Elgin, IL → Birmingham, AL · Long-distance move

Movers from Elgin to Birmingham

About 701 road miles heading south. Typical two-bedroom cost $3,780–$5,630, delivery in 2–5 days, 404 carriers on the Elgin side and 395 in Birmingham.

701 miroad distance
12 h 47 mindriving time
2–5 daysdelivery window
$3,780–$5,6302-bedroom estimate

Photo: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0

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Route summary

From: Elgin, Illinois
To: Birmingham, Alabama
Road distance: ≈ 701 miles (594 straight-line)
Drive time: 12 h 47 min
Delivery window: 2–5 days
Move type: Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin: 404 (329 interstate)
Movers at destination: 395 (208 interstate)

Reverse: Birmingham → Elgin

Moving from Elgin to Birmingham is a long-distance move of roughly 701 road miles, heading south from Illinois to Alabama.

At this distance carriers price by shipment weight and mileage rather than by the hour. A two-bedroom home (around 5,000 lb of goods) typically costs $3,780 to $5,630 with a full-service mover, and delivery usually takes 2 to 5 days after pickup because long-haul trucks consolidate several households per trip. Driving it yourself takes about 12 h 47 min.

On the Elgin side there are 404 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (329 of them authorized for interstate work), and 395 around Birmingham (208 interstate). For an interstate move you can book from either end; movers near the origin handle loading and are usually the better first call, while a destination-side company can be useful if you need storage or delivery-day help in Birmingham.

Elgin has a population of about 115,476 and Birmingham about 195,893. Elgin is considerably denser (3,021 people per square mile versus 1,366), so expect tighter loading conditions, parking permits or elevator reservations at the origin and easier truck access at the destination. Labor and living costs run lower in Alabama than in Illinois, which tends to make destination-side services such as unpacking or storage cheaper than the same services back home.

Cost of moving from Elgin to Birmingham

Full-service estimate for 701 miles, by home size
Home size	Est. weight	Low	Typical	High
Studio	2,000 lb	$1,510	$1,850	$2,250
1 Bedroom	3,000 lb	$2,270	$2,770	$3,380
2 Bedrooms	5,000 lb	$3,780	$4,610	$5,630
3 Bedrooms	8,000 lb	$6,050	$7,380	$9,010
4+ Bedrooms	11,000 lb	$8,320	$10,150	$12,390

Rental truck (DIY)

$1,020–$1,440

One-way truck for the distance, mileage and fuel included; you load and drive.

Portable container

$1,650–$2,420

Container delivered, you load, company transports; transit is slower than a mover.

Full-service mover

$3,780–$5,630

Two-bedroom reference; crew loads, hauls and unloads.

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Elgin, IL → Birmingham, AL. Adjust the other options to see your range.

—to—

Typical full-service range.

Estimates use market baselines described on the cost guide; your quotes will vary by inventory, access and date.

Moving companies for this route

Near Elgin (origin)

Boy O Boy High Gloss

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 4369508
MC: 1711156
Based in: Elgin, IL 60120 (4 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 12,037 trucks, 8 drivers
USDOT registered: 2025

Call (331) 210-2039 Route Verify on FMCSA

Pava Logistics INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2209504
MC: 766662
Based in: Bartlett, IL 60103 (8 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 300 trucks, 155 drivers
USDOT registered: 2011

Call (773) 312-7560 Route Verify on FMCSA

Mainfreight INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 1538326
MC: 572473
Based in: Carol Stream, IL 60185 (12 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 341 trucks, 341 drivers
USDOT registered: 2006

Call (630) 496-7400 Route Verify on FMCSA

Father & Son Hauling LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2003220
MC: 707027
Based in: East Dundee, IL 60118 (5 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 260 trucks, 130 drivers
USDOT registered: 2010

Call (720) 641-9939 Route Verify on FMCSA

Universe Carrier INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2124287
MC: 740221
Based in: Huntley, IL 60142 (11 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 210 trucks, 216 drivers
USDOT registered: 2011

Call (773) 577-5795 Route Verify on FMCSA

United Fleet Corp

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3982601
MC: 1491592
Based in: Schaumburg, IL 60173 (14 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 210 trucks, 210 drivers
USDOT registered: 2022

