($607+) Ann Arbor, MI to Montgomery, AL Movers
Moving from Ann Arbor, MI, to Montgomery, AL, runs anywhere from $578 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,875 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 800 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 $1,849, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $8,875 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,073 - $3,729, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $578 - $1,554.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Ann Arbor, MI, to Montgomery, AL. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,564 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
Compare moving options from Ann Arbor, MI to Montgomery, AL
There are 3 main ways to move from Ann Arbor to Montgomery: 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 $2,564 - $6,444. Containers cost roughly 30% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 60% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 800 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 800-mile route from Ann Arbor to Montgomery, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,849 - $4,918 | $1,073 - $1,997 | $578 - $1,089 | $975 - $1,946 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,564 - $6,444 | $1,379 - $2,857 | $655 - $1,347 | $1,172 - $2,240 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,495 - $8,875 | $1,928 - $3,729 | $781 - $1,554 | $1,605 - $2,924 |
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 Ann Arbor, MI to Montgomery, AL
For the 800-mile move from Ann Arbor, Michigan, to Montgomery, Alabama, full-service movers cost between $1,849 and $8,875. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $286 - $1,904 (1 - 5+ bedrooms), crews will pack your boxes. The weight of your shipment and the mileage between the two cities are what drive your final cost. For scale, local movers in Ann Arbor generally start around $304 plus $100 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Ann Arbor to Montgomery:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,849 - $4,918
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,564 - $6,444
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,495 - $8,875
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 Ann Arbor to Montgomery.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Michigan to Alabama. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: Avoiding peak moving season dates (May - September) is one of the easiest ways to reduce costs. Off-season moves typically come with lower pricing and more room to negotiate since movers have fewer bookings.
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Specialty moving services from Ann Arbor, MI to Montgomery, AL
Specialty needs vary by market — 88% of Ann Arbor movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Montgomery, 100% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $476 - $4,760 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready88% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Handle With Care Moving | $190 - $1,142/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $286 - $2,285 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage6% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs55% of local movers | $952 - $2,856 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,380 - $9,520 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $713 - $1,355 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items21% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Bos Moving & Services, Inc. | $952 - $2,380 |
| Piano | Any piano type61% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $762 - $3,332 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling12% of local movers | $286 - $1,428 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect9% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Extra Mile Moving | $619 - $1,904 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $286 - $14,280+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $286 - $3,332+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Ann Arbor to Montgomery?
Movers licensed to operate in Alabama are typically members of the Alabama Trucking Association, 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 carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Ann Arbor, MI. 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 Ann Arbor, MI to Montgomery, AL
Moving containers from Ann Arbor, Michigan, to Montgomery, Alabama, cost between $1,073 and $3,729. 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 Ann Arbor typically costs about $75/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Ann Arbor to Montgomery:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,073 - $1,997
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,379 - $2,857
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,928 - $3,729
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $71 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $143 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 $666 in Ann Arbor, MI, 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 Montgomery, AL, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Michigan 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 $1,073. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,379 - $2,857, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Ann Arbor 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 Ann Arbor 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 Ann Arbor:
- Handle With Care Moving (4.8/5), 33 years in business
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.7/5), 22 years in business
- Men on the Move (4.7/5), 31 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Ann Arbor, MI to Montgomery, AL
Truck rentals from Ann Arbor, Michigan, to Montgomery, Alabama, range from $578 - $1,554 for the 800-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $242 - $277
- Daily insurance: $29/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $19
- Ann Arbor daily rental rate: $19 - $29
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.99
| 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 Ann Arbor to Montgomery based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $578 - $1,089
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $655 - $1,347
- 4+ bedrooms: $781 - $1,554
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $578 - $1,554 does not include fuel ($242 - $277) , lodging ($143/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Ann Arbor to Montgomery typically runs $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate alone.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Ann Arbor, Michigan, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $666.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $242 - $277 for the 800-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 $57 and $309, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $143 per night for hotel stops on the 800-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $286 - $428.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Ann Arbor 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 Ann Arbor, MI to Montgomery, AL
If you're moving a larger household from Ann Arbor, Michigan, 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 Montgomery, Alabama.
Freight trailers are priced by the linear feet your belongings take up, so you only pay for the space you use. Most moves on this route fall between $1,172 and $2,240.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Ann Arbor to Montgomery:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $975 - $1,946
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,172 - $2,240
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,605 - $2,924
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?
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In Ann Arbor, Michigan, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $666.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $71 - $143 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 Ann Arbor to Montgomery?
- 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.
- XPO Logistics Freight, Inc. (4.66/5 stars): XPO Logistics Freight, Inc. 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: If speed matters on your move from Ann Arbor 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: Ann Arbor, MI vs Montgomery, AL
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Montgomery, side by side with Ann Arbor on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Ann Arbor, MI | Montgomery, AL |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 106 | 79 |
| Average rent | $2,260/mo | $1,200/mo |
| Median home value | $435,434 | $146,265 |
| Average income | $81,089/yr | $55,687/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 3.5% | 5.8% |
| State income tax | Up to 4.25% | Up to 5.0% |
| Walkability score | 52/100 | 26/100 |
| Safety index | 79.18/100 | 34.75/100 |
| Air quality | Moderate | Moderate |
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 Montgomery, AL to Ann Arbor, MI guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Michigan to Alabama, 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. Michigan alone has 84 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 800-mile move like this one.
Our take
A move from Ann Arbor, MI, 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 $1,849 - $8,875 on the 800-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,073 - $3,729, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $578 - $1,554. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $2,564 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 Ann Arbor, MI, to Montgomery, AL
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Ann Arbor, MI to Montgomery, AL?
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 is the best time of year to move from Ann Arbor, MI 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.
How long does a move from Ann Arbor, MI to Montgomery, AL take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 5 - 7 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are usually the fastest option outside of driving yourself, with deliveries in 3 - 5 days, though you'll need to be ready to receive your shipment on arrival. Driving a rental truck yourself puts the schedule entirely in your hands.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($242 - $277), daily insurance ($29/day), and equipment rentals ($7 - $19) on top. Overnight stops can add another $143/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
What is the cheapest way to move from Ann Arbor, MI 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 $655 - $1,347. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What percentage of Ann Arbor movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 61% of movers in Ann Arbor handle piano moves, and 21% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.