($982+) McAllen, TX to Richmond, VA Movers
Moving from McAllen, TX, to Richmond, VA, runs anywhere from $982 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $9,925 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,670 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 $2,160, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $9,925 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,355 - $4,884, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $982 - $2,636.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from McAllen, TX, to Richmond, VA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,148 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 McAllen, TX to Richmond, VA
There are 3 main ways to move from McAllen to Richmond: 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 $3,148 - $6,569. Containers cost roughly 41% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 67% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 1,670 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 1,670-mile route from McAllen to Richmond, broken down by home size:
- Full-service movers: $2,160 for a studio up to $9,925 for a 4+ bedroom home.
- Moving containers: $1,355 - $4,884 depending on home size.
- Rental trucks: $982 - $2,636, the lowest-cost option across the board.
- Freight trailers: $1,335 - $4,068, 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 McAllen, TX to Richmond, VA
Full-service movers for the 1,670-mile relocation from McAllen, Texas, to Richmond, Virginia, cost between $2,160 and $9,925. 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 $251 - $1,672, 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 McAllen typically charge a base rate around $160 plus $80 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from McAllen to Richmond:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,160 - $5,188
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,148 - $6,569
- 4+ bedrooms: $5,411 - $9,925
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 McAllen to Richmond.
Pro tip: The summer months (May - September) are the busiest time of year for movers during peak moving season, which drives up prices and limits scheduling options. If you can move in the fall or winter, you'll likely find better rates and more flexibility.
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Specialty moving services from McAllen, TX to Richmond, VA
Specialty needs vary by market: 63% of McAllen 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 packing50% of local movers | $418 - $4,180 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready63% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: PODS Moving & Storage | $167 - $1,003/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $251 - $2,006 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs13% of local movers | $836 - $2,508 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,090 - $8,360 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $626 - $1,190 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items13% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Rick's Moving & Storage LLC | $836 - $2,090 |
| Piano | Any piano type38% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Rick's Moving & Storage LLC | $669 - $2,926 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling13% of local movers | $251 - $1,254 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect9% nationallyTop pick: InNout Movers (TX) | $543 - $1,672 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $251 - $12,540+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $251 - $2,926+ |
What are the best full-service movers from McAllen 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 McAllen, TX. 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 McAllen, TX to Richmond, VA
Moving containers from McAllen, Texas, to Richmond, Virginia, cost between $1,355 and $4,884. 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 McAllen typically costs about $55/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from McAllen to Richmond:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,355 - $2,552
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,843 - $3,870
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,539 - $4,884
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $63 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $125 per month for larger units (12 - 16 feet).
- Moving labor: Containers don't come with loading help, so many customers hire hourly movers for the job. Two movers for about 5 hours will run you around $585 in McAllen, TX, per moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Standard coverage only reimburses by weight. Full-value protection gives you more complete coverage for higher-value items and typically costs 1% - 2% of your total declared value, around $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 shipment.
- Access: National providers generally operate in both cities, but verify that a facility near your Richmond, VA, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Texas 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 $1,355. 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 $1,843 - $3,870.
What are the best moving containers McAllen 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 McAllen 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 McAllen:
- PODS Moving & Storage (3.7/5), 27 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from McAllen, TX to Richmond, VA
Plan on $982 - $2,636 for a rental moving truck on the 1,670-mile route from McAllen, Texas, to Richmond, Virginia. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $444 - $508
- Daily insurance: $25/day
- Equipment rentals: $6 - $17
- McAllen daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.69
| 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 McAllen to Richmond based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $982 - $1,830
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,031 - $2,289
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,365 - $2,636
Pro tip: The base rate of $982 - $2,636 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from McAllen to Richmond. Fuel ($444 - $508), lodging at around $125/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 McAllen, Texas, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $585.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $444 - $508 for the 1,670-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 $50 and $272, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $125 per night for hotel stops on the 1,670-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $251 - $376.
What are the best moving truck rentals from McAllen 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 McAllen, TX to Richmond, VA
If you're moving a larger household from McAllen, Texas, 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 $1,518 and $2,916.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from McAllen to Richmond:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,335 - $2,321
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,518 - $2,916
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,991 - $4,068
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 McAllen, Texas, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $585.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $63 - $125 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 McAllen to Richmond?
- 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.
- 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.
Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from McAllen to Richmond. If you have a hard move-in date and want your stuff there as soon as possible, freight is hard to beat. It's worth noting that freight works best when you're ready to receive your delivery, so if your move-in date is still up in the air or you'll need short-term storage, a moving container is likely the more practical choice.
Cost of living: McAllen, TX vs Richmond, VA
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Richmond, side by side with McAllen on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | McAllen, TX | Richmond, VA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 76 | 95 |
| Average rent | $1,350/mo | $1,595/mo |
| Median home value | $173,919 | $327,959 |
| Average income | $60,165/yr | $62,671/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 7.9% | 7.1% |
| State income tax | None | Up to 5.75% |
| Walkability score | 41/100 | 51/100 |
| Safety index | 63.74/100 | 51.55/100 |
| Air quality | Moderate | Good |
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 Richmond, VA to McAllen, TX guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from Texas to Virginia, so our pricing data stays current. Use our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and spot bad actors early. We track 843 movers licensed in Texas, useful context for sizing up this 1,670-mile move.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 1,670-mile route from McAllen, TX, to Richmond, VA, run $2,160 - $9,925 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,355 - $4,884, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $982 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,148, 30 days of free storage, and a 24/7 support team you can actually reach.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Brink's and CarMax.
FAQs: Moving from McAllen, TX, to Richmond, VA
What is the cheapest way to move from McAllen, TX 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 $1,031 - $2,289. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
How much does it cost to move from McAllen, TX to Richmond, VA?
Costs on this route range from around $982 to $9,925, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,160 and $9,925, 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 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 4 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
What do local movers charge in McAllen?
Local movers based in McAllen typically start around $160 as a base rate, plus $80/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 Richmond run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
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 percentage of McAllen movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 38% of movers in McAllen handle piano moves, and 13% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.