($1,002+) Richmond, VA to McAllen, TX Movers
Moving from Richmond, VA, to McAllen, TX, runs anywhere from $1,002 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $9,433 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,671 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 4 to 15 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 $2,097, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $9,433 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,484 - $5,135, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,002 - $2,609.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Richmond, VA, to McAllen, TX. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,020 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 Richmond, VA to McAllen, TX
There are 3 main ways to move from Richmond to McAllen: 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 $3,020 - $6,763. Containers cost roughly 37% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 65% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 1,671 miles, expect 4 to 15 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 1,671-mile route from Richmond to McAllen, broken down by home size:
- Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $2,097 - $4,883, container $1,484 - $2,606, rental truck $1,002 - $1,774, freight trailer $1,284 - $2,297.
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $3,020 - $6,763, container $1,917 - $3,607, rental truck $1,052 - $2,266, freight trailer $1,504 - $2,946.
- 4+ bedrooms: full-service $4,937 - $9,433, container $2,464 - $5,135, rental truck $1,326 - $2,609, freight trailer $2,051 - $4,149.
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 Richmond, VA to McAllen, TX
Full-service movers for the 1,671-mile relocation from Richmond, Virginia, to McAllen, Texas, cost between $2,097 and $9,433. 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 $262 - $1,748, 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 Richmond typically charge a base rate around $360 plus $100 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Richmond to McAllen:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,097 - $4,883
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,020 - $6,763
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,937 - $9,433
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 Richmond to McAllen.
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 Richmond, VA to McAllen, TX
Specialty needs vary by market: 65% of Richmond movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In McAllen, 63% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing74% of local movers | $437 - $4,370 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready65% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $175 - $1,049/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $262 - $2,098 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage12% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs56% of local movers | $874 - $2,622 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,185 - $8,740 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $655 - $1,244 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items32% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $874 - $2,185 |
| Piano | Any piano type43% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $699 - $3,059 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling6% of local movers | $262 - $1,311 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect6% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $568 - $1,748 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $262 - $13,110+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $262 - $3,059+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Richmond to McAllen?
Southwest Movers Association membership is a quick way to confirm a mover is legitimate in Texas, 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 carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Richmond, VA. 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 Richmond, VA to McAllen, TX
Moving containers from Richmond, Virginia, to McAllen, Texas, cost between $1,484 and $5,135. With a moving container, you load on your own schedule. U-Haul gives you 3 days to fill yours, while PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're ready, the company transports it straight to your new place. Need more time first? Storage in Richmond typically costs about $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Richmond to McAllen:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,484 - $2,606
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,917 - $3,607
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,464 - $5,135
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Containers are self-loaded, so many people hire hourly help for the heavy lifting. moveBuddha data shows two movers for about five hours runs around $612 in Richmond, VA. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: If you want stronger coverage than the default liability, full-value protection is the upgrade to consider. Most providers charge 1% - 2% of your shipment value, roughly $500 - $1,000 for $50,000 in contents.
- Storage: After the first month, rental fees average $66 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $131 per month for a larger 12- to 16-foot unit.
- Access: If you anticipate needing to access items while in storage, confirm there's a facility conveniently located near your McAllen, TX, destination before booking.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Virginia to Texas 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 $1,484. 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 $1,917 - $3,607.
What are the best moving containers Richmond to McAllen?
- 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 Richmond 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 Richmond:
- Mr. Moving, LLC (4.6/5), 6 years in business
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.9/5), 0 years in business
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.8/5), 9 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Richmond, VA to McAllen, TX
Plan on $1,002 - $2,609 for a rental moving truck on the 1,671-mile route from Richmond, Virginia, to McAllen, Texas. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $465 - $531
- Daily insurance: $26/day
- Equipment rentals: $6 - $17
- Richmond daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.89
| 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 Richmond to McAllen based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,002 - $1,774
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,052 - $2,266
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,326 - $2,609
Pro tip: The base rate of $1,002 - $2,609 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Richmond to McAllen. Fuel ($465 - $531), lodging at around $131/night, meals, and equipment rentals are all on top of that. Factor in roughly $600 - $1,200 more for meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging to get a realistic picture of what the move will actually cost.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Richmond, Virginia, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $612.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $465 - $531 for the 1,671-mile drive, depending on whether your truck takes gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, auto transport trailers, and furniture pads are separate rentals. Expect to spend between $52 and $284, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $131 per night for hotel stops on the 1,671-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $262 - $393.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Richmond to McAllen?
- 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 Richmond, VA to McAllen, TX
If you're moving a larger household from Richmond, Virginia, 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 McAllen, Texas.
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 $1,504 and $2,946.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Richmond to McAllen:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,284 - $2,297
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,504 - $2,946
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,051 - $4,149
Pro tip: Freight trailers offer generous space but reward good packing strategy. The 4-foot ramp can be challenging for large or heavy pieces, and using the full 8-foot height takes careful stacking. Because you're billed by the linear foot, maximizing vertical space keeps your costs lower.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In Richmond, Virginia, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $612.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $66 - $131 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 Richmond to McAllen?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the best for large moves pick. While it's a top moving container option for the DIY hybrid setup (you handle the loading, they handle the driving), the same approach makes it a strong freight choice for 3 to 5+ bedroom homes that need 53 feet of trailer capacity with pay-as-you-go pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer here. In addition to their popular container service, U-Pack delivers a top-tier freight trailer option that uses the same pay-by-the-foot pricing model and skips deposits and upfront fees entirely.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in McAllen 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: Richmond, VA vs McAllen, TX
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in McAllen, side by side with Richmond on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Richmond, VA | McAllen, TX |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 95 | 76 |
| Average rent | $1,595/mo | $1,350/mo |
| Median home value | $327,959 | $173,919 |
| Average income | $62,671/yr | $60,165/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 7.1% | 7.9% |
| State income tax | Up to 5.75% | None |
| Walkability score | 51/100 | 41/100 |
| Safety index | 51.55/100 | 63.74/100 |
| Air quality | Good | 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 McAllen, TX to Richmond, VA guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from Virginia to Texas, so our pricing data reflects what movers are actually charging right now. Check our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers, the best way to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and bad actors. We track 304 movers in Virginia, so you have real options to compare for this 1,671-mile move.
Our take
A move from Richmond, VA, to McAllen, TX, 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 $2,097 - $9,433 on the 1,671-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,484 - $5,135, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $1,002 - $2,609. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $3,020 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 The Monitor Group and Am-Mex Products.
FAQs: Moving from Richmond, VA, to McAllen, TX
Is McAllen a safe place to live?
McAllen has a safety index of 63.74 out of 100 and a crime index of 36.26, compared to 51.55 and 48.45 in Richmond. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What is the cheapest way to move from Richmond, VA to McAllen, TX?
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 $1,052 - $2,266. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What are the best neighborhoods in McAllen?
For families, North McAllen, Sharyland Plantation, and Tres Lagos are worth a look in McAllen. If you're moving solo or without kids, Downtown McAllen, South McAllen, and La Vista tend to be popular picks instead.
How long does a move from Richmond, VA to McAllen, TX take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 4 to 15 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 do local movers charge in Richmond?
Local movers based in Richmond typically start around $360 as a base rate, plus $100/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 McAllen run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
What percentage of Richmond movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 43% of movers in Richmond handle piano moves, and 32% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.