($743+) McAllen, TX to Atlanta, GA Movers
Moving from McAllen, TX, to Atlanta, GA, runs anywhere from $751 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,545 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,140 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 2 to 8 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 $2,149, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $8,545 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,276 - $4,258, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $751 - $2,091.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from McAllen, TX, to Atlanta, GA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,868 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
Compare moving options from McAllen, TX to Atlanta, GA
There are 3 main ways to move from McAllen to Atlanta: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service handles labor and transportation for you, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route costing $2,868 - $6,585. Moving containers run about 30% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 60% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 2 to 8 days for this 1,140-mile route, depending on which option you go with.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,140-mile route from McAllen to Atlanta, 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 $2,149 - $5,394 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($1,276 - $2,267), rental truck ($751 - $1,430), or freight trailer ($1,206 - $2,189). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $2,868 - $6,585 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $8,545.
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 McAllen, TX to Atlanta, GA
Full-service movers for the 1,140-mile relocation from McAllen, Texas, to Atlanta, Georgia, cost between $2,149 and $8,545. With a long-distance moving company, loading, transportation, and unloading are all taken care of. If you want to skip packing boxes, too, that can be added for $272 - $1,816, depending on your home size. What you pay in the end is mainly a function of how much your shipment weighs and how far it's traveling. As a point of reference, local movers in McAllen typically charge a base rate around $160 plus $80 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from McAllen to Atlanta:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,149 - $5,394
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,868 - $6,585
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,394 - $8,545
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 Atlanta.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Texas to Georgia. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
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 Atlanta, GA
Specialty needs vary by market — 57% of McAllen movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Atlanta, 88% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing71% of local movers | $454 - $4,540 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready57% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Jones Moving & Storage Co., Inc. | $182 - $1,090/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $272 - $2,179 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs43% of local movers | $908 - $2,724 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,270 - $9,080 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $680 - $1,292 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items29% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Rick's Moving & Storage LLC | $908 - $2,270 |
| Piano | Any piano type71% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Jones Moving & Storage Co., Inc. | $726 - $3,178 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling57% of local movers | $272 - $1,362 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect22% nationallyTop pick: | $590 - $1,816 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $272 - $13,620+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $272 - $3,178+ |
What are the best full-service movers from McAllen to Atlanta?
If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in Georgia Movers 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 McAllen, TX, 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 McAllen, TX to Atlanta, GA
Moving containers from McAllen, Texas, to Atlanta, Georgia, cost between $1,276 and $4,258. 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 Atlanta. If you go over that window, storage in McAllen adds around $55/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from McAllen to Atlanta:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,276 - $2,267
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,709 - $3,156
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,311 - $4,258
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Access: Most major container brands operate in both McAllen, TX and Atlanta, GA. 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 $636 in McAllen, TX, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $68 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $136 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 Georgia 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 $1,276. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,709 - $3,156, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers McAllen to Atlanta?
- 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:
- Groves Moving and Storage (3.5/5), 27 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from McAllen, TX to Atlanta, GA
Truck rentals from McAllen, Texas, to Atlanta, Georgia, range from $751 - $2,091 for the 1,140-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $329 - $376
- Daily insurance: $27/day
- Equipment rentals: $6 - $18
- 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 Atlanta based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $751 - $1,430
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $778 - $1,648
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,040 - $2,091
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $751 - $2,091 when pricing out a rental truck from McAllen to Atlanta. Fuel alone runs ($329 - $376) , and overnight lodging ($136/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?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in McAllen, Texas, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $636.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $329 - $376 for the 1,140-mile drive, depending on whether your truck takes gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, auto transport trailers, and furniture pads are separate rentals. Expect to spend between $54 and $295, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $136 per night for hotel stops on the 1,140-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $272 - $409.
What are the best moving truck rentals from McAllen to Atlanta?
- 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 Atlanta, GA
Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from McAllen, Texas, to Atlanta, Georgia. 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 $817 and $2,551.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from McAllen to Atlanta:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,206 - $2,189
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,262 - $2,551
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,760 - $3,441
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 $68 - $136 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in McAllen, Texas, for about five hours typically runs $636.
What are the best freight companies from McAllen to Atlanta?
- 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.
- Royal Freight Lp (4.66/5 stars): Royal Freight Lp 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: If speed matters on your move from McAllen to Atlanta, 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: McAllen, TX vs Atlanta, GA
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Atlanta, side by side with McAllen on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | McAllen, TX | Atlanta, GA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 76 | 113 |
| Average rent | $1,350/mo | $1,900/mo |
| Median home value | $173,919 | $419,637 |
| Average income | $60,165/yr | $81,938/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 7.9% | 6.0% |
| State income tax | None | Up to 5.49% |
| Walkability score | 41/100 | 48/100 |
| Safety index | 63.74/100 | 35.77/100 |
| 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 Atlanta, GA to McAllen, TX guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from Texas to Georgia, 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 289 movers licensed in Texas, useful context for sizing up this 1,140-mile move.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from McAllen, TX, to Atlanta, GA, comes down to your budget and how much time and work you're able to put into it. Hands-off relocations handled by full-service movers range from $2,149 - $8,545 on the 1,140-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,276 - $4,258 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $751 - $2,091 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $2,868 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and 24/7 live support.
Beyond the move itself, people who've relocated to Atlanta tend to point to ample economic opportunity and mild winters, though terrible traffic and urban sprawl come up as common complaints. Major employers in the area include Delta Air Lines and Emory University / Emory Healthcare.
FAQs: Moving from McAllen, TX, to Atlanta, GA
How much does it cost to move from McAllen, TX to Atlanta, GA?
Costs on this route range from around $2,149 to $8,545, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,149 and $8,545, 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 Atlanta?
Atlanta has a walkability score of 48 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 42, compared to 41 and 46 in McAllen. 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 ($329 - $376), daily insurance ($27/day), and equipment rentals ($6 - $18) on top. Overnight stops can add another $136/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Georgia?
Moving companies in Georgia are regulated by the the Georgia Department of Public Safety (GDPS). Regulations include insurance requirements and the handling of consumer complaints.
What is the best time of year to move from McAllen, TX to Atlanta, GA?
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. Georgia 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.
What percentage of McAllen movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 71% of movers in McAllen handle piano moves, and 29% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.