($562+) Montgomery, AL to Lansing, MI Movers
Moving from Montgomery, AL, to Lansing, MI, runs anywhere from $562 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,045 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 816 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 $1,798, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $8,045 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,044 - $3,412, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $562 - $1,450.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Montgomery, AL, to Lansing, MI. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,419 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 Montgomery, AL to Lansing, MI
There are 3 main ways to move from Montgomery to Lansing: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service is the most expensive but covers everything from labor to transportation, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route averaging $2,419 - $5,842. Containers cost roughly 43% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 76% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 816 miles, expect 2 to 7 days in transit no matter which service you choose.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 816-mile route from Montgomery to Lansing, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,798 - $4,548 | $1,044 - $1,845 | $562 - $1,048 | $996 - $1,713 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,419 - $5,842 | $1,369 - $2,614 | $588 - $1,308 | $1,106 - $2,091 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $3,914 - $8,045 | $1,929 - $3,412 | $729 - $1,450 | $1,396 - $2,729 |
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 Montgomery, AL to Lansing, MI
Full-service movers for the 816-mile relocation from Montgomery, Alabama, to Lansing, Michigan, cost between $1,798 and $8,045. With a long-distance moving company, loading, transportation, and unloading are all taken care of. If you want to skip packing boxes, too, that can be added for $243 - $1,620, depending on your home size. What you pay in the end is mainly a function of how much your shipment weighs and how far it's traveling. As a point of reference, local movers in Montgomery typically charge a base rate around $462 plus $133 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Montgomery to Lansing:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,798 - $4,548
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,419 - $5,842
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,914 - $8,045
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 Lansing.
Pro tip: The summer months (May - September) are the busiest time of year for movers during peak moving season, which drives up prices and limits scheduling options. If you can move in the fall or winter, you'll likely find better rates and more flexibility.
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Specialty moving services from Montgomery, AL to Lansing, MI
Specialty needs vary by market: 58% of Montgomery movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Lansing, 45% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing75% of local movers | $405 - $4,050 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready58% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Coleman Worldwide Moving | $162 - $972/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $243 - $1,944 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs36% of local movers | $810 - $2,430 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,025 - $8,100 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $607 - $1,153 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items36% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Coleman Worldwide Moving | $810 - $2,025 |
| Piano | Any piano type58% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Coleman Worldwide Moving | $648 - $2,835 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling9% of local movers | $243 - $1,215 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect9% nationally | $527 - $1,620 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $243 - $12,150+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $243 - $2,835+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Montgomery to Lansing?
All three below meet the standards set by the Michigan Movers Association, the group most Michigan 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 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 Lansing, MI
Moving containers from Montgomery, Alabama, to Lansing, Michigan, cost between $1,044 and $3,412. 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 Montgomery runs about $70/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Montgomery to Lansing:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,044 - $1,845
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,369 - $2,614
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,929 - $3,412
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 $567 in Montgomery, AL. 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 $61 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $122 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 Lansing, MI, destination before booking.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Alabama to Michigan 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 $1,044. 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 $1,369 - $2,614.
What are the best moving containers Montgomery to Lansing?
- 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 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:
- C & R Movers, LLC (4.2/5), 12 years in business
- Admiral Movers (4.8/5), 37 years in business
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.5/5), 0 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Montgomery, AL to Lansing, MI
Plan on $562 - $1,450 for a rental moving truck on the 816-mile route from Montgomery, Alabama, to Lansing, Michigan. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $210 - $240
- Daily insurance: $24/day
- Equipment rentals: $6 - $16
- Montgomery daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.59 - $0.79
| 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 Montgomery to Lansing based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $562 - $1,048
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $588 - $1,308
- 4+ bedrooms: $729 - $1,450
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $562 - $1,450 does not include fuel ($210 - $240), lodging ($122/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Montgomery to Lansing 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 $122 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 $53 and $263 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $210 - $240 in fuel for the 816-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $567 in Montgomery, Alabama, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Montgomery to Lansing?
- 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 Montgomery, AL to Lansing, MI
If you're moving a larger household from Montgomery, Alabama, 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 Lansing, Michigan.
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 $1,106 and $2,091.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Montgomery to Lansing:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $996 - $1,713
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,106 - $2,091
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,396 - $2,729
Pro tip: Freight trailers come with a 4-foot loading ramp, which can be a challenge with bulky furniture. With 8 feet of vertical space available, stacking efficiently often requires a ladder and a plan. Since you're billed per linear foot, packing tight can make a real difference in your final cost.
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 $61 - $122 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Montgomery, Alabama, for about five hours typically runs $567.
What are the best freight companies from Montgomery to Lansing?
- 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 move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Montgomery to Lansing. 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: Montgomery, AL vs Lansing, MI
Day-to-day costs in Lansing are close to what you're used to in Montgomery: cost of living index of 84 versus 79, with average rent of $1,129/mo compared to $1,200/mo. With an index gap that small, budgeting for this move mostly comes down to the moving costs above rather than a shift in your monthly expenses. For reference, walkability and safety scores are 26/100 and 34.75/100 in Montgomery versus 46/100 and 51.34/100 in Lansing.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Lansing, MI 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 Michigan, 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 142 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 816-mile move like this one.
Our take
A move from Montgomery, AL, to Lansing, MI, 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 $1,798 - $8,045 on the 816-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,044 - $3,412, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $562 - $1,450. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $2,419 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 Health Management Associates and Michigan State Police.
FAQs: Moving from Montgomery, AL, to Lansing, MI
How do I know a mover is licensed in Michigan?
The agency regulating local and intrastate household goods movers in Michigan is the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC). State regulation and oversight activities include commercial vehicle registration and safety compliance, review of published tariff rates, licensing, and consumer protection efforts.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($210 - $240), daily insurance ($24/day), and equipment rentals ($6 - $16) on top. Overnight stops can add another $122/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How walkable is Lansing?
Lansing has a walkability score of 46 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 55, 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.
How much does it cost to move from Montgomery, AL to Lansing, MI?
Costs on this route range from around $562 to $8,045, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,798 and $8,045, 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 are some tips for saving money on a move from Montgomery, AL to Lansing, MI?
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 percentage of Montgomery movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 58% of movers in Montgomery handle piano moves, and 36% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.