($163+) Chattanooga, TN to Birmingham, AL Movers
Moving from Chattanooga, TN, to Birmingham, AL, runs anywhere from $161 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $4,907 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 147 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 1 to 2 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 $759, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $4,907 or more.
- Moving containers run $727 - $2,190, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $161 - $342.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Chattanooga, TN, to Birmingham, AL. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $1,236 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 Chattanooga, TN to Birmingham, AL
There are 3 main ways to move from Chattanooga to Birmingham: 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 $1,236 - $3,822. 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 1 to 2 days for this 147-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 147-mile route from Chattanooga to Birmingham, broken down by home size:
- A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $759 - $3,046 with full-service movers, $727 - $1,307 with a container, $161 - $268 with a rental truck, or $714 - $1,118 by freight.
- A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $1,236 - $3,822 full-service, $1,010 - $1,728 by container, $179 - $331 by rental truck, or $778 - $1,397 by freight.
- A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $1,858 - $4,907 full-service, $1,238 - $2,190 by container, $205 - $342 by rental truck, or $991 - $1,734 by freight.
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 Chattanooga, TN to Birmingham, AL
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 147-mile move from Chattanooga, Tennessee, to Birmingham, Alabama, with costs ranging from $759 - $4,907. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $266 - $1,776. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Chattanooga and Birmingham. Local movers in Chattanooga typically start around $280 as a base rate plus $99/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Chattanooga to Birmingham:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $759 - $3,046
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,236 - $3,822
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,858 - $4,907
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 Chattanooga to Birmingham.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Tennessee to Alabama. 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 Chattanooga, TN to Birmingham, AL
Specialty needs vary by market — 100% of Chattanooga movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Birmingham, 91% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $444 - $4,440 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready100% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Good Guys Moving & Delivery | $178 - $1,066/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $266 - $2,131 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs50% of local movers | $888 - $2,664 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,220 - $8,880 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $665 - $1,264 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items17% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Elizabeth's Moving & Storage | $888 - $2,220 |
| Piano | Any piano type33% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $710 - $3,108 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling | $266 - $1,332 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect22% nationallyTop pick: | $577 - $1,776 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $266 - $13,320+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $266 - $3,108+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Chattanooga to Birmingham?
All three below meet the standards set by the Alabama Trucking Association, the group most Alabama 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.
How much do local movers cost in Chattanooga, TN?
Based on recent quotes for this route, a 2-bedroom move from Chattanooga to Birmingham with a local mover averages $1,297 - $4,013. A local mover in Chattanooga, TN is worth considering for moves under 500 miles. Short-distance moves don't always need the scale of a national carrier, and local companies can offer streamlined service, more flexible pickup windows, and a more personal approach to coordination.
Be sure to confirm interstate licensing, insurance coverage, and delivery expectations before booking.
Good Guys Moving & Delivery (4.58/5 stars) is the top overall local mover in Chattanooga, ranked #5 in Tennessee, based on our analysis of feedback from 245 customers, 93.9% of which is positive.
Address: 2000 Stuart Street, Chattanooga, TN, 37406 | Founded: 2013
Moving container costs from Chattanooga, TN to Birmingham, AL
Moving containers from Chattanooga, Tennessee, to Birmingham, Alabama, cost between $727 and $2,190. You load everything on your own schedule (U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30). When you're ready, the company takes care of getting the container from point A to point B. Need more time than that? Extra storage in Chattanooga typically runs around $60/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Chattanooga to Birmingham:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $727 - $1,307
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,010 - $1,728
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,238 - $2,190
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $67 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $133 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Birmingham, AL, 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 $622 in Chattanooga, TN. 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 Tennessee 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 $727. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,010 - $1,728, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Chattanooga to Birmingham?
