($696+) McAllen, TX to Huntsville, AL Movers
Moving from McAllen, TX, to Huntsville, AL, runs anywhere from $696 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,065 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,112 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 2 to 8 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 $2,021, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $8,065 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,228 - $3,850, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $696 - $1,898.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from McAllen, TX, to Huntsville, AL. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,502 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 McAllen, TX to Huntsville, AL
There are 3 main ways to move from McAllen to Huntsville: 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 $2,502 - $6,178. Moving containers run about 37% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 69% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 2 to 8 days for this 1,112-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 1,112-mile route from McAllen to Huntsville, broken down by home size:
- A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $2,021 - $4,834 with full-service movers, $1,228 - $2,249 with a container, $696 - $1,271 with a rental truck, or $1,116 - $2,004 by freight.
- A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $2,502 - $6,178 full-service, $1,567 - $3,009 by container, $783 - $1,558 by rental truck, or $1,265 - $2,333 by freight.
- A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $4,178 - $8,065 full-service, $2,014 - $3,850 by container, $917 - $1,898 by rental truck, or $1,644 - $3,243 by freight.
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 McAllen, TX to Huntsville, AL
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 1,112-mile move from McAllen, Texas, to Huntsville, Alabama, with costs ranging from $2,021 - $8,065. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $250 - $1,664. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between McAllen and Huntsville. Local movers in McAllen typically start around $160 as a base rate plus $80/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from McAllen to Huntsville:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,021 - $4,834
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,502 - $6,178
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,178 - $8,065
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 McAllen to Huntsville.
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 McAllen, TX to Huntsville, AL
Specialty needs vary by market: 63% of McAllen movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Huntsville, 59% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing50% of local movers | $416 - $4,160 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready63% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: PODS Moving & Storage | $166 - $998/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $250 - $1,997 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs13% of local movers | $832 - $2,496 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,080 - $8,320 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $623 - $1,184 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items13% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Rick's Moving & Storage LLC | $832 - $2,080 |
| Piano | Any piano type38% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Rick's Moving & Storage LLC | $666 - $2,912 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling13% of local movers | $250 - $1,248 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect9% nationallyTop pick: InNout Movers (TX) | $541 - $1,664 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $250 - $12,480+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $250 - $2,912+ |
What are the best full-service movers from McAllen to Huntsville?
All three below meet the standards set by the Alabama Trucking Association, the group most Alabama movers are affiliated with.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list, with flat-rate pricing that holds firm on moving day and a customer support team available around the clock.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here. With 30+ years of interstate moves behind them, AVL uses full-time in-house crews instead of the contracted labor most national carriers rely on.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, with fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan available on every long-distance move.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in McAllen, TX. 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 McAllen, TX to Huntsville, AL
Moving containers from McAllen, Texas, to Huntsville, Alabama, cost between $1,228 and $3,850. 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 McAllen costs roughly $55/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from McAllen to Huntsville:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,228 - $2,249
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,567 - $3,009
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,014 - $3,850
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $62 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $125 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Huntsville, 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 $582 in McAllen, TX. 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 Texas 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 $1,228. 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 $1,567 - $3,009.
What are the best moving containers McAllen to Huntsville?
- 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 McAllen 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 McAllen:
- PODS Moving & Storage (3.7/5), 27 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from McAllen, TX to Huntsville, AL
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 1,112 miles from McAllen, Texas, to Huntsville, Alabama, running $696 - $1,898. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $294 - $336
- Daily insurance: $25/day
- Equipment rentals: $6 - $17
- McAllen daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.69
| 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 McAllen to Huntsville based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $696 - $1,271
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $783 - $1,558
- 4+ bedrooms: $917 - $1,898
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from McAllen to Huntsville starts at $696 - $1,898, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($294 - $336), overnight lodging ($125/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?
- Gas: Fuel adds $294 - $336 for the 1,112-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 McAllen, Texas, for about 5 hours typically costs around $582.
- Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
- Lodging: The 1,112-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $125 per night, adding $250 - $374 in hotel costs total.
- Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $42 and $250.
What are the best moving truck rentals from McAllen to Huntsville?
- 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 McAllen, TX to Huntsville, AL
If you're moving a larger household from McAllen, Texas, 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 Huntsville, 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 $1,265 and $2,333.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from McAllen to Huntsville:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,116 - $2,004
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,265 - $2,333
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,644 - $3,243
Pro tip: Freight pricing rewards efficient packing. Trailers are 8 feet tall and accessed via a 4-foot ramp, so technique matters, especially for heavy pieces. Since each additional linear foot adds to your quote, packing strategically is one of the easiest ways to control costs.
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 $62 and $125.
- 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 McAllen, Texas, for roughly five hours typically average $582.
What are the best freight companies from McAllen to Huntsville?
- 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.
Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from McAllen to Huntsville. 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: McAllen, TX vs Huntsville, AL
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Huntsville, side by side with McAllen on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | McAllen, TX | Huntsville, AL |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 76 | 94 |
| Average rent | $1,350/mo | $1,409/mo |
| Median home value | $173,919 | $260,899 |
| Average income | $60,165/yr | $70,778/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 7.9% | 3.1% |
| State income tax | None | Up to 5.0% |
| Walkability score | 41/100 | 24/100 |
| Safety index | 63.74/100 | 57.45/100 |
| Air quality | Moderate | 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 Huntsville, AL to McAllen, TX guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from Texas 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 843 movers licensed in Texas, useful context for sizing up this 1,112-mile move.
Our take
For a move from McAllen, TX, to Huntsville, AL, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $2,021 for a studio to $8,065 for a 4+ bedroom home on the 1,112-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,228 - $3,850. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $696 - $1,898, 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 $2,502 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 Qualitest Pharmaceuticals and Huntsville Hospital.
FAQs: Moving from McAllen, TX, to Huntsville, AL
Is Huntsville a safe place to live?
Huntsville has a safety index of 57.45 out of 100 and a crime index of 42.55, compared to 63.74 and 36.26 in McAllen. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What are some tips for saving money on a move from McAllen, TX to Huntsville, 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.
What is the best time of year to move from McAllen, TX to Huntsville, 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 long does a move from McAllen, TX to Huntsville, AL take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 2 to 8 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are often one of the faster options outside of driving yourself, 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 extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($294 - $336), daily insurance ($25/day), and equipment rentals ($6 - $17) on top. Overnight stops can add another $125/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
What percentage of McAllen movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 38% of movers in McAllen handle piano moves, and 13% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.