($522+) Norfolk, VA to Birmingham, AL Movers
Moving from Norfolk, VA, to Birmingham, AL, runs anywhere from $511 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,104 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 712 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 $1,566, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $8,104 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,127 - $3,576, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $511 - $1,423.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Norfolk, VA, to Birmingham, AL. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,118 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
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Compare moving options from Norfolk, VA to Birmingham, AL
There are 3 main ways to move from Norfolk 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 $2,118 - $5,349. Moving containers run about 30% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 60% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 1 to 6 days for this 712-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 712-mile route from Norfolk to Birmingham, broken down by home size:
- Full-service movers: $1,566 for a studio up to $8,104 for a 4+ bedroom home.
- Moving containers: $1,127 - $3,576 depending on home size.
- Rental trucks: $511 - $1,423, the lowest-cost option across the board.
- Freight trailers: $956 - $2,945, billed by the space you actually use.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Norfolk, VA to Birmingham, AL
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 712-mile move from Norfolk, Virginia, to Birmingham, Alabama, with prices running from $1,566 - $8,104. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $268 - $1,788 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between Norfolk and Birmingham are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, Norfolk movers tend to run around $220 as a base rate plus $89/hour per mover, for comparison.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Norfolk to Birmingham:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,566 - $4,079
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,118 - $5,349
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,680 - $8,104
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 Norfolk 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: Demand for full-service movers surges during peak moving season from May - September, pushing prices higher. Shifting your move to a cooler month could save you a meaningful amount on your total bill.
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Specialty moving services from Norfolk, VA to Birmingham, AL
Specialty needs vary by market — 100% of Norfolk movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Birmingham, 91% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $447 - $4,470 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready100% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $179 - $1,073/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $268 - $2,146 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage41% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs64% of local movers | $894 - $2,682 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,235 - $8,940 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $670 - $1,272 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items45% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Tidal Town Moving | $894 - $2,235 |
| Piano | Any piano type82% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $715 - $3,129 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling27% of local movers | $268 - $1,341 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect23% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Apple Moving | $581 - $1,788 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $268 - $13,410+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $268 - $3,129+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Norfolk to Birmingham?
Look for Alabama Trucking Association membership as a baseline when comparing movers in Alabama beyond this list.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is our pick for best overall value. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 support, and 30 days of free storage make Safeway the clearest value on this list.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. AVL has been moving customers since 1995 and uses full-time in-house crews trained on high-value items like art and antiques.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. One of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, 24/7 monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan against damage, loss, and breakage.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national full-service movers are the more cost-efficient choice. Local movers in Norfolk, VA, often charge 30% - 40% more at that distance because their operations aren't built for long-haul logistics. The exception is if you want a dedicated point-to-point truck with an average 2-day delivery, though that level of service generally increases your total cost.
Moving container costs from Norfolk, VA to Birmingham, AL
Moving containers from Norfolk, Virginia, to Birmingham, Alabama, cost between $1,127 and $3,576. With a moving container, you load on your own schedule. U-Haul gives you 3 days to fill yours, while PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're ready, the company transports it straight to your new place. Need more time first? Storage in Norfolk typically costs about $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Norfolk to Birmingham:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,127 - $1,967
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,447 - $2,644
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,844 - $3,576
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $67 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $134 per month for larger units (12 - 16 feet).
- Moving labor: Containers don't come with loading help, so many customers hire hourly movers for the job. Two movers for about 5 hours will run you around $626 in Norfolk, VA, per moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Standard coverage only reimburses by weight. Full-value protection gives you more complete coverage for higher-value items and typically costs 1% - 2% of your total declared value, around $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 shipment.
