($616+) McAllen, TX to Montgomery, AL Movers
Moving from McAllen, TX, to Montgomery, AL, runs anywhere from $616 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,918 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 980 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 $2,080, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $7,918 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,151 - $4,022, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $616 - $1,830.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from McAllen, TX, to Montgomery, AL. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,519 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 McAllen, TX to Montgomery, AL
Moving options from McAllen to Montgomery fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move on this route costs $2,519 - $5,828 and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 41% less for the same home size, while rental trucks land about 72% less, though both require you to load the truck or container yourself. This route spans 980 miles and typically takes 2 to 7 days.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 980-mile route from McAllen to Montgomery, broken down by home size:
- Full-service movers: $2,080 for a studio up to $7,918 for a 4+ bedroom home.
- Moving containers: $1,151 - $4,022 depending on home size.
- Rental trucks: $616 - $1,830, the lowest-cost option across the board.
- Freight trailers: $984 - $3,186, billed by the space you actually use.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated November 2, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from McAllen, TX to Montgomery, AL
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 980-mile move from McAllen, Texas, to Montgomery, Alabama, with costs ranging from $2,080 - $7,918. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $232 - $1,544. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between McAllen and Montgomery. Local movers in McAllen typically start around $160 as a base rate plus $80/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from McAllen to Montgomery:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,080 - $4,689
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,519 - $5,828
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,065 - $7,918
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 McAllen to Montgomery.
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 McAllen, TX to Montgomery, AL
Specialty needs vary by market: 63% of McAllen movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Montgomery, 58% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing50% of local movers | $386 - $3,860 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready63% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: PODS Moving & Storage | $154 - $926/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $232 - $1,853 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs13% of local movers | $772 - $2,316 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $1,930 - $7,720 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $578 - $1,099 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items13% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Rick's Moving & Storage LLC | $772 - $1,930 |
| Piano | Any piano type38% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Rick's Moving & Storage LLC | $618 - $2,702 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling13% of local movers | $232 - $1,158 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect9% nationallyTop pick: InNout Movers (TX) | $502 - $1,544 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $232 - $11,580+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $232 - $2,702+ |
What are the best full-service movers from McAllen to Montgomery?
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 McAllen, TX. 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 McAllen, TX to Montgomery, AL
Moving containers from McAllen, Texas, to Montgomery, Alabama, cost between $1,151 and $4,022. 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 McAllen costs roughly $55/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from McAllen to Montgomery:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,151 - $2,012
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,496 - $3,059
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,937 - $4,022
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Access: Most major container brands operate in both McAllen, TX and Montgomery, AL. Still, double-check that a nearby facility is available if you need to access your belongings before delivery.
- Moving labor: Because containers are self-loaded, many customers hire hourly help. Two movers for about 5 hours typically cost around $540 in McAllen, TX, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $58 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $116 for larger ones (12 - 16 feet).
- Added contents protection: For more coverage beyond the standard minimum, full-value protection is the typical upgrade, generally 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value. On a $50,000 household, that's roughly $500 - $1,000 as a one-time fee.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Texas 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 $1,151. 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 $1,496 - $3,059.
What are the best moving containers McAllen 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 McAllen 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 McAllen:
- PODS Moving & Storage (3.7/5), 27 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from McAllen, TX to Montgomery, AL
Truck rentals from McAllen, Texas, to Montgomery, Alabama, range from $616 - $1,830 for the 980-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $241 - $275
- Daily insurance: $23/day
- Equipment rentals: $5 - $15
- McAllen daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.69
| 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 McAllen to Montgomery based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $616 - $1,229
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $715 - $1,490
- 4+ bedrooms: $826 - $1,830
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $616 - $1,830 when pricing out a rental truck from McAllen to Montgomery. Fuel alone runs $241 - $275, and overnight lodging ($116/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend roughly $600 - $1,200 more on meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging by the time the move is done.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $116 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 $50 and $251 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $241 - $275 in fuel for the 980-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $540 in McAllen, Texas, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from McAllen 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 McAllen, TX to Montgomery, AL
If you're moving a larger household from McAllen, Texas, 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 Montgomery, Alabama.
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 $1,185 and $2,354.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from McAllen to Montgomery:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $984 - $1,868
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,185 - $2,354
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,502 - $3,186
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?
- Demand cycles: Trailer costs climb during peak moving season, especially from mid-May through mid-September when demand is at its highest.
- More space: You're billed only for the linear feet you use, but underestimating your inventory means paying for extra space, typically around $58 - $116 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in McAllen, Texas, for about five hours typically runs $540.
What are the best freight companies from McAllen to Montgomery?
- 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.
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 Montgomery 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: McAllen, TX vs Montgomery, AL
McAllen and Montgomery land in a similar range on everyday costs. The cost of living index sits at 76 in McAllen and 79 in Montgomery, and average rent is $1,350/mo vs. $1,200/mo. With an index gap that small, you likely won't need to rework your monthly budget much after this move. For reference, walkability is 41 vs 26 and safety scores are 63.74 vs 34.75.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Montgomery, AL to McAllen, TX guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from Texas 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 843 movers in our Texas network to compare for this 980-mile move.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 980-mile route from McAllen, TX, to Montgomery, AL, run $2,080 - $7,918 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,151 - $4,022, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $616 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,519, 30 days of free storage, and a 24/7 support team you can actually reach.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Alfa and Colonial Banc Group.
FAQs: Moving from McAllen, TX, to Montgomery, AL
Is Montgomery a safe place to live?
Montgomery has a safety index of 34.75 out of 100 and a crime index of 65.25, compared to 63.74 and 36.26 in McAllen. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What are some tips for saving money on a move from McAllen, TX 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 is the best time of year to move from McAllen, TX to Montgomery, AL?
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. Alabama 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 McAllen, TX to Montgomery, AL take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 2 to 7 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 ($241 - $275), daily insurance ($23/day), and equipment rentals ($5 - $15) on top. Overnight stops can add another $116/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
What percentage of McAllen movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 38% of movers in McAllen handle piano moves, and 13% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.