($1,262+) Riverside, CA to Montgomery, AL Movers
The cost to move from Riverside, CA to Montgomery, AL ranges from $1,405 to $11,497, with an average cost of $4,100. Moves can be as low as $1,262 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 2,030 miles and usually takes 6 to 17 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.
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Compare moving options from Riverside, CA to Montgomery, AL
Moving options from Riverside to Montgomery fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,405 - $11,497 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $4,100, and movers handle all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 60% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This particular route covers 2,030 miles and typically takes 6 to 17 days depending on the service you pick.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 2,030-mile route from Riverside to Montgomery, broken down by home size:
Home size makes the biggest difference in what you'll pay on this route. A studio or 1-bedroom runs $1,405 - $5,766 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($1,666 - $3,100), rental truck ($1,249 - $2,435), or freight trailer ($1,484 - $2,762). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $3,540 - $7,912 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $11,497.
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 Riverside, CA to Montgomery, AL
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 2,030-mile move from Riverside, California, to Montgomery, Alabama, with prices running from $1,405 - $11,497. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $331 - $2,204 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between Riverside and Montgomery are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, Riverside movers tend to run around $239 as a base rate plus $75/hour per mover, for comparison.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Riverside to Montgomery:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,405 - $5,766
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,540 - $7,912
- 4+ bedrooms: $6,366 - $11,497
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 Riverside to Montgomery.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from California to Alabama. 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.
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Specialty moving services from Riverside, CA to Montgomery, AL
Specialty needs vary by market — 84% of Riverside movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Montgomery, 100% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $551 - $5,510 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready84% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: VIP Transport, Inc. | $220 - $1,322/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $331 - $2,645 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage42% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs33% of local movers | $1,102 - $3,306 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,755 - $11,020 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $825 - $1,568 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items62% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: VIP Transport, Inc. | $1,102 - $2,755 |
| Piano | Any piano type75% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: VIP Transport, Inc. | $882 - $3,857 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling38% of local movers | $331 - $1,653 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect27% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: JFK Moving Company | $716 - $2,204 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $331 - $16,530+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $331 - $3,857+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Riverside 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 carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Riverside, CA. 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 Riverside, CA to Montgomery, AL
Moving containers from Riverside, California, to Montgomery, Alabama, cost between $1,666 and $5,867. 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 Montgomery. If you go over that window, storage in Riverside adds around $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Riverside to Montgomery:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,666 - $3,100
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,199 - $4,526
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,952 - $5,867
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $83 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $165 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 $771 in Riverside, CA. 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 California 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 $1,666. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $2,199 - $4,526, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Riverside 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 Riverside 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 Riverside:
- JFK Moving Company (4.8/5), 6 years in business
- Burgess Moving and Storage (4.7/5), 80 years in business
- Alex Moving and Storage (3.6/5), 24 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Riverside, CA to Montgomery, AL
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 2,030 miles from Riverside, California, to Montgomery, Alabama, running $1,249 - $3,515. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $712 - $813
- Daily insurance: $33/day
- Equipment rentals: $8 - $22
- Riverside daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.79 - $1.09
| 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 Riverside to Montgomery based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,249 - $2,435
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,313 - $2,673
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,640 - $3,515
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $1,249 - $3,515 when pricing out a rental truck from Riverside to Montgomery. Fuel alone runs ($712 - $813) , and overnight lodging ($165/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend an additional $600 - $1,200 beyond the base rate by the time the move is done.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Gas: Fuel adds $712 - $813 for the 2,030-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 Riverside, California, for about 5 hours typically costs around $771.
- Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
- Lodging: The 2,030-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $165 per night, adding $331 - $496 in hotel costs total.
- Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $55 and $331.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Riverside 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 Riverside, CA to Montgomery, AL
Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from Riverside, California, to Montgomery, Alabama. Standard trailers run 28 feet long, and you're only charged for the portion you actually fill. The carrier drops the trailer off, you load it at your own pace, and they handle the drive to your new city.
Pricing is based entirely on the linear footage your shipment occupies, not the full trailer length. Most long-distance freight moves land somewhere between $992 and $3,442.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Riverside to Montgomery:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,484 - $2,762
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,723 - $3,442
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,457 - $4,838
Pro tip: Loading a freight trailer is a bit different from filling a container. The 4-foot ramp can be steep with large items, and getting the most out of 8 feet of vertical clearance takes planning. Since pricing is based on linear feet used, every inch of wasted space has a cost.
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 $83 and $165.
- 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 Riverside, California, for roughly five hours typically average $771.
What are the best freight companies from Riverside to Montgomery?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is our pick for best for large moves. The company is best known as a top moving container option for its hybrid model where you load and they drive, and that same model translates well to freight thanks to their 53-foot trucks and pay-by-the-foot pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Beyond their flagship container service, U-Pack also runs freight trailers with the same no-deposit, no-upfront-fee model, charging only for the linear footage you actually fill.
- ALL Service Handling (4.76/5 stars): ALL Service Handling is our pick for best locally owned freight company. Their locally owned and operated facilities mean you work with support staff who know the route and the area, giving you more responsive scheduling than national-only carriers typically offer.
Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from Riverside to Montgomery, 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: Riverside, CA 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 Riverside on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Riverside, CA | Montgomery, AL |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 131 | 79 |
| Average rent | $2,295/mo | $1,200/mo |
| Median home value | $539,898 | $146,265 |
| Average income | $88,575/yr | $55,687/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 7.1% | 5.8% |
| State income tax | Up to 13.3% | Up to 5.0% |
| Walkability score | 43/100 | 26/100 |
| Safety index | 59.76/100 | 34.75/100 |
| Air quality | Moderate | 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 Riverside, CA guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from California to Alabama, so our pricing data reflects what movers are actually charging right now. Check our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers, the best way to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and bad actors. We track 374 movers in California, so you have real options to compare for this 2,030-mile move.
Our take
The 2,030-mile move from Riverside, CA, to Montgomery, AL, costs between $1,405 and $11,497 with full-service movers, $1,666 - $5,867 with a moving container, and $1,249 - $3,515 for a rental truck. Your budget and how much heavy lifting you want to do are the two biggest factors in choosing the right option. If you go with full-service movers, Safeway Moving is our top recommendation, with transparent flat-rate pricing starting around $3,540 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage, and 24/7 customer support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Alfa and Colonial Banc Group.
FAQs: Moving from Riverside, CA, to Montgomery, AL
How much does it cost to move from Riverside, CA to Montgomery, AL?
Costs on this route range from around $1,405 to $11,497, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,405 and $11,497, 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 Riverside?
Local movers based in Riverside typically start around $239 as a base rate, plus $75/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 Montgomery run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
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 are the best neighborhoods in Montgomery?
For families, Dalraida, Forest Park, and Hillwood are worth a look in Montgomery. If you're moving solo or without kids, Cloverdale/Idlewild, Old Cloverdale, and EastChase tend to be popular picks instead.
What percentage of Riverside movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 75% of movers in Riverside handle piano moves, and 62% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
