($311+) Arlington, VA to Raleigh, NC Movers

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Background image of a moving truck moving from Arlington, VA to Raleigh, NC

Moving from Arlington, VA, to Raleigh, NC, runs anywhere from $324 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $6,190 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 275 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 1 to 4 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 $958, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $6,190 or more.
  • Moving containers run $919 - $2,817, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $324 - $819.
  • Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Arlington, VA, to Raleigh, NC. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $1,559 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.

Compare moving options from Arlington, VA to Raleigh, NC

Moving options from Arlington to Raleigh fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $1,559 - $4,316 on this route, with movers handling 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 275-mile route typically takes 1 to 4 days door to door.

Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 275-mile route from Arlington to Raleigh, broken down by home size:

Home size Full-service movers Moving container Rental truck Freight trailer
Studio / 1 bedroom $958 - $3,653 $919 - $1,651 $324 - $592 $803 - $1,472
2 - 3 bedrooms $1,559 - $4,316 $1,140 - $2,096 $355 - $673 $930 - $1,695
4+ bedrooms $2,264 - $6,190 $1,549 - $2,817 $406 - $819 $1,191 - $2,145

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 Arlington, VA to Raleigh, NC

Hiring full-service movers from Arlington, Virginia, to Raleigh, North Carolina, costs between $958 and $6,190. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 275-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $422 - $2,816, depending on the size of your home. Your final cost comes down to two things: the total weight of your shipment and the distance between Arlington and Raleigh. For a rough baseline, movers based in Arlington tend to start around $200 plus $110/hour per mover on local jobs, before long-distance pricing takes over for a move this size.

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

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $958 - $3,653
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,559 - $4,316
  • 4+ bedrooms: $2,264 - $6,190

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 Arlington to Raleigh.

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

Pro tip: Avoiding peak moving season dates (May - September) is one of the easiest ways to reduce costs. Off-season moves typically come with lower pricing and more room to negotiate since movers have fewer bookings.

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Specialty moving services from Arlington, VA to Raleigh, NC

Specialty needs vary by market — 94% of Arlington movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Raleigh, 86% of movers offer the same service.

Service When you need it Typical cost
Full packingFull crew packing100% of local movers$704 - $7,040
Storage in transitNew place not ready94% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: BoxStar Movers$282 - $1,690/mo
Shuttle feeTruck can't reach door$422 - $3,379
Full-value protectionMore than $0.60/lb coverage30% of local movers$300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value)
Small movesUnder ~2,000 lbs58% of local movers$1,408 - $4,224
Office / commercialWorkplace relocation$3,520 - $14,080
Car shippingSecond vehicle$1,055 - $2,004
Antiques & fine artFragile, high-value items56% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: BoxStar Movers$1,408 - $3,520
PianoAny piano type71% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: BoxStar Movers$1,126 - $4,928
Pool tableDisassembly & re-leveling39% of local movers$422 - $2,112
Hot tubHeavy, needs disconnect28% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: BoxStar Movers$915 - $2,816
Wine collectionClimate-controlled transport$422 - $21,120+
Pet relocationGround, air, or concierge$422 - $4,928+

What are the best full-service movers from Arlington to Raleigh?

If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in North Carolina Movers Association is a good first thing to confirm.

  1. Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving offers the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing locks in your cost upfront, and 24/7 customer support is available throughout the move.
  2. American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. Operating since 1995, AVL staffs every move with full-time in-house crews trained on antiques, art, and other high-value items.
  3. Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. As one of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, real-time shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan.

How much do local movers cost in Arlington, VA?

Based on recent quotes for this route, a 2-bedroom move from Arlington to Raleigh with a local mover averages $1,513 - $4,187. Shorter moves don't always call for a national van line, and local moving companies in Arlington, VA often offer competitive pricing on nearby routes. Smaller crews and regional focus translate to lower overhead and more scheduling flexibility.

Just make sure they're properly licensed for interstate moves and equipped to handle the full distance.

495 Movers, Inc (4.84/5 stars) is our preferred moving company in Arlington, based on our analysis of feedback from 410 customers, 83.7% of which is positive.

Address: 640 Lofstrand Ln, Rockville, MD, 20850 | Founded: 2009

Moving container costs from Arlington, VA to Raleigh, NC

Moving containers from Arlington, Virginia, to Raleigh, North Carolina, cost between $919 and $2,817. 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 Arlington typically costs about $100/month.

Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Arlington to Raleigh:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $919 - $1,651
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,140 - $2,096
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,549 - $2,817

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 $986 in Arlington, VA. 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 $106 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $211 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 Raleigh, NC, destination before booking.

Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Virginia to North Carolina 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 $919. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,140 - $2,096, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.

