($534+) Birmingham, AL to Chesapeake, VA Movers
Moving from Birmingham, AL, to Chesapeake, VA, runs anywhere from $534 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,295 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 711 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 $1,716, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $8,295 or more.
- Moving containers run $993 - $3,514, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $534 - $1,455.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Birmingham, AL, to Chesapeake, VA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,255 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 Chesapeake, VA
There are 3 main ways to move from Birmingham to Chesapeake: 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 $2,255 - $5,695. Moving containers run about 38% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 77% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 1 to 6 days for this 711-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 711-mile route from Birmingham to Chesapeake, broken down by home size:
- A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $1,716 - $4,562 with full-service movers, $993 - $1,971 with a container, $534 - $983 with a rental truck, or $978 - $1,774 by freight.
- A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $2,255 - $5,695 full-service, $1,394 - $2,471 by container, $526 - $1,121 by rental truck, or $1,009 - $2,018 by freight.
- A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $4,000 - $8,295 full-service, $1,814 - $3,514 by container, $700 - $1,455 by rental truck, or $1,380 - $2,676 by freight.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated October 30, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Birmingham, AL to Chesapeake, VA
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 711-mile move from Birmingham, Alabama, to Chesapeake, Virginia, with costs ranging from $1,716 - $8,295. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $281 - $1,876. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Birmingham and Chesapeake. Local movers in Birmingham typically start around $310 as a base rate plus $175/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Birmingham to Chesapeake:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,716 - $4,562
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,255 - $5,695
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,000 - $8,295
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 Chesapeake.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Alabama to Virginia. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
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 Birmingham, AL to Chesapeake, VA
Specialty needs vary by market: 58% of Birmingham movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Chesapeake, 63% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing63% of local movers | $469 - $4,690 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready58% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: New Latitude Movers | $188 - $1,126/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $281 - $2,251 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage8% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs38% of local movers | $938 - $2,814 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,345 - $9,380 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $703 - $1,335 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items28% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: New Latitude Movers | $938 - $2,345 |
| Piano | Any piano type38% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: New Latitude Movers | $750 - $3,283 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling5% of local movers | $281 - $1,407 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect3% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Secure Moving, Inc | $610 - $1,876 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $281 - $14,070+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $281 - $3,283+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Birmingham to Chesapeake?
If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in Virginia Movers & Warehousemen’s Association is a good first thing to confirm.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 full-service movers are the more cost-efficient choice. Local movers in Birmingham, AL, often charge 30% - 40% more at that distance because their operations aren't built for long-haul logistics. The exception is if you want a dedicated point-to-point truck with an average 2-day delivery, though that level of service generally increases your total cost.
Moving container costs from Birmingham, AL to Chesapeake, VA
Moving containers from Birmingham, Alabama, to Chesapeake, Virginia, cost between $993 and $3,514. 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 Chesapeake. If you go over that window, storage in Birmingham adds around $70/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Birmingham to Chesapeake:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $993 - $1,971
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,394 - $2,471
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,814 - $3,514
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Because loading is on you with a container move, hourly labor help is a popular add-on. In Birmingham, AL, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $657, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: After the first month, ongoing rental fees kick in. A small container (7 - 8 feet) averages about $70 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $141 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Birmingham, AL, and Chesapeake, VA, but confirm a facility is within reasonable distance if you need to retrieve items while in storage.
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection provides broader coverage than the standard liability in your contract. It typically costs 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on $50,000 worth of belongings.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Alabama to Virginia 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 $993. 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 $1,394 - $2,471.
What are the best moving containers Birmingham to Chesapeake?