- 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 Chattanooga 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 Chattanooga:
- Good Guys Moving & Delivery (4.8/5), 13 years in business
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.5/5), 26 years in business
- Bellhop Moving (4.6/5), 15 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Chattanooga, TN to Birmingham, AL
Truck rentals from Chattanooga, Tennessee, to Birmingham, Alabama, range from $161 - $342 for the 147-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $42 - $47
- Daily insurance: $27/day
- Equipment rentals: $6 - $18
- Chattanooga daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.79 - $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 Chattanooga to Birmingham based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $161 - $268
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $179 - $331
- 4+ bedrooms: $205 - $342
Pro tip: A rental truck from Chattanooga to Birmingham looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $161 - $342. But once you factor in fuel ($42 - $47) , overnight lodging ($133/night), meals, and equipment rentals, most people end up spending $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate suggests. Building that into your budget upfront saves you from sticker shock at the end of the move.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $133 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 $58 and $289 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $42 - $47 in fuel for the 147-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $622 in Chattanooga, Tennessee, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Chattanooga to Birmingham?
- 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 Chattanooga, TN to Birmingham, AL
For larger DIY moves from Chattanooga, Tennessee, freight trailers give you plenty of room without putting you behind the wheel. Standard trailers are 28 feet long. You load the section you need, and the carrier transports everything to Birmingham, Alabama.
Because freight companies bill by linear footage, your total is based on how much of the trailer you occupy, not the full length. For most medium-to-large moves on this route, pricing typically falls between $778 and $1,397.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Chattanooga to Birmingham:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $714 - $1,118
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $778 - $1,397
- 4+ bedrooms: $991 - $1,734
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?
- 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 $67 - $133 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Chattanooga, Tennessee, for about five hours typically runs $622.
What are the best freight companies from Chattanooga to Birmingham?
- 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.
- Covenant Logistics (4.8/5 stars): Covenant Logistics is our pick for best locally owned freight company. Their locally owned and operated facilities mean you work with support staff who know the route and the area, giving you more responsive scheduling than national-only carriers typically offer.
Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Chattanooga to Birmingham. If you have a hard move-in date and want your stuff there as soon as possible, freight is hard to beat. It's worth noting that freight works best when you're ready to receive your delivery, so if your move-in date is still up in the air or you'll need short-term storage, a moving container is likely the more practical choice.
Cost of living: Chattanooga, TN vs Birmingham, AL
Day-to-day costs in Birmingham are close to what you're used to in Chattanooga: cost of living index of 87 versus 90, with average rent of $1,250/mo compared to $1,475/mo. Housing, income, and taxes are all in a similar range, so budgeting for this move mostly comes down to the moving costs above rather than a shift in your monthly expenses. Walkability and safety scores are close too, at 29/100 and 46.11/100 in Chattanooga versus 33/100 and 38.36/100 in Birmingham.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Birmingham, AL to Chattanooga, TN guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from Tennessee to Alabama, so our pricing data stays current. Use our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and spot bad actors early. We track 70 movers licensed in Tennessee, useful context for sizing up this 147-mile move.
Our take
A move from Chattanooga, TN, to Birmingham, 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 $759 - $4,907 on the 147-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $727 - $2,190, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $161 - $342. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $1,236 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 Encompass Health and Regions Bank.
FAQs: Moving from Chattanooga, TN, to Birmingham, AL
What is the best time of year to move from Chattanooga, TN to Birmingham, 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 do I know a mover is licensed in Alabama?
To guarantee the safety and reliability of local moving services in Alabama, it is essential for moving companies to possess a registration number issued by the Alabama Public Service Commission (APSC). Trust your move to registered professionals for a secure and dependable experience.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($42 - $47), daily insurance ($27/day), and equipment rentals ($6 - $18) on top. Overnight stops can add another $133/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How walkable is Birmingham?
Birmingham has a walkability score of 33 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 31, compared to 29 and 35 in Chattanooga. 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 Chattanooga, TN to Birmingham, AL?
Costs on this route range from around $759 to $4,907, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $759 and $4,907, 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 percentage of Chattanooga movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 33% of movers in Chattanooga handle piano moves, and 17% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
