($553+) Montgomery, AL to Washington DC, MD Movers

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Background image of a moving truck moving from Montgomery, AL to Washington DC, MD

Moving from Montgomery, AL, to Washington DC, MD, runs anywhere from $559 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,958 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 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 $1,802, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $8,958 or more.
  • Moving containers run $1,173 - $3,829, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $559 - $1,486.
  • Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Montgomery, AL, to Washington DC, MD. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,464 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.

Compare moving options from Montgomery, AL to Washington DC, MD

Moving options from Montgomery to Washington DC fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $2,464 - $6,401 for a 2-3 bedroom home and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers cost about 30% less than full-service for the same size, and rental trucks land around 60% less, with both DIY options requiring you to load yourself. Covering 799 miles, this route usually takes 2 to 7 days from pickup to delivery.

Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 799-mile route from Montgomery to Washington DC, broken down by home size:

Home size Full-service movers Moving container Rental truck Freight trailer
Studio / 1 bedroom $1,802 - $4,718 $1,173 - $1,955 $559 - $1,129 $976 - $1,851
2 - 3 bedrooms $2,464 - $6,401 $1,364 - $2,909 $629 - $1,263 $1,126 - $2,349
4+ bedrooms $4,429 - $8,958 $1,926 - $3,829 $741 - $1,486 $1,618 - $3,093

Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.

Professional
Safeway Moving
star star star star star 4.9 / 5
Read our full Safeway review
Best overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran-owned
Container
Unlimited storage
3 container sizes
10% discount
Rental Truck
Budget Truck Rental
star star star star star 4.3 / 5
Read our full Budget review
Affordable pricing
Online estimates
Several discounts
Freight
MovingYourself
star star star star star 4.5 / 5
Read our full MovingYourself review
Fast delivery
Nationwide
100+ miles moves

Full-service moving costs from Montgomery, AL to Washington DC, MD

A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 799-mile move from Montgomery, Alabama, to Washington DC, Maryland, with prices running from $1,802 - $8,958. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $323 - $2,156 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between Montgomery and Washington DC are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, Montgomery movers tend to run around $462 as a base rate plus $133/hour per mover, for comparison.

Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Montgomery to Washington DC:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,802 - $4,718
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,464 - $6,401
  • 4+ bedrooms: $4,429 - $8,958

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 Montgomery to Washington DC.

The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Alabama to Maryland. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.

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 Montgomery, AL to Washington DC, MD

Specialty needs vary by market — 100% of Montgomery movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Washington DC, 93% of movers offer the same service.

Service When you need it Typical cost
Full packingFull crew packing100% of local movers$539 - $5,390
Storage in transitNew place not ready100% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: McCorquodale Transfer$216 - $1,294/mo
Shuttle feeTruck can't reach door$323 - $2,587
Full-value protectionMore than $0.60/lb coverage60% of local movers$300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value)
Small movesUnder ~2,000 lbs40% of local movers$1,078 - $3,234
Office / commercialWorkplace relocation$2,695 - $10,780
Car shippingSecond vehicle$807 - $1,534
Antiques & fine artFragile, high-value items60% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: McCorquodale Transfer$1,078 - $2,695
PianoAny piano type80% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: McCorquodale Transfer$862 - $3,773
Pool tableDisassembly & re-leveling80% of local movers$323 - $1,617
Hot tubHeavy, needs disconnect40% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Motivated Movers, Inc.$701 - $2,156
Wine collectionClimate-controlled transport$323 - $16,170+
Pet relocationGround, air, or concierge$323 - $3,773+

What are the best full-service movers from Montgomery to Washington DC?

Maryland Motor Truck Association membership is a quick way to confirm a mover is legitimate in Maryland, on top of the picks below.

  1. Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing means no surprise charges on moving day, and their support team is consistently rated among the most responsive in the industry.
  2. American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here, 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.
  3. Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, with 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 Montgomery, AL. 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 Montgomery, AL to Washington DC, MD

Moving containers from Montgomery, Alabama, to Washington DC, Maryland, cost between $1,173 and $3,829. 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 Washington DC. If you go over that window, storage in Montgomery adds around $70/month.

Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Montgomery to Washington DC:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,173 - $1,955
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,364 - $2,909
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,926 - $3,829

What other costs come with moving containers?

  • Access: Most major container brands operate in both Montgomery, AL and Washington DC, MD. Still, double-check that a nearby facility is available if you need to access your belongings before delivery.
  • Moving labor: Because containers are self-loaded, many customers hire hourly help. Two movers for about 5 hours typically cost around $755 in Montgomery, AL, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
  • Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $81 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $162 for larger ones (12 - 16 feet).
  • Added contents protection: For more coverage beyond the standard minimum, full-value protection is the typical upgrade, generally 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value. On a $50,000 household, that's roughly $500 - $1,000 as a one-time fee.

Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Alabama to Maryland 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 $1,173. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,364 - $2,909, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.

