($1,175+) Fontana, CA to Birmingham, AL Movers
The cost to move from Fontana, CA to Birmingham, AL ranges from $1,309 to $11,471, with an average cost of $4,000. Moves can be as low as $1,175 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 1,981 miles and usually takes 5 to 16 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.
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Compare moving options from Fontana, CA to Birmingham, AL
Moving options from Fontana to Birmingham fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,309 - $11,471 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $4,000, and movers handle all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 60% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This particular route covers 1,981 miles and typically takes 5 to 16 days depending on the service you pick.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,981-mile route from Fontana to Birmingham, 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 $1,309 - $5,606 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($1,709 - $3,181), rental truck ($1,151 - $2,429), or freight trailer ($1,449 - $2,976). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $3,362 - $7,402 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $11,471.
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 Fontana, CA to Birmingham, AL
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 1,981-mile move from Fontana, California, to Birmingham, Alabama, with costs ranging from $1,309 - $11,471. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $319 - $2,124. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Fontana and Birmingham. Local movers in Fontana typically start around $259 as a base rate plus $110/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Fontana to Birmingham:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,309 - $5,606
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,362 - $7,402
- 4+ bedrooms: $6,879 - $11,471
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 Fontana to Birmingham.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from California to Alabama. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: Moving company rates climb during peak moving season (May –-September) when demand peaks. Scheduling your move outside of that window can lead to noticeably lower costs and better availability.
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Specialty moving services from Fontana, CA to Birmingham, AL
Specialty needs vary by market — 85% of Fontana movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Birmingham, 91% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $531 - $5,310 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready85% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Big Deahl's Movers | $212 - $1,274/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $319 - $2,549 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage44% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs37% of local movers | $1,062 - $3,186 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,655 - $10,620 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $795 - $1,511 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items62% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Big Deahl's Movers | $1,062 - $2,655 |
| Piano | Any piano type77% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Big Deahl's Movers | $850 - $3,717 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling38% of local movers | $319 - $1,593 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect27% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Big Deahl's Movers | $690 - $2,124 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $319 - $15,930+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $319 - $3,717+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Fontana to Birmingham?
Look for Alabama Trucking Association membership as a baseline when comparing movers in Alabama beyond this list.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is our pick for best overall value. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 support, and 30 days of free storage make Safeway the clearest value on this list.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. AVL has been moving customers since 1995 and uses full-time in-house crews trained on high-value items like art and antiques.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. One of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, 24/7 monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan against 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 Fontana, CA. 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 Fontana, CA to Birmingham, AL
Moving containers from Fontana, California, to Birmingham, Alabama, cost between $1,709 and $5,716. The container gets dropped at your door and you load it at your own pace. U-Haul gives you 3 days to load and PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're done, the company handles all the transportation. If you need extra time, storage in Fontana runs about $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Fontana to Birmingham:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,709 - $3,181
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,082 - $4,193
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,969 - $5,716
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 Fontana, CA, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $743, 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 $80 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $159 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Fontana, CA, and Birmingham, AL, 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 California to Alabama 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 $1,709. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $2,082 - $4,193, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Fontana to Birmingham?
- 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 Fontana 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 Fontana:
- Big Deahl's Movers (4.8/5), 12 years in business
- Trek Movers (5.0/5), 10 years in business
- Alex Moving and Storage (3.6/5), 24 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Fontana, CA to Birmingham, AL
A rental truck for this 1,981-mile move from Fontana, California, to Birmingham, Alabama, costs between $1,151 and $3,371. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $669 - $765
- Daily insurance: $32/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $21
- Fontana daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.89 - $1.39
| 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 Fontana to Birmingham based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,151 - $2,429
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,363 - $2,725
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,605 - $3,371
Pro tip: A rental truck from Fontana to Birmingham looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $1,151 - $3,371. But once you factor in fuel ($669 - $765) , overnight lodging ($159/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?
- Equipment: Tow dollies, appliance dollies, and moving pads are not included in the base rate. These extras often total between $80 and $372.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $159.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $669 and $765 for the 1,981-mile drive, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: If you'd rather not do all the heavy lifting, budget around $743 for 2 movers in Fontana, California, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Fontana to Birmingham?
- 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 Fontana, CA to Birmingham, AL
If you're moving a larger household from Fontana, California, 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 Birmingham, Alabama.
Freight trailers are priced by the linear feet your belongings take up, so you only pay for the space you use. Most moves on this route fall between $1,683 and $3,425.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Fontana to Birmingham:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,449 - $2,976
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,683 - $3,425
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,281 - $4,572
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 Fontana, California, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $743.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $80 and $159 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Fontana to Birmingham?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the best for large moves pick. While it's a top moving container option for the DIY hybrid setup (you handle the loading, they handle the driving), the same approach makes it a strong freight choice for 3 to 5+ bedroom homes that need 53 feet of trailer capacity with pay-as-you-go pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer here. In addition to their popular container service, U-Pack delivers a top-tier freight trailer option that uses the same pay-by-the-foot pricing model and skips deposits and upfront fees entirely.
- ALL Service Handling (4.76/5 stars): ALL Service Handling is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Local ownership translates to accessible support staff and facilities based in the communities they serve, giving customers more direct communication than they'd typically get from a national-only freight network.
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 Birmingham 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: Fontana, CA vs Birmingham, AL
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Birmingham, side by side with Fontana on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Fontana, CA | Birmingham, AL |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 119 | 87 |
| Average rent | $3,000/mo | $1,250/mo |
| Median home value | $554,802 | $141,615 |
| Average income | $98,187/yr | $44,376/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 7.6% | 5.6% |
| State income tax | Up to 13.3% | Up to 5.0% |
| Walkability score | 37/100 | 33/100 |
| Safety index | 68.35/100 | 38.36/100 |
| 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 Birmingham, AL to Fontana, CA guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from California to Alabama, 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 374 movers in California, so you have real options to compare for this 1,981-mile move.
Our take
A move from Fontana, CA, to Birmingham, AL, 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 $1,309 - $11,471 on the 1,981-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,709 - $5,716, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $1,151 - $3,371. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $3,362 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 Encompass Health and Regions Bank.
FAQs: Moving from Fontana, CA, to Birmingham, AL
How long does a move from Fontana, CA to Birmingham, AL 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 extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($669 - $765), daily insurance ($32/day), and equipment rentals ($7 - $21) on top. Overnight stops can add another $159/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
What is the cheapest way to move from Fontana, CA to Birmingham, AL?
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 $1,363 - $2,725. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
How much does it cost to move from Fontana, CA to Birmingham, AL?
Costs on this route range from around $1,309 to $11,471, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,309 and $11,471, 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 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 Fontana movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 77% of movers in Fontana handle piano moves, and 62% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
