($1,164+) San Diego, CA to Montgomery, AL Movers
The cost to move from San Diego, CA to Montgomery, AL ranges from $1,392 to $11,899, with an average cost of $4,150. Moves can be as low as $1,164 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 2,005 miles and usually takes 6 to 17 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 San Diego, CA to Montgomery, AL
Moving options from San Diego to Montgomery fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,392 - $11,899 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $4,150, 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 2,005 miles and typically takes 6 to 17 days depending on the service you pick.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 2,005-mile route from San Diego to Montgomery, broken down by home size:
- A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $1,392 - $5,675 with full-service movers, $1,638 - $3,300 with a container, $1,164 - $2,432 with a rental truck, or $1,564 - $2,999 by freight.
- A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $3,455 - $7,668 full-service, $2,269 - $4,314 by container, $1,247 - $2,728 by rental truck, or $1,644 - $3,416 by freight.
- A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $7,006 - $11,899 full-service, $2,961 - $5,701 by container, $1,706 - $3,442 by rental truck, or $2,464 - $4,896 by freight.
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 San Diego, CA to Montgomery, AL
For the 2,005-mile move from San Diego, California, to Montgomery, Alabama, full-service movers cost between $1,392 and $11,899. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $374 - $2,492 (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 San Diego generally start around $226 plus $200 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from San Diego to Montgomery:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,392 - $5,675
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,455 - $7,668
- 4+ bedrooms: $7,006 - $11,899
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 San Diego to Montgomery.
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: 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.
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Specialty moving services from San Diego, CA to Montgomery, AL
Specialty needs vary by market — 100% of San Diego movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Montgomery, 100% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $623 - $6,230 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready100% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: McCarthy Transfer & Storage | $249 - $1,495/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $374 - $2,990 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage53% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs44% of local movers | $1,246 - $3,738 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,115 - $12,460 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $933 - $1,773 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items59% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: McCarthy Transfer & Storage | $1,246 - $3,115 |
| Piano | Any piano type75% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: McCarthy Transfer & Storage | $997 - $4,361 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling47% of local movers | $374 - $1,869 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect41% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Cali Moving & Storage Corp | $810 - $2,492 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $374 - $18,690+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $374 - $4,361+ |
What are the best full-service movers from San Diego to Montgomery?
All three below meet the standards set by the Alabama Trucking Association, the group most Alabama movers are affiliated with.
- 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.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in San Diego, CA. Van lines spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments, while local movers tend to charge 30% - 40% more for the same distance. A direct route with a local mover averages 2-day delivery, but that added speed typically carries a higher price tag.
Moving container costs from San Diego, CA to Montgomery, AL
Moving containers from San Diego, California, to Montgomery, Alabama, cost between $1,638 and $5,701. You're in charge of loading, and the timeline is yours to set. U-Haul allows 3 days while PODS gives you a full 30. After that, the company picks it up and delivers it to your new address. Running behind schedule? Storage in San Diego costs roughly $100/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from San Diego to Montgomery:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,638 - $3,300
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,269 - $4,314
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,961 - $5,701
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $93 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $187 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Montgomery, AL, if you need to retrieve anything while items are still in storage.
- Moving labor: Since you're responsible for loading the container yourself, many customers bring in hourly help. Based on moveBuddha data, hiring 2 movers for approximately 5 hours costs about $872 in San Diego, CA. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection goes beyond the standard minimum and covers repair, replacement, or reimbursement at declared value. Pricing is typically 1% - 2% of your total shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 move.
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 $1,638. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $2,269 - $4,314, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers San Diego to Montgomery?
