($647+) Birmingham, AL to McAllen, TX Movers
Moving from Birmingham, AL, to McAllen, TX, runs anywhere from $647 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,068 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,013 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 2 to 8 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 $2,253, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $8,068 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,173 - $3,952, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $647 - $1,777.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Birmingham, AL, to McAllen, TX. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,565 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 Birmingham, AL to McAllen, TX
There are 3 main ways to move from Birmingham to McAllen: 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 $2,565 - $6,281. Containers cost roughly 41% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 72% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 1,013 miles, expect 2 to 8 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 1,013-mile route from Birmingham to McAllen, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $2,253 - $5,224 | $1,173 - $2,055 | $647 - $1,242 | $1,025 - $1,887 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,565 - $6,281 | $1,509 - $3,033 | $728 - $1,460 | $1,124 - $2,332 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,034 - $8,068 | $1,916 - $3,952 | $878 - $1,777 | $1,645 - $3,192 |
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 Birmingham, AL to McAllen, TX
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 1,013-mile move from Birmingham, Alabama, to McAllen, Texas, with costs ranging from $2,253 - $8,068. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $248 - $1,652. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Birmingham and McAllen. Local movers in Birmingham typically start around $310 as a base rate plus $175/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Birmingham to McAllen:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,253 - $5,224
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,565 - $6,281
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,034 - $8,068
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 Birmingham to McAllen.
Pro tip: The summer months (May - September) are the busiest time of year for movers during peak moving season, which drives up prices and limits scheduling options. If you can move in the fall or winter, you'll likely find better rates and more flexibility.
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Specialty moving services from Birmingham, AL to McAllen, TX
Specialty needs vary by market: 60% of Birmingham movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In McAllen, 63% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing68% of local movers | $413 - $4,130 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready60% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: New Latitude Movers | $165 - $991/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $248 - $1,982 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage6% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs46% of local movers | $826 - $2,478 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,065 - $8,260 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $619 - $1,175 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items31% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: New Latitude Movers | $826 - $2,065 |
| Piano | Any piano type40% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: New Latitude Movers | $661 - $2,891 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling6% of local movers | $248 - $1,239 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect4% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Secure Moving, Inc | $537 - $1,652 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $248 - $12,390+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $248 - $2,891+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Birmingham to McAllen?
Southwest Movers Association membership is a quick way to confirm a mover is legitimate in Texas, 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 Birmingham, AL. 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 Birmingham, AL to McAllen, TX
Moving containers from Birmingham, Alabama, to McAllen, Texas, cost between $1,173 and $3,952. 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 Birmingham typically costs about $70/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Birmingham to McAllen:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,173 - $2,055
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,509 - $3,033
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,916 - $3,952
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $62 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $124 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in McAllen, TX, 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 $578 in Birmingham, 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 Texas 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 $1,173. 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 $1,509 - $3,033.
What are the best moving containers Birmingham to McAllen?
- 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 Birmingham 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 Birmingham:
- New Latitude Movers (4.9/5), 29 years in business
- All My Sons Moving & Storage (4.6/5), 27 years in business
- Bellhop Moving (4.5/5), 15 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Birmingham, AL to McAllen, TX
Plan on $647 - $1,777 for a rental moving truck on the 1,013-mile route from Birmingham, Alabama, to McAllen, Texas. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $266 - $304
- Daily insurance: $25/day
- Equipment rentals: $6 - $17
- Birmingham 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 Birmingham to McAllen based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $647 - $1,242
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $728 - $1,460
- 4+ bedrooms: $878 - $1,777
Pro tip: The base rate of $647 - $1,777 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Birmingham to McAllen. Fuel ($266 - $304), lodging at around $124/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?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $124 per night. Most long-distance moves with rental trucks require 1 - 3 overnight stops.
- Equipment: Tow dollies, auto trailers, and specialty moving equipment can add between $54 and $268 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $266 - $304 in fuel for the 1,013-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $578 in Birmingham, Alabama, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Birmingham to McAllen?
- 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 Birmingham, AL to McAllen, TX
If you're moving a larger household from Birmingham, Alabama, and want to stay in control of the loading process, freight trailers offer a practical middle ground between hiring movers and renting a truck yourself. A 28-foot trailer is delivered to your door, you load what you need, and the carrier handles the drive to McAllen, Texas.
Freight trailers are priced by the linear feet your belongings take up, so you only pay for the space you use. A 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route typically falls between $1,124 and $2,332.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Birmingham to McAllen:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,025 - $1,887
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,124 - $2,332
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,645 - $3,192
Pro tip: A 4-foot ramp sounds simple, but heavy or awkward furniture can make the climb tricky. With 8 feet of height to work with, smart vertical stacking is key. Since freight companies charge by the linear foot, every extra foot you use adds to the bill.
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 $62 - $124 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 Birmingham, Alabama, typically costs $578.
What are the best freight companies from Birmingham to McAllen?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the best for large moves pick. While it's a top moving container option for the DIY hybrid setup (you handle the loading, they handle the driving), the same approach makes it a strong freight choice for 3 to 5+ bedroom homes that need 53 feet of trailer capacity with pay-as-you-go pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer here. In addition to their popular container service, U-Pack delivers a top-tier freight trailer option that uses the same pay-by-the-foot pricing model and skips deposits and upfront fees entirely.
Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from Birmingham to McAllen, 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: Birmingham, AL vs McAllen, TX
Good news for your budget: McAllen isn't meaningfully more or less expensive to live in than Birmingham. Cost of living index runs 76 there against 87 here. Focus your planning on the move itself rather than a change in monthly expenses. For reference, walkability and safety scores are 33/100 and 38.36/100 here versus 41/100 and 63.74/100 there.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our McAllen, TX to Birmingham, AL guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Alabama to Texas 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 1,013-mile route.
Our take
A move from Birmingham, AL, to McAllen, TX, 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 $2,253 - $8,068 on the 1,013-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,173 - $3,952, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $647 - $1,777. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $2,565 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 The Monitor Group and Am-Mex Products.
FAQs: Moving from Birmingham, AL, to McAllen, TX
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 ($25/day), and equipment rentals ($6 - $17) on top. Overnight stops can add another $124/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How walkable is McAllen?
McAllen has a walkability score of 41 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 46, compared to 33 and 31 in Birmingham. 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 Birmingham, AL to McAllen, TX?
Costs on this route range from around $647 to $8,068, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,253 and $8,068, 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 Birmingham, AL to McAllen, TX?
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 Birmingham?
Local movers based in Birmingham typically start around $310 as a base rate, plus $175/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 McAllen run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
What percentage of Birmingham movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 40% of movers in Birmingham handle piano moves, and 31% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.