($641+) Birmingham, AL to Rochester, NY Movers

Easily compare and book your next move with moveBuddha
Background image of a moving truck moving from Birmingham, AL to Rochester, NY

Moving from Birmingham, AL, to Rochester, NY, runs anywhere from $641 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,635 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 963 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 $2,222, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $8,635 or more.
  • Moving containers run $1,185 - $3,853, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $641 - $1,791.
  • Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Birmingham, AL, to Rochester, NY. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,641 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.

Compare moving options from Birmingham, AL to Rochester, NY

Moving options from Birmingham to Rochester fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $2,641 - $6,574 for a 2-3 bedroom home and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers cost about 30% less than full-service for the same size, and rental trucks land around 60% less, with both DIY options requiring you to load yourself. Covering 963 miles, this route usually takes 2 to 7 days from pickup to delivery.

Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 963-mile route from Birmingham to Rochester, broken down by home size:

  • Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $2,222 - $5,369, container $1,185 - $2,221, rental truck $641 - $1,239, freight trailer $1,066 - $2,018.
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $2,641 - $6,574, container $1,601 - $3,087, rental truck $722 - $1,458, freight trailer $1,194 - $2,567.
  • 4+ bedrooms: full-service $4,591 - $8,635, container $2,178 - $3,853, rental truck $932 - $1,791, freight trailer $1,643 - $3,178.

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 Birmingham, AL to Rochester, NY

A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 963-mile move from Birmingham, Alabama, to Rochester, New York, with prices running from $2,222 - $8,635. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $263 - $1,756 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between Birmingham and Rochester are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, Birmingham movers tend to run around $310 as a base rate plus $175/hour per mover, for comparison.

Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Birmingham to Rochester:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,222 - $5,369
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,641 - $6,574
  • 4+ bedrooms: $4,591 - $8,635

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 Birmingham to Rochester.

The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Alabama to New York. 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.

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 Birmingham, AL to Rochester, NY

Specialty needs vary by market — 91% of Birmingham movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Rochester, 100% of movers offer the same service.

Service When you need it Typical cost
Full packingFull crew packing100% of local movers$439 - $4,390
Storage in transitNew place not ready91% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: New Latitude Movers $176 - $1,054/mo
Shuttle feeTruck can't reach door$263 - $2,107
Full-value protectionMore than $0.60/lb coverage9% of local movers$300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value)
Small movesUnder ~2,000 lbs55% of local movers$878 - $2,634
Office / commercialWorkplace relocation$2,195 - $8,780
Car shippingSecond vehicle$658 - $1,249
Antiques & fine artFragile, high-value items27% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage$878 - $2,195
PianoAny piano type82% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: New Latitude Movers $702 - $3,073
Pool tableDisassembly & re-leveling27% of local movers$263 - $1,317
Hot tubHeavy, needs disconnect36% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: MoveDaddy$571 - $1,756
Wine collectionClimate-controlled transport$263 - $13,170+
Pet relocationGround, air, or concierge$263 - $3,073+

What are the best full-service movers from Birmingham to Rochester?

New York State Movers & Warehousemen’s Association membership is a quick way to confirm a mover is legitimate in New York, on top of the picks below.

  1. Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing means no surprise charges on moving day, and their support team is consistently rated among the most responsive in the industry.
  2. American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here, 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.
  3. Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, with 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 van lines are the smarter financial choice over local movers in Birmingham, AL. Local companies can run 30% - 40% more at that range since they don't consolidate shipments the way interstate carriers do. If a direct, dedicated route with an average 2-day delivery appeals to you, a local mover could be worth it, but that convenience comes at a cost.

Moving container costs from Birmingham, AL to Rochester, NY

Moving containers from Birmingham, Alabama, to Rochester, New York, cost between $1,185 and $3,853. 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 Birmingham typically costs about $70/month.

Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Birmingham to Rochester:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,185 - $2,221
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,601 - $3,087
  • 4+ bedrooms: $2,178 - $3,853

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 $132 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 $615 in Birmingham, 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 Rochester, NY, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.

Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Alabama to New York 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 $1,185. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,601 - $3,087, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.

What are the best moving containers Birmingham to Rochester?

