($500+) Virginia Beach, VA to Birmingham, AL Movers
Moving from Virginia Beach, VA, to Birmingham, AL, runs anywhere from $500 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,738 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 729 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 $1,491, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $7,738 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,076 - $3,527, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $500 - $1,407.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Virginia Beach, VA, to Birmingham, AL. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,234 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 Virginia Beach, VA to Birmingham, AL
Moving options from Virginia Beach to Birmingham fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $2,234 - $5,088 on this route, with movers handling all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 39% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 74% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This 729-mile route typically takes 1 to 6 days door to door.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 729-mile route from Virginia Beach to Birmingham, broken down by home size:
- A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $1,491 - $3,861 with full-service movers, $1,076 - $1,994 with a container, $500 - $948 with a rental truck, or $950 - $1,658 by freight.
- A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $2,234 - $5,088 full-service, $1,356 - $2,712 by container, $591 - $1,173 by rental truck, or $1,052 - $2,085 by freight.
- A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $3,679 - $7,738 full-service, $1,834 - $3,527 by container, $745 - $1,407 by rental truck, or $1,381 - $2,876 by freight.
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 Virginia Beach, VA to Birmingham, AL
Hiring full-service movers from Virginia Beach, Virginia, to Birmingham, Alabama, costs between $1,491 and $7,738. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 729-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $293 - $1,956, depending on the size of your home. Your final cost comes down to two things: the total weight of your shipment and the distance between Virginia Beach and Birmingham. For a rough baseline, movers based in Virginia Beach tend to start around $183 plus $97/hour per mover on local jobs, before long-distance pricing takes over for a move this size.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Virginia Beach to Birmingham:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,491 - $3,861
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,234 - $5,088
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,679 - $7,738
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 Virginia Beach to Birmingham.
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 Virginia Beach, VA to Birmingham, AL
Specialty needs vary by market: 62% of Virginia Beach 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 packing67% of local movers | $489 - $4,890 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready62% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $196 - $1,174/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $293 - $2,347 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage13% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs43% of local movers | $978 - $2,934 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,445 - $9,780 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $733 - $1,392 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items23% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Atlantic Beach Movers | $978 - $2,445 |
| Piano | Any piano type43% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $782 - $3,423 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling13% of local movers | $293 - $1,467 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect10% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Atlantic Beach Movers | $636 - $1,956 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $293 - $14,670+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $293 - $3,423+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Virginia Beach to Birmingham?
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 carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Virginia Beach, VA. At that distance, local movers often charge 30% - 40% more because they don't spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments the way national carriers do. If a direct route and faster delivery (averaging 2 days) are priorities, a local mover may be worth considering, but that service comes at a higher price.
Moving container costs from Virginia Beach, VA to Birmingham, AL
Moving containers from Virginia Beach, Virginia, to Birmingham, Alabama, cost between $1,076 and $3,527. A container is delivered to your home and you load it on your own time. Loading windows vary by company: U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30. From there, the company takes over and transports it to Birmingham. If you go over that window, storage in Virginia Beach adds around $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Virginia Beach to Birmingham:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,076 - $1,994
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,356 - $2,712
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,834 - $3,527
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 Virginia Beach, VA, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $685, 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 $147 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Virginia Beach, 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 $1,076. 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 $1,356 - $2,712.
What are the best moving containers Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach:
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.6/5), 12 years in business
- Atlantic Beach Movers (4.7/5), 20 years in business
- Southside Moving and Storage (3.8/5), 0 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Virginia Beach, VA to Birmingham, AL
Renting a moving truck for the 729-mile move from Virginia Beach, Virginia, to Birmingham, Alabama, costs between $500 and $1,407, before these typical add-ons:
- Fuel for the drive: $227 - $259
- Daily insurance: $29/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $20
- Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach to Birmingham based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $500 - $948
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $591 - $1,173
- 4+ bedrooms: $745 - $1,407
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Virginia Beach to Birmingham starts at $500 - $1,407, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($227 - $259), overnight lodging ($147/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 $147 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 $64 and $318 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $227 - $259 in fuel for the 729-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $685 in Virginia Beach, Virginia, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach, VA to Birmingham, AL
Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from Virginia Beach, 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 $880 and $2,085.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Virginia Beach to Birmingham:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $950 - $1,658
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,052 - $2,085
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,381 - $2,876
Pro tip: Freight trailers offer generous space but reward good packing strategy. The 4-foot ramp can be challenging for large or heavy pieces, and using the full 8-foot height takes careful stacking. Because you're billed by the linear foot, maximizing vertical space keeps your costs lower.
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 $73 - $147 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 Virginia Beach, Virginia, typically costs $685.
What are the best freight companies from Virginia Beach to Birmingham?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Primarily known as a top moving container option for its DIY hybrid model where customers load and the company drives, MovingYourself also functions as a strong freight option thanks to its 53-foot trucks and pay-only-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. Best known for its container service, U-Pack also runs a top-notch freight trailer operation with the same no-deposit, pay-by-the-foot approach that keeps overall costs lower than most freight competitors.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are one of the fastest ways to move your belongings interstate, often beating full-service movers on delivery time. If getting your stuff to Birmingham quickly is a priority, freight is worth a hard look. That said, freight carriers typically require you to be available to receive your shipment within a set window, so if you need short-term storage or your new place won't be ready right away, a container or full-service mover may give you more flexibility.
Cost of living: Virginia Beach, 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 Virginia Beach on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Virginia Beach, VA | Birmingham, AL |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 105 | 87 |
| Average rent | $1,950/mo | $1,250/mo |
| Median home value | $366,324 | $141,615 |
| Average income | $90,685/yr | $44,376/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 4.8% | 5.6% |
| State income tax | Up to 5.75% | Up to 5.0% |
| Walkability score | 33/100 | 33/100 |
| Safety index | 58.0/100 | 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 Virginia Beach, 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 729-mile move.
Our take
A move from Virginia Beach, VA, to Birmingham, AL, gives you several options depending on your budget and how much you want to do yourself. Full-service movers handle everything but cost the most, ranging from $1,491 - $7,738 on the 729-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,076 - $3,527, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $500 - $1,407. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $2,234 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and round-the-clock live support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Encompass Health and Regions Bank.
FAQs: Moving from Virginia Beach, VA, to Birmingham, AL
How walkable is Birmingham?
Birmingham has a walkability score of 33 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 31, compared to 33 and 42 in Virginia Beach. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($227 - $259), daily insurance ($29/day), and equipment rentals ($7 - $20) on top. Overnight stops can add another $147/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
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 is the best time of year to move from Virginia Beach, 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 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 percentage of Virginia Beach movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 43% of movers in Virginia Beach handle piano moves, and 23% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.