($508+) Chesapeake, VA to Birmingham, AL Movers
Moving from Chesapeake, VA, to Birmingham, AL, runs anywhere from $508 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,587 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 714 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 1 to 6 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.
- Full-service moves for smaller spaces (studio apartments and 1-bedrooms) start around $1,539, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $7,587 or more.
- Moving containers run $982 - $3,447, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $508 - $1,386.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Chesapeake, VA, to Birmingham, AL. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,190 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
Compare moving options from Chesapeake, VA to Birmingham, AL
There are 3 main ways to move from Chesapeake to Birmingham: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service handles labor and transportation for you, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route costing $2,190 - $5,474. Moving containers run about 37% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 76% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 1 to 6 days for this 714-mile route, depending on which option you go with.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 714-mile route from Chesapeake to Birmingham, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,539 - $3,854 | $982 - $1,877 | $508 - $983 | $913 - $1,605 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,190 - $5,474 | $1,381 - $2,497 | $531 - $1,167 | $1,009 - $2,081 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $3,769 - $7,587 | $1,778 - $3,447 | $665 - $1,386 | $1,380 - $2,568 |
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated October 30, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Chesapeake, VA to Birmingham, AL
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 714-mile move from Chesapeake, Virginia, to Birmingham, Alabama, with costs ranging from $1,539 - $7,587. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $292 - $1,944. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Chesapeake and Birmingham. Local movers in Chesapeake typically start around $290 as a base rate plus $125/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Chesapeake to Birmingham:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,539 - $3,854
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,190 - $5,474
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,769 - $7,587
Packing, storage, shuttle fees, and added coverage can stack on top of the base price. See the full add-ons and specialty services table below for what each runs from Chesapeake to Birmingham.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Virginia to Alabama. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: Moving company rates climb during peak moving season (May –-September) when demand peaks. Scheduling your move outside of that window can lead to noticeably lower costs and better availability.
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Specialty moving services from Chesapeake, VA to Birmingham, AL
Specialty needs vary by market: 63% of Chesapeake movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Birmingham, 58% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing68% of local movers | $486 - $4,860 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready63% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $194 - $1,166/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $292 - $2,333 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage15% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs45% of local movers | $972 - $2,916 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,430 - $9,720 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $728 - $1,383 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items24% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Atlantic Beach Movers | $972 - $2,430 |
| Piano | Any piano type45% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $778 - $3,402 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling15% of local movers | $292 - $1,458 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect11% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Atlantic Beach Movers | $632 - $1,944 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $292 - $14,580+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $292 - $3,402+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Chesapeake to Birmingham?
Movers licensed to operate in Alabama are typically members of the Alabama Trucking Association, worth checking for before you book any of the three below.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 customer support, and 30 days of free storage are included with every move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list, with 30+ years in business since 1995. AVL is one of the few national carriers that uses full-time in-house crews instead of contracted labor.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, combining fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan that covers damage, loss, and breakage.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in Chesapeake, VA. Van lines spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments, while local movers tend to charge 30% - 40% more for the same distance. A direct route with a local mover averages 2-day delivery, but that added speed typically carries a higher price tag.
Moving container costs from Chesapeake, VA to Birmingham, AL
Moving containers from Chesapeake, Virginia, to Birmingham, Alabama, cost between $982 and $3,447. You're in charge of loading, and the timeline is yours to set. U-Haul allows 3 days while PODS gives you a full 30. After that, the company picks it up and delivers it to your new address. Running behind schedule? Storage in Chesapeake costs roughly $100/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Chesapeake to Birmingham:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $982 - $1,877
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,381 - $2,497
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,778 - $3,447
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Because loading is on you with a container move, hourly labor help is a popular add-on. In Chesapeake, VA, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $680, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: After the first month, ongoing rental fees kick in. A small container (7 - 8 feet) averages about $73 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $146 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Chesapeake, VA, and Birmingham, AL, but confirm a facility is within reasonable distance if you need to retrieve items while in storage.
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection provides broader coverage than the standard liability in your contract. It typically costs 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on $50,000 worth of belongings.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Virginia to Alabama move in the past 90 days. Our pricing data is drawn from 1,500+ monthly data points across our vetted mover network and refreshed every month.
Pro tip: Before ordering moving containers, take a careful inventory of everything you're moving. A typical 1-bedroom home weighs around 3,000 pounds and fits in a single container starting at $982. Underestimating how much you have and needing an extra container means paying for another one, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise. For reference, a 2 - 3 bedroom home typically runs $1,381 - $2,497.
What are the best moving containers Chesapeake to Birmingham?
- Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
- U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
- MovingYourself (5.0/5 stars)
Want a hand without paying for full service? A container or truck move does not mean doing all the heavy lifting yourself. You can hire a labor-only crew in Chesapeake to load and unload while you handle the drive, then book full help later if you change your mind. Three top-rated local crews for labor-only help in Chesapeake:
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.4/5), 9 years in business
- Atlantic Beach Movers (4.7/5), 20 years in business
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.8/5), 0 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Chesapeake, VA to Birmingham, AL
Truck rentals from Chesapeake, Virginia, to Birmingham, Alabama, range from $508 - $1,386 for the 714-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $221 - $252
- Daily insurance: $29/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $19
- Chesapeake daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.89
| Home size | Typical truck size |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | 10 - 12 ft |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | 15 - 17 ft |
| 4+ bedrooms | 20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel) |
These are typical moving truck rental costs from Chesapeake to Birmingham based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $508 - $983
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $531 - $1,167
- 4+ bedrooms: $665 - $1,386
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Chesapeake to Birmingham starts at $508 - $1,386, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($221 - $252), overnight lodging ($146/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for roughly $600 - $1,200 more on top of fuel and lodging to cover meals, equipment, and other extras.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $146 per night. Most long-distance moves with rental trucks require 1 - 3 overnight stops.
