($613+) Madison, WI to Birmingham, AL Movers

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Background image of a moving truck moving from Madison, WI to Birmingham, AL

Moving from Madison, WI, to Birmingham, AL, runs anywhere from $613 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,707 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 811 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 $1,908, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $8,707 or more.
  • Moving containers run $1,152 - $3,916, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $613 - $1,586.
  • Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Madison, WI, to Birmingham, AL. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,566 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.

Compare moving options from Madison, WI to Birmingham, AL

Moving options from Madison to Birmingham 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 $2,566 - $5,831 and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, while rental trucks land about 60% less, though both require you to load the truck or container yourself. This route spans 811 miles and typically takes 2 to 7 days.

Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 811-mile route from Madison to Birmingham, broken down by home size:

Home size Full-service movers Moving container Rental truck Freight trailer
Studio / 1 bedroom $1,908 - $4,967 $1,152 - $2,018 $613 - $1,056 $1,016 - $1,890
2 - 3 bedrooms $2,566 - $5,831 $1,437 - $2,714 $624 - $1,334 $1,114 - $2,285
4+ bedrooms $4,199 - $8,707 $1,947 - $3,916 $797 - $1,586 $1,527 - $3,103

Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.

Professional
Safeway Moving
star star star star star 4.9 / 5
Read our full Safeway review
Best overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran-owned
Container
Unlimited storage
3 container sizes
10% discount
Rental Truck
Budget Truck Rental
star star star star star 4.3 / 5
Read our full Budget review
Affordable pricing
Online estimates
Several discounts
Freight
MovingYourself
star star star star star 4.5 / 5
Read our full MovingYourself review
Fast delivery
Nationwide
100+ miles moves

Full-service moving costs from Madison, WI to Birmingham, AL

Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 811-mile move from Madison, Wisconsin, to Birmingham, Alabama, with costs ranging from $1,908 - $8,707. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $290 - $1,932. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Madison and Birmingham. Local movers in Madison typically start around $371 as a base rate plus $85/hour per mover.

Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Madison to Birmingham:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,908 - $4,967
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,566 - $5,831
  • 4+ bedrooms: $4,199 - $8,707

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 Madison to Birmingham.

The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Wisconsin to Alabama. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.

Pro tip: Demand for full-service movers surges during peak moving season from May - September, pushing prices higher. Shifting your move to a cooler month could save you a meaningful amount on your total bill.

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Specialty moving services from Madison, WI to Birmingham, AL

Specialty needs vary by market — 100% of Madison movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Birmingham, 91% of movers offer the same service.

Service When you need it Typical cost
Full packingFull crew packing100% of local movers$483 - $4,830
Storage in transitNew place not ready100% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Above Average Moving LLC$193 - $1,159/mo
Shuttle feeTruck can't reach door$290 - $2,318
Full-value protectionMore than $0.60/lb coverage$300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value)
Small movesUnder ~2,000 lbs20% of local movers$966 - $2,898
Office / commercialWorkplace relocation$2,415 - $9,660
Car shippingSecond vehicle$724 - $1,375
Antiques & fine artFragile, high-value items20% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: The Armstrong Company$966 - $2,415
PianoAny piano type60% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Above Average Moving LLC$773 - $3,381
Pool tableDisassembly & re-leveling$290 - $1,449
Hot tubHeavy, needs disconnect22% nationallyTop pick: Schroeder Moving Systems Inc.$628 - $1,932
Wine collectionClimate-controlled transport$290 - $14,490+
Pet relocationGround, air, or concierge$290 - $3,381+

What are the best full-service movers from Madison to Birmingham?

If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in Alabama Trucking Association is a good first thing to confirm.

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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 Madison, WI, 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 Madison, WI to Birmingham, AL

Moving containers from Madison, Wisconsin, to Birmingham, Alabama, cost between $1,152 and $3,916. You load everything on your own schedule (U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30). When you're ready, the company takes care of getting the container from point A to point B. Need more time than that? Extra storage in Madison typically runs around $90/month.

Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Madison to Birmingham:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,152 - $2,018
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,437 - $2,714
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,947 - $3,916

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 Madison, WI, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $676, 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 $72 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $145 per month.
  • Access: Most major container companies serve both Madison, WI, and Birmingham, 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 Wisconsin 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 $1,152. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,437 - $2,714, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.