What are the best moving containers Arlington to Raleigh?

  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 Arlington 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 Arlington:

  • BoxStar Movers (5.0/5), 5 years in business
  • Zip Moving And Storage, Inc. (4.9/5), 10 years in business
  • My Pro Movers (5.0/5), 9 years in business

Moving truck rental costs from Arlington, VA to Raleigh, NC

Renting a moving truck for the 275-mile move from Arlington, Virginia, to Raleigh, North Carolina, costs between $324 and $819, before these typical add-ons:

  • Fuel for the drive: $123 - $141
  • Daily insurance: $42/day
  • Equipment rentals: $10 - $28
  • Arlington daily rental rate: $19 - $39
  • Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.99 - $1.19
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 Arlington to Raleigh based on home size:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $324 - $592
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $355 - $673
  • 4+ bedrooms: $406 - $819

Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Arlington to Raleigh starts at $324 - $819, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($123 - $141) , overnight lodging ($211/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for an additional $600 - $1,200 on top of your base rate to cover those costs.

What other costs come with rental trucks?

  • Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
  • Lodging: Budget around $211 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 Arlington, Virginia, usually costs about $986 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
  • Gas: Fuel for the 275-mile drive falls between $123 and $141, 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 $70 and $422 to your total.

What are the best moving truck rentals from Arlington to Raleigh?

  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 Arlington, VA to Raleigh, NC

Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from Arlington, Virginia, to Raleigh, North Carolina. Standard trailers run 28 feet long, and you're only charged for the portion you actually fill. The carrier drops the trailer off, you load it at your own pace, and they handle the drive to your new city.

Pricing is based entirely on the linear footage your shipment occupies, not the full trailer length. Most long-distance freight moves land somewhere between $1,267 and $1,695.

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

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $803 - $1,472
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $930 - $1,695
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,191 - $2,145

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?

  • 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 $106 - $211 more per foot.
  • Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Arlington, Virginia, for about five hours typically runs $986.

What are the best freight companies from Arlington to Raleigh?

  1. MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is our pick for best for large moves. The company is best known as a top moving container option for its hybrid model where you load and they drive, and that same model translates well to freight thanks to their 53-foot trucks and pay-by-the-foot pricing.
  2. U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Beyond their flagship container service, U-Pack also runs freight trailers with the same no-deposit, no-upfront-fee model, charging only for the linear footage you actually fill.
  3. Terminal Transportation Services (4.7/5 stars): Terminal Transportation Services is our pick for best locally owned freight company. Their locally owned and operated facilities mean you work with support staff who know the route and the area, giving you more responsive scheduling than national-only carriers typically offer.

Pro tip: One of the biggest advantages of freight trailers is speed. For an interstate move, freight delivery is one of the fastest options you have short of driving a rental truck yourself. It's a smart choice when your timeline is firm and you'll be ready to receive your shipment. If there's any chance your new place won't be ready or you need a few weeks of storage, a moving container with built-in storage may serve you better.

Cost of living: Arlington, VA vs Raleigh, NC

The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Raleigh, side by side with Arlington on housing, income, and taxes.

Measure Arlington, VA Raleigh, NC
Cost of living index164106
Average rent$2,718/mo$1,670/mo
Median home value$866,334$378,862
Average income$140,160/yr$82,424/yr
Unemployment rate4.0%4.3%
State income taxUp to 5.75%Up to 4.5%
Walkability score71/10031/100
Safety index79.15/10060.13/100
Air qualityGoodModerate

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 Raleigh, NC to Arlington, VA guide.

Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:

Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Virginia to North Carolina, 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. Virginia alone has 104 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 275-mile move like this one.

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Our take

How you handle your interstate move from Arlington, VA, to Raleigh, NC, 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 $958 - $6,190 on the 275-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $919 - $2,817 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $324 - $819 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $1,559 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and 24/7 live support.

Beyond the move itself, people who've relocated to Raleigh tend to point to exceptional beauty and ample economic opportunity, though high cost of living and quiet nightlife come up as common complaints. Major employers in the area include State of North Carolina and WakeMed.

FAQs: Moving from Arlington, VA, to Raleigh, NC

What do local movers charge in Arlington?

Local movers based in Arlington typically start around $200 as a base rate, plus $110/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 Raleigh 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 3 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.

How much does it cost to move from Arlington, VA to Raleigh, NC?

Costs on this route range from around $958 to $6,190, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $958 and $6,190, 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 is the cheapest way to move from Arlington, VA to Raleigh, NC?

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 $355 - $673. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.

What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?

The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($123 - $141), daily insurance ($42/day), and equipment rentals ($10 - $28) on top. Overnight stops can add another $211/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.

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

About 71% of movers in Arlington handle piano moves, and 56% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.