- 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 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:
- New Latitude Movers (4.9/5), 29 years in business
- Changing Spaces Moving Inc (4.9/5), 22 years in business
- All My Sons Moving & Storage (4.6/5), 27 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Birmingham, AL to Chesapeake, VA
A rental truck for this 711-mile move from Birmingham, Alabama, to Chesapeake, Virginia, costs between $534 and $1,455. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $212 - $243
- Daily insurance: $28/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $19
- Birmingham 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 Birmingham to Chesapeake based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $534 - $983
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $526 - $1,121
- 4+ bedrooms: $700 - $1,455
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Birmingham to Chesapeake starts at $534 - $1,455, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($212 - $243), overnight lodging ($141/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for roughly $600 - $1,200 more on top of fuel and lodging to cover meals, equipment, and other extras.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $141 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 $61 and $305 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $212 - $243 in fuel for the 711-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $657 in Birmingham, Alabama, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Birmingham to Chesapeake?
- 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 Birmingham, AL to Chesapeake, VA
If you're moving a larger household from Birmingham, Alabama, and want to stay in control of the loading process, freight trailers offer a practical middle ground between hiring movers and renting a truck yourself. A 28-foot trailer is delivered to your door, you load what you need, and the carrier handles the drive to Chesapeake, Virginia.
Freight trailers are priced by the linear feet your belongings take up, so you only pay for the space you use. A 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route typically falls between $1,009 and $2,018.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Birmingham to Chesapeake:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $978 - $1,774
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,009 - $2,018
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,380 - $2,676
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?
- 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 Birmingham, Alabama, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $657.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $70 and $141 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Birmingham to Chesapeake?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the pick for best for large moves. The company is well-regarded as a top moving container option for its load-it-yourself, we-drive-it model, and that same model makes it a strong freight option for larger homes that benefit from the company's 53-foot trucks and footage-based pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Alongside their flagship container service, U-Pack provides a top-notch freight trailer option that follows the same model: no deposits, no upfront fees, and pricing based on the linear footage you actually use.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are one of the fastest ways to move your belongings interstate, often beating full-service movers on delivery time. If getting your stuff to Chesapeake quickly is a priority, freight is worth a hard look. That said, freight carriers typically require you to be available to receive your shipment within a set window, so if you need short-term storage or your new place won't be ready right away, a container or full-service mover may give you more flexibility.
Cost of living: Birmingham, AL vs Chesapeake, VA
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Chesapeake, side by side with Birmingham on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Birmingham, AL | Chesapeake, VA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 87 | 104 |
| Average rent | $1,250/mo | $1,800/mo |
| Median home value | $141,615 | $359,218 |
| Average income | $44,376/yr | $94,189/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 5.6% | 5.0% |
| State income tax | Up to 5.0% | Up to 5.75% |
| Walkability score | 33/100 | 21/100 |
| Safety index | 38.36/100 | 70.88/100 |
| Air quality | Good | 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 Chesapeake, VA to Birmingham, AL guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from Alabama to Virginia, so our pricing data stays current. Use our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and spot bad actors early. We track 112 movers licensed in Alabama, useful context for sizing up this 711-mile move.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from Birmingham, AL, to Chesapeake, VA, comes down to your budget and how much time and work you're able to put into it. Hands-off relocations handled by full-service movers range from $1,716 - $8,295 on the 711-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $993 - $3,514 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $534 - $1,455 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $2,255 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and 24/7 live support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Dollar Tree and Chesapeake City Schools.
FAQs: Moving from Birmingham, AL, to Chesapeake, VA
What is the best time of year to move from Birmingham, AL to Chesapeake, VA?
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. Virginia 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.
How long does a move from Birmingham, AL to Chesapeake, VA 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 ($212 - $243), daily insurance ($28/day), and equipment rentals ($7 - $19) on top. Overnight stops can add another $141/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
What is the cheapest way to move from Birmingham, AL to Chesapeake, VA?
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 $526 - $1,121. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
How much does it cost to move from Birmingham, AL to Chesapeake, VA?
Costs on this route range from around $534 to $8,295, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,716 and $8,295, 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 38% of movers in Birmingham handle piano moves, and 28% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.