($1,087+) Montgomery, AL to San Diego, CA Movers
Moving from Montgomery, AL, to San Diego, CA, runs anywhere from $1,087 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $10,983 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 2,006 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 6 to 17 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 $2,504, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $10,983 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,576 - $5,433, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,087 - $3,086.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Montgomery, AL, to San Diego, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,491 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
Fact Checked by:
Compare moving options from Montgomery, AL to San Diego, CA
There are 3 main ways to move from Montgomery to San Diego: 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 $3,491 - $7,971. Containers cost roughly 40% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 66% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 2,006 miles, expect 6 to 17 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 2,006-mile route from Montgomery to San Diego, broken down by home size:
Home size makes the biggest difference in what you'll pay on this route. A studio or 1-bedroom runs $2,504 - $5,562 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($1,576 - $2,963), rental truck ($1,087 - $2,139), or freight trailer ($1,461 - $2,829). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $3,491 - $7,971 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $10,983.
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 San Diego, CA
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 2,006-mile move from Montgomery, Alabama, to San Diego, California, with costs ranging from $2,504 - $10,983. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $328 - $2,188. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Montgomery and San Diego. Local movers in Montgomery typically start around $462 as a base rate plus $133/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Montgomery to San Diego:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,504 - $5,562
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,491 - $7,971
- 4+ bedrooms: $6,410 - $10,983
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 San Diego.
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.
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 Montgomery, AL to San Diego, CA
Specialty needs vary by market: 58% of Montgomery movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In San Diego, 72% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing75% of local movers | $547 - $5,470 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready58% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Coleman Worldwide Moving | $219 - $1,313/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $328 - $2,626 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs36% of local movers | $1,094 - $3,282 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,735 - $10,940 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $819 - $1,557 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items36% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Coleman Worldwide Moving | $1,094 - $2,735 |
| Piano | Any piano type58% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Coleman Worldwide Moving | $875 - $3,829 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling9% of local movers | $328 - $1,641 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect9% nationally | $711 - $2,188 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $328 - $16,410+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $328 - $3,829+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Montgomery to San Diego?
All three below meet the standards set by the California Moving & Storage Association, the group most California movers are affiliated with.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list, with flat-rate pricing that holds firm on moving day and a customer support team available around the clock.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here. With 30+ years of interstate moves behind them, AVL uses full-time in-house crews instead of the contracted labor most national carriers rely on.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, with fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan available on every long-distance move.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national full-service movers are almost always better priced than local movers in Montgomery, 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 Montgomery, AL to San Diego, CA
Moving containers from Montgomery, Alabama, to San Diego, California, cost between $1,576 and $5,433. 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 San Diego:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,576 - $2,963
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,100 - $4,405
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,681 - $5,433
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $82 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $164 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in San Diego, CA, 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 $766 in Montgomery, 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 California 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 $1,576. 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 $2,100 - $4,405.
What are the best moving containers Montgomery to San Diego?
- 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 San Diego, CA
Renting a moving truck for the 2,006-mile move from Montgomery, Alabama, to San Diego, California, costs between $1,087 and $3,086, before these typical add-ons:
- Fuel for the drive: $698 - $798
- Daily insurance: $33/day
- Equipment rentals: $8 - $22
- 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 San Diego based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,087 - $2,139
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,176 - $2,730
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,515 - $3,086
Pro tip: The base rate of $1,087 - $3,086 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Montgomery to San Diego. Fuel ($698 - $798), lodging at around $164/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?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $164 per night if your drive requires an overnight stop. Typically, you'll make 1 - 3 overnight stops, depending on move distance.
- Moving labor: Bringing in professional loading help in Montgomery, Alabama, usually costs about $766 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 2,006-mile drive falls between $698 and $798, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, moving pads, and vehicle trailers are easy to overlook but can add between $55 and $328 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Montgomery to San Diego?
- 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 San Diego, CA
Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from Montgomery, Alabama, to San Diego, California. 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 $985 and $3,322.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Montgomery to San Diego:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,461 - $2,829
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,713 - $3,322
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,212 - $4,392
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?
- Demand cycles: Trailer costs climb during peak moving season, especially from mid-May through mid-September when demand is at its highest.
- More space: You're billed only for the linear feet you use, but underestimating your inventory means paying for extra space, typically around $82 - $164 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Montgomery, Alabama, for about five hours typically runs $766.
What are the best freight companies from Montgomery to San Diego?
- 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 Montgomery to San Diego, 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 San Diego, CA
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in San Diego, side by side with Montgomery on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Montgomery, AL | San Diego, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 79 | 155 |
| Average rent | $1,200/mo | $2,881/mo |
| Median home value | $146,265 | $847,715 |
| Average income | $55,687/yr | $104,321/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 5.8% | 6.6% |
| State income tax | Up to 5.0% | Up to 13.3% |
| Walkability score | 26/100 | 53/100 |
| Safety index | 34.75/100 | 60.17/100 |
| 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 San Diego, CA to Montgomery, AL guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from Alabama to California, 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 142 movers in Alabama, so you have real options to compare for this 2,006-mile move.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 2,006-mile route from Montgomery, AL, to San Diego, CA, run $2,504 - $10,983 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,576 - $5,433, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $1,087 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,491, 30 days of free storage, and a 24/7 support team you can actually reach.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include United States Navy and University of California, San Diego.
FAQs: Moving from Montgomery, AL, to San Diego, CA
What is the best time of year to move from Montgomery, AL to San Diego, CA?
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. 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 San Diego a safe place to live?
San Diego has a safety index of 60.17 out of 100 and a crime index of 39.83, compared to 34.75 and 65.25 in Montgomery. 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 Montgomery, AL to San Diego, CA?
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 $1,176 - $2,730. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What are the best neighborhoods in San Diego?
For families, Carmel Valley, Del Mar Heights, and Loma Portal are worth a look in San Diego. If you're moving solo or without kids, Gaslamp Quarter, Hillcrest, and North Park tend to be popular picks instead.
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.