($643+) Arlington, VA to Mobile, AL Movers
Moving from Arlington, VA, to Mobile, AL, runs anywhere from $643 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,597 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 964 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 2 to 7 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 $1,954, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $7,597 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,129 - $3,634, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $643 - $1,793.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Arlington, VA, to Mobile, AL. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,187 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 Arlington, VA to Mobile, AL
Moving options from Arlington to Mobile fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move on this route costs $2,187 - $5,671 and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, while rental trucks land about 70% less, though both require you to load the truck or container yourself. This route spans 964 miles and typically takes 2 to 7 days.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 964-mile route from Arlington to Mobile, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,954 - $4,630 | $1,129 - $2,095 | $643 - $1,193 | $1,016 - $1,922 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,187 - $5,671 | $1,524 - $2,883 | $647 - $1,403 | $1,138 - $2,190 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $3,655 - $7,597 | $2,054 - $3,634 | $887 - $1,793 | $1,612 - $2,998 |
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated November 2, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Arlington, VA to Mobile, AL
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 964-mile move from Arlington, Virginia, to Mobile, Alabama, with costs ranging from $1,954 - $7,597. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $396 - $2,640. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Arlington and Mobile. Local movers in Arlington typically start around $200 as a base rate plus $110/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Arlington to Mobile:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,954 - $4,630
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,187 - $5,671
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,655 - $7,597
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 Arlington to Mobile.
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 Arlington, VA to Mobile, AL
Specialty needs vary by market: 70% of Arlington movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Mobile, 57% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing80% of local movers | $660 - $6,600 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready70% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: 495 Movers, Inc | $264 - $1,584/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $396 - $3,168 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage13% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs54% of local movers | $1,320 - $3,960 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,300 - $13,200 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $989 - $1,878 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items34% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: 495 Movers, Inc | $1,320 - $3,300 |
| Piano | Any piano type42% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: 495 Movers, Inc | $1,056 - $4,620 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling9% of local movers | $396 - $1,980 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect8% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Olympia Moving & Storage | $858 - $2,640 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $396 - $19,800+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $396 - $4,620+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Arlington to Mobile?
If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in Alabama Trucking Association is a good first thing to confirm.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving offers the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing locks in your cost upfront, and 24/7 customer support is available throughout the move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. Operating since 1995, AVL staffs every move with full-time in-house crews trained on antiques, art, and other high-value items.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. As one of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, real-time shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national van lines are the smarter financial choice over local movers in Arlington, VA. Local companies can run 30% - 40% more at that range since they don't consolidate shipments the way interstate carriers do. If a direct, dedicated route with an average 2-day delivery appeals to you, a local mover could be worth it, but that convenience comes at a cost.
Moving container costs from Arlington, VA to Mobile, AL
Moving containers from Arlington, Virginia, to Mobile, Alabama, cost between $1,129 and $3,634. You load everything on your own schedule (U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30). When you're ready, the company takes care of getting the container from point A to point B. Need more time than that? Extra storage in Arlington typically runs around $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Arlington to Mobile:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,129 - $2,095
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,524 - $2,883
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,054 - $3,634
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Containers are self-loaded, so many people hire hourly help for the heavy lifting. moveBuddha data shows two movers for about five hours runs around $924 in Arlington, VA. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: If you want stronger coverage than the default liability, full-value protection is the upgrade to consider. Most providers charge 1% - 2% of your shipment value, roughly $500 - $1,000 for $50,000 in contents.
- Storage: After the first month, rental fees average $99 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $198 per month for a larger 12- to 16-foot unit.
- Access: If you anticipate needing to access items while in storage, confirm there's a facility conveniently located near your Mobile, AL, destination before booking.
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 $1,129. 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 $1,524 - $2,883.
What are the best moving containers Arlington to Mobile?
