($551+) Montgomery, AL to Chesapeake, VA Movers
Moving from Montgomery, AL, to Chesapeake, VA, runs anywhere from $567 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,693 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 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 $1,760, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $8,693 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,149 - $3,479, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $567 - $1,519.
- 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 $2,536 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 Chesapeake, VA
Moving options from Montgomery to Chesapeake fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $2,536 - $6,192 on this route, with movers handling 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 726-mile route typically takes 1 to 6 days door to door.
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 $1,760 - $4,605 with full-service movers, $1,149 - $2,010 with a container, $567 - $1,066 with a rental truck, or $956 - $1,791 by freight.
- A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $2,536 - $6,192 full-service, $1,406 - $2,703 by container, $613 - $1,253 by rental truck, or $1,147 - $2,162 by freight.
- A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $4,043 - $8,693 full-service, $1,959 - $3,479 by container, $781 - $1,519 by rental truck, or $1,462 - $2,784 by freight.
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 Chesapeake, VA
Hiring full-service movers from Montgomery, Alabama, to Chesapeake, Virginia, costs between $1,760 and $8,693. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 726-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $267 - $1,780, depending on the size of your home. Your final cost comes down to two things: the total weight of your shipment and the distance between Montgomery and Chesapeake. For a rough baseline, movers based in Montgomery tend to start around $462 plus $133/hour per mover on local jobs, before long-distance pricing takes over for a move this size.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Montgomery to Chesapeake:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,760 - $4,605
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,536 - $6,192
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,043 - $8,693
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.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Alabama to Virginia. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: Peak moving season (May - September) limits truck availability and pushes up full-service moving costs. Booking during slower months can give you more scheduling room and a lower final price.
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Specialty moving services from Montgomery, AL to Chesapeake, VA
Specialty needs vary by market — 100% of Montgomery movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Chesapeake, 100% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $445 - $4,450 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready100% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: McCorquodale Transfer | $178 - $1,068/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $267 - $2,136 |
| 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 | $890 - $2,670 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,225 - $8,900 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $667 - $1,266 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items60% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: McCorquodale Transfer | $890 - $2,225 |
| Piano | Any piano type80% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: McCorquodale Transfer | $712 - $3,115 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling80% of local movers | $267 - $1,335 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect40% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Motivated Movers, Inc. | $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?
Virginia Movers & Warehousemen’s Association membership is a quick way to confirm a mover is legitimate in Virginia, on top of the picks below.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in Montgomery, AL. Van lines spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments, while local movers tend to charge 30% - 40% more for the same distance. A direct route with a local mover averages 2-day delivery, but that added speed typically carries a higher price tag.
Moving container costs from Montgomery, AL to Chesapeake, VA
Moving containers from Montgomery, Alabama, to Chesapeake, Virginia, cost between $1,149 and $3,479. 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: $1,149 - $2,010
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,406 - $2,703
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,959 - $3,479
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $67 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $134 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Chesapeake, VA, 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 $623 in Montgomery, AL. 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 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 $1,149. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,406 - $2,703, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
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:
- 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 Chesapeake, VA
Truck rentals from Montgomery, Alabama, to Chesapeake, Virginia, range from $567 - $1,519 for the 726-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- 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: $567 - $1,066
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $613 - $1,253
- 4+ bedrooms: $781 - $1,519
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $567 - $1,519 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 an additional $600 - $1,200 beyond the base rate by the time the move is done.
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 $623.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $206 - $235 for the 726-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 $53 and $289, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $134 per night for hotel stops on the 726-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $267 - $401.
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. Overall pricing for a move of this size and distance typically lands around $1,147 and $2,162.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Montgomery to Chesapeake:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $956 - $1,791
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,147 - $2,162
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,462 - $2,784
Pro tip: Freight pricing rewards efficient packing. Trailers are 8 feet tall and accessed via a 4-foot ramp, so technique matters, especially for heavy pieces. Since each additional linear foot adds to your quote, packing strategically is one of the easiest ways to control costs.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In Montgomery, Alabama, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $623.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $67 - $134 per additional foot to your total.
- Time of year: Rates tend to climb during peak moving season (mid-May through mid-September) when trailer demand is at its highest.
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.
- MAF Expedited Bhm Express (4/5 stars): MAF Expedited Bhm Express 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: Freight trailers are one of the fastest ways to move your belongings interstate, often beating full-service movers on delivery time. If getting your stuff to Chesapeake quickly is a priority, freight is worth a hard look. That said, freight carriers typically require you to be available to receive your shipment within a set window, so if you need short-term storage or your new place won't be ready right away, a container or full-service mover may give you more flexibility.
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 book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Alabama to Virginia in the past 3 months alone, keeping our pricing data current. Run your numbers through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. For context, we track 46 movers based in Alabama, handy for sizing up options on this 726-mile route.
Our take
For a move from Montgomery, AL, to Chesapeake, VA, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $1,760 for a studio to $8,693 for a 4 - 5 bedroom home on the 726-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,149 - $3,479. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $567 - $1,519, 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 $2,536 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 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.
How much does it cost to move from Montgomery, AL to Chesapeake, VA?
Costs on this route range from around $1,760 to $8,693, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,760 and $8,693, 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.
How walkable is Chesapeake?
Chesapeake has a walkability score of 21 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 35, 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.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($206 - $235), daily insurance ($27/day), and equipment rentals ($6 - $18) on top. Overnight stops can add another $134/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Virginia?
In addition to filing tariffs and complying with insurance, bond, and highway safety requirements, all intrastate moving companies in Virginia must have a certificate from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (VaDMV).
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.