What are the best moving containers Madison to Birmingham?

  1. Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
  2. U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
  3. 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 Madison 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 Madison:

  • TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.6/5), 32 years in business
  • College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.8/5)
  • Du Frane Moving and Storage (4.8/5), 95 years in business

Moving truck rental costs from Madison, WI to Birmingham, AL

Truck rentals from Madison, Wisconsin, to Birmingham, Alabama, range from $613 - $1,586 for the 811-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:

  • Fuel for the drive: $249 - $285
  • Daily insurance: $29/day
  • Equipment rentals: $7 - $19
  • Madison daily rental rate: $19 - $39
  • Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.89 - $0.99
Home sizeTypical truck size
Studio / 1 bedroom10 - 12 ft
2 - 3 bedrooms15 - 17 ft
4+ bedrooms20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel)

These are typical moving truck rental costs from Madison to Birmingham based on home size:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $613 - $1,056
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $624 - $1,334
  • 4+ bedrooms: $797 - $1,586

Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $613 - $1,586 when pricing out a rental truck from Madison to Birmingham. Fuel alone runs ($249 - $285) , and overnight lodging ($145/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 $72 and $338.
  • Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $145.
  • Gas: Expect fuel to run between $249 and $285 for the 811-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 $676 for 2 movers in Madison, Wisconsin, for about 5 hours.
  • Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.

What are the best moving truck rentals from Madison to Birmingham?

  1. Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
  2. Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
  3. 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 Madison, WI to Birmingham, AL

If you're moving a larger household from Madison, Wisconsin, 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 Birmingham, Alabama.

Freight trailers are priced by the linear feet your belongings take up, so you only pay for the space you use. Most moves on this route fall between $1,114 and $2,285.

Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Madison to Birmingham:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,016 - $1,890
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,114 - $2,285
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,527 - $3,103

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 Madison, Wisconsin, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $676.
  • More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $72 and $145 per foot.

What are the best freight companies from Madison to Birmingham?

  1. MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Primarily known as a top moving container option for its DIY hybrid model where customers load and the company drives, MovingYourself also functions as a strong freight option thanks to its 53-foot trucks and pay-only-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
  2. U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. Best known for its container service, U-Pack also runs a top-notch freight trailer operation with the same no-deposit, pay-by-the-foot approach that keeps overall costs lower than most freight competitors.
  3. Larson Transportation, LLC (4.3/5 stars): Larson Transportation, LLC is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned facilities and accessible live support staff make scheduling and route coordination easier on local-area routes than what most national freight providers can offer.

Pro tip: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in Birmingham 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: Madison, WI 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 Madison on housing, income, and taxes.

Measure Madison, WI Birmingham, AL
Cost of living index10387
Average rent$1,600/mo$1,250/mo
Median home value$346,854$141,615
Average income$76,983/yr$44,376/yr
Unemployment rate3.3%5.6%
State income taxUp to 7.65%Up to 5.0%
Walkability score50/10033/100
Safety index65.43/10038.36/100
Air qualityGoodGood

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 Madison, WI guide.

Why book your mover through moveBuddha:

moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Wisconsin to Alabama in the past 3 months alone, keeping our pricing data current. Run your numbers through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. For context, we track 40 movers based in Wisconsin, handy for sizing up options on this 811-mile route.

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Our take

The 811-mile move from Madison, WI, to Birmingham, AL, costs between $1,908 and $8,707 with full-service movers, $1,152 - $3,916 with a moving container, and $613 - $1,586 for a rental truck. Your budget and how much heavy lifting you want to do are the two biggest factors in choosing the right option. If you go with full-service movers, Safeway Moving is our top recommendation, with transparent flat-rate pricing starting around $2,566 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage, and 24/7 customer support.

Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Encompass Health and Regions Bank.

FAQs: Moving from Madison, WI, to Birmingham, 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.

What is the best time of year to move from Madison, WI to Birmingham, 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 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 extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?

The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($249 - $285), daily insurance ($29/day), and equipment rentals ($7 - $19) on top. Overnight stops can add another $145/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.

How walkable is Birmingham?

Birmingham has a walkability score of 33 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 31, compared to 50 and 66 in Madison. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.

What percentage of Madison movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?

About 60% of movers in Madison handle piano moves, and 20% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.