($572+) Washington DC, MD to Montgomery, AL Movers
Moving from Washington DC, MD, to Montgomery, AL, runs anywhere from $572 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,989 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 799 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 $1,673, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $7,989 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,099 - $3,444, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $572 - $1,433.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Washington DC, MD, to Montgomery, AL. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,286 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 Washington DC, MD to Montgomery, AL
Moving options from Washington DC to Montgomery 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 $2,286 - $5,708 and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 38% less for the same home size, while rental trucks land about 73% less, though both require you to load the truck or container yourself. This route spans 799 miles and typically takes 2 to 7 days.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 799-mile route from Washington DC to Montgomery, broken down by home size:
- Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $1,673 - $4,077, container $1,099 - $1,866, rental truck $572 - $985, freight trailer $941 - $1,750.
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $2,286 - $5,708, container $1,412 - $2,669, rental truck $613 - $1,243, freight trailer $1,086 - $2,221.
- 4+ bedrooms: full-service $3,718 - $7,989, container $1,802 - $3,444, rental truck $707 - $1,433, freight trailer $1,456 - $2,868.
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 Washington DC, MD to Montgomery, AL
Hiring full-service movers from Washington DC, Maryland, to Montgomery, Alabama, costs between $1,673 and $7,989. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 799-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $367 - $2,444, 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 Washington DC and Montgomery. For a rough baseline, movers based in Washington DC tend to start around $180 plus $85/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 Washington DC to Montgomery:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,673 - $4,077
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,286 - $5,708
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,718 - $7,989
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 Washington DC to Montgomery.
Pro tip: Avoiding peak moving season dates (May - September) is one of the easiest ways to reduce costs. Off-season moves typically come with lower pricing and more room to negotiate since movers have fewer bookings.
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Specialty moving services from Washington DC, MD to Montgomery, AL
Specialty needs vary by market: 70% of Washington DC movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Montgomery, 45% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing80% of local movers | $611 - $6,110 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready70% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: 495 Movers, Inc | $244 - $1,466/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $367 - $2,933 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage13% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs55% of local movers | $1,222 - $3,666 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,055 - $12,220 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $915 - $1,739 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items34% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: 495 Movers, Inc | $1,222 - $3,055 |
| Piano | Any piano type42% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: 495 Movers, Inc | $978 - $4,277 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling9% of local movers | $367 - $1,833 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect8% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Olympia Moving & Storage | $794 - $2,444 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $367 - $18,330+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $367 - $4,277+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Washington DC to Montgomery?
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 van lines are the smarter financial choice over local movers in Washington DC, MD. 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 Washington DC, MD to Montgomery, AL
Moving containers from Washington DC, Maryland, to Montgomery, Alabama, cost between $1,099 and $3,444. The container gets dropped at your door and you load it at your own pace. U-Haul gives you 3 days to load and PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're done, the company handles all the transportation. If you need extra time, storage in Washington DC runs about $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Washington DC to Montgomery:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,099 - $1,866
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,412 - $2,669
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,802 - $3,444
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $92 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $183 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Montgomery, AL, if you need to retrieve anything while items are still in storage.
- Moving labor: Since you're responsible for loading the container yourself, many customers bring in hourly help. Based on moveBuddha data, hiring 2 movers for approximately 5 hours costs about $855 in Washington DC, MD. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection goes beyond the standard minimum and covers repair, replacement, or reimbursement at declared value. Pricing is typically 1% - 2% of your total shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 move.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Maryland 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 $1,099. 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 $1,412 - $2,669.
What are the best moving containers Washington DC to Montgomery?
- 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 Washington DC 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 Washington DC:
- Straightline Movers Inc. (4.9/5), 7 years in business
- Zip Moving And Storage, Inc. (4.9/5), 11 years in business
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.9/5), 0 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Washington DC, MD to Montgomery, AL
Truck rentals from Washington DC, Maryland, to Montgomery, Alabama, range from $572 - $1,433 for the 799-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $311 - $355
- Daily insurance: $37/day
- Equipment rentals: $9 - $24
- Washington DC 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 Washington DC to Montgomery based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $572 - $985
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $613 - $1,243
- 4+ bedrooms: $707 - $1,433
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $572 - $1,433 does not include fuel ($311 - $355), lodging ($183/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Washington DC to Montgomery 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?
- Gas: Fuel adds $311 - $355 for the 799-mile drive, depending on whether your rental truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: You'll handle the heavy lifting unless you bring in help. Two movers in Washington DC, Maryland, for about 5 hours typically costs around $855.
- Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
- Lodging: The 799-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $183 per night, adding $367 - $550 in hotel costs total.
- Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $61 and $367.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Washington DC to Montgomery?
- 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 Washington DC, MD to Montgomery, AL
Freight trailers are a good fit for medium-to-large moves where you need more space than a container but don't want to drive a rental truck from Washington DC, Maryland, to Montgomery, Alabama. The trailer is delivered to your address, you load it, and the carrier takes it the rest of the way.
Unlike truck rentals with flat rates, freight trailers scale with your shipment. Every additional section of trailer space you fill increases your total. A 2 - 3 bedroom long-distance move using this method runs roughly between $1,086 and $2,221.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Washington DC to Montgomery:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $941 - $1,750
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,086 - $2,221
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,456 - $2,868
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?
- 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 $92 - $183 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Washington DC, Maryland, for about five hours typically runs $855.
What are the best freight companies from Washington DC to Montgomery?
- 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 one of the fastest ways to move your belongings interstate, often beating full-service movers on delivery time. If getting your stuff to Montgomery 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: Washington DC, MD vs Montgomery, AL
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Montgomery, side by side with Washington DC on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Washington DC, MD | Montgomery, AL |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 151 | 79 |
| Average rent | $2,400/mo | $1,200/mo |
| Median home value | $594,337 | $146,265 |
| Average income | $101,027/yr | $55,687/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 7.0% | 5.8% |
| State income tax | Up to 5.75% | Up to 5.0% |
| Walkability score | 77/100 | 26/100 |
| Safety index | 39.63/100 | 34.75/100 |
| Air quality | Good | Moderate |
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 Montgomery, AL to Washington DC, MD guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Maryland 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. Maryland alone has 206 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 799-mile move like this one.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 799-mile route from Washington DC, MD, to Montgomery, AL, run $1,673 - $7,989 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,099 - $3,444, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $572 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,286, 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 Alfa and Colonial Banc Group.
FAQs: Moving from Washington DC, MD, to Montgomery, AL
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Washington DC, MD to Montgomery, AL?
Cutting 500 pounds from your shipment, roughly one bedroom's worth of items, saves approximately $200 - $400 on a full-service move on this route. Beyond that, staying organized matters just as much. A solid moving checklist keeps you on schedule and helps you avoid costly last-minute mistakes.
How much does it cost to move from Washington DC, MD to Montgomery, AL?
Costs on this route range from around $572 to $7,989, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,673 and $7,989, 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.
How walkable is Montgomery?
Montgomery has a walkability score of 26 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 33, compared to 77 and 70 in Washington DC. 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 ($311 - $355), daily insurance ($37/day), and equipment rentals ($9 - $24) on top. Overnight stops can add another $183/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 percentage of Washington DC movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 42% of movers in Washington DC handle piano moves, and 34% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.