($553+) Washington DC, MD to Montgomery, AL Movers
Moving from Washington DC, MD, to Montgomery, AL, runs anywhere from $599 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,451 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 799 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 $1,700, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $8,451 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,106 - $3,756, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $599 - $1,548.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Washington DC, MD, to Montgomery, AL. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,395 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 Montgomery, AL
Moving options from Washington DC to Montgomery fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $2,395 - $5,628 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 799 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 799-mile route from Washington DC to Montgomery, broken down by home size:
- A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $1,700 - $4,406 with full-service movers, $1,106 - $2,016 with a container, $599 - $1,118 with a rental truck, or $1,036 - $1,925 by freight.
- A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $2,395 - $5,628 full-service, $1,479 - $2,937 by container, $623 - $1,315 by rental truck, or $1,161 - $2,214 by freight.
- A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $4,260 - $8,451 full-service, $2,003 - $3,756 by container, $803 - $1,548 by rental truck, or $1,572 - $2,828 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 Washington DC, MD to Montgomery, AL
For the 799-mile move from Washington DC, Maryland, to Montgomery, Alabama, full-service movers cost between $1,700 and $8,451. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $367 - $2,444 (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 Washington DC generally start around $180 plus $85 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Washington DC to Montgomery:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,700 - $4,406
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,395 - $5,628
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,260 - $8,451
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 Montgomery.
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: 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 Washington DC, MD to Montgomery, AL
Specialty needs vary by market — 93% of Washington DC 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 | $611 - $6,110 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready93% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: 495 Movers, Inc | $244 - $1,466/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $367 - $2,933 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage30% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs58% of local movers | $1,222 - $3,666 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,055 - $12,220 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $915 - $1,739 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items53% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: 495 Movers, Inc | $1,222 - $3,055 |
| Piano | Any piano type70% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: 495 Movers, Inc | $978 - $4,277 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling39% of local movers | $367 - $1,833 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect27% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: 495 Movers, Inc | $794 - $2,444 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $367 - $18,330+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $367 - $4,277+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Washington DC to Montgomery?
If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in Alabama Trucking 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 Washington DC, MD, 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 Washington DC, MD to Montgomery, AL
Moving containers from Washington DC, Maryland, to Montgomery, Alabama, cost between $1,106 and $3,756. 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 Montgomery. If you go over that window, storage in Washington DC adds around $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Washington DC to Montgomery:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,106 - $2,016
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,479 - $2,937
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,003 - $3,756
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 Washington DC, MD, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $855, 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 $92 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $183 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Washington DC, MD, and Montgomery, 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 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 $1,106. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,479 - $2,937, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Washington DC 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 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:
- BoxStar Movers (5.0/5), 5 years in business
- Zip Moving And Storage, Inc. (4.9/5), 10 years in business
- Bookstore Movers, LLC (4.8/5), 20 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Washington DC, MD to Montgomery, AL
Renting a moving truck for the 799-mile move from Washington DC, Maryland, to Montgomery, Alabama, costs between $599 and $1,548, before these typical add-ons:
- Fuel for the drive: $311 - $355
- Daily insurance: $37/day
- Equipment rentals: $9 - $24
- 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 Montgomery based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $599 - $1,118
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $623 - $1,315
- 4+ bedrooms: $803 - $1,548
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $599 - $1,548 when pricing out a rental truck from Washington DC to Montgomery. Fuel alone runs ($311 - $355) , and overnight lodging ($183/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?
- Equipment: Tow dollies, appliance dollies, and moving pads are not included in the base rate. These extras often total between $92 and $428.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $183.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $311 and $355 for the 799-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 $855 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 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 Washington DC, MD to Montgomery, AL
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 Washington DC, Maryland, to Montgomery, Alabama. 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 $1,161 and $2,214.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Washington DC to Montgomery:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,036 - $1,925
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,161 - $2,214
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,572 - $2,828
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 Washington DC, Maryland, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $855.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $92 and $183 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Washington DC to Montgomery?
- 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.
- 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.
- Terminal Transportation Services (4.7/5 stars): Terminal Transportation Services 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: If speed matters on your move from Washington DC to Montgomery, freight trailers are one of the fastest interstate options available, second only to renting a truck and driving it yourself. The tradeoff is that freight works best when you're ready to receive your belongings on the other end. If your timeline is tight on the receiving side or you need a short storage buffer, a moving container might be a better fit.
Cost of living: Washington DC, MD 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 Washington DC on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Washington DC, MD | Montgomery, AL |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 151 | 79 |
| Average rent | $2,400/mo | $1,200/mo |
| Median home value | $594,337 | $146,265 |
| Average income | $101,027/yr | $55,687/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 7.0% | 5.8% |
| State income tax | Up to 5.75% | Up to 5.0% |
| Walkability score | 77/100 | 26/100 |
| Safety index | 39.63/100 | 34.75/100 |
| Air quality | Good | 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 Washington DC, MD guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from Maryland to Alabama, 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 52 movers licensed in Maryland, useful context for sizing up this 799-mile move.
Our take
For a move from Washington DC, MD, to Montgomery, AL, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $1,700 for a studio to $8,451 for a 4 - 5 bedroom home on the 799-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,106 - $3,756. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $599 - $1,548, though you'll be handling the driving and loading yourself. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with quotes starting around $2,395 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage included, and 24/7 live customer support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Alfa and Colonial Banc Group.
FAQs: Moving from Washington DC, MD, to Montgomery, AL
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.
How much does it cost to move from Washington DC, MD to Montgomery, AL?
Costs on this route range from around $1,700 to $8,451, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,700 and $8,451, 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 is the cheapest way to move from Washington DC, MD to Montgomery, 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 $623 - $1,315. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($311 - $355), daily insurance ($37/day), and equipment rentals ($9 - $24) on top. Overnight stops can add another $183/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How long does a move from Washington DC, MD to Montgomery, 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 percentage of Washington DC movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 70% of movers in Washington DC handle piano moves, and 53% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