Call (224) 998-9896 Route Verify on FMCSA

Agi Trucking INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2019189
MC: 890687
Based in: Schaumburg, IL 60173 (14 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 167 trucks, 170 drivers
USDOT registered: 2010

Route Verify on FMCSA

Ue Line INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2790763
MC: 930850
Based in: Elgin, IL 60123 (1 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 165 trucks, 170 drivers
USDOT registered: 2015

Call (773) 657-5354 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 404 movers in Elgin

Near Birmingham (destination)

Buddy Moore Trucking INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 843883
MC: 370920
Based in: Birmingham, AL 35222 (2 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 359 trucks, 354 drivers
USDOT registered: 1999

Call (205) 949-2260 Route Verify on FMCSA

Dixie Trucking Company LLC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 2263023
MC: 822669
Based in: Birmingham, AL 35217 (6 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 117 trucks, 117 drivers
USDOT registered: 2012

Call (205) 841-1930 Route Verify on FMCSA

Deep South Freight

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Tvs INC

USDOT: 273403
MC: 163871
Based in: Birmingham, AL 35204 (3 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 109 trucks, 107 drivers
USDOT registered: 1986

Call (205) 326-0490 Route Verify on FMCSA

Americas Thrift Stores INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Alabama Thrift Stores INC

USDOT: 446588
MC: 656355
Based in: Irondale, AL 35210 (7 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 71 trucks, 71 drivers
USDOT registered: 1991

Call (205) 856-1234 Route Verify on FMCSA

New Latitude Moving Admiral Movers Motivated Movers

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Move & Store LLC

USDOT: 2179652
MC: 765956
Based in: Birmingham, AL 35211 (6 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 52 trucks, 52 drivers
USDOT registered: 2011

Call (855) 624-4537 Route Verify on FMCSA

U-Haul

Licensed interstate

Legal name: U-Haul Company Of Alabama INC

USDOT: 428450
MC: 881025
Based in: Birmingham, AL 35216 (8 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 52 trucks, 73 drivers
USDOT registered: 1990

Call (602) 263-6811 Route Verify on FMCSA

Associated Grocers Of The South INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 187921
MC: 432768
Based in: Birmingham, AL 35217 (6 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 51 trucks, 48 drivers
USDOT registered: 1974

Call (205) 808-4915 Route Verify on FMCSA

Thompson Delivery Services Colwright

Licensed interstate

Legal name: McCorquodale Transfer LLC

USDOT: 713589
MC: 352161
Based in: Birmingham, AL 35203 (1 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 31 trucks, 35 drivers
USDOT registered: 1997

Call (205) 870-7474 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 395 movers in Birmingham

Related routes

Other destinations from Elgin

Other origins to Birmingham

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to move from Elgin to Birmingham?

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $1,510 to $2,250 for a studio, $2,270 to $3,380 for a one-bedroom, $3,780 to $5,630 for a two-bedroom, $6,050 to $9,010 for a three-bedroom and $8,320 to $12,390 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Birmingham from Elgin?

About 701 road miles (594 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 12 h 47 min.

How long will the movers take to deliver?

Expect a delivery window of 2 to 5 days after pickup. Carriers give a spread rather than a fixed date because long-distance trucks carry several shipments; a dedicated truck or expedited service shortens the window for an extra fee.

Does my mover need interstate authority for this move?

Yes. Crossing from Illinois into Alabama makes this an interstate move, so the carrier must hold active FMCSA operating authority (an MC number) in addition to its USDOT number. The company cards on this page flag which carriers are authorized for interstate work.

Is it cheaper to rent a truck or use a container for Elgin to Birmingham?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $1,020 to $1,440 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,650 to $2,420. Both save money versus a full-service crew but you do the loading, and container transit can take longer than a mover's delivery window.

When is the least expensive time to book this move?

Rates are highest in summer and around the last days of any month, when demand peaks. Mid-month, mid-week and winter dates are usually quoted below the standard rate. Booking four to eight weeks ahead gives you the widest choice of carriers on the Elgin–Birmingham corridor.