($572+) Montgomery, AL to Lansing, MI Movers
Moving from Montgomery, AL, to Lansing, MI, runs anywhere from $566 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,272 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 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 $1,811, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $8,272 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,084 - $3,655, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $566 - $1,586.
- 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 $2,463 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 Lansing, MI
There are 3 main ways to move from Montgomery to Lansing: 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 $2,463 - $6,006. Moving containers run about 30% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 60% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 2 to 7 days for this 816-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 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 | $1,811 - $4,966 | $1,084 - $2,100 | $566 - $1,134 | $1,046 - $1,798 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,463 - $6,006 | $1,466 - $2,800 | $611 - $1,347 | $1,219 - $2,377 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,495 - $8,272 | $1,870 - $3,655 | $773 - $1,586 | $1,512 - $2,864 |
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 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 $1,811 and $8,272. 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: $1,811 - $4,966
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,463 - $6,006
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,495 - $8,272
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.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Alabama to Michigan. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
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.
Don't see your company listed?
Reach customers actively searching for trusted movers in your area. Tell us about your company and services to get your business listed on moveBuddha.
Specialty moving services from Montgomery, AL to Lansing, MI
Specialty needs vary by market — 100% of Montgomery movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Lansing, 82% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $405 - $4,050 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready100% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: McCorquodale Transfer | $162 - $972/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $243 - $1,944 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage60% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs40% 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 items60% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: McCorquodale Transfer | $810 - $2,025 |
| Piano | Any piano type80% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: McCorquodale Transfer | $648 - $2,835 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling80% of local movers | $243 - $1,215 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect40% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Motivated Movers, Inc. | $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?
Look for Michigan Movers Association membership as a baseline when comparing movers in Michigan beyond this list.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is our pick for best overall value. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 support, and 30 days of free storage make Safeway the clearest value on this list.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. AVL has been moving customers since 1995 and uses full-time in-house crews trained on high-value items like art and antiques.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. One of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, 24/7 monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan against damage, loss, and breakage.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Montgomery, AL. 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 Montgomery, AL to Lansing, MI
Moving containers from Montgomery, Alabama, to Lansing, Michigan, cost between $1,084 and $3,655. 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 Montgomery costs roughly $70/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Montgomery to Lansing:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,084 - $2,100
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,466 - $2,800
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,870 - $3,655
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 Montgomery, AL, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $567, 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 $61 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $122 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Montgomery, AL, and Lansing, MI, 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 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 $1,084. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,466 - $2,800, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
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:
- 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 Lansing, MI
Truck rentals from Montgomery, Alabama, to Lansing, Michigan, range from $566 - $1,586 for the 816-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- 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: $566 - $1,134
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $611 - $1,347
- 4+ bedrooms: $773 - $1,586
Pro tip: The base rate of $566 - $1,586 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Montgomery to Lansing. Fuel ($210 - $240) , lodging at around $122/night, meals, and equipment rentals are all on top of that. Factor in an extra $600 - $1,200 to get a realistic picture of what the move will actually cost.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Montgomery, Alabama, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $567.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $210 - $240 for the 816-mile drive, depending on whether your truck takes gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, auto transport trailers, and furniture pads are separate rentals. Expect to spend between $49 and $263, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $122 per night for hotel stops on the 816-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $243 - $365.
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. Most moves on this route fall between $1,219 and $2,377.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Montgomery to Lansing:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,046 - $1,798
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,219 - $2,377
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,512 - $2,864
Pro tip: A 4-foot ramp sounds simple, but heavy or awkward furniture can make the climb tricky. With 8 feet of height to work with, smart vertical stacking is key. Since freight companies charge by the linear foot, every extra foot you use adds to the bill.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Seasonal demand: Pricing tends to rise during peak moving season, particularly between mid-May and mid-September.
- Moving labor: Most customers hire loading help since freight is self-loaded. Two movers in Montgomery, Alabama, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $567.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $61 and $122 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Montgomery to Lansing?
- 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.
- MAF Expedited Bhm Express (4/5 stars): MAF Expedited Bhm Express is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned and based facilities mean accessible support staff and area-specific scheduling flexibility that national-only freight carriers typically don't match.
Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from Montgomery to Lansing, freight trailers are one of the fastest interstate options available, second only to renting a truck and driving it yourself. The tradeoff is that freight works best when you're ready to receive your belongings on the other end. If your timeline is tight on the receiving side or you need a short storage buffer, a moving container might be a better fit.
Cost of living: Montgomery, AL vs Lansing, MI
There's not a big cost-of-living gap between Montgomery and Lansing to plan around. Cost of living index: 79 vs. 84. Average rent: $1,200/mo vs. $1,129/mo. The bigger factor in your budget is the one-time cost of the move itself, covered above. Walkability: 26 vs. 46. Safety index: 34.75 vs. 51.34.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Lansing, MI to Montgomery, AL guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from Alabama to Michigan over the past 3 months, giving us some of the most up-to-date pricing data around. Running your move through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. There are 46 movers in our Alabama network to compare for this 816-mile move.
Our take
For a move from Montgomery, AL, to Lansing, MI, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $1,811 for a studio to $8,272 for a 4 - 5 bedroom home on the 816-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,084 - $3,655. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $566 - $1,586, 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 $2,463 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 Health Management Associates and Michigan State Police.
FAQs: Moving from Montgomery, AL, to Lansing, MI
How much does it cost to move from Montgomery, AL to Lansing, MI?
Costs on this route range from around $1,811 to $8,272, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,811 and $8,272, 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 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 3 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
What do local movers charge in Montgomery?
Local movers based in Montgomery typically start around $462 as a base rate, plus $133/hour per mover. That's a useful baseline if you're hiring help just to load a rental truck or container rather than booking a full long-distance move. Rates in Lansing run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
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 are the best neighborhoods in Lansing?
For families, Okemos, Haslett, and DeWitt are worth a look in Lansing. If you're moving solo or without kids, Okemos, Haslett, and Waverly tend to be popular picks instead.
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.