($1,647+) Sacramento, CA to Richmond, VA Movers

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The cost to move from Sacramento, CA to Richmond, VA ranges from $1,413 to $13,376, with an average cost of $4,950. Moves can be as low as $1,647 if you're wanting to DIY it.

This move covers about 2,790 miles and usually takes 7 to 21 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.

Compare moving options from Sacramento, CA to Richmond, VA

Moving options from Sacramento to Richmond fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,413 - $13,376 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $4,950, and movers handle all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 60% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This particular route covers 2,790 miles and typically takes 7 to 21 days depending on the service you pick.

Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 2,790-mile route from Sacramento to Richmond, broken down by home size:

  • A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $1,413 - $6,611 with full-service movers, $2,082 - $3,737 with a container, $1,679 - $3,162 with a rental truck, or $1,855 - $3,328 by freight.
  • A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $4,258 - $8,300 full-service, $2,490 - $5,310 by container, $1,784 - $3,913 by rental truck, or $2,118 - $4,336 by freight.
  • A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $8,168 - $13,376 full-service, $3,580 - $7,244 by container, $2,122 - $4,758 by rental truck, or $3,009 - $6,213 by freight.

Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.

Professional
Safeway Moving
star star star star star 4.9 / 5
Read our full Safeway review
Best overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran-owned
Container
Unlimited storage
3 container sizes
10% discount
Rental Truck
Budget Truck Rental
star star star star star 4.3 / 5
Read our full Budget review
Affordable pricing
Online estimates
Several discounts
Freight
MovingYourself
star star star star star 4.5 / 5
Read our full MovingYourself review
Fast delivery
Nationwide
100+ miles moves

Full-service moving costs from Sacramento, CA to Richmond, VA

Full-service movers for the 2,790-mile relocation from Sacramento, California, to Richmond, Virginia, cost between $1,413 and $13,376. 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 $343 - $2,284, 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 Sacramento typically charge a base rate around $287 plus $130 per hour, per mover.

Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Sacramento to Richmond:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,413 - $6,611
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $4,258 - $8,300
  • 4+ bedrooms: $8,168 - $13,376

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 Sacramento to Richmond.

The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from California to Virginia. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.

Pro tip: Moving company rates climb during peak moving season (May –-September) when demand peaks. Scheduling your move outside of that window can lead to noticeably lower costs and better availability.

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Specialty moving services from Sacramento, CA to Richmond, VA

Specialty needs vary by market — 88% of Sacramento movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Richmond, 89% of movers offer the same service.

Service When you need it Typical cost
Full packingFull crew packing100% of local movers$571 - $5,710
Storage in transitNew place not ready88% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Two Men and a Truck Moving$228 - $1,370/mo
Shuttle feeTruck can't reach door$343 - $2,741
Full-value protectionMore than $0.60/lb coverage56% of local movers$300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value)
Small movesUnder ~2,000 lbs40% of local movers$1,142 - $3,426
Office / commercialWorkplace relocation$2,855 - $11,420
Car shippingSecond vehicle$855 - $1,625
Antiques & fine artFragile, high-value items64% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Mother Lode Van & Storage Inc.$1,142 - $2,855
PianoAny piano type88% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Two Men and a Truck Moving$914 - $3,997
Pool tableDisassembly & re-leveling48% of local movers$343 - $1,713
Hot tubHeavy, needs disconnect40% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: A Better Moving$742 - $2,284
Wine collectionClimate-controlled transport$343 - $17,130+
Pet relocationGround, air, or concierge$343 - $3,997+

What are the best full-service movers from Sacramento to Richmond?

Virginia Movers & Warehousemen’s Association membership is a quick way to confirm a mover is legitimate in Virginia, on top of the picks below.

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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 movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in Sacramento, CA. 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 Sacramento, CA to Richmond, VA

Moving containers from Sacramento, California, to Richmond, Virginia, cost between $2,082 and $7,244. 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 Sacramento costs roughly $120/month if you need it.

Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Sacramento to Richmond:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,082 - $3,737
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,490 - $5,310
  • 4+ bedrooms: $3,580 - $7,244

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 $799 in Sacramento, CA. 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 $86 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $171 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 Richmond, VA, destination before booking.

Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a California 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 $2,082. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $2,490 - $5,310, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.

