($486+) Ann Arbor, MI to Richmond, VA Movers
Moving from Ann Arbor, MI, to Richmond, VA, runs anywhere from $495 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,507 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 622 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 1 to 6 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 $1,546, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $8,507 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,081 - $3,283, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $495 - $1,236.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Ann Arbor, MI, to Richmond, VA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,262 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 Ann Arbor, MI to Richmond, VA
Moving options from Ann Arbor to Richmond fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $2,262 - $6,096 for a 2-3 bedroom home and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers cost about 30% less than full-service for the same size, and rental trucks land around 60% less, with both DIY options requiring you to load yourself. Covering 622 miles, this route usually takes 1 to 6 days from pickup to delivery.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 622-mile route from Ann Arbor to Richmond, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,546 - $4,588 | $1,081 - $1,967 | $495 - $916 | $898 - $1,619 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,262 - $6,096 | $1,319 - $2,462 | $509 - $1,066 | $1,098 - $2,178 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,268 - $8,507 | $1,707 - $3,283 | $655 - $1,236 | $1,366 - $2,573 |
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Ann Arbor, MI to Richmond, VA
For the 622-mile move from Ann Arbor, Michigan, to Richmond, Virginia, full-service movers cost between $1,546 and $8,507. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $305 - $2,032 (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 Ann Arbor generally start around $304 plus $100 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Ann Arbor to Richmond:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,546 - $4,588
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,262 - $6,096
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,268 - $8,507
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 Ann Arbor to Richmond.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Michigan to Virginia. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: Peak moving season (May - September) limits truck availability and pushes up full-service moving costs. Booking during slower months can give you more scheduling room and a lower final price.
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Specialty moving services from Ann Arbor, MI to Richmond, VA
Specialty needs vary by market — 88% of Ann Arbor 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 packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $508 - $5,080 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready88% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Handle With Care Moving | $203 - $1,219/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $305 - $2,438 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage6% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs55% of local movers | $1,016 - $3,048 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,540 - $10,160 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $761 - $1,446 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items21% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Bos Moving & Services, Inc. | $1,016 - $2,540 |
| Piano | Any piano type61% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $813 - $3,556 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling12% of local movers | $305 - $1,524 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect9% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Extra Mile Moving | $660 - $2,032 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $305 - $15,240+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $305 - $3,556+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Ann Arbor to Richmond?
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.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in Ann Arbor, MI. 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 Ann Arbor, MI to Richmond, VA
Moving containers from Ann Arbor, Michigan, to Richmond, Virginia, cost between $1,081 and $3,283. 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 Ann Arbor adds around $75/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Ann Arbor to Richmond:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,081 - $1,967
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,319 - $2,462
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,707 - $3,283
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 Ann Arbor, MI, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $711, 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 $76 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $152 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Ann Arbor, MI, 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 Michigan 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 $1,081. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,319 - $2,462, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Ann Arbor 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 Ann Arbor 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 Ann Arbor:
- Handle With Care Moving (4.8/5), 33 years in business
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.7/5), 22 years in business
- Men on the Move (4.7/5), 31 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Ann Arbor, MI to Richmond, VA
A rental truck for this 622-mile move from Ann Arbor, Michigan, to Richmond, Virginia, costs between $495 and $1,236. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $201 - $230
- Daily insurance: $30/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $20
- Ann Arbor daily rental rate: $19 - $29
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.99
| 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 Ann Arbor to Richmond based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $495 - $916
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $509 - $1,066
- 4+ bedrooms: $655 - $1,236
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $495 - $1,236 when pricing out a rental truck from Ann Arbor to Richmond. Fuel alone runs ($201 - $230) , and overnight lodging ($152/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend an additional $600 - $1,200 beyond the base rate by the time the move is done.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Gas: Fuel adds $201 - $230 for the 622-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 Ann Arbor, Michigan, for about 5 hours typically costs around $711.
- Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
- Lodging: The 622-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $152 per night, adding $305 - $457 in hotel costs total.
- Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $51 and $305.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Ann Arbor 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 Ann Arbor, MI to Richmond, VA
Freight trailers are a good fit for medium-to-large moves where you need more space than a container but don't want to drive a rental truck from Ann Arbor, Michigan, to Richmond, Virginia. The trailer is delivered to your address, you load it, and the carrier takes it the rest of the way.
Unlike truck rentals with flat rates, freight trailers scale with your shipment. Every additional section of trailer space you fill increases your total. Most long-distance moves using this method run roughly between $1,098 and $2,178.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Ann Arbor to Richmond:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $898 - $1,619
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,098 - $2,178
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,366 - $2,573
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?
- 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 $76 and $152.
- 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 Ann Arbor, Michigan, for roughly five hours typically average $711.
What are the best freight companies from Ann Arbor to Richmond?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the best for large moves pick. While it's a top moving container option for the DIY hybrid setup (you handle the loading, they handle the driving), the same approach makes it a strong freight choice for 3 to 5+ bedroom homes that need 53 feet of trailer capacity with pay-as-you-go pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer here. In addition to their popular container service, U-Pack delivers a top-tier freight trailer option that uses the same pay-by-the-foot pricing model and skips deposits and upfront fees entirely.
- XPO Logistics Freight, Inc. (4.66/5 stars): XPO Logistics Freight, Inc. is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Local ownership translates to accessible support staff and facilities based in the communities they serve, giving customers more direct communication than they'd typically get from a national-only freight network.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in Richmond 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: Ann Arbor, MI vs Richmond, VA
Day-to-day costs in Richmond are close to what you're used to in Ann Arbor: cost of living index of 95 versus 106, with average rent of $1,595/mo compared to $2,260/mo. Housing, income, and taxes are all in a similar range, so budgeting for this move mostly comes down to the moving costs above rather than a shift in your monthly expenses. Walkability and safety scores are close too, at 52/100 and 79.18/100 in Ann Arbor versus 51/100 and 51.55/100 in Richmond.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Richmond, VA to Ann Arbor, MI guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from Michigan 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 84 movers in our Michigan network to compare for this 622-mile move.
Our take
For a move from Ann Arbor, MI, to Richmond, VA, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $1,546 for a studio to $8,507 for a 4 - 5 bedroom home on the 622-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,081 - $3,283. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $495 - $1,236, 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 $2,262 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 Ann Arbor, MI, to Richmond, VA
How walkable is Richmond?
Richmond has a walkability score of 51 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 51, compared to 52 and 71 in Ann Arbor. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($201 - $230), daily insurance ($30/day), and equipment rentals ($7 - $20) on top. Overnight stops can add another $152/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
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 is the best time of year to move from Ann Arbor, MI 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.
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.
What percentage of Ann Arbor movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 61% of movers in Ann Arbor handle piano moves, and 21% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
