($1,265+) Montgomery, AL to Los Angeles, CA Movers

Easily compare and book your next move with moveBuddha
Background image of a moving truck moving from Montgomery, AL to Los Angeles, CA

Moving from Montgomery, AL, to Los Angeles, CA, runs anywhere from $1,265 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $12,440 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 2,083 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 $2,738, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $12,440 or more.
  • Moving containers run $1,619 - $5,835, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,265 - $3,662.
  • Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Montgomery, AL, to Los Angeles, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,858 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.

Compare moving options from Montgomery, AL to Los Angeles, CA

There are 3 main ways to move from Montgomery to Los Angeles: 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 $3,858 - $8,331. 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 6 to 17 days for this 2,083-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 2,083-mile route from Montgomery to Los Angeles, broken down by home size:

Home size Full-service movers Moving container Rental truck Freight trailer
Studio / 1 bedroom $2,738 - $6,125 $1,619 - $3,309 $1,265 - $2,440 $1,565 - $2,861
2 - 3 bedrooms $3,858 - $8,331 $2,162 - $4,411 $1,342 - $2,960 $1,818 - $3,783
4+ bedrooms $7,163 - $12,440 $2,964 - $5,835 $1,795 - $3,662 $2,541 - $4,866

Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.

Professional
Safeway Moving
star star star star star 4.9 / 5
Read our full Safeway review
Best overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran-owned
Container
Unlimited storage
3 container sizes
10% discount
Rental Truck
Budget Truck Rental
star star star star star 4.3 / 5
Read our full Budget review
Affordable pricing
Online estimates
Several discounts
Freight
MovingYourself
star star star star star 4.5 / 5
Read our full MovingYourself review
Fast delivery
Nationwide
100+ miles moves

Full-service moving costs from Montgomery, AL to Los Angeles, CA

Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 2,083-mile move from Montgomery, Alabama, to Los Angeles, California, with costs ranging from $2,738 - $12,440. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $337 - $2,244. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Montgomery and Los Angeles. 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 Los Angeles:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,738 - $6,125
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,858 - $8,331
  • 4+ bedrooms: $7,163 - $12,440

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 Los Angeles.

The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Alabama to California. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.

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.

Get Started

Specialty moving services from Montgomery, AL to Los Angeles, CA

Specialty needs vary by market — 100% of Montgomery movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Los Angeles, 88% of movers offer the same service.

Service When you need it Typical cost
Full packingFull crew packing100% of local movers$561 - $5,610
Storage in transitNew place not ready100% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: McCorquodale Transfer$224 - $1,346/mo
Shuttle feeTruck can't reach door$337 - $2,693
Full-value protectionMore than $0.60/lb coverage60% of local movers$300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value)
Small movesUnder ~2,000 lbs40% of local movers$1,122 - $3,366
Office / commercialWorkplace relocation$2,805 - $11,220
Car shippingSecond vehicle$840 - $1,597
Antiques & fine artFragile, high-value items60% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: McCorquodale Transfer$1,122 - $2,805
PianoAny piano type80% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: McCorquodale Transfer$898 - $3,927
Pool tableDisassembly & re-leveling80% of local movers$337 - $1,683
Hot tubHeavy, needs disconnect40% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Motivated Movers, Inc.$729 - $2,244
Wine collectionClimate-controlled transport$337 - $16,830+
Pet relocationGround, air, or concierge$337 - $3,927+

What are the best full-service movers from Montgomery to Los Angeles?

If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in California Moving & Storage Association is a good first thing to confirm.

  1. Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving offers the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing locks in your cost upfront, and 24/7 customer support is available throughout the move.
  2. American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. Operating since 1995, AVL staffs every move with full-time in-house crews trained on antiques, art, and other high-value items.
  3. Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. As one of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, real-time shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan.

Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in Montgomery, AL. Van lines spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments, while local movers tend to charge 30% - 40% more for the same distance. A direct route with a local mover averages 2-day delivery, but that added speed typically carries a higher price tag.

Moving container costs from Montgomery, AL to Los Angeles, CA

Moving containers from Montgomery, Alabama, to Los Angeles, California, cost between $1,619 and $5,835. You're in charge of loading, and the timeline is yours to set. U-Haul allows 3 days while PODS gives you a full 30. After that, the company picks it up and delivers it to your new address. Running behind schedule? Storage in Montgomery costs roughly $70/month if you need it.

Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Montgomery to Los Angeles:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,619 - $3,309
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,162 - $4,411
  • 4+ bedrooms: $2,964 - $5,835

What other costs come with moving containers?

  • Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $84 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $168 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 $785 in Montgomery, AL, 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 Los Angeles, CA, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.

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 $1,619. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $2,162 - $4,411, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.

What are the best moving containers Montgomery to Los Angeles?

