($1,501+) Irvine, CA to Chesapeake, VA Movers
The cost to move from Irvine, CA to Chesapeake, VA ranges from $1,342 to $11,598, with an average cost of $4,500. Moves can be as low as $1,501 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 2,717 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.
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Compare moving options from Irvine, CA to Chesapeake, VA
Moving options from Irvine to Chesapeake fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,342 - $11,598 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $4,500, and movers handle all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 36% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 59% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This particular route covers 2,717 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 2,717-mile route from Irvine to Chesapeake, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,342 - $6,083 | $1,780 - $3,715 | $1,472 - $2,851 | $1,754 - $3,343 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $3,861 - $7,872 | $2,479 - $5,324 | $1,577 - $3,395 | $1,866 - $4,097 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $7,337 - $11,598 | $3,451 - $6,841 | $2,136 - $4,125 | $2,760 - $5,694 |
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 Irvine, CA to Chesapeake, VA
For the 2,717-mile move from Irvine, California, to Chesapeake, Virginia, full-service movers cost between $1,342 and $11,598. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $422 - $2,812 (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 Irvine generally start around $197 plus $75 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Irvine to Chesapeake:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,342 - $6,083
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,861 - $7,872
- 4+ bedrooms: $7,337 - $11,598
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 Irvine to Chesapeake.
Pro tip: The summer months (May - September) are the busiest time of year for movers during peak moving season, which drives up prices and limits scheduling options. If you can move in the fall or winter, you'll likely find better rates and more flexibility.
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Specialty moving services from Irvine, CA to Chesapeake, VA
Specialty needs vary by market: 56% of Irvine movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Chesapeake, 63% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing77% of local movers | $703 - $7,030 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready56% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: NorthStar Moving Company | $281 - $1,687/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $422 - $3,374 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage12% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs53% of local movers | $1,406 - $4,218 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,515 - $14,060 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,053 - $2,001 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items29% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: NorthStar Moving Company | $1,406 - $3,515 |
| Piano | Any piano type38% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: NorthStar Moving Company | $1,125 - $4,921 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling10% of local movers | $422 - $2,109 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect5% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Silicon Valley Moving and Storage (CA) | $914 - $2,812 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $422 - $21,090+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $422 - $4,921+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Irvine to Chesapeake?
Virginia Movers & Warehousemen’s Association membership is a quick way to confirm a mover is legitimate in Virginia, on top of the picks below.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 full-service movers are almost always better priced than local movers in Irvine, CA. Local companies typically run 30% - 40% more at longer distances because they aren't set up to consolidate shipments the way national carriers do. The one case where a local mover might be worth the premium is if you want a dedicated direct-route truck, which averages a 2-day delivery time, but expect to pay more for that convenience.
Moving container costs from Irvine, CA to Chesapeake, VA
Moving containers from Irvine, California, to Chesapeake, Virginia, cost between $1,780 and $6,841. 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 Irvine typically costs about $110/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Irvine to Chesapeake:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,780 - $3,715
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,479 - $5,324
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,451 - $6,841
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $105 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $211 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 $984 in Irvine, CA. 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 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 $1,780. 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 $2,479 - $5,324.
What are the best moving containers Irvine 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 Irvine 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 Irvine:
- Meathead Movers (4.7/5), 24 years in business
- Best Fit Movers (4.8/5), 8 years in business
- Maison Moving (4.6/5), 18 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Irvine, CA to Chesapeake, VA
A rental truck for this 2,717-mile move from Irvine, California, to Chesapeake, Virginia, costs between $1,472 and $4,125. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $1,215 - $1,389
- Daily insurance: $42/day
- Equipment rentals: $10 - $28
- Irvine daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.79 - $1.09
| 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 Irvine to Chesapeake based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,472 - $2,851
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,577 - $3,395
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,136 - $4,125
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $1,472 - $4,125 when pricing out a rental truck from Irvine to Chesapeake. Fuel alone runs $1,215 - $1,389, and overnight lodging ($211/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend roughly $600 - $1,200 more on meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging by the time the move is done.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $211 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 $91 and $457 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $1,215 - $1,389 in fuel for the 2,717-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $984 in Irvine, California, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Irvine 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 Irvine, CA to Chesapeake, VA
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Irvine, California, to Chesapeake, 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. Pricing for a 2 - 3 bedroom move of this distance typically lands between $1,866 and $4,097.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Irvine to Chesapeake:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,754 - $3,343
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,866 - $4,097
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,760 - $5,694
Pro tip: Freight pricing rewards efficient packing. Trailers are 8 feet tall and accessed via a 4-foot ramp, so technique matters, especially for heavy pieces. Since each additional linear foot adds to your quote, packing strategically is one of the easiest ways to control costs.
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 $105 - $211 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Irvine, California, for about five hours typically runs $984.
What are the best freight companies from Irvine to Chesapeake?
- 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.
- 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.
Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from Irvine to Chesapeake, 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: Irvine, CA 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 Irvine on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Irvine, CA | Chesapeake, VA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 165 | 104 |
| Average rent | $4,000/mo | $1,800/mo |
| Median home value | $1,113,305 | $359,218 |
| Average income | $129,647/yr | $94,189/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 5.4% | 5.0% |
| State income tax | Up to 13.3% | Up to 5.75% |
| Walkability score | 43/100 | 21/100 |
| Safety index | 68.99/100 | 70.88/100 |
| 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 Chesapeake, VA to Irvine, CA guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from California 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. California alone has 1,154 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 2,717-mile move like this one.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from Irvine, CA, 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 $1,342 - $11,598 on the 2,717-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,780 - $6,841 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $1,472 - $4,125 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $3,861 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 Irvine, CA, to Chesapeake, VA
How long does a move from Irvine, CA to Chesapeake, VA take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 7 to 21 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are often one of the faster options outside of driving yourself, 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 is the best time of year to move from Irvine, CA 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 are some tips for saving money on a move from Irvine, CA to Chesapeake, 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.
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 68.99 and 31.01 in Irvine. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
How walkable is Chesapeake?
Chesapeake has a walkability score of 21 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 35, compared to 43 and 69 in Irvine. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
What percentage of Irvine movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 38% of movers in Irvine handle piano moves, and 29% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.