- Access: National providers generally operate in both cities, but verify that a facility near your Birmingham, AL, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
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 $1,127. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,447 - $2,644, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Norfolk 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 Norfolk 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 Norfolk:
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.4/5), 9 years in business
- Tidal Town Moving (4.9/5), 6 years in business
- Atlantic Beach Movers (4.7/5), 20 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Norfolk, VA to Birmingham, AL
A rental truck for this 712-mile move from Norfolk, Virginia, to Birmingham, Alabama, costs between $511 and $1,423. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $203 - $231
- Daily insurance: $27/day
- Equipment rentals: $6 - $18
- Norfolk 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 Norfolk to Birmingham based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $511 - $999
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $592 - $1,151
- 4+ bedrooms: $697 - $1,423
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Norfolk to Birmingham starts at $511 - $1,423, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($203 - $231) , overnight lodging ($134/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for an additional $600 - $1,200 on top of your base rate to cover those costs.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $134 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 $58 and $291 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $203 - $231 in fuel for the 712-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $626 in Norfolk, Virginia, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Norfolk 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 Norfolk, VA to Birmingham, AL
Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from Norfolk, Virginia, to Birmingham, Alabama. Standard trailers run 28 feet long, and you're only charged for the portion you actually fill. The carrier drops the trailer off, you load it at your own pace, and they handle the drive to your new city.
Pricing is based entirely on the linear footage your shipment occupies, not the full trailer length. Most long-distance freight moves land somewhere between $805 and $2,289.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Norfolk to Birmingham:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $956 - $1,770
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,069 - $2,289
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,506 - $2,945
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?
- Demand cycles: Trailer costs climb during peak moving season, especially from mid-May through mid-September when demand is at its highest.
- More space: You're billed only for the linear feet you use, but underestimating your inventory means paying for extra space, typically around $67 - $134 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Norfolk, Virginia, for about five hours typically runs $626.
What are the best freight companies from Norfolk to Birmingham?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the pick for best for large moves. The company is well-regarded as a top moving container option for its load-it-yourself, we-drive-it model, and that same model makes it a strong freight option for larger homes that benefit from the company's 53-foot trucks and footage-based pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Alongside their flagship container service, U-Pack provides a top-notch freight trailer option that follows the same model: no deposits, no upfront fees, and pricing based on the linear footage you actually use.
- Sysco Hampton Roads, Inc. (4.58/5 stars): Sysco Hampton Roads, Inc. is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned and based facilities mean accessible support staff and area-specific scheduling flexibility that national-only freight carriers typically don't match.
Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Norfolk to Birmingham. If you have a hard move-in date and want your stuff there as soon as possible, freight is hard to beat. It's worth noting that freight works best when you're ready to receive your delivery, so if your move-in date is still up in the air or you'll need short-term storage, a moving container is likely the more practical choice.
Cost of living: Norfolk, VA vs Birmingham, AL
There's not a big cost-of-living gap between Norfolk and Birmingham to plan around. Cost of living index: 91 vs. 87. Average rent: $1,500/mo vs. $1,250/mo. The bigger factor in your budget is the one-time cost of the move itself, covered above. Walkability: 46 vs. 33. Safety index: 41.9 vs. 38.36.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Birmingham, AL to Norfolk, VA guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from Virginia to Alabama, so our pricing data stays current. Use our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and spot bad actors early. We track 104 movers licensed in Virginia, useful context for sizing up this 712-mile move.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from Norfolk, VA, to Birmingham, AL, comes down to your budget and how much time and work you're able to put into it. Hands-off relocations handled by full-service movers range from $1,566 - $8,104 on the 712-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,127 - $3,576 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $511 - $1,423 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $2,118 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and 24/7 live support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Encompass Health and Regions Bank.
FAQs: Moving from Norfolk, VA, to Birmingham, AL
How much does it cost to move from Norfolk, VA to Birmingham, AL?
Costs on this route range from around $1,566 to $8,104, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,566 and $8,104, 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 is the cheapest way to move from Norfolk, VA to Birmingham, AL?
Renting a moving truck is almost always the most affordable option, since you handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself. A 2-bedroom rental truck move on this route averages $592 - $1,151. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($203 - $231), daily insurance ($27/day), and equipment rentals ($6 - $18) on top. Overnight stops can add another $134/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How long does a move from Norfolk, VA to Birmingham, AL take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 5 - 7 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are usually the fastest option outside of driving yourself, with deliveries in 3 - 5 days, though you'll need to be ready to receive your shipment on arrival. Driving a rental truck yourself puts the schedule entirely in your hands.
What is the best time of year to move from Norfolk, 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.
What percentage of Norfolk movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 82% of movers in Norfolk handle piano moves, and 45% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
