($544+) Chicago, IL to Richmond, VA Movers
Moving from Chicago, IL, to Richmond, VA, runs anywhere from $544 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,661 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 799 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 $1,620, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $7,661 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,001 - $3,403, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $544 - $1,490.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Chicago, IL, to Richmond, VA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,236 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 Chicago, IL to Richmond, VA
There are 3 main ways to move from Chicago to Richmond: 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 $2,236 - $5,636. Moving containers run about 42% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 75% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 2 to 7 days for this 799-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 799-mile route from Chicago to Richmond, broken down by home size:
- Full-service movers: $1,620 for a studio up to $7,661 for a 4+ bedroom home.
- Moving containers: $1,001 - $3,403 depending on home size.
- Rental trucks: $544 - $1,490, the lowest-cost option across the board.
- Freight trailers: $968 - $2,861, 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 Chicago, IL to Richmond, VA
Full-service movers for the 799-mile relocation from Chicago, Illinois, to Richmond, Virginia, cost between $1,620 and $7,661. 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 $305 - $2,032, 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 Chicago typically charge a base rate around $220 plus $100 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Chicago to Richmond:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,620 - $4,197
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,236 - $5,636
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,825 - $7,661
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 Chicago to Richmond.
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 Chicago, IL to Richmond, VA
Specialty needs vary by market: 60% of Chicago movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Richmond, 65% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing78% of local movers | $508 - $5,080 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready60% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: New City Moving | $203 - $1,219/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $305 - $2,438 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage10% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs59% of local movers | $1,016 - $3,048 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,540 - $10,160 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $761 - $1,446 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items28% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: New City Moving | $1,016 - $2,540 |
| Piano | Any piano type42% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: New City Moving | $813 - $3,556 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling11% of local movers | $305 - $1,524 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect9% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: New City Moving | $660 - $2,032 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $305 - $15,240+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $305 - $3,556+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Chicago to Richmond?
Movers licensed to operate in Virginia are typically members of the Virginia Movers & Warehousemen’s Association, worth checking for before you book any of the three below.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 customer support, and 30 days of free storage are included with every move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list, 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, combining 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 carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Chicago, IL. At that distance, local movers often charge 30% - 40% more because they don't spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments the way national carriers do. If a direct route and faster delivery (averaging 2 days) are priorities, a local mover may be worth considering, but that service comes at a higher price.
Moving container costs from Chicago, IL to Richmond, VA
Moving containers from Chicago, Illinois, to Richmond, Virginia, cost between $1,001 and $3,403. 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 Chicago costs roughly $100/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Chicago to Richmond:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,001 - $1,844
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,287 - $2,557
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,762 - $3,403
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Access: Most major container brands operate in both Chicago, IL and Richmond, VA. 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 $711 in Chicago, IL, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $76 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $152 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 Illinois to Virginia 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 $1,001. 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 $1,287 - $2,557.
What are the best moving containers Chicago to Richmond?
- 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 Chicago 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 Chicago:
- Move-tastic (5.0/5), 17 years in business
- Windy City Movers Inc. (4.6/5), 44 years in business
- STI Moving & Storage Inc. (4.7/5), 21 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Chicago, IL to Richmond, VA
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 799 miles from Chicago, Illinois, to Richmond, Virginia, running $544 - $1,490. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $258 - $295
- Daily insurance: $30/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $20
- Chicago daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.79
| 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 Chicago to Richmond based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $544 - $1,045
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $558 - $1,204
- 4+ bedrooms: $706 - $1,490
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Chicago to Richmond starts at $544 - $1,490, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($258 - $295), overnight lodging ($152/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for roughly $600 - $1,200 more on top of fuel and lodging to cover meals, equipment, and other extras.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Gas: Fuel adds $258 - $295 for the 799-mile drive, depending on whether your rental truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: You'll handle the heavy lifting unless you bring in help. Two movers in Chicago, Illinois, for about 5 hours typically costs around $711.
- Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
- Lodging: The 799-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $152 per night, adding $305 - $457 in hotel costs total.
- Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $51 and $305.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Chicago to Richmond?
- 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 Chicago, IL to Richmond, VA
If you're moving a larger household from Chicago, Illinois, 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 Richmond, Virginia.
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 $1,084 and $2,045.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Chicago to Richmond:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $968 - $1,677
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,084 - $2,045
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,453 - $2,861
Pro tip: Freight pricing rewards efficient packing. Trailers are 8 feet tall and accessed via a 4-foot ramp, so technique matters, especially for heavy pieces. Since each additional linear foot adds to your quote, packing strategically is one of the easiest ways to control costs.
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 $76 - $152 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Chicago, Illinois, for about five hours typically runs $711.
What are the best freight companies from Chicago to Richmond?
- 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: If speed matters on your move from Chicago to Richmond, 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: Chicago, IL vs Richmond, VA
Chicago and Richmond land in a similar range on everyday costs. The cost of living index sits at 106 in Chicago and 95 in Richmond, and average rent is $2,045/mo vs. $1,595/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 77 vs 51 and safety scores are 33.87 vs 51.55.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Richmond, VA to Chicago, IL guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Illinois to Virginia, so we know current pricing better than most. Checking our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates. Illinois alone has 314 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 799-mile move like this one.
Our take
A move from Chicago, IL, to Richmond, VA, gives you several options depending on your budget and how much you want to do yourself. Full-service movers handle everything but cost the most, ranging from $1,620 - $7,661 on the 799-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,001 - $3,403, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $544 - $1,490. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $2,236 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and round-the-clock live support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Brink's and CarMax.
FAQs: Moving from Chicago, IL, to Richmond, VA
What is the best time of year to move from Chicago, IL to Richmond, VA?
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. Virginia 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 Chicago, IL to Richmond, VA 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 ($258 - $295), daily insurance ($30/day), and equipment rentals ($7 - $20) on top. Overnight stops can add another $152/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
What is the cheapest way to move from Chicago, IL to Richmond, VA?
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 $558 - $1,204. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
How much does it cost to move from Chicago, IL to Richmond, VA?
Costs on this route range from around $544 to $7,661, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,620 and $7,661, 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.
What percentage of Chicago movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 42% of movers in Chicago handle piano moves, and 28% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.