  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 Birmingham 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 Birmingham:

  • Secure Moving, Inc (4.8/5), 29 years in business
  • Bellhop Moving (4.5/5), 14 years in business
  • Motivated Movers, Inc. (4.8/5), 19 years in business

Moving truck rental costs from Birmingham, AL to Rochester, NY

A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 963 miles from Birmingham, Alabama, to Rochester, New York, running $641 - $1,791. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:

  • Fuel for the drive: $269 - $307
  • Daily insurance: $26/day
  • Equipment rentals: $6 - $18
  • Birmingham 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 Birmingham to Rochester based on home size:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $641 - $1,239
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $722 - $1,458
  • 4+ bedrooms: $932 - $1,791

Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $641 - $1,791 when pricing out a rental truck from Birmingham to Rochester. Fuel alone runs ($269 - $307) , and overnight lodging ($132/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend an additional $600 - $1,200 beyond the base rate by the time the move is done.

What other costs come with rental trucks?

  • Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
  • Lodging: Budget around $132 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 Birmingham, Alabama, usually costs about $615 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
  • Gas: Fuel for the 963-mile drive falls between $269 and $307, 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 $44 and $263 to your total.

What are the best moving truck rentals from Birmingham to Rochester?

  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 Birmingham, AL to Rochester, NY

Freight trailers are a good fit for medium-to-large moves where you need more space than a container but don't want to drive a rental truck from Birmingham, Alabama, to Rochester, New York. The trailer is delivered to your address, you load it, and the carrier takes it the rest of the way.

Unlike truck rentals with flat rates, freight trailers scale with your shipment. Every additional section of trailer space you fill increases your total. Most long-distance moves using this method run roughly between $1,194 and $2,567.

Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Birmingham to Rochester:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,066 - $2,018
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,194 - $2,567
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,643 - $3,178

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?

  • More space: Freight pricing is based on exactly how much of the trailer you fill. If your items take up more than expected, the added footage can increase your cost by between $66 and $132.
  • Peak season impact: Moving during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) often means higher trailer rates as demand increases across the board.
  • Moving labor: Unless you plan to load everything yourself, factor in labor costs. Two movers in Birmingham, Alabama, for roughly five hours typically average $615.

What are the best freight companies from Birmingham to Rochester?

  1. MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Best known as a top moving container option thanks to its DIY hybrid model (you load, they drive), MovingYourself also doubles as a strong freight choice with their 53-foot trucks and pay-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
  2. U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. In addition to their well-known container service, U-Pack offers freight trailers that follow the same pay-by-the-foot model with no deposits or upfront fees, making them one of the most flexible freight options for budget-conscious moves.
  3. Kykenkee, Inc. (4.54/5 stars): Kykenkee, Inc. is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned and operated facilities give you direct access to support staff who know the area and can coordinate pickups and deliveries with greater flexibility than national carriers.

Pro tip: One of the biggest advantages of freight trailers is speed. For an interstate move, freight delivery is one of the fastest options you have short of driving a rental truck yourself. It's a smart choice when your timeline is firm and you'll be ready to receive your shipment. If there's any chance your new place won't be ready or you need a few weeks of storage, a moving container with built-in storage may serve you better.

Cost of living: Birmingham, AL vs Rochester, NY

Birmingham and Rochester land in a similar range on everyday costs. The cost of living index sits at 87 in Birmingham and 89 in Rochester, and rent tracks closely too ($1,250/mo vs. $1,250/mo). You likely won't need to rework your monthly budget much after this move. Walkability (33 vs 61) and safety scores (38.36 vs 36.66) come out about the same too.

Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Rochester, NY to Birmingham, AL guide.

Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:

In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from Alabama to New York, 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 963-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

A move from Birmingham, AL, to Rochester, NY, 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 $2,222 - $8,635 on the 963-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,185 - $3,853, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $641 - $1,791. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $2,641 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 Wegmans Food Markets and Paychex.

FAQs: Moving from Birmingham, AL, to Rochester, NY

What are the best neighborhoods in Rochester?

For families, Cobbs Hill, Upper Monroe, and Strong are worth a look in Rochester. If you're moving solo or without kids, East Avenue, Swillburg, and South Wedge tend to be popular picks instead.

How long does a move from Birmingham, AL to Rochester, NY 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 do local movers charge in Birmingham?

Local movers based in Birmingham typically start around $310 as a base rate, plus $175/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 Rochester run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.

What are some tips for saving money on a move from Birmingham, AL to Rochester, NY?

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.

How much does it cost to move from Birmingham, AL to Rochester, NY?

Costs on this route range from around $2,222 to $8,635, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,222 and $8,635, 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 Birmingham movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?

About 82% of movers in Birmingham handle piano moves, and 27% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.