($228+) Washington DC, MD to Virginia Beach, VA Movers
Moving from Washington DC, MD, to Virginia Beach, VA, runs anywhere from $228 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $5,096 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 208 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 $838, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $5,096 or more.
- Moving containers run $747 - $2,336, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $228 - $531.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Washington DC, MD, to Virginia Beach, VA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $1,280 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
Compare moving options from Washington DC, MD to Virginia Beach, VA
Moving options from Washington DC to Virginia Beach fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $1,280 - $3,768 for a 2-3 bedroom home and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers cost about 19% less than full-service for the same size, and rental trucks land around 81% less, with both DIY options requiring you to load yourself. Covering 208 miles, this route usually takes 1 to 2 days from pickup to delivery.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 208-mile route from Washington DC to Virginia Beach, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $838 - $3,223 | $747 - $1,338 | $228 - $409 | $728 - $1,179 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $1,280 - $3,768 | $1,041 - $1,795 | $247 - $470 | $778 - $1,421 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $1,867 - $5,096 | $1,325 - $2,336 | $293 - $531 | $1,091 - $1,887 |
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 Washington DC, MD to Virginia Beach, VA
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 208-mile move from Washington DC, Maryland, to Virginia Beach, Virginia, with prices running from $838 - $5,096. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $398 - $2,652 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between Washington DC and Virginia Beach are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, Washington DC movers tend to run around $180 as a base rate plus $85/hour per mover, for comparison.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Washington DC to Virginia Beach:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $838 - $3,223
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,280 - $3,768
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,867 - $5,096
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 Washington DC to Virginia Beach.
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 Washington DC, MD to Virginia Beach, VA
Specialty needs vary by market: 70% of Washington DC movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Virginia Beach, 62% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing80% of local movers | $663 - $6,630 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready70% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: 495 Movers, Inc | $265 - $1,591/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $398 - $3,182 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage13% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs55% of local movers | $1,326 - $3,978 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,315 - $13,260 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $993 - $1,887 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items34% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: 495 Movers, Inc | $1,326 - $3,315 |
| Piano | Any piano type42% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: 495 Movers, Inc | $1,061 - $4,641 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling9% of local movers | $398 - $1,989 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect8% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Olympia Moving & Storage | $862 - $2,652 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $398 - $19,890+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $398 - $4,641+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Washington DC to Virginia Beach?
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.
How much do local movers cost in Washington DC, MD?
Based on recent quotes for this route, a 2-bedroom move from Washington DC to Virginia Beach with a local mover averages $1,268 - $3,731. Working with a local mover based in Washington DC, MD often costs less than hiring a national carrier on routes under 500 miles. Shorter routes come with lower fuel overhead and simpler logistics, and local movers can offer more direct communication and quicker booking windows.
The tradeoff is that smaller companies may lack the infrastructure for longer hauls. Verify proper interstate licensing and relevant experience before signing anything.
495 Movers, Inc (4.84/5 stars) is the top overall local mover in Washington DC, ranked #1 in Maryland, based on our analysis of feedback from 1,128 customers, 89.5% of which is positive.
Address: 640 Lofstrand Ln, Rockville, MD, 20850 | Founded: 2009
Moving container costs from Washington DC, MD to Virginia Beach, VA
Moving containers from Washington DC, Maryland, to Virginia Beach, Virginia, cost between $747 and $2,336. 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 Washington DC typically costs about $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Washington DC to Virginia Beach:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $747 - $1,338
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,041 - $1,795
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,325 - $2,336
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 Washington DC, MD, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $928, 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 $99 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $199 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Washington DC, MD, and Virginia Beach, 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 Maryland 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 $747. 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 $1,041 - $1,795.
What are the best moving containers Washington DC to Virginia Beach?
- 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 Washington DC 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 Washington DC:
- Straightline Movers Inc. (4.9/5), 7 years in business
- Zip Moving And Storage, Inc. (4.9/5), 11 years in business
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.9/5), 0 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Washington DC, MD to Virginia Beach, VA
Renting a moving truck for the 208-mile move from Washington DC, Maryland, to Virginia Beach, Virginia, costs between $228 and $531, before these typical add-ons:
- Fuel for the drive: $88 - $100
- Daily insurance: $40/day
- Equipment rentals: $9 - $27
- Washington DC daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.99 - $1.19
| 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 Washington DC to Virginia Beach based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $228 - $409
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $247 - $470
- 4+ bedrooms: $293 - $531
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $228 - $531 when pricing out a rental truck from Washington DC to Virginia Beach. Fuel alone runs $88 - $100, and overnight lodging ($199/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Gas: Fuel adds $88 - $100 for the 208-mile drive, depending on whether your rental truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: You'll handle the heavy lifting unless you bring in help. Two movers in Washington DC, Maryland, for about 5 hours typically costs around $928.
- Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
- Lodging: The 208-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $199 per night, adding $398 - $597 in hotel costs total.
- Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $66 and $398.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Washington DC to Virginia Beach?
- 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 Washington DC, MD to Virginia Beach, VA
If you're moving a larger household from Washington DC, Maryland, 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 Virginia Beach, 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 $778 and $1,421.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Washington DC to Virginia Beach:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $728 - $1,179
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $778 - $1,421
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,091 - $1,887
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?
- More space: Freight pricing is based on exactly how much of the trailer you fill. If your items take up more than expected, the added footage can increase your cost by between $99 and $199.
- Peak season impact: Moving during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) often means higher trailer rates as demand increases across the board.
- Moving labor: Unless you plan to load everything yourself, factor in labor costs. Two movers in Washington DC, Maryland, for roughly five hours typically average $928.
What are the best freight companies from Washington DC to Virginia Beach?
- 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: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in Virginia Beach 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: Washington DC, MD vs Virginia Beach, VA
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Virginia Beach, side by side with Washington DC on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Washington DC, MD | Virginia Beach, VA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 151 | 105 |
| Average rent | $2,400/mo | $1,950/mo |
| Median home value | $594,337 | $366,324 |
| Average income | $101,027/yr | $90,685/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 7.0% | 4.8% |
| State income tax | Up to 5.75% | Up to 5.75% |
| Walkability score | 77/100 | 33/100 |
| Safety index | 39.63/100 | 58.0/100 |
| Air quality | Good | 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 Virginia Beach, VA to Washington DC, MD guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Maryland to Virginia in the past 3 months alone, keeping our pricing data current. Run your numbers through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. For context, we track 220 movers based in Maryland, handy for sizing up options on this 208-mile route.
Our take
For a move from Washington DC, MD, to Virginia Beach, VA, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $838 for a studio to $5,096 for a 4+ bedroom home on the 208-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $747 - $2,336. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $228 - $531, 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 $1,280 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 Stihl and Navy Exchange.
FAQs: Moving from Washington DC, MD, to Virginia Beach, VA
How walkable is Virginia Beach?
Virginia Beach has a walkability score of 33 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 42, compared to 77 and 70 in Washington DC. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
What are the best neighborhoods in Virginia Beach?
For families, Great Neck, Red Mill, and Kempsville are worth a look in Virginia Beach. If you're moving solo or without kids, Hilltop, Alanton, and Great Neck tend to be popular picks instead.
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 do local movers charge in Washington DC?
Local movers based in Washington DC typically start around $180 as a base rate, plus $85/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 Virginia Beach run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
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 percentage of Washington DC movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 42% of movers in Washington DC handle piano moves, and 34% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.