What are the best moving containers Montgomery to Washington DC?

  1. Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
  2. U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
  3. 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 Montgomery 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 Montgomery:

  • McCorquodale Transfer (5.0/5), 28 years in business
  • Motivated Movers, Inc. (4.6/5), 19 years in business
  • Admiral Movers (4.8/5), 37 years in business

Moving truck rental costs from Montgomery, AL to Washington DC, MD

Plan on $559 - $1,486 for a rental moving truck on the 799-mile route from Montgomery, Alabama, to Washington DC, Maryland. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:

  • Fuel for the drive: $274 - $313
  • Daily insurance: $32/day
  • Equipment rentals: $8 - $22
  • Montgomery daily rental rate: $19 - $39
  • Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.59 - $0.79
Home sizeTypical truck size
Studio / 1 bedroom10 - 12 ft
2 - 3 bedrooms15 - 17 ft
4+ bedrooms20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel)

These are typical moving truck rental costs from Montgomery to Washington DC based on home size:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $559 - $1,129
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $629 - $1,263
  • 4+ bedrooms: $741 - $1,486

Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $559 - $1,486 does not include fuel ($274 - $313) , lodging ($162/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Montgomery to Washington DC typically runs $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate alone.

What other costs come with rental trucks?

  • Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
  • Lodging: Budget around $162 per night if your drive requires an overnight stop. Typically, you'll make 1 - 3 overnight stops, depending on move distance.
  • Moving labor: Bringing in professional loading help in Montgomery, Alabama, usually costs about $755 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
  • Gas: Fuel for the 799-mile drive falls between $274 and $313, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
  • Equipment: Appliance dollies, moving pads, and vehicle trailers are easy to overlook but can add between $54 and $323 to your total.

What are the best moving truck rentals from Montgomery to Washington DC?

  1. Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
  2. Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
  3. 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 Montgomery, AL to Washington DC, MD

Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Montgomery, Alabama, to Washington DC, Maryland, when you want to do the loading yourself without having to drive a massive vehicle. The trailer is delivered, you pack it up, and the carrier handles the long haul.

What sets freight trailers apart is the pay-for-what-you-use pricing model. Each additional foot of trailer space you occupy adds to the cost. Overall pricing for a move of this size and distance typically lands around $1,126 and $2,349.

Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Montgomery to Washington DC:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $976 - $1,851
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,126 - $2,349
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,618 - $3,093

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 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 $81 and $162.
  • 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 Montgomery, Alabama, for roughly five hours typically average $755.

What are the best freight companies from Montgomery to Washington DC?

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. MAF Expedited Bhm Express (4/5 stars): MAF Expedited Bhm Express is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Local ownership translates to accessible support staff and facilities based in the communities they serve, giving customers more direct communication than they'd typically get from a national-only freight network.

Pro tip: One of the biggest advantages of freight trailers is speed. For an interstate move, freight delivery is one of the fastest options you have short of driving a rental truck yourself. It's a smart choice when your timeline is firm and you'll be ready to receive your shipment. If there's any chance your new place won't be ready or you need a few weeks of storage, a moving container with built-in storage may serve you better.

Cost of living: Montgomery, AL vs Washington DC, MD

The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Washington DC, side by side with Montgomery on housing, income, and taxes.

Measure Montgomery, AL Washington DC, MD
Cost of living index79151
Average rent$1,200/mo$2,400/mo
Median home value$146,265$594,337
Average income$55,687/yr$101,027/yr
Unemployment rate5.8%7.0%
State income taxUp to 5.0%Up to 5.75%
Walkability score26/10077/100
Safety index34.75/10039.63/100
Air qualityModerateGood

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 Washington DC, MD to Montgomery, AL guide.

Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:

Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Alabama to Maryland, 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. Alabama alone has 46 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 799-mile move like this one.

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Our take

Full-service movers on the 799-mile route from Montgomery, AL, to Washington DC, MD, run $1,802 - $8,958 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,173 - $3,829, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $559 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,464, 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 Department of Homeland Security and US Navy.

FAQs: Moving from Montgomery, AL, to Washington DC, MD

What are the best neighborhoods in Washington DC?

For families, AU-Tenleytown, Chevy Chase, and Cleveland Park are worth a look in Washington DC. If you're moving solo or without kids, Adams Morgan, Capitol Hill, and Cleveland Park tend to be popular picks instead.

How walkable is Washington DC?

Washington DC has a walkability score of 77 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 70, compared to 26 and 33 in Montgomery. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.

Is Washington DC a safe place to live?

Washington DC has a safety index of 39.63 out of 100 and a crime index of 60.37, compared to 34.75 and 65.25 in Montgomery. 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 Montgomery, AL to Washington DC, MD?

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 Montgomery, AL to Washington DC, MD?

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. A midweek, mid-month date outside peak season is your best bet for saving money.

What percentage of Montgomery movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?

About 80% of movers in Montgomery handle piano moves, and 60% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.