worth building into your timing.

Do you move single items within Broward County?

Yes. There are no weight or size minimums, and our small moves service covers single items and a few pieces of furniture, with online local estimates from $299 plus a service charge confirmed in writing.

Ready when you are: get your free estimate in under a minute, or call 1 (754) 354-2008. More local guides on our moving blog.