What are the best moving containers Sacramento to Richmond?

  1. Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
  2. U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
  3. 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 Sacramento 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 Sacramento:

  • Two Men and a Truck Moving (4.6/5), 21 years in business
  • Double Move (4.9/5), 3 years in business
  • Premium Movers Inc. (4.6/5), 19 years in business

Moving truck rental costs from Sacramento, CA to Richmond, VA

Renting a moving truck for the 2,790-mile move from Sacramento, California, to Richmond, Virginia, costs between $1,679 and $4,758, before these typical add-ons:

  • Fuel for the drive: $1,014 - $1,159
  • Daily insurance: $34/day
  • Equipment rentals: $8 - $23
  • Sacramento daily rental rate: $19 - $39
  • Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $1.09 - $0.89
Home sizeTypical truck size
Studio / 1 bedroom10 - 12 ft
2 - 3 bedrooms15 - 17 ft
4+ bedrooms20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel)

These are typical moving truck rental costs from Sacramento to Richmond based on home size:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,679 - $3,162
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,784 - $3,913
  • 4+ bedrooms: $2,122 - $4,758

Pro tip: The base rate of $1,679 - $4,758 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Sacramento to Richmond. Fuel ($1,014 - $1,159) , lodging at around $171/night, meals, and equipment rentals are all on top of that. Factor in an extra $600 - $1,200 to get a realistic picture of what the move will actually cost.

What other costs come with rental trucks?

  • Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
  • Lodging: Budget around $171 per night if your drive requires an overnight stop. Typically, you'll make 1 - 3 overnight stops, depending on move distance.
  • Moving labor: Bringing in professional loading help in Sacramento, California, usually costs about $799 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
  • Gas: Fuel for the 2,790-mile drive falls between $1,014 and $1,159, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
  • Equipment: Appliance dollies, moving pads, and vehicle trailers are easy to overlook but can add between $57 and $343 to your total.

What are the best moving truck rentals from Sacramento to Richmond?

  1. Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
  2. Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
  3. 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 Sacramento, CA to Richmond, VA

Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Sacramento, California, to Richmond, Virginia, when you want to do the loading yourself without having to drive a massive vehicle. The trailer is delivered, you pack it up, and the carrier handles the long haul.

What sets freight trailers apart is the pay-for-what-you-use pricing model. Each additional foot of trailer space you occupy adds to the cost. Overall pricing for a move of this size and distance typically lands around $2,118 and $4,336.

Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Sacramento to Richmond:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,855 - $3,328
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,118 - $4,336
  • 4+ bedrooms: $3,009 - $6,213

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?

  • 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 $86 - $171 more per foot.
  • Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Sacramento, California, for about five hours typically runs $799.

What are the best freight companies from Sacramento to Richmond?

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Button Transportation, Inc. (4.66/5 stars): Button Transportation, Inc. is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned facilities and accessible live support staff make scheduling and route coordination easier on local-area routes than what most national freight providers can offer.

Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Sacramento 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: Sacramento, CA 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 Sacramento on housing, income, and taxes.

Measure Sacramento, CA Richmond, VA
Cost of living index12795
Average rent$1,899/mo$1,595/mo
Median home value$483,739$327,959
Average income$83,753/yr$62,671/yr
Unemployment rate7.7%7.1%
State income taxUp to 13.3%Up to 5.75%
Walkability score49/10051/100
Safety index50.79/10051.55/100
Air qualityModerateGood

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 Sacramento, CA guide.

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Our take

Full-service movers on the 2,790-mile route from Sacramento, CA, to Richmond, VA, run $1,413 - $13,376 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $2,082 - $7,244, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $1,679 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $4,258, 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 Sacramento, CA, to Richmond, VA

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 50.79 and 49.21 in Sacramento. 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 Sacramento, CA 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 is the best time of year to move from Sacramento, CA 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 Sacramento, CA to Richmond, VA take?

Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 5 - 7 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are usually the fastest option outside of driving yourself, with deliveries in 3 - 5 days, 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 ($1,014 - $1,159), daily insurance ($34/day), and equipment rentals ($8 - $23) on top. Overnight stops can add another $171/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.

What percentage of Sacramento movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?

About 88% of movers in Sacramento handle piano moves, and 64% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.