($1,057+) McAllen, TX to Billings, MT Movers
Moving from McAllen, TX, to Billings, MT, runs anywhere from $1,046 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $10,475 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,715 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 4 to 15 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 $2,454, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $10,475 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,490 - $5,379, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,046 - $3,075.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from McAllen, TX, to Billings, MT. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,155 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
Compare moving options from McAllen, TX to Billings, MT
There are 3 main ways to move from McAllen to Billings: 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 $3,155 - $7,472. Moving containers run about 30% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 60% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 4 to 15 days for this 1,715-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 1,715-mile route from McAllen to Billings, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $2,454 - $5,309 | $1,490 - $2,779 | $1,046 - $1,991 | $1,424 - $2,606 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $3,155 - $7,472 | $1,904 - $4,051 | $1,098 - $2,490 | $1,588 - $3,175 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $6,269 - $10,475 | $2,654 - $5,379 | $1,441 - $3,075 | $2,167 - $4,390 |
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 McAllen, TX to Billings, MT
Full-service movers for the 1,715-mile relocation from McAllen, Texas, to Billings, Montana, cost between $2,454 and $10,475. 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 $251 - $1,672, 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 McAllen typically charge a base rate around $160 plus $80 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from McAllen to Billings:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,454 - $5,309
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,155 - $7,472
- 4+ bedrooms: $6,269 - $10,475
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 McAllen to Billings.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Texas to Montana. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
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.
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Specialty moving services from McAllen, TX to Billings, MT
Specialty needs vary by market — 57% of McAllen movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Billings, 60% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing71% of local movers | $418 - $4,180 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready57% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Jones Moving & Storage Co., Inc. | $167 - $1,003/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $251 - $2,006 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs43% of local movers | $836 - $2,508 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,090 - $8,360 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $626 - $1,190 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items29% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Rick's Moving & Storage LLC | $836 - $2,090 |
| Piano | Any piano type71% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Jones Moving & Storage Co., Inc. | $669 - $2,926 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling57% of local movers | $251 - $1,254 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect22% nationallyTop pick: | $543 - $1,672 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $251 - $12,540+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $251 - $2,926+ |
What are the best full-service movers from McAllen to Billings?
- 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 carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in McAllen, TX. 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 McAllen, TX to Billings, MT
Moving containers from McAllen, Texas, to Billings, Montana, cost between $1,490 and $5,379. You're in charge of loading, and the timeline is yours to set. U-Haul allows 3 days while PODS gives you a full 30. After that, the company picks it up and delivers it to your new address. Running behind schedule? Storage in McAllen costs roughly $55/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from McAllen to Billings:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,490 - $2,779
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,904 - $4,051
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,654 - $5,379
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $63 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $125 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 $585 in McAllen, TX, 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 Billings, MT, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
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 $1,490. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,904 - $4,051, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers McAllen to Billings?
- 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 McAllen 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 McAllen:
- Groves Moving and Storage (3.5/5), 27 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from McAllen, TX to Billings, MT
A rental truck for this 1,715-mile move from McAllen, Texas, to Billings, Montana, costs between $1,046 and $3,075. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $456 - $521
- Daily insurance: $25/day
- Equipment rentals: $6 - $17
- McAllen daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.69
| 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 McAllen to Billings based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,046 - $1,991
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,098 - $2,490
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,441 - $3,075
Pro tip: The base rate of $1,046 - $3,075 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from McAllen to Billings. Fuel ($456 - $521) , lodging at around $125/night, meals, and equipment rentals are all on top of that. Factor in an extra $600 - $1,200 to get a realistic picture of what the move will actually cost.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Equipment: Tow dollies, appliance dollies, and moving pads are not included in the base rate. These extras often total between $63 and $293.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $125.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $456 and $521 for the 1,715-mile drive, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: If you'd rather not do all the heavy lifting, budget around $585 for 2 movers in McAllen, Texas, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from McAllen to Billings?
- 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 McAllen, TX to Billings, MT
Freight trailers are a good fit for medium-to-large moves where you need more space than a container but don't want to drive a rental truck from McAllen, Texas, to Billings, Montana. The trailer is delivered to your address, you load it, and the carrier takes it the rest of the way.
Unlike truck rentals with flat rates, freight trailers scale with your shipment. Every additional section of trailer space you fill increases your total. Most long-distance moves using this method run roughly between $1,588 and $3,175.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from McAllen to Billings:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,424 - $2,606
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,588 - $3,175
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,167 - $4,390
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?
- 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 $63 and $125.
- 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 McAllen, Texas, for roughly five hours typically average $585.
What are the best freight companies from McAllen to Billings?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the pick for best for large moves. The company is well-regarded as a top moving container option for its load-it-yourself, we-drive-it model, and that same model makes it a strong freight option for larger homes that benefit from the company's 53-foot trucks and footage-based pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Alongside their flagship container service, U-Pack provides a top-notch freight trailer option that follows the same model: no deposits, no upfront fees, and pricing based on the linear footage you actually use.
- Royal Freight Lp (4.66/5 stars): Royal Freight Lp is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned and based facilities mean accessible support staff and area-specific scheduling flexibility that national-only freight carriers typically don't match.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in Billings fast. For interstate moves, freight is one of the quickest delivery methods out there. Just keep in mind that freight carriers expect you to be available to receive your shipment, so it works best when your move-in is locked in and you don't need temporary storage on either end.
Cost of living: McAllen, TX vs Billings, MT
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Billings, side by side with McAllen on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | McAllen, TX | Billings, MT |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 76 | 95 |
| Average rent | $1,350/mo | $1,300/mo |
| Median home value | $173,919 | $310,937 |
| Average income | $60,165/yr | $71,855/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 7.9% | 4.1% |
| State income tax | None | Up to 6.75% |
| Walkability score | 41/100 | 35/100 |
| Safety index | 63.74/100 | 50.37/100 |
| 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 Billings, MT to McAllen, TX guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 1 real quotes from Texas to Montana, so we know current pricing better than most. Checking our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates. Texas alone has 289 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 1,715-mile move like this one.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from McAllen, TX, to Billings, MT, comes down to your budget and how much time and work you're able to put into it. Hands-off relocations handled by full-service movers range from $2,454 - $10,475 on the 1,715-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,490 - $5,379 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $1,046 - $3,075 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $3,155 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and 24/7 live support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Billings Clinic and First Interstate BancSystem.
FAQs: Moving from McAllen, TX, to Billings, MT
How do I know a mover is licensed in Montana?
In Montana, local and intrastate movers need to have a valid Public Service Commission (PSC) number issued by the Montana Department of Transportation (MDOT).
What do local movers charge in McAllen?
Local movers based in McAllen typically start around $160 as a base rate, plus $80/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 Billings run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
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.
How much does it cost to move from McAllen, TX to Billings, MT?
Costs on this route range from around $2,454 to $10,475, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,454 and $10,475, 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 is the cheapest way to move from McAllen, TX to Billings, MT?
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 $1,098 - $2,490. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What percentage of McAllen movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 71% of movers in McAllen handle piano moves, and 29% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.