  1. Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
  2. U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
  3. 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:

  • McCorquodale Transfer (5.0/5), 28 years in business
  • Motivated Movers, Inc. (4.6/5), 19 years in business
  • Admiral Movers (4.8/5), 37 years in business

Moving truck rental costs from Montgomery, AL to Los Angeles, CA

A rental truck for this 2,083-mile move from Montgomery, Alabama, to Los Angeles, California, costs between $1,265 and $3,662. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:

  • Fuel for the drive: $744 - $850
  • Daily insurance: $34/day
  • Equipment rentals: $8 - $22
  • Montgomery daily rental rate: $19 - $39
  • Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.59 - $0.79
Home sizeTypical truck size
Studio / 1 bedroom10 - 12 ft
2 - 3 bedrooms15 - 17 ft
4+ bedrooms20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel)

These are typical moving truck rental costs from Montgomery to Los Angeles based on home size:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,265 - $2,440
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,342 - $2,960
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,795 - $3,662

Pro tip: The base rate of $1,265 - $3,662 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Montgomery to Los Angeles. Fuel ($744 - $850) , lodging at around $168/night, meals, and equipment rentals are all on top of that. Factor in an extra $600 - $1,200 to get a realistic picture of what the move will actually cost.

What other costs come with rental trucks?

  • Gas: Fuel adds $744 - $850 for the 2,083-mile drive, depending on whether your rental truck runs on gas or diesel.
  • Moving labor: You'll handle the heavy lifting unless you bring in help. Two movers in Montgomery, Alabama, for about 5 hours typically costs around $785.
  • Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
  • Lodging: The 2,083-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $168 per night, adding $337 - $505 in hotel costs total.
  • Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $56 and $337.

What are the best moving truck rentals from Montgomery to Los Angeles?

  1. Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
  2. Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
  3. 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 Los Angeles, CA

Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from Montgomery, Alabama, to Los Angeles, 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 $1,010 and $3,783.

Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Montgomery to Los Angeles:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,565 - $2,861
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,818 - $3,783
  • 4+ bedrooms: $2,541 - $4,866

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 $84 - $168 more per foot.
  • Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Montgomery, Alabama, for about five hours typically runs $785.

What are the best freight companies from Montgomery to Los Angeles?

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. MAF Expedited Bhm Express (4/5 stars): MAF Expedited Bhm Express 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 are a great option when you need your belongings in Los Angeles fast. For interstate moves, freight is one of the quickest delivery methods out there. Just keep in mind that freight carriers expect you to be available to receive your shipment, so it works best when your move-in is locked in and you don't need temporary storage on either end.

Cost of living: Montgomery, AL vs Los Angeles, CA

The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Los Angeles, side by side with Montgomery on housing, income, and taxes.

Measure Montgomery, AL Los Angeles, CA
Cost of living index79162
Average rent$1,200/mo$2,960/mo
Median home value$146,265$878,142
Average income$55,687/yr$80,366/yr
Unemployment rate5.8%10.6%
State income taxUp to 5.0%Up to 13.3%
Walkability score26/10069/100
Safety index34.75/10046.19/100
Air qualityModerateModerate

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 Los Angeles, 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 46 movers in Alabama, so you have real options to compare for this 2,083-mile move.

30%+
Save 30%+
Comparing movers helps moveBuddha users save more than 30% on average compared to booking blind.
$1K
$1,000 in coverage
Booking a moveBuddha Certified mover unlocks dedicated support throughout your move.
Dispute mediation
If something goes wrong, we help resolve it with Certified movers.

Our take

The 2,083-mile move from Montgomery, AL, to Los Angeles, CA, costs between $2,738 and $12,440 with full-service movers, $1,619 - $5,835 with a moving container, and $1,265 - $3,662 for a rental truck. Your budget and how much heavy lifting you want to do are the two biggest factors in choosing the right option. If you go with full-service movers, Safeway Moving is our top recommendation, with transparent flat-rate pricing starting around $3,858 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage, and 24/7 customer support.

Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include County of Los Angeles and Los Angeles Unified School District.

FAQs: Moving from Montgomery, AL, to Los Angeles, CA

What are some tips for saving money on a move from Montgomery, AL to Los Angeles, CA?

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 Los Angeles run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.

How long does a move from Montgomery, AL to Los Angeles, CA 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 are the best neighborhoods in Los Angeles?

For families, Brentwood, Eagle Rock, and Mar Vista are worth a look in Los Angeles. If you're moving solo or without kids, Echo Park, Los Feliz, and Playa Del Rey tend to be popular picks instead.

What is the cheapest way to move from Montgomery, AL to Los Angeles, 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 $1,342 - $2,960. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.

What percentage of Montgomery movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?

About 80% of movers in Montgomery handle piano moves, and 60% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.