($599+) Montgomery, AL to Philadelphia, PA Movers
Moving from Montgomery, AL, to Philadelphia, PA, runs anywhere from $599 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,734 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 939 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 $1,927, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $7,734 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,107 - $3,553, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $599 - $1,773.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Montgomery, AL, to Philadelphia, PA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,493 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 Philadelphia, PA
There are 3 main ways to move from Montgomery to Philadelphia: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service is the most expensive but covers everything from labor to transportation, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route averaging $2,493 - $6,344. Containers cost roughly 45% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 74% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 939 miles, expect 2 to 7 days in transit no matter which service you choose.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 939-mile route from Montgomery to Philadelphia, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,927 - $4,671 | $1,107 - $2,073 | $599 - $1,145 | $1,037 - $1,921 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,493 - $6,344 | $1,381 - $2,994 | $653 - $1,348 | $1,196 - $2,327 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,057 - $7,734 | $2,014 - $3,553 | $870 - $1,773 | $1,580 - $2,843 |
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated November 2, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Montgomery, AL to Philadelphia, PA
Full-service movers for the 939-mile relocation from Montgomery, Alabama, to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, cost between $1,927 and $7,734. 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 $267 - $1,780, 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 Montgomery typically charge a base rate around $462 plus $133 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Montgomery to Philadelphia:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,927 - $4,671
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,493 - $6,344
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,057 - $7,734
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 Philadelphia.
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 Montgomery, AL to Philadelphia, PA
Specialty needs vary by market: 58% of Montgomery movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Philadelphia, 55% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing75% of local movers | $445 - $4,450 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready58% 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 type58% of local movers41% 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 Philadelphia?
Movers licensed to operate in Pennsylvania are typically members of the Pennsylvania Moving & Storage Associates, worth checking for before you book any of the three below.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 customer support, and 30 days of free storage are included with every move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list, 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, combining 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 van lines are the smarter financial choice over local movers in Montgomery, AL. Local companies can run 30% - 40% more at that range since they don't consolidate shipments the way interstate carriers do. If a direct, dedicated route with an average 2-day delivery appeals to you, a local mover could be worth it, but that convenience comes at a cost.
Moving container costs from Montgomery, AL to Philadelphia, PA
Moving containers from Montgomery, Alabama, to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, cost between $1,107 and $3,553. 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 Philadelphia:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,107 - $2,073
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,381 - $2,994
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,014 - $3,553
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Access: Most major container brands operate in both Montgomery, AL and Philadelphia, PA. 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 $623 in Montgomery, AL, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $67 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $134 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 Alabama to Pennsylvania 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 $1,107. 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 $1,381 - $2,994.
What are the best moving containers Montgomery to Philadelphia?
- 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 Philadelphia, PA
Truck rentals from Montgomery, Alabama, to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, range from $599 - $1,773 for the 939-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $266 - $304
- 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 Philadelphia based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $599 - $1,145
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $653 - $1,348
- 4+ bedrooms: $870 - $1,773
Pro tip: The base rate of $599 - $1,773 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Montgomery to Philadelphia. Fuel ($266 - $304), lodging at around $134/night, meals, and equipment rentals are all on top of that. Factor in roughly $600 - $1,200 more for meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging to get a realistic picture of what the move will actually cost.
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 $266 - $304 for the 939-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 939-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $267 - $401.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Montgomery to Philadelphia?
- 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 Philadelphia, PA
Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from Montgomery, Alabama, to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Standard trailers run 28 feet long, and you're only charged for the portion you actually fill. The carrier drops the trailer off, you load it at your own pace, and they handle the drive to your new city.
Pricing is based entirely on the linear footage your shipment occupies, not the full trailer length. Most long-distance freight moves land somewhere between $801 and $2,327.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Montgomery to Philadelphia:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,037 - $1,921
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,196 - $2,327
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,580 - $2,843
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?
- 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 Philadelphia?
- 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 Philadelphia, 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 Philadelphia, PA
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Philadelphia, side by side with Montgomery on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Montgomery, AL | Philadelphia, PA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 79 | 104 |
| Average rent | $1,200/mo | $1,695/mo |
| Median home value | $146,265 | $231,098 |
| Average income | $55,687/yr | $60,698/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 5.8% | 10.6% |
| State income tax | Up to 5.0% | Up to 3.07% |
| Walkability score | 26/100 | 75/100 |
| Safety index | 34.75/100 | 33.91/100 |
| 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 Philadelphia, PA to Montgomery, AL guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Alabama to Pennsylvania 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 142 movers based in Alabama, handy for sizing up options on this 939-mile route.
Our take
A move from Montgomery, AL, to Philadelphia, PA, 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 $1,927 - $7,734 on the 939-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,107 - $3,553, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $599 - $1,773. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $2,493 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 Amtak and Comcast.
FAQs: Moving from Montgomery, AL, to Philadelphia, PA
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($266 - $304), 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 walkable is Philadelphia?
Philadelphia has a walkability score of 75 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 67, 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.
How much does it cost to move from Montgomery, AL to Philadelphia, PA?
Costs on this route range from around $599 to $7,734, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,927 and $7,734, 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 are some tips for saving money on a move from Montgomery, AL to Philadelphia, PA?
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 Philadelphia run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
What percentage of Montgomery movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 58% of movers in Montgomery handle piano moves, and 36% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.