($714+) Montgomery, AL to McAllen, TX Movers

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Background image of a moving truck moving from Montgomery, AL to McAllen, TX

Moving from Montgomery, AL, to McAllen, TX, runs anywhere from $714 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,724 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 980 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 $2,270, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $8,724 or more.
  • Moving containers run $1,196 - $3,899, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $714 - $1,959.
  • Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Montgomery, AL, to McAllen, TX. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,857 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 McAllen, TX

Moving options from Montgomery to McAllen fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $2,857 - $6,683 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 980 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 980-mile route from Montgomery to McAllen, broken down by home size:

Home size Full-service movers Moving container Rental truck Freight trailer
Studio / 1 bedroom $2,270 - $5,010 $1,196 - $2,178 $714 - $1,251 $1,032 - $2,000
2 - 3 bedrooms $2,857 - $6,683 $1,555 - $2,996 $699 - $1,519 $1,256 - $2,471
4+ bedrooms $4,300 - $8,724 $2,032 - $3,899 $922 - $1,959 $1,676 - $3,151

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 McAllen, TX

For the 980-mile move from Montgomery, Alabama, to McAllen, Texas, full-service movers cost between $2,270 and $8,724. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $233 - $1,556 (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 McAllen:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,270 - $5,010
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,857 - $6,683
  • 4+ bedrooms: $4,300 - $8,724

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 McAllen.

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

Pro tip: Peak moving season (May - September) limits truck availability and pushes up full-service moving costs. Booking during slower months can give you more scheduling room and a lower final price.

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Specialty moving services from Montgomery, AL to McAllen, TX

Specialty needs vary by market — 100% of Montgomery movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In McAllen, 57% of movers offer the same service.

Service When you need it Typical cost
Full packingFull crew packing100% of local movers$389 - $3,890
Storage in transitNew place not ready100% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: McCorquodale Transfer$156 - $934/mo
Shuttle feeTruck can't reach door$233 - $1,867
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$778 - $2,334
Office / commercialWorkplace relocation$1,945 - $7,780
Car shippingSecond vehicle$583 - $1,107
Antiques & fine artFragile, high-value items60% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: McCorquodale Transfer$778 - $1,945
PianoAny piano type80% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: McCorquodale Transfer$622 - $2,723
Pool tableDisassembly & re-leveling80% of local movers$233 - $1,167
Hot tubHeavy, needs disconnect40% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Motivated Movers, Inc.$506 - $1,556
Wine collectionClimate-controlled transport$233 - $11,670+
Pet relocationGround, air, or concierge$233 - $2,723+

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

Southwest Movers Association membership is a quick way to confirm a mover is legitimate in Texas, 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 full-service movers are almost always better priced than local movers in Montgomery, AL. Local companies typically run 30% - 40% more at longer distances because they aren't set up to consolidate shipments the way national carriers do. The one case where a local mover might be worth the premium is if you want a dedicated direct-route truck, which averages a 2-day delivery time, but expect to pay more for that convenience.

Moving container costs from Montgomery, AL to McAllen, TX

Moving containers from Montgomery, Alabama, to McAllen, Texas, cost between $1,196 and $3,899. 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 Montgomery typically runs around $70/month.

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

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,196 - $2,178
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,555 - $2,996
  • 4+ bedrooms: $2,032 - $3,899

What other costs come with moving containers?

  • Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $58 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $117 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 $545 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 McAllen, TX, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.

Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Alabama to Texas 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 $1,196. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,555 - $2,996, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.

What are the best moving containers Montgomery to McAllen?

  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 McAllen, TX

A rental truck for this 980-mile move from Montgomery, Alabama, to McAllen, Texas, costs between $714 and $1,959. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:

  • Fuel for the drive: $243 - $277
  • Daily insurance: $23/day
  • Equipment rentals: $5 - $16
  • 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 McAllen based on home size:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $714 - $1,251
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $699 - $1,519
  • 4+ bedrooms: $922 - $1,959

Pro tip: The base rate of $714 - $1,959 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Montgomery to McAllen. Fuel ($243 - $277) , lodging at around $117/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 $243 - $277 for the 980-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 $545.
  • Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
  • Lodging: The 980-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $117 per night, adding $233 - $350 in hotel costs total.
  • Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $39 and $233.

What are the best moving truck rentals from Montgomery to McAllen?

  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 McAllen, TX

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 McAllen, Texas. 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 $1,256 and $2,471.

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

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,032 - $2,000
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,256 - $2,471
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,676 - $3,151

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 trailers are billed by the section you fill. If you misjudge your shipment size, each extra foot of trailer space adds around $58 - $117 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 $545.

What are the best freight companies from Montgomery to McAllen?

  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. MAF Expedited Bhm Express (4/5 stars): MAF Expedited Bhm Express 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: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in McAllen 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 McAllen, TX

Day-to-day costs in McAllen are close to what you're used to in Montgomery: cost of living index of 76 versus 79, with average rent of $1,350/mo compared to $1,200/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 26/100 and 34.75/100 in Montgomery versus 41/100 and 63.74/100 in McAllen.

Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our McAllen, TX to Montgomery, AL guide.

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Our take

A move from Montgomery, AL, to McAllen, TX, 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 $2,270 - $8,724 on the 980-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,196 - $3,899, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $714 - $1,959. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $2,857 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 The Monitor Group and Am-Mex Products.

FAQs: Moving from Montgomery, AL, to McAllen, TX

What are the best neighborhoods in McAllen?

For families, North McAllen, Sharyland Plantation, and Tres Lagos are worth a look in McAllen. If you're moving solo or without kids, Downtown McAllen, South McAllen, and La Vista tend to be popular picks instead.

What is the cheapest way to move from Montgomery, AL to McAllen, TX?

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 $699 - $1,519. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.

Is McAllen a safe place to live?

McAllen has a safety index of 63.74 out of 100 and a crime index of 36.26, compared to 34.75 and 65.25 in Montgomery. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.

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 is the best time of year to move from Montgomery, AL to McAllen, TX?

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. Texas 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.

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.