($582+) San Antonio, TX to Birmingham, AL Movers
Moving from San Antonio, TX, to Birmingham, AL, runs anywhere from $582 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,524 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 861 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 $1,896, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $7,524 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,132 - $3,724, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $582 - $1,633.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from San Antonio, TX, to Birmingham, AL. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,428 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 San Antonio, TX to Birmingham, AL
Moving options from San Antonio to Birmingham fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $2,428 - $5,592 on this route, with movers handling all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 41% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 75% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This 861-mile route typically takes 2 to 7 days door to door.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 861-mile route from San Antonio to Birmingham, broken down by home size:
- Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $1,896 - $4,760, container $1,132 - $1,991, rental truck $582 - $1,121, freight trailer $1,039 - $1,846.
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $2,428 - $5,592, container $1,427 - $2,846, rental truck $616 - $1,345, freight trailer $1,119 - $2,255.
- 4+ bedrooms: full-service $3,811 - $7,524, container $1,994 - $3,724, rental truck $788 - $1,633, freight trailer $1,580 - $3,038.
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 San Antonio, TX to Birmingham, AL
Full-service movers for the 861-mile relocation from San Antonio, Texas, to Birmingham, Alabama, cost between $1,896 and $7,524. 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 $268 - $1,788, 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 San Antonio typically charge a base rate around $192 plus $96 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from San Antonio to Birmingham:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,896 - $4,760
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,428 - $5,592
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,811 - $7,524
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 San Antonio to Birmingham.
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 San Antonio, TX to Birmingham, AL
Specialty needs vary by market: 72% of San Antonio movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Birmingham, 58% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing85% of local movers | $447 - $4,470 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready72% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: 3 Men Movers | $179 - $1,073/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $268 - $2,146 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage16% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs67% of local movers | $894 - $2,682 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,235 - $8,940 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $670 - $1,272 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items30% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Evolution Moving Company | $894 - $2,235 |
| Piano | Any piano type49% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: 3 Men Movers | $715 - $3,129 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling18% of local movers | $268 - $1,341 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect9% of local movers9% nationally | $581 - $1,788 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $268 - $13,410+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $268 - $3,129+ |
What are the best full-service movers from San Antonio to Birmingham?
Alabama Trucking Association membership is a quick way to confirm a mover is legitimate in Alabama, 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 full-service movers are almost always better priced than local movers in San Antonio, TX. 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 San Antonio, TX to Birmingham, AL
Moving containers from San Antonio, Texas, to Birmingham, Alabama, cost between $1,132 and $3,724. 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 Birmingham. If you go over that window, storage in San Antonio adds around $70/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from San Antonio to Birmingham:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,132 - $1,991
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,427 - $2,846
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,994 - $3,724
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 San Antonio, TX, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $626, 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 $67 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $134 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both San Antonio, TX, and Birmingham, AL, 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 Texas 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 $1,132. 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 $1,427 - $2,846.
What are the best moving containers San Antonio to Birmingham?
- 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 San Antonio 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 San Antonio:
- 3 Men Movers (4.8/5), 41 years in business
- Evolution Moving Company (4.9/5), 10 years in business
- AB Moving (4.6/5), 26 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from San Antonio, TX to Birmingham, AL
Renting a moving truck for the 861-mile move from San Antonio, Texas, to Birmingham, Alabama, costs between $582 and $1,633, before these typical add-ons:
- Fuel for the drive: $245 - $280
- Daily insurance: $27/day
- Equipment rentals: $6 - $18
- San Antonio daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.79 - $1.19
| 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 San Antonio to Birmingham based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $582 - $1,121
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $616 - $1,345
- 4+ bedrooms: $788 - $1,633
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $582 - $1,633 does not include fuel ($245 - $280), lodging ($134/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from San Antonio to Birmingham 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?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in San Antonio, Texas, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $626.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $245 - $280 for the 861-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 $54 and $291, 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 861-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $268 - $402.
What are the best moving truck rentals from San Antonio to Birmingham?
- 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 San Antonio, TX to Birmingham, AL
For larger DIY moves from San Antonio, Texas, freight trailers give you plenty of room without putting you behind the wheel. Standard trailers are 28 feet long. You load the section you need, and the carrier transports everything to Birmingham, Alabama.
Because freight companies bill by linear footage, your total is based on how much of the trailer you occupy, not the full length. For a 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route, pricing typically falls between $1,119 and $2,255.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from San Antonio to Birmingham:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,039 - $1,846
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,119 - $2,255
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,580 - $3,038
Pro tip: Freight trailers offer generous space but reward good packing strategy. The 4-foot ramp can be challenging for large or heavy pieces, and using the full 8-foot height takes careful stacking. Because you're billed by the linear foot, maximizing vertical space keeps your costs lower.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- More space: Freight trailers are billed by the section you fill. If you misjudge your shipment size, each extra foot of trailer space adds around $67 - $134 to your final bill.
- Peak season pricing: Expect higher rates during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) when trailer availability tightens across the country.
- Moving labor: Loading is on you unless you hire outside help. A half-day crew of two movers in San Antonio, Texas, typically costs $626.
What are the best freight companies from San Antonio to Birmingham?
- 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: One of the biggest advantages of freight trailers is speed. For an interstate move, freight delivery is one of the fastest options you have short of driving a rental truck yourself. It's a smart choice when your timeline is firm and you'll be ready to receive your shipment. If there's any chance your new place won't be ready or you need a few weeks of storage, a moving container with built-in storage may serve you better.
Cost of living: San Antonio, TX vs Birmingham, AL
Day-to-day costs in Birmingham are close to what you're used to in San Antonio: cost of living index of 87 versus 91, with average rent of $1,250/mo compared to $1,496/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 37/100 and 51.94/100 in San Antonio versus 33/100 and 38.36/100 in Birmingham.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Birmingham, AL to San Antonio, TX guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from Texas 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 803 movers in Texas, so you have real options to compare for this 861-mile move.
Our take
A move from San Antonio, TX, to Birmingham, AL, 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 $1,896 - $7,524 on the 861-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,132 - $3,724, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $582 - $1,633. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $2,428 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 Encompass Health and Regions Bank.
FAQs: Moving from San Antonio, TX, to Birmingham, AL
What is the cheapest way to move from San Antonio, TX to Birmingham, AL?
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 $616 - $1,345. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
Is Birmingham a safe place to live?
Birmingham has a safety index of 38.36 out of 100 and a crime index of 61.64, compared to 51.94 and 48.06 in San Antonio. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
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 4 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
What is the best time of year to move from San Antonio, TX to Birmingham, AL?
Aim for a move between October and March, when demand drops and rates tend to be lower across all service types. Peak season runs mid-May through mid-September, and weekends and month-end dates are pricier regardless of season. Alabama also has a hurricane season running June through November, worth factoring into your timing if you have flexibility. A midweek, mid-month date outside peak season is your best bet for saving money.
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 percentage of San Antonio movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 49% of movers in San Antonio handle piano moves, and 30% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.