($500+) Washington DC, MD to Birmingham, AL Movers
Moving from Washington DC, MD, to Birmingham, AL, runs anywhere from $500 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,906 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 742 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 $1,585, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $7,906 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,055 - $3,321, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $500 - $1,350.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Washington DC, MD, to Birmingham, AL. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,328 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 Washington DC, MD to Birmingham, AL
There are 3 main ways to move from Washington DC to Birmingham: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service is the most expensive but covers everything from labor to transportation, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route averaging $2,328 - $5,520. Containers cost roughly 40% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 77% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 742 miles, expect 1 to 6 days in transit no matter which service you choose.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 742-mile route from Washington DC to Birmingham, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,585 - $4,022 | $1,055 - $1,823 | $500 - $978 | $969 - $1,692 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,328 - $5,520 | $1,396 - $2,764 | $545 - $1,114 | $1,084 - $2,148 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $3,640 - $7,906 | $1,762 - $3,321 | $738 - $1,350 | $1,511 - $2,849 |
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 Washington DC, MD to Birmingham, AL
Hiring full-service movers from Washington DC, Maryland, to Birmingham, Alabama, costs between $1,585 and $7,906. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 742-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $376 - $2,508, depending on the size of your home. Your final cost comes down to two things: the total weight of your shipment and the distance between Washington DC and Birmingham. For a rough baseline, movers based in Washington DC tend to start around $180 plus $85/hour per mover on local jobs, before long-distance pricing takes over for a move this size.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Washington DC to Birmingham:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,585 - $4,022
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,328 - $5,520
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,640 - $7,906
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 Washington DC to Birmingham.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Maryland to Alabama. 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 Washington DC, MD to Birmingham, AL
Specialty needs vary by market: 70% of Washington DC movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Birmingham, 58% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing80% of local movers | $627 - $6,270 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready70% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: 495 Movers, Inc | $251 - $1,505/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $376 - $3,010 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage13% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs55% of local movers | $1,254 - $3,762 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,135 - $12,540 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $939 - $1,784 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items34% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: 495 Movers, Inc | $1,254 - $3,135 |
| Piano | Any piano type42% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: 495 Movers, Inc | $1,003 - $4,389 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling9% of local movers | $376 - $1,881 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect8% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Olympia Moving & Storage | $815 - $2,508 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $376 - $18,810+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $376 - $4,389+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Washington DC to Birmingham?
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 full-service movers are almost always better priced than local movers in Washington DC, MD. 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 Washington DC, MD to Birmingham, AL
Moving containers from Washington DC, Maryland, to Birmingham, Alabama, cost between $1,055 and $3,321. With a moving container, you load on your own schedule. U-Haul gives you 3 days to fill yours, while PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're ready, the company transports it straight to your new place. Need more time first? Storage in Washington DC typically costs about $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Washington DC to Birmingham:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,055 - $1,823
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,396 - $2,764
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,762 - $3,321
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $94 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $188 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 $878 in Washington DC, MD, 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 Birmingham, AL, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Maryland 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 $1,055. 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 $1,396 - $2,764.
What are the best moving containers Washington DC 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 Washington DC 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 Washington DC:
- Straightline Movers Inc. (4.9/5), 7 years in business
- Zip Moving And Storage, Inc. (4.9/5), 11 years in business
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.9/5), 0 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Washington DC, MD to Birmingham, AL
Plan on $500 - $1,350 for a rental moving truck on the 742-mile route from Washington DC, Maryland, to Birmingham, Alabama. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $296 - $338
- Daily insurance: $38/day
- Equipment rentals: $9 - $25
- Washington DC daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.99 - $1.19
| 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 Washington DC to Birmingham based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $500 - $978
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $545 - $1,114
- 4+ bedrooms: $738 - $1,350
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $500 - $1,350 does not include fuel ($296 - $338), lodging ($188/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Washington DC to Birmingham typically runs more than the base rate alone, with meals, equipment, and other extras adding roughly $600 - $1,200 on top of fuel and lodging.
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 $94 and $439.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $188.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $296 and $338 for the 742-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 $878 for 2 movers in Washington DC, Maryland, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Washington DC 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 Washington DC, MD to Birmingham, AL
Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from Washington DC, Maryland, to Birmingham, Alabama. Standard trailers run 28 feet long, and you're only charged for the portion you actually fill. The carrier drops the trailer off, you load it at your own pace, and they handle the drive to your new city.
Pricing is based entirely on the linear footage your shipment occupies, not the full trailer length. Most long-distance freight moves land somewhere between $1,129 and $2,148.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Washington DC to Birmingham:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $969 - $1,692
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,084 - $2,148
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,511 - $2,849
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?
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In Washington DC, Maryland, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $878.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $94 - $188 per additional foot to your total.
- Time of year: Rates tend to climb during peak moving season (mid-May through mid-September) when trailer demand is at its highest.
What are the best freight companies from Washington DC to Birmingham?
- 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: 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: Washington DC, MD 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 Washington DC on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Washington DC, MD | Birmingham, AL |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 151 | 87 |
| Average rent | $2,400/mo | $1,250/mo |
| Median home value | $594,337 | $141,615 |
| Average income | $101,027/yr | $44,376/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 7.0% | 5.6% |
| State income tax | Up to 5.75% | Up to 5.0% |
| Walkability score | 77/100 | 33/100 |
| Safety index | 39.63/100 | 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 Washington DC, MD guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from Maryland to Alabama over the past 3 months, giving us some of the most up-to-date pricing data around. Running your move through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. There are 206 movers in our Maryland network to compare for this 742-mile move.
Our take
A move from Washington DC, MD, 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 $1,585 - $7,906 on the 742-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,055 - $3,321, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $500 - $1,350. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $2,328 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 Washington DC, MD, to Birmingham, AL
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Washington DC, MD to Birmingham, 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.
How much does it cost to move from Washington DC, MD to Birmingham, AL?
Costs on this route range from around $500 to $7,906, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,585 and $7,906, 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.
How walkable is Birmingham?
Birmingham has a walkability score of 33 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 31, compared to 77 and 70 in Washington DC. 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 ($296 - $338), daily insurance ($38/day), and equipment rentals ($9 - $25) on top. Overnight stops can add another $188/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
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 percentage of Washington DC movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 42% of movers in Washington DC handle piano moves, and 34% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.