- 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 San Diego 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 San Diego:
- McCarthy Transfer & Storage (4.8/5), 106 years in business
- Cali Moving & Storage Corp (4.8/5), 10 years in business
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.5/5), 13 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from San Diego, CA to Montgomery, AL
Plan on $1,164 - $3,442 for a rental moving truck on the 2,005-mile route from San Diego, California, to Montgomery, Alabama. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $795 - $908
- Daily insurance: $37/day
- Equipment rentals: $9 - $25
- San Diego daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.79 - $1.09
| 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 San Diego to Montgomery based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,164 - $2,432
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,247 - $2,728
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,706 - $3,442
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $1,164 - $3,442 when pricing out a rental truck from San Diego to Montgomery. Fuel alone runs ($795 - $908) , and overnight lodging ($187/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?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $187 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 $81 and $405 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $795 - $908 in fuel for the 2,005-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $872 in San Diego, California, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from San Diego to Montgomery?
- 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 San Diego, CA to Montgomery, AL
For larger DIY moves from San Diego, California, freight trailers give you plenty of room without putting you behind the wheel. Standard trailers are 28 feet long. You load the section you need, and the carrier transports everything to Montgomery, Alabama.
Because freight companies bill by linear footage, your total is based on how much of the trailer you occupy, not the full length. For most medium-to-large moves on this route, pricing typically falls between $1,644 and $3,416.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from San Diego to Montgomery:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,564 - $2,999
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,644 - $3,416
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,464 - $4,896
Pro tip: Freight trailers come with a 4-foot loading ramp, which can be a challenge with bulky furniture. With 8 feet of vertical space available, stacking efficiently often requires a ladder and a plan. Since you're billed per linear foot, packing tight can make a real difference in your final cost.
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 San Diego, California, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $872.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $93 and $187 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from San Diego to Montgomery?
- 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.
- Fast Transportation (4.34/5 stars): Fast Transportation is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned and based facilities mean accessible support staff and area-specific scheduling flexibility that national-only freight carriers typically don't match.
Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from San Diego to Montgomery. If you have a hard move-in date and want your stuff there as soon as possible, freight is hard to beat. It's worth noting that freight works best when you're ready to receive your delivery, so if your move-in date is still up in the air or you'll need short-term storage, a moving container is likely the more practical choice.
Cost of living: San Diego, CA vs Montgomery, AL
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Montgomery, side by side with San Diego on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | San Diego, CA | Montgomery, AL |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 155 | 79 |
| Average rent | $2,881/mo | $1,200/mo |
| Median home value | $847,715 | $146,265 |
| Average income | $104,321/yr | $55,687/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 6.6% | 5.8% |
| State income tax | Up to 13.3% | Up to 5.0% |
| Walkability score | 53/100 | 26/100 |
| Safety index | 60.17/100 | 34.75/100 |
| Air quality | Moderate | Moderate |
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 Montgomery, AL to San Diego, CA guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from California to Alabama, so we know current pricing better than most. Checking our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates. California alone has 374 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 2,005-mile move like this one.
Our take
The 2,005-mile move from San Diego, CA, to Montgomery, AL, costs between $1,392 and $11,899 with full-service movers, $1,638 - $5,701 with a moving container, and $1,164 - $3,442 for a rental truck. Your budget and how much heavy lifting you want to do are the two biggest factors in choosing the right option. If you go with full-service movers, Safeway Moving is our top recommendation, with transparent flat-rate pricing starting around $3,455 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage, and 24/7 customer support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Alfa and Colonial Banc Group.
FAQs: Moving from San Diego, CA, to Montgomery, AL
How do I know a mover is licensed in Alabama?
To guarantee the safety and reliability of local moving services in Alabama, it is essential for moving companies to possess a registration number issued by the Alabama Public Service Commission (APSC). Trust your move to registered professionals for a secure and dependable experience.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($795 - $908), daily insurance ($37/day), and equipment rentals ($9 - $25) on top. Overnight stops can add another $187/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How walkable is Montgomery?
Montgomery has a walkability score of 26 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 33, compared to 53 and 43 in San Diego. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
How much does it cost to move from San Diego, CA to Montgomery, AL?
Costs on this route range from around $1,392 to $11,899, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,392 and $11,899, 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 are some tips for saving money on a move from San Diego, CA to Montgomery, AL?
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.
What percentage of San Diego movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 75% of movers in San Diego handle piano moves, and 59% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
