($265+) Montgomery, AL to Chattanooga, TN Movers
Moving from Montgomery, AL, to Chattanooga, TN, runs anywhere from $287 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $5,773 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 232 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 $947, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $5,773 or more.
- Moving containers run $884 - $2,723, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $287 - $699.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Montgomery, AL, to Chattanooga, TN. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $1,598 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 Chattanooga, TN
Moving options from Montgomery to Chattanooga fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $1,598 - $4,685 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 232 miles, this route usually takes 1 to 2 days from pickup to delivery.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 232-mile route from Montgomery to Chattanooga, 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 $947 - $3,909 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($884 - $1,548), rental truck ($287 - $473), or freight trailer ($811 - $1,312). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $1,598 - $4,685 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $5,773.
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 Montgomery, AL to Chattanooga, TN
For the 232-mile move from Montgomery, Alabama, to Chattanooga, Tennessee, full-service movers cost between $947 and $5,773. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $250 - $1,668 (1 - 5+ bedrooms), crews will pack your boxes. The weight of your shipment and the mileage between the two cities are what drive your final cost. For scale, local movers in Montgomery generally start around $462 plus $133 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Montgomery to Chattanooga:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $947 - $3,909
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,598 - $4,685
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,098 - $5,773
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 Chattanooga.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Alabama to Tennessee. 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.
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Specialty moving services from Montgomery, AL to Chattanooga, TN
Specialty needs vary by market — 100% of Montgomery movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Chattanooga, 100% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $417 - $4,170 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready100% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: McCorquodale Transfer | $167 - $1,001/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $250 - $2,002 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage60% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs40% of local movers | $834 - $2,502 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,085 - $8,340 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $625 - $1,187 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items60% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: McCorquodale Transfer | $834 - $2,085 |
| Piano | Any piano type80% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: McCorquodale Transfer | $667 - $2,919 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling80% of local movers | $250 - $1,251 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect40% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Motivated Movers, Inc. | $542 - $1,668 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $250 - $12,510+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $250 - $2,919+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Montgomery to Chattanooga?
- 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 Montgomery, AL?
Based on recent quotes for this route, a 2-bedroom move from Montgomery to Chattanooga with a local mover averages $1,613 - $4,731. For moves under 500 miles, local moving companies in Montgomery, AL can be a practical and cost-effective alternative to national carriers. Many price shorter moves using hourly or regional rates that may come in lower overall, with leaner operations and tighter service areas often translating to more flexible scheduling and a more personalized experience.
Keep in mind that not every local mover is authorized for moves that cross city or state lines. Always confirm interstate licensing and proper insurance before booking.
Coleman Worldwide Moving (4.5/5 stars) is a local mover in Montgomery, based on our analysis of feedback from 60 customers, 63.3% of which is positive.
Address: 1285 Parker St, Montgomery, AL, 36108 | Founded: 1914
Moving container costs from Montgomery, AL to Chattanooga, TN
Moving containers from Montgomery, Alabama, to Chattanooga, Tennessee, cost between $884 and $2,723. A container is delivered to your home and you load it on your own time. Loading windows vary by company: U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30. From there, the company takes over and transports it to Chattanooga. If you go over that window, storage in Montgomery adds around $70/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Montgomery to Chattanooga:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $884 - $1,548
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,040 - $2,082
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,498 - $2,723
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Containers are self-loaded, so many people hire hourly help for the heavy lifting. moveBuddha data shows two movers for about five hours runs around $584 in Montgomery, AL. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: If you want stronger coverage than the default liability, full-value protection is the upgrade to consider. Most providers charge 1% - 2% of your shipment value, roughly $500 - $1,000 for $50,000 in contents.
- Storage: After the first month, rental fees average $63 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $125 per month for a larger 12- to 16-foot unit.
- Access: If you anticipate needing to access items while in storage, confirm there's a facility conveniently located near your Chattanooga, TN, destination before booking.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Alabama to Tennessee 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 $884. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,040 - $2,082, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Montgomery to Chattanooga?
