($694+) McAllen, TX to Atlanta, GA Movers
Moving from McAllen, TX, to Atlanta, GA, runs anywhere from $694 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,306 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ 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 $2,175, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $8,306 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,191 - $4,016, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $694 - $1,972.
- 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 $2,549 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 Atlanta, GA
There are 3 main ways to move from McAllen to Atlanta: 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 $2,549 - $5,965. Containers cost roughly 37% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 69% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 1,140 miles, expect 2 to 8 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 1,140-mile route from McAllen to Atlanta, broken down by home size:
- Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $2,175 - $4,990, container $1,191 - $2,227, rental truck $694 - $1,389, freight trailer $1,040 - $1,924.
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $2,549 - $5,965, container $1,612 - $2,977, rental truck $796 - $1,603, freight trailer $1,178 - $2,555.
- 4+ bedrooms: full-service $4,581 - $8,306, container $2,054 - $4,016, rental truck $932 - $1,972, freight trailer $1,660 - $3,180.
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 Atlanta, GA
Hiring full-service movers from McAllen, Texas, to Atlanta, Georgia, costs between $2,175 and $8,306. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 1,140-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $272 - $1,816, 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 McAllen and Atlanta. For a rough baseline, movers based in McAllen tend to start around $160 plus $80/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 McAllen to Atlanta:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,175 - $4,990
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,549 - $5,965
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,581 - $8,306
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.
Pro tip: Peak moving season (May - September) limits truck availability and pushes up full-service moving costs. Booking during slower months can give you more scheduling room and a lower final price.
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Specialty moving services from McAllen, TX to Atlanta, GA
Specialty needs vary by market: 63% of McAllen movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Atlanta, 58% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing50% of local movers | $454 - $4,540 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready63% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: PODS Moving & Storage | $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 lbs13% 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 items13% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Rick's Moving & Storage LLC | $908 - $2,270 |
| Piano | Any piano type38% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Rick's Moving & Storage LLC | $726 - $3,178 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling13% of local movers | $272 - $1,362 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect9% nationallyTop pick: InNout Movers (TX) | $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?
Georgia Movers Association membership is a quick way to confirm a mover is legitimate in Georgia, on top of the picks below.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing means no surprise charges on moving day, and their support team is consistently rated among the most responsive in the industry.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here, with 30+ years in business since 1995. AVL is one of the few national carriers that uses full-time in-house crews instead of contracted labor.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, with fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan that covers 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 Atlanta, GA
Moving containers from McAllen, Texas, to Atlanta, Georgia, cost between $1,191 and $4,016. 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 Atlanta:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,191 - $2,227
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,612 - $2,977
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,054 - $4,016
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $68 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $136 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 $636 in McAllen, TX, 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 Atlanta, GA, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
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 $1,191. 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 $1,612 - $2,977.
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:
- PODS Moving & Storage (3.7/5), 27 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from McAllen, TX to Atlanta, GA
Plan on $694 - $1,972 for a rental moving truck on the 1,140-mile route from McAllen, Texas, to Atlanta, Georgia. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- 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: $694 - $1,389
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $796 - $1,603
- 4+ bedrooms: $932 - $1,972
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $694 - $1,972 does not include fuel ($329 - $376), lodging ($136/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from McAllen to Atlanta 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?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $136 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 $59 and $295 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $329 - $376 in fuel for the 1,140-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $636 in McAllen, Texas, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
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
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 Atlanta, Georgia.
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 $1,178 and $2,555.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from McAllen to Atlanta:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,040 - $1,924
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,178 - $2,555
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,660 - $3,180
Pro tip: Loading a freight trailer is a bit different from filling a container. The 4-foot ramp can be steep with large items, and getting the most out of 8 feet of vertical clearance takes planning. Since pricing is based on linear feet used, every inch of wasted space has a cost.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In McAllen, Texas, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $636.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $68 - $136 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 McAllen to Atlanta?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is our pick for best for large moves. The company is best known as a top moving container option for its hybrid model where you load and they drive, and that same model translates well to freight thanks to their 53-foot trucks and pay-by-the-foot pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Beyond their flagship container service, U-Pack also runs freight trailers with the same no-deposit, no-upfront-fee model, charging only for the linear footage you actually fill.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in Atlanta fast. For interstate moves, freight is one of the quickest delivery methods out there. Just keep in mind that freight carriers expect you to be available to receive your shipment, so it works best when your move-in is locked in and you don't need temporary storage on either end.
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 843 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 $2,175 - $8,306 on the 1,140-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,191 - $4,016 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $694 - $1,972 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $2,549 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
What do local movers charge in McAllen?
Local movers based in McAllen typically start around $160 as a base rate, plus $80/hour per mover. That's a useful baseline if you're hiring help just to load a rental truck or container rather than booking a full long-distance move. Rates in Atlanta run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
How long does a move from McAllen, TX to Atlanta, GA take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 2 to 8 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 are the best neighborhoods in Atlanta?
For families, Avondale Estates, Buckhead, and Candler Park are worth a look in Atlanta. If you're moving solo or without kids, Cabbagetown, Inman Park, and Midtown tend to be popular picks instead.
What is the cheapest way to move from McAllen, TX to Atlanta, GA?
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 $796 - $1,603. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
Is Atlanta a safe place to live?
Atlanta has a safety index of 35.77 out of 100 and a crime index of 64.23, 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 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.