- Equipment: Tow dollies, auto trailers, and specialty moving equipment can add between $63 and $316 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $221 - $252 in fuel for the 714-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $680 in Chesapeake, Virginia, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Chesapeake to Birmingham?
- Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
- Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
- U-Haul Truck Rental (4.2/5 stars)
The best truck rental companies for this route, based on moveBuddha's ratings.
Freight trailer costs from Chesapeake, VA to Birmingham, AL
For larger DIY moves from Chesapeake, Virginia, freight trailers give you plenty of room without putting you behind the wheel. Standard trailers are 28 feet long. You load the section you need, and the carrier transports everything to Birmingham, Alabama.
Because freight companies bill by linear footage, your total is based on how much of the trailer you occupy, not the full length. For a 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route, pricing typically falls between $1,009 and $2,081.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Chesapeake to Birmingham:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $913 - $1,605
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,009 - $2,081
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,380 - $2,568
Pro tip: Loading a freight trailer is a bit different from filling a container. The 4-foot ramp can be steep with large items, and getting the most out of 8 feet of vertical clearance takes planning. Since pricing is based on linear feet used, every inch of wasted space has a cost.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- More space: Freight pricing is based on exactly how much of the trailer you fill. If your items take up more than expected, the added footage can increase your cost by between $73 and $146.
- Peak season impact: Moving during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) often means higher trailer rates as demand increases across the board.
- Moving labor: Unless you plan to load everything yourself, factor in labor costs. Two movers in Chesapeake, Virginia, for roughly five hours typically average $680.
What are the best freight companies from Chesapeake to Birmingham?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Best known as a top moving container option thanks to its DIY hybrid model (you load, they drive), MovingYourself also doubles as a strong freight choice with their 53-foot trucks and pay-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. In addition to their well-known container service, U-Pack offers freight trailers that follow the same pay-by-the-foot model with no deposits or upfront fees, making them one of the most flexible freight options for budget-conscious moves.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in Birmingham fast. For interstate moves, freight is one of the quickest delivery methods out there. Just keep in mind that freight carriers expect you to be available to receive your shipment, so it works best when your move-in is locked in and you don't need temporary storage on either end.
Cost of living: Chesapeake, VA vs Birmingham, AL
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Birmingham, side by side with Chesapeake on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Chesapeake, VA | Birmingham, AL |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 104 | 87 |
| Average rent | $1,800/mo | $1,250/mo |
| Median home value | $359,218 | $141,615 |
| Average income | $94,189/yr | $44,376/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 5.0% | 5.6% |
| State income tax | Up to 5.75% | Up to 5.0% |
| Walkability score | 21/100 | 33/100 |
| Safety index | 70.88/100 | 38.36/100 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
Cost of living index is relative to the U.S. average of 100. Figures reflect the latest available city and state data.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Birmingham, AL to Chesapeake, VA guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from Virginia to Alabama, so our pricing data reflects what movers are actually charging right now. Check our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers, the best way to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and bad actors. We track 262 movers in Virginia, so you have real options to compare for this 714-mile move.
Our take
For a move from Chesapeake, VA, to Birmingham, AL, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $1,539 for a studio to $7,587 for a 4+ bedroom home on the 714-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $982 - $3,447. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $508 - $1,386, though you'll be handling the driving and loading yourself. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with quotes starting around $2,190 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage included, and 24/7 live customer support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Encompass Health and Regions Bank.
FAQs: Moving from Chesapeake, VA, to Birmingham, AL
What is the best time of year to move from Chesapeake, VA to Birmingham, AL?
Aim for a move between October and March, when demand drops and rates tend to be lower across all service types. Peak season runs mid-May through mid-September, and weekends and month-end dates are pricier regardless of season. Alabama also has a hurricane season running June through November, worth factoring into your timing if you have flexibility. A midweek, mid-month date outside peak season is your best bet for saving money.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Alabama?
To guarantee the safety and reliability of local moving services in Alabama, it is essential for moving companies to possess a registration number issued by the Alabama Public Service Commission (APSC). Trust your move to registered professionals for a secure and dependable experience.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($221 - $252), daily insurance ($29/day), and equipment rentals ($7 - $19) on top. Overnight stops can add another $146/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How walkable is Birmingham?
Birmingham has a walkability score of 33 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 31, compared to 21 and 35 in Chesapeake. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
How much does it cost to move from Chesapeake, VA to Birmingham, AL?
Costs on this route range from around $508 to $7,587, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,539 and $7,587, while DIY options like rental trucks and containers come in lower. Moving during peak season (May - September) tends to push prices higher across the board.
What percentage of Chesapeake movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 45% of movers in Chesapeake handle piano moves, and 24% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.