- 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 Arlington 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 Arlington:
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.9/5), 0 years in business
- BoxStar Movers (5.0/5), 5 years in business
- Zip Moving And Storage, Inc. (4.9/5), 11 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Arlington, VA to Mobile, AL
Truck rentals from Arlington, Virginia, to Mobile, Alabama, range from $643 - $1,793 for the 964-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $405 - $463
- Daily insurance: $40/day
- Equipment rentals: $9 - $26
- Arlington daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.99 - $1.19
| 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 Arlington to Mobile based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $643 - $1,193
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $647 - $1,403
- 4+ bedrooms: $887 - $1,793
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $643 - $1,793 does not include fuel ($405 - $463), lodging ($198/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Arlington to Mobile typically runs more than the base rate alone, with meals, equipment, and other extras adding roughly $600 - $1,200 on top of fuel and lodging.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $198 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 $86 and $429 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $405 - $463 in fuel for the 964-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $924 in Arlington, Virginia, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Arlington to Mobile?
- 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 Arlington, VA to Mobile, AL
If you're moving a larger household from Arlington, Virginia, and want to stay in control of the loading process, freight trailers offer a practical middle ground between hiring movers and renting a truck yourself. A 28-foot trailer is delivered to your door, you load what you need, and the carrier handles the drive to Mobile, Alabama.
Freight trailers are priced by the linear feet your belongings take up, so you only pay for the space you use. A 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route typically falls between $1,138 and $2,190.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Arlington to Mobile:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,016 - $1,922
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,138 - $2,190
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,612 - $2,998
Pro tip: A 4-foot ramp sounds simple, but heavy or awkward furniture can make the climb tricky. With 8 feet of height to work with, smart vertical stacking is key. Since freight companies charge by the linear foot, every extra foot you use adds to the bill.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- More space: Freight trailers are billed by the section you fill. If you misjudge your shipment size, each extra foot of trailer space adds around $99 - $198 to your final bill.
- Peak season pricing: Expect higher rates during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) when trailer availability tightens across the country.
- Moving labor: Loading is on you unless you hire outside help. A half-day crew of two movers in Arlington, Virginia, typically costs $924.
What are the best freight companies from Arlington to Mobile?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the best for large moves pick. While it's a top moving container option for the DIY hybrid setup (you handle the loading, they handle the driving), the same approach makes it a strong freight choice for 3 to 5+ bedroom homes that need 53 feet of trailer capacity with pay-as-you-go pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer here. In addition to their popular container service, U-Pack delivers a top-tier freight trailer option that uses the same pay-by-the-foot pricing model and skips deposits and upfront fees entirely.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in Mobile 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: Arlington, VA vs Mobile, AL
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Mobile, side by side with Arlington on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Arlington, VA | Mobile, AL |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 164 | 84 |
| Average rent | $2,718/mo | $1,300/mo |
| Median home value | $866,334 | $168,803 |
| Average income | $140,160/yr | $51,090/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 4.0% | 6.2% |
| State income tax | Up to 5.75% | Up to 5.0% |
| Walkability score | 71/100 | 32/100 |
| Safety index | 79.15/100 | 35.05/100 |
| 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 Mobile, AL to Arlington, VA guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Virginia to Alabama, so we know current pricing better than most. Checking our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates. Virginia alone has 304 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 964-mile move like this one.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 964-mile route from Arlington, VA, to Mobile, AL, run $1,954 - $7,597 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,129 - $3,634, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $643 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,187, 30 days of free storage, and a 24/7 support team you can actually reach.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Infirmary Health and Austal.
FAQs: Moving from Arlington, VA, to Mobile, AL
What is the cheapest way to move from Arlington, VA to Mobile, 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 $647 - $1,403. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
How much does it cost to move from Arlington, VA to Mobile, AL?
Costs on this route range from around $643 to $7,597, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,954 and $7,597, 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 size moving truck do I need for this route?
Rental trucks generally range from 10 to 26 feet. A 15- to 17-foot truck covers most 2-bedroom moves, while a smaller 10- to 12-foot truck works for a studio or 1-bedroom. Homes with 4 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
What do local movers charge in Arlington?
Local movers based in Arlington typically start around $200 as a base rate, plus $110/hour per mover. That's a useful baseline if you're hiring help just to load a rental truck or container rather than booking a full long-distance move. Rates in Mobile run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
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 percentage of Arlington movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 42% of movers in Arlington handle piano moves, and 34% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.