($557+) Cleveland, OH to Montgomery, AL Movers
Moving from Cleveland, OH, to Montgomery, AL, runs anywhere from $557 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,740 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 802 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 $1,803, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $7,740 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,132 - $3,524, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $557 - $1,575.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Cleveland, OH, to Montgomery, AL. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,305 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
Compare moving options from Cleveland, OH to Montgomery, AL
There are 3 main ways to move from Cleveland to Montgomery: 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 $2,305 - $5,679. Moving containers run about 37% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 74% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 2 to 7 days for this 802-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 802-mile route from Cleveland to Montgomery, broken down by home size:
- Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $1,803 - $4,741, container $1,132 - $1,985, rental truck $557 - $1,103, freight trailer $1,008 - $1,681.
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $2,305 - $5,679, container $1,454 - $2,864, rental truck $589 - $1,248, freight trailer $1,130 - $2,203.
- 4+ bedrooms: full-service $4,046 - $7,740, container $1,896 - $3,524, rental truck $738 - $1,575, freight trailer $1,547 - $2,876.
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 Cleveland, OH to Montgomery, AL
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 802-mile move from Cleveland, Ohio, to Montgomery, Alabama, with costs ranging from $1,803 - $7,740. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $244 - $1,628. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Cleveland and Montgomery. Local movers in Cleveland typically start around $185 as a base rate plus $75/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Cleveland to Montgomery:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,803 - $4,741
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,305 - $5,679
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,046 - $7,740
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 Cleveland to Montgomery.
Pro tip: Demand for full-service movers surges during peak moving season from May - September, pushing prices higher. Shifting your move to a cooler month could save you a meaningful amount on your total bill.
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 Cleveland, OH to Montgomery, AL
Specialty needs vary by market: 57% of Cleveland movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Montgomery, 45% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing72% of local movers | $407 - $4,070 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready57% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Leaders Moving & Storage Co. | $163 - $977/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $244 - $1,954 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage13% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs45% of local movers | $814 - $2,442 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,035 - $8,140 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $610 - $1,158 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items16% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Berger Allied Moving & Storage | $814 - $2,035 |
| Piano | Any piano type28% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: Bright Eyed Moving | $651 - $2,849 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling7% of local movers | $244 - $1,221 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect6% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $529 - $1,628 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $244 - $12,210+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $244 - $2,849+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Cleveland to Montgomery?
Look for Alabama Trucking Association membership as a baseline when comparing movers in Alabama 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 movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in Cleveland, OH. 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 Cleveland, OH to Montgomery, AL
Moving containers from Cleveland, Ohio, to Montgomery, Alabama, cost between $1,132 and $3,524. 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 Cleveland typically costs about $80/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Cleveland to Montgomery:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,132 - $1,985
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,454 - $2,864
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,896 - $3,524
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Access: Most major container brands operate in both Cleveland, OH and Montgomery, AL. Still, double-check that a nearby facility is available if you need to access your belongings before delivery.
- Moving labor: Because containers are self-loaded, many customers hire hourly help. Two movers for about 5 hours typically cost around $570 in Cleveland, OH, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $61 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $122 for larger ones (12 - 16 feet).
- Added contents protection: For more coverage beyond the standard minimum, full-value protection is the typical upgrade, generally 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value. On a $50,000 household, that's roughly $500 - $1,000 as a one-time fee.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Ohio 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 $1,454 - $2,864.
What are the best moving containers Cleveland 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 Cleveland 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 Cleveland:
- Bright Eyed Moving (4.8/5), 11 years in business
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.8/5), 9 years in business
- Bellhop Moving (4.7/5), 12 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Cleveland, OH to Montgomery, AL
Truck rentals from Cleveland, Ohio, to Montgomery, Alabama, range from $557 - $1,575 for the 802-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $208 - $237
- Daily insurance: $24/day
- Equipment rentals: $6 - $16
- Cleveland 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 Cleveland to Montgomery based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $557 - $1,103
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $589 - $1,248
- 4+ bedrooms: $738 - $1,575
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Cleveland to Montgomery starts at $557 - $1,575, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($208 - $237), overnight lodging ($122/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for roughly $600 - $1,200 more on top of fuel and lodging to cover meals, equipment, and other extras.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Cleveland, Ohio, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $570.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $208 - $237 for the 802-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 $265, 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 802-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $244 - $366.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Cleveland 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 Cleveland, OH to Montgomery, AL
For larger DIY moves from Cleveland, Ohio, 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 Montgomery, 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 $1,130 and $2,203.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Cleveland to Montgomery:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,008 - $1,681
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,130 - $2,203
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,547 - $2,876
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 Cleveland, Ohio, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $570.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $61 - $122 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 Cleveland 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.
Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from Cleveland 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: Cleveland, OH vs Montgomery, AL
Good news for your budget: Montgomery isn't meaningfully more or less expensive to live in than Cleveland. Cost of living index runs 79 there against 83 here. Focus your planning on the move itself rather than a change in monthly expenses. For reference, walkability and safety scores are 57/100 and 36.59/100 here versus 26/100 and 34.75/100 there.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Montgomery, AL to Cleveland, OH guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from Ohio 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 214 movers in Ohio, so you have real options to compare for this 802-mile move.
Our take
A move from Cleveland, OH, to Montgomery, 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 $1,803 - $7,740 on the 802-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,132 - $3,524, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $557 - $1,575. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $2,305 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 Alfa and Colonial Banc Group.
FAQs: Moving from Cleveland, OH, to Montgomery, AL
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 is the best time of year to move from Cleveland, OH to Montgomery, 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.
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.
Is Montgomery a safe place to live?
Montgomery has a safety index of 34.75 out of 100 and a crime index of 65.25, compared to 36.59 and 63.41 in Cleveland. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What is the cheapest way to move from Cleveland, OH to Montgomery, 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 $589 - $1,248. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What percentage of Cleveland movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 28% of movers in Cleveland handle piano moves, and 16% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.