($552+) Montgomery, AL to Chesapeake, VA Movers
Moving from Montgomery, AL, to Chesapeake, VA, runs anywhere from $552 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,298 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 726 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 1 to 6 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 $1,647, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $8,298 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,035 - $3,492, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $552 - $1,379.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Montgomery, AL, to Chesapeake, VA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,279 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 Chesapeake, VA
Moving options from Montgomery to Chesapeake fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $2,279 - $5,559 for a 2-3 bedroom home and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers cost about 43% less than full-service for the same size, and rental trucks land around 75% less, with both DIY options requiring you to load yourself. Covering 726 miles, this route usually takes 1 to 6 days from pickup to delivery.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 726-mile route from Montgomery to Chesapeake, broken down by home size:
- A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $1,647 - $4,618 with full-service movers, $1,035 - $1,804 with a container, $552 - $1,017 with a rental truck, or $903 - $1,778 by freight.
- A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $2,279 - $5,559 full-service, $1,289 - $2,764 by container, $568 - $1,161 by rental truck, or $1,116 - $2,022 by freight.
- A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $3,900 - $8,298 full-service, $1,727 - $3,492 by container, $710 - $1,379 by rental truck, or $1,425 - $2,602 by freight.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated October 30, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Montgomery, AL to Chesapeake, VA
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 726-mile move from Montgomery, Alabama, to Chesapeake, Virginia, with prices running from $1,647 - $8,298. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $267 - $1,780 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between Montgomery and Chesapeake 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 Chesapeake:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,647 - $4,618
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,279 - $5,559
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,900 - $8,298
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 Chesapeake.
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 Chesapeake, VA
Specialty needs vary by market: 45% of Montgomery movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Chesapeake, 63% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing64% of local movers | $445 - $4,450 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready45% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Coleman Worldwide Moving | $178 - $1,068/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $267 - $2,136 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs36% of local movers | $890 - $2,670 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,225 - $8,900 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $667 - $1,266 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items36% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Coleman Worldwide Moving | $890 - $2,225 |
| Piano | Any piano type45% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: Coleman Worldwide Moving | $712 - $3,115 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling9% of local movers | $267 - $1,335 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect9% nationally | $579 - $1,780 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $267 - $13,350+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $267 - $3,115+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Montgomery to Chesapeake?
If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in Virginia Movers & Warehousemen’s Association is a good first thing to confirm.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving offers the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing locks in your cost upfront, and 24/7 customer support is available throughout the move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. Operating since 1995, AVL staffs every move with full-time in-house crews trained on antiques, art, and other high-value items.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. As one of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, real-time shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national full-service movers are almost always better priced than local movers in Montgomery, AL. Local companies typically run 30% - 40% more at longer distances because they aren't set up to consolidate shipments the way national carriers do. The one case where a local mover might be worth the premium is if you want a dedicated direct-route truck, which averages a 2-day delivery time, but expect to pay more for that convenience.
Moving container costs from Montgomery, AL to Chesapeake, VA
Moving containers from Montgomery, Alabama, to Chesapeake, Virginia, cost between $1,035 and $3,492. With a moving container, you load on your own schedule. U-Haul gives you 3 days to fill yours, while PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're ready, the company transports it straight to your new place. Need more time first? Storage in Montgomery typically costs about $70/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Montgomery to Chesapeake:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,035 - $1,804
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,289 - $2,764
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,727 - $3,492
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $67 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $134 per month for larger units (12 - 16 feet).
- Moving labor: Containers don't come with loading help, so many customers hire hourly movers for the job. Two movers for about 5 hours will run you around $623 in Montgomery, AL, per moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Standard coverage only reimburses by weight. Full-value protection gives you more complete coverage for higher-value items and typically costs 1% - 2% of your total declared value, around $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 shipment.
- Access: National providers generally operate in both cities, but verify that a facility near your Chesapeake, VA, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Alabama to Virginia 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 $1,035. 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 $1,289 - $2,764.
What are the best moving containers Montgomery to Chesapeake?
- 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 Chesapeake, VA
A rental truck for this 726-mile move from Montgomery, Alabama, to Chesapeake, Virginia, costs between $552 and $1,379. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $206 - $235
- Daily insurance: $27/day
- Equipment rentals: $6 - $18
- 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 Chesapeake based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $552 - $1,017
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $568 - $1,161
- 4+ bedrooms: $710 - $1,379
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $552 - $1,379 when pricing out a rental truck from Montgomery to Chesapeake. Fuel alone runs $206 - $235, and overnight lodging ($134/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend roughly $600 - $1,200 more on meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging by the time the move is done.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $134 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 $623 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 726-mile drive falls between $206 and $235, 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 $45 and $267 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Montgomery to Chesapeake?
- 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 Chesapeake, VA
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Montgomery, Alabama, to Chesapeake, Virginia, 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. Pricing for a 2 - 3 bedroom move of this distance typically lands between $1,116 and $2,022.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Montgomery to Chesapeake:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $903 - $1,778
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,116 - $2,022
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,425 - $2,602
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?
- 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 $623.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $67 and $134 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Montgomery to Chesapeake?
- 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.
Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from Montgomery to Chesapeake, 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 Chesapeake, VA
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Chesapeake, side by side with Montgomery on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Montgomery, AL | Chesapeake, VA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 79 | 104 |
| Average rent | $1,200/mo | $1,800/mo |
| Median home value | $146,265 | $359,218 |
| Average income | $55,687/yr | $94,189/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 5.8% | 5.0% |
| State income tax | Up to 5.0% | Up to 5.75% |
| Walkability score | 26/100 | 21/100 |
| Safety index | 34.75/100 | 70.88/100 |
| 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 Chesapeake, VA to Montgomery, AL guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from Alabama to Virginia, 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 112 movers in Alabama, so you have real options to compare for this 726-mile move.
Our take
The 726-mile move from Montgomery, AL, to Chesapeake, VA, costs between $1,647 and $8,298 with full-service movers, $1,035 - $3,492 with a moving container, and $552 - $1,379 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 $2,279 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 Dollar Tree and Chesapeake City Schools.
FAQs: Moving from Montgomery, AL, to Chesapeake, VA
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Montgomery, AL to Chesapeake, VA?
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 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 Chesapeake run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
How long does a move from Montgomery, AL to Chesapeake, VA take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 1 to 6 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 are the best neighborhoods in Chesapeake?
For families, Greenbrier, Great Bridge, and Hickory are worth a look in Chesapeake. If you're moving solo or without kids, Capital District, Central Office, and East Ghent tend to be popular picks instead.
What is the cheapest way to move from Montgomery, AL to Chesapeake, VA?
Renting a moving truck is almost always the most affordable option, since you handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself. A 2-bedroom rental truck move on this route averages $568 - $1,161. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What percentage of Montgomery movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 45% of movers in Montgomery handle piano moves, and 36% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.