($159+) Durham, NC to Richmond, VA Movers
Moving from Durham, NC, to Richmond, VA, runs anywhere from $159 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $4,479 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 150 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 1 to 2 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 $638, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $4,479 or more.
- Moving containers run $754 - $2,131, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $159 - $374.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Durham, NC, to Richmond, VA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $1,126 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 Durham, NC to Richmond, VA
There are 3 main ways to move from Durham 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 $1,126 - $3,408. Moving containers run about 22% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 84% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 1 to 2 days for this 150-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 150-mile route from Durham to Richmond, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $638 - $2,713 | $754 - $1,230 | $159 - $279 | $639 - $1,163 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $1,126 - $3,408 | $875 - $1,661 | $183 - $342 | $774 - $1,410 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $1,624 - $4,479 | $1,223 - $2,131 | $207 - $374 | $921 - $1,587 |
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 Durham, NC to Richmond, VA
For the 150-mile move from Durham, North Carolina, to Richmond, Virginia, full-service movers cost between $638 and $4,479. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $292 - $1,948 (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 Durham generally start around $240 plus $122 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Durham to Richmond:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $638 - $2,713
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,126 - $3,408
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,624 - $4,479
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 Durham to Richmond.
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 Durham, NC to Richmond, VA
Specialty needs vary by market: 59% of Durham 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 packing74% of local movers | $487 - $4,870 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready59% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Truckin' Movers Corporation | $195 - $1,169/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $292 - $2,338 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage21% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs61% of local movers | $974 - $2,922 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,435 - $9,740 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $730 - $1,386 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items32% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Truckin' Movers Corporation | $974 - $2,435 |
| Piano | Any piano type51% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Truckin' Movers Corporation | $779 - $3,409 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling10% of local movers | $292 - $1,461 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect4% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Athens Moving Experts | $633 - $1,948 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $292 - $14,610+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $292 - $3,409+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Durham 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.
How much do local movers cost in Durham, NC?
Based on recent quotes for this route, a 2-bedroom move from Durham to Richmond with a local mover averages $1,081 - $3,272. For moves under 500 miles, local moving companies in Durham, NC can be a practical and cost-effective alternative to national carriers. Many price shorter moves using hourly or regional rates that may come in lower overall, with leaner operations and tighter service areas often translating to more flexible scheduling and a more personalized experience.
Keep in mind that not every local mover is authorized for moves that cross city or state lines. Always confirm interstate licensing and proper insurance before booking.
Flex Moving & Storage (4.36/5 stars) is our preferred moving company in Durham, based on our analysis of feedback from 398 customers, 93.0% of which is positive.
Address: 4417 Hillsborough Rd, Durham, NC, 27705 | Founded: 2023
Moving container costs from Durham, NC to Richmond, VA
Moving containers from Durham, North Carolina, to Richmond, Virginia, cost between $754 and $2,131. A container is delivered to your home and you load it on your own time. Loading windows vary by company: U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30. From there, the company takes over and transports it to Richmond. If you go over that window, storage in Durham adds around $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Durham to Richmond:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $754 - $1,230
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $875 - $1,661
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,223 - $2,131
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Because loading is on you with a container move, hourly labor help is a popular add-on. In Durham, NC, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $682, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: After the first month, ongoing rental fees kick in. A small container (7 - 8 feet) averages about $73 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $146 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Durham, NC, and Richmond, VA, but confirm a facility is within reasonable distance if you need to retrieve items while in storage.
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection provides broader coverage than the standard liability in your contract. It typically costs 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on $50,000 worth of belongings.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a North Carolina 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 $754. 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 $875 - $1,661.
What are the best moving containers Durham 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 Durham 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 Durham:
- Athens Moving Experts (4.9/5), 9 years in business
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.7/5), 28 years in business
- Bellhop Moving (4.1/5), 15 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Durham, NC to Richmond, VA
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 150 miles from Durham, North Carolina, to Richmond, Virginia, running $159 - $374. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $46 - $53
- Daily insurance: $29/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $19
- Durham daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.59 - $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 Durham to Richmond based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $159 - $279
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $183 - $342
- 4+ bedrooms: $207 - $374
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Durham to Richmond starts at $159 - $374, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($46 - $53), overnight lodging ($146/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Equipment: Tow dollies, appliance dollies, and moving pads are not included in the base rate. These extras often total between $73 and $341.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $146.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $46 and $53 for the 150-mile drive, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: If you'd rather not do all the heavy lifting, budget around $682 for 2 movers in Durham, North Carolina, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Durham 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 Durham, NC to Richmond, VA
If you're moving a larger household from Durham, North Carolina, 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 $774 and $1,410.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Durham to Richmond:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $639 - $1,163
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $774 - $1,410
- 4+ bedrooms: $921 - $1,587
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 Durham, North Carolina, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $682.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $73 and $146 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Durham 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 Durham 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: Durham, NC vs Richmond, VA
Day-to-day costs in Richmond are close to what you're used to in Durham: cost of living index of 95 versus 99, with average rent of $1,595/mo compared to $1,699/mo. With an index gap that small, budgeting for this move mostly comes down to the moving costs above rather than a shift in your monthly expenses. For reference, walkability and safety scores are 30/100 and 45.28/100 in Durham versus 51/100 and 51.55/100 in Richmond.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Richmond, VA to Durham, NC guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from North Carolina to Virginia over the past 3 months, giving us some of the most up-to-date pricing data around. Running your move through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. There are 313 movers in our North Carolina network to compare for this 150-mile move.
Our take
For a move from Durham, NC, to Richmond, VA, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $638 for a studio to $4,479 for a 4+ bedroom home on the 150-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $754 - $2,131. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $159 - $374, though you'll be handling the driving and loading yourself. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with quotes starting around $1,126 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage included, and 24/7 live customer support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Brink's and CarMax.
FAQs: Moving from Durham, NC, to Richmond, VA
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($46 - $53), daily insurance ($29/day), and equipment rentals ($7 - $19) on top. Overnight stops can add another $146/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How walkable is Richmond?
Richmond has a walkability score of 51 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 51, compared to 30 and 38 in Durham. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
How much does it cost to move from Durham, NC to Richmond, VA?
Costs on this route range from around $159 to $4,479, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $638 and $4,479, 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 are some tips for saving money on a move from Durham, NC 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 do local movers charge in Durham?
Local movers based in Durham typically start around $240 as a base rate, plus $122/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.
What percentage of Durham movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 51% of movers in Durham handle piano moves, and 32% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.