- 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:
- 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 Chattanooga, TN
Renting a moving truck for the 232-mile move from Montgomery, Alabama, to Chattanooga, Tennessee, costs between $287 and $699, before these typical add-ons:
- Fuel for the drive: $62 - $70
- Daily insurance: $25/day
- Equipment rentals: $6 - $17
- 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 Chattanooga based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $287 - $473
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $283 - $572
- 4+ bedrooms: $364 - $699
Pro tip: A rental truck from Montgomery to Chattanooga looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $287 - $699. But once you factor in fuel ($62 - $70) , overnight lodging ($125/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?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Montgomery, Alabama, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $584.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $62 - $70 for the 232-mile drive, depending on whether your truck takes gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, auto transport trailers, and furniture pads are separate rentals. Expect to spend between $50 and $271, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $125 per night for hotel stops on the 232-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $250 - $375.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Montgomery to Chattanooga?
- 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 Chattanooga, TN
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 Montgomery, Alabama, to Chattanooga, Tennessee. 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 $876 and $1,616.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Montgomery to Chattanooga:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $811 - $1,312
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $876 - $1,616
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,186 - $1,992
Pro tip: Freight pricing rewards efficient packing. Trailers are 8 feet tall and accessed via a 4-foot ramp, so technique matters, especially for heavy pieces. Since each additional linear foot adds to your quote, packing strategically is one of the easiest ways to control costs.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- More space: Freight trailers are billed by the section you fill. If you misjudge your shipment size, each extra foot of trailer space adds around $63 - $125 to your final bill.
- Peak season pricing: Expect higher rates during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) when trailer availability tightens across the country.
- Moving labor: Loading is on you unless you hire outside help. A half-day crew of two movers in Montgomery, Alabama, typically costs $584.
What are the best freight companies from Montgomery to Chattanooga?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Primarily known as a top moving container option for its DIY hybrid model where customers load and the company drives, MovingYourself also functions as a strong freight option thanks to its 53-foot trucks and pay-only-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. Best known for its container service, U-Pack also runs a top-notch freight trailer operation with the same no-deposit, pay-by-the-foot approach that keeps overall costs lower than most freight competitors.
- MAF Expedited Bhm Express (4/5 stars): MAF Expedited Bhm Express is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned facilities and accessible live support staff make scheduling and route coordination easier on local-area routes than what most national freight providers can offer.
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: Montgomery, AL vs Chattanooga, TN
There's not a big cost-of-living gap between Montgomery and Chattanooga to plan around. Cost of living index: 79 vs. 90. Average rent: $1,200/mo vs. $1,475/mo. The bigger factor in your budget is the one-time cost of the move itself, covered above. Walkability: 26 vs. 29. Safety index: 34.75 vs. 46.11.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Chattanooga, TN to Montgomery, AL guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Alabama to Tennessee in the past 3 months alone, keeping our pricing data current. Run your numbers through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. For context, we track 46 movers based in Alabama, handy for sizing up options on this 232-mile route.
Our take
For a move from Montgomery, AL, to Chattanooga, TN, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $947 for a studio to $5,773 for a 4 - 5 bedroom home on the 232-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $884 - $2,723. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $287 - $699, though you'll be handling the driving and loading yourself. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with quotes starting around $1,598 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage included, and 24/7 live customer support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Hamilton County and Schools Erlanger.
FAQs: Moving from Montgomery, AL, to Chattanooga, TN
How walkable is Chattanooga?
Chattanooga has a walkability score of 29 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 35, compared to 26 and 33 in Montgomery. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($62 - $70), daily insurance ($25/day), and equipment rentals ($6 - $17) on top. Overnight stops can add another $125/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Tennessee?
Although a local license is not required in Tennessee, make sure the moving company you’ll be hiring is registered with U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). To verify if you’re dealing with a legal and licensed mover, you may ask them their USDOT registration number.
What is the best time of year to move from Montgomery, AL to Chattanooga, TN?
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 3 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 80% of movers in Montgomery handle piano moves, and 60% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
