($510+) Birmingham, AL to Richmond, VA Movers
Moving from Birmingham, AL, to Richmond, VA, runs anywhere from $510 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,789 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 677 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 1 to 6 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 $1,489, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $7,789 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,022 - $3,393, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $510 - $1,347.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Birmingham, AL, to Richmond, VA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,228 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
Fact Checked by:
Compare moving options from Birmingham, AL to Richmond, VA
There are 3 main ways to move from Birmingham 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 $2,228 - $5,930. Moving containers run about 44% 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 1 to 6 days for this 677-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 677-mile route from Birmingham to Richmond, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,489 - $4,324 | $1,022 - $1,759 | $510 - $927 | $892 - $1,700 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,228 - $5,930 | $1,246 - $2,564 | $561 - $1,046 | $1,081 - $1,990 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,130 - $7,789 | $1,702 - $3,393 | $694 - $1,347 | $1,376 - $2,610 |
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 Birmingham, AL to Richmond, VA
For the 677-mile move from Birmingham, Alabama, to Richmond, Virginia, full-service movers cost between $1,489 and $7,789. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $271 - $1,804 (1 - 5+ bedrooms), crews will pack your boxes. The weight of your shipment and the mileage between the two cities are what drive your final cost. For scale, local movers in Birmingham generally start around $310 plus $175 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Birmingham to Richmond:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,489 - $4,324
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,228 - $5,930
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,130 - $7,789
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 Birmingham 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.
Don't see your company listed?
Reach customers actively searching for trusted movers in your area. Tell us about your company and services to get your business listed on moveBuddha.
Specialty moving services from Birmingham, AL to Richmond, VA
Specialty needs vary by market: 60% of Birmingham 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 packing68% of local movers | $451 - $4,510 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready60% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: New Latitude Movers | $180 - $1,082/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $271 - $2,165 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage6% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs46% of local movers | $902 - $2,706 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,255 - $9,020 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $676 - $1,284 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items31% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: New Latitude Movers | $902 - $2,255 |
| Piano | Any piano type40% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: New Latitude Movers | $722 - $3,157 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling6% of local movers | $271 - $1,353 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect4% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Secure Moving, Inc | $586 - $1,804 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $271 - $13,530+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $271 - $3,157+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Birmingham 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 van lines are the smarter financial choice over local movers in Birmingham, AL. Local companies can run 30% - 40% more at that range since they don't consolidate shipments the way interstate carriers do. If a direct, dedicated route with an average 2-day delivery appeals to you, a local mover could be worth it, but that convenience comes at a cost.
Moving container costs from Birmingham, AL to Richmond, VA
Moving containers from Birmingham, Alabama, to Richmond, Virginia, cost between $1,022 and $3,393. 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 Birmingham typically runs around $70/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Birmingham to Richmond:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,022 - $1,759
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,246 - $2,564
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,702 - $3,393
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $68 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $135 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Richmond, VA, if you need to retrieve anything while items are still in storage.
- Moving labor: Since you're responsible for loading the container yourself, many customers bring in hourly help. Based on moveBuddha data, hiring 2 movers for approximately 5 hours costs about $631 in Birmingham, AL. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection goes beyond the standard minimum and covers repair, replacement, or reimbursement at declared value. Pricing is typically 1% - 2% of your total shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 move.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Alabama 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 $1,022. 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 $1,246 - $2,564.
What are the best moving containers Birmingham 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 Birmingham 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 Birmingham:
- New Latitude Movers (4.9/5), 29 years in business
- All My Sons Moving & Storage (4.6/5), 27 years in business
- Bellhop Moving (4.5/5), 15 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Birmingham, AL to Richmond, VA
Plan on $510 - $1,347 for a rental moving truck on the 677-mile route from Birmingham, Alabama, to Richmond, Virginia. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $194 - $222
- Daily insurance: $27/day
- Equipment rentals: $6 - $18
- Birmingham daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.59 - $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 Birmingham to Richmond based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $510 - $927
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $561 - $1,046
- 4+ bedrooms: $694 - $1,347
Pro tip: A rental truck from Birmingham to Richmond looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $510 - $1,347. But once you factor in fuel ($194 - $222), overnight lodging ($135/night), meals, and equipment rentals, most people end up spending roughly $600 - $1,200 more on meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging. Building that into your budget upfront saves you from sticker shock at the end of the move.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $135 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 $293 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $194 - $222 in fuel for the 677-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $631 in Birmingham, Alabama, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Birmingham 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 Birmingham, AL to Richmond, VA
Freight trailers are a good fit for medium-to-large moves where you need more space than a container but don't want to drive a rental truck from Birmingham, Alabama, to Richmond, Virginia. The trailer is delivered to your address, you load it, and the carrier takes it the rest of the way.
Unlike truck rentals with flat rates, freight trailers scale with your shipment. Every additional section of trailer space you fill increases your total. A 2 - 3 bedroom long-distance move using this method runs roughly between $1,081 and $1,990.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Birmingham to Richmond:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $892 - $1,700
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,081 - $1,990
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,376 - $2,610
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?
- 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 Birmingham, Alabama, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $631.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $68 and $135 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Birmingham to Richmond?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Best known as a top moving container option thanks to its DIY hybrid model (you load, they drive), MovingYourself also doubles as a strong freight choice with their 53-foot trucks and pay-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. In addition to their well-known container service, U-Pack offers freight trailers that follow the same pay-by-the-foot model with no deposits or upfront fees, making them one of the most flexible freight options for budget-conscious moves.
Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from Birmingham 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: Birmingham, AL vs Richmond, VA
There's not a big cost-of-living gap between Birmingham and Richmond to plan around. Cost of living index: 87 vs. 95. Average rent: $1,250/mo vs. $1,595/mo. The bigger factor in your budget is the one-time cost of the move itself, covered above. Walkability: 33 vs. 51. Safety index: 38.36 vs. 51.55.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Richmond, VA to Birmingham, AL guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Alabama 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. Alabama alone has 142 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 677-mile move like this one.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from Birmingham, AL, to Richmond, VA, 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 $1,489 - $7,789 on the 677-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,022 - $3,393 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $510 - $1,347 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $2,228 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and 24/7 live support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Brink's and CarMax.
FAQs: Moving from Birmingham, AL, to Richmond, VA
How do I know a mover is licensed in Virginia?
In addition to filing tariffs and complying with insurance, bond, and highway safety requirements, all intrastate moving companies in Virginia must have a certificate from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (VaDMV).
What are the best neighborhoods in Richmond?
For families, Bellevue, Byrd Park, and Museum District are worth a look in Richmond. If you're moving solo or without kids, Monroe Ward, The Fan District, and The Museum District tend to be popular picks instead.
How walkable is Richmond?
Richmond has a walkability score of 51 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 51, compared to 33 and 31 in Birmingham. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
Is Richmond a safe place to live?
Richmond has a safety index of 51.55 out of 100 and a crime index of 48.45, compared to 38.36 and 61.64 in Birmingham. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Birmingham, AL to Richmond, VA?
Cutting 500 pounds from your shipment, roughly one bedroom's worth of items, saves approximately $200 - $400 on a full-service move on this route. Beyond that, staying organized matters just as much. A solid moving checklist keeps you on schedule and helps you avoid costly last-minute mistakes.
What percentage of Birmingham movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 40% of movers in Birmingham handle piano moves, and 31% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.