($401+) Montgomery, AL to St. Petersburg, FL Movers
Moving from Montgomery, AL, to St. Petersburg, FL, runs anywhere from $401 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,417 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 505 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 1 to 6 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 $1,284, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $8,417 or more.
- Moving containers run $909 - $2,863, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $401 - $1,085.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Montgomery, AL, to St. Petersburg, FL. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,144 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 Montgomery, AL to St. Petersburg, FL
There are 3 main ways to move from Montgomery to St. Petersburg: 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 $2,144 - $5,641. Containers cost roughly 42% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 80% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 505 miles, expect 1 to 6 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 505-mile route from Montgomery to St. Petersburg, broken down by home size:
- Full-service movers: $1,284 for a studio up to $8,417 for a 4+ bedroom home.
- Moving containers: $909 - $2,863 depending on home size.
- Rental trucks: $401 - $1,085, the lowest-cost option across the board.
- Freight trailers: $826 - $2,362, billed by the space you actually use.
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 St. Petersburg, FL
Hiring full-service movers from Montgomery, Alabama, to St. Petersburg, Florida, costs between $1,284 and $8,417. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 505-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $266 - $1,772, depending on the size of your home. Your final cost comes down to two things: the total weight of your shipment and the distance between Montgomery and St. Petersburg. For a rough baseline, movers based in Montgomery tend to start around $462 plus $133/hour per mover on local jobs, before long-distance pricing takes over for a move this size.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Montgomery to St. Petersburg:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,284 - $3,907
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,144 - $5,641
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,977 - $8,417
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 St. Petersburg.
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 Montgomery, AL to St. Petersburg, FL
Specialty needs vary by market: 58% of Montgomery movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In St. Petersburg, 57% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing75% of local movers | $443 - $4,430 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready58% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Coleman Worldwide Moving | $177 - $1,063/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $266 - $2,126 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs36% of local movers | $886 - $2,658 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,215 - $8,860 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $664 - $1,261 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items36% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Coleman Worldwide Moving | $886 - $2,215 |
| Piano | Any piano type58% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Coleman Worldwide Moving | $709 - $3,101 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling9% of local movers | $266 - $1,329 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect9% nationally | $576 - $1,772 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $266 - $13,290+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $266 - $3,101+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Montgomery to St. Petersburg?
Movers licensed to operate in Florida are typically members of the Professional Movers Association of Florida, 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 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 St. Petersburg, FL
Moving containers from Montgomery, Alabama, to St. Petersburg, Florida, cost between $909 and $2,863. 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 St. Petersburg:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $909 - $1,714
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,249 - $2,273
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,518 - $2,863
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $66 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $133 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 $620 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 St. Petersburg, FL, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Alabama to Florida 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 $909. 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 $1,249 - $2,273.
What are the best moving containers Montgomery to St. Petersburg?
- 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 St. Petersburg, FL
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 505 miles from Montgomery, Alabama, to St. Petersburg, Florida, running $401 - $1,085. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $142 - $163
- Daily insurance: $27/day
- Equipment rentals: $6 - $18
- 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 St. Petersburg based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $401 - $752
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $436 - $946
- 4+ bedrooms: $549 - $1,085
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $401 - $1,085 does not include fuel ($142 - $163), lodging ($133/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Montgomery to St. Petersburg typically runs more than the base rate alone, with meals, equipment, and other extras adding roughly $600 - $1,200 on top of fuel and lodging.
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 $288 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $142 - $163 in fuel for the 505-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $620 in Montgomery, Alabama, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Montgomery to St. Petersburg?
- 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 St. Petersburg, FL
For larger DIY moves from Montgomery, Alabama, 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 St. Petersburg, Florida.
Because freight companies bill by linear footage, your total is based on how much of the trailer you occupy, not the full length. For a 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route, pricing typically falls between $980 and $1,856.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Montgomery to St. Petersburg:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $826 - $1,587
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $980 - $1,856
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,305 - $2,362
Pro tip: Loading a freight trailer is a bit different from filling a container. The 4-foot ramp can be steep with large items, and getting the most out of 8 feet of vertical clearance takes planning. Since pricing is based on linear feet used, every inch of wasted space has a cost.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Seasonal demand: Pricing tends to rise during peak moving season, particularly between mid-May and mid-September.
- Moving labor: Most customers hire loading help since freight is self-loaded. Two movers in Montgomery, Alabama, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $620.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $66 and $133 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Montgomery to St. Petersburg?
- 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.
Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from Montgomery to St. Petersburg, 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 St. Petersburg, FL
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in St. Petersburg, side by side with Montgomery on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Montgomery, AL | St. Petersburg, FL |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 79 | 103 |
| Average rent | $1,200/mo | $2,075/mo |
| Median home value | $146,265 | $327,967 |
| Average income | $55,687/yr | $73,118/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 5.8% | 4.6% |
| State income tax | Up to 5.0% | None |
| Walkability score | 26/100 | 43/100 |
| Safety index | 34.75/100 | 60.46/100 |
| Air quality | Moderate | Good |
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 St. Petersburg, FL to Montgomery, AL guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from Alabama to Florida, 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 505-mile move.
Our take
The 505-mile move from Montgomery, AL, to St. Petersburg, FL, costs between $1,284 and $8,417 with full-service movers, $909 - $2,863 with a moving container, and $401 - $1,085 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 $2,144 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 Jabil and FADV Holdings.
FAQs: Moving from Montgomery, AL, to St. Petersburg, FL
How long does a move from Montgomery, AL to St. Petersburg, FL take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 1 to 6 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are often one of the faster options outside of driving yourself, 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 ($142 - $163), 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.
What is the cheapest way to move from Montgomery, AL to St. Petersburg, FL?
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 $436 - $946. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
How much does it cost to move from Montgomery, AL to St. Petersburg, FL?
Costs on this route range from around $401 to $8,417, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,284 and $8,417, 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 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.
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.