($1,004+) McAllen, TX to Chesapeake, VA Movers
Moving from McAllen, TX, to Chesapeake, VA, runs anywhere from $1,089 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $10,581 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,705 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 $2,382, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $10,581 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,566 - $5,270, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,089 - $2,839.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from McAllen, TX, to Chesapeake, VA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,155 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 Chesapeake, VA
There are 3 main ways to move from McAllen to Chesapeake: 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 $3,155 - $7,399. Moving containers run about 30% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 60% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 4 to 15 days for this 1,705-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 1,705-mile route from McAllen to Chesapeake, broken down by home size:
- A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $2,382 - $5,525 with full-service movers, $1,566 - $2,779 with a container, $1,089 - $2,134 with a rental truck, or $1,396 - $2,606 by freight.
- A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $3,155 - $7,399 full-service, $1,964 - $3,970 by container, $1,167 - $2,296 by rental truck, or $1,619 - $3,337 by freight.
- A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $6,150 - $10,581 full-service, $2,816 - $5,270 by container, $1,369 - $2,839 by rental truck, or $2,058 - $4,520 by freight.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from McAllen, TX to Chesapeake, VA
Full-service movers for the 1,705-mile relocation from McAllen, Texas, to Chesapeake, Virginia, cost between $2,382 and $10,581. 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 - $1,744, 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 Chesapeake:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,382 - $5,525
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,155 - $7,399
- 4+ bedrooms: $6,150 - $10,581
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 Chesapeake.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Texas to Virginia. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: Demand for full-service movers surges during peak moving season from May - September, pushing prices higher. Shifting your move to a cooler month could save you a meaningful amount on your total bill.
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Specialty moving services from McAllen, TX to Chesapeake, VA
Specialty needs vary by market — 57% of McAllen movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Chesapeake, 100% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing71% of local movers | $436 - $4,360 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready57% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Jones Moving & Storage Co., Inc. | $174 - $1,046/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $262 - $2,093 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs43% of local movers | $872 - $2,616 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,180 - $8,720 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $653 - $1,241 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items29% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Rick's Moving & Storage LLC | $872 - $2,180 |
| Piano | Any piano type71% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Jones Moving & Storage Co., Inc. | $698 - $3,052 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling57% of local movers | $262 - $1,308 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect22% nationallyTop pick: | $567 - $1,744 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $262 - $13,080+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $262 - $3,052+ |
What are the best full-service movers from McAllen to Chesapeake?
Look for Virginia Movers & Warehousemen’s Association membership as a baseline when comparing movers in Virginia beyond this list.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is our pick for best overall value. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 support, and 30 days of free storage make Safeway the clearest value on this list.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. AVL has been moving customers since 1995 and uses full-time in-house crews trained on high-value items like art and antiques.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. One of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, 24/7 monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan against damage, loss, and breakage.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in McAllen, TX. Van lines spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments, while local movers tend to charge 30% - 40% more for the same distance. A direct route with a local mover averages 2-day delivery, but that added speed typically carries a higher price tag.
Moving container costs from McAllen, TX to Chesapeake, VA
Moving containers from McAllen, Texas, to Chesapeake, Virginia, cost between $1,566 and $5,270. 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 McAllen typically runs around $55/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from McAllen to Chesapeake:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,566 - $2,779
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,964 - $3,970
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,816 - $5,270
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $65 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $131 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Chesapeake, 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 $610 in McAllen, TX. 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 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 $1,566. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,964 - $3,970, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers McAllen to Chesapeake?
- 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:
- Groves Moving and Storage (3.5/5), 27 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from McAllen, TX to Chesapeake, VA
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 1,705 miles from McAllen, Texas, to Chesapeake, Virginia, running $1,089 - $2,839. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $473 - $541
- Daily insurance: $26/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 Chesapeake based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,089 - $2,134
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,167 - $2,296
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,369 - $2,839
Pro tip: A rental truck from McAllen to Chesapeake looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $1,089 - $2,839. But once you factor in fuel ($473 - $541) , overnight lodging ($131/night), meals, and equipment rentals, most people end up spending $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate suggests. 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 $131 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 $57 and $283 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $473 - $541 in fuel for the 1,705-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $610 in McAllen, Texas, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from McAllen to Chesapeake?
- 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 Chesapeake, VA
For larger DIY moves from McAllen, Texas, freight trailers give you plenty of room without putting you behind the wheel. Standard trailers are 28 feet long. You load the section you need, and the carrier transports everything to Chesapeake, Virginia.
Because freight companies bill by linear footage, your total is based on how much of the trailer you occupy, not the full length. For most medium-to-large moves on this route, pricing typically falls between $1,619 and $3,337.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from McAllen to Chesapeake:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,396 - $2,606
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,619 - $3,337
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,058 - $4,520
Pro tip: Freight trailers come with a 4-foot loading ramp, which can be a challenge with bulky furniture. With 8 feet of vertical space available, stacking efficiently often requires a ladder and a plan. Since you're billed per linear foot, packing tight can make a real difference in your final cost.
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 $610.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $65 - $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 McAllen to Chesapeake?
- 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.
- Royal Freight Lp (4.66/5 stars): Royal Freight Lp is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Local ownership translates to accessible support staff and facilities based in the communities they serve, giving customers more direct communication than they'd typically get from a national-only freight network.
Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from McAllen to Chesapeake. 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 Chesapeake, VA
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Chesapeake, side by side with McAllen on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | McAllen, TX | Chesapeake, VA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 76 | 104 |
| Average rent | $1,350/mo | $1,800/mo |
| Median home value | $173,919 | $359,218 |
| Average income | $60,165/yr | $94,189/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 7.9% | 5.0% |
| State income tax | None | Up to 5.75% |
| Walkability score | 41/100 | 21/100 |
| Safety index | 63.74/100 | 70.88/100 |
| 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 Chesapeake, VA to McAllen, TX guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Texas 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. Texas alone has 289 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 1,705-mile move like this one.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from McAllen, TX, to Chesapeake, 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 $2,382 - $10,581 on the 1,705-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,566 - $5,270 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $1,089 - $2,839 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $3,155 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 Dollar Tree and Chesapeake City Schools.
FAQs: Moving from McAllen, TX, to Chesapeake, 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 is the best time of year to move from McAllen, TX to Chesapeake, 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.
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 3 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
Is Chesapeake a safe place to live?
Chesapeake has a safety index of 70.88 out of 100 and a crime index of 25.0, compared to 63.74 and 36.26 in McAllen. 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 McAllen, TX to Chesapeake, 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 $1,167 - $2,296. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What percentage of McAllen movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 71% of movers in McAllen handle piano moves, and 29% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
