($193+) Raleigh, NC to Richmond, VA Movers
Moving from Raleigh, NC, to Richmond, VA, runs anywhere from $193 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $4,496 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 170 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 $718, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $4,496 or more.
- Moving containers run $708 - $2,266, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $193 - $428.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Raleigh, NC, to Richmond, VA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $1,231 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 Raleigh, NC to Richmond, VA
There are 3 main ways to move from Raleigh 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 $1,231 - $3,636. Moving containers run about 21% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 83% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 1 to 2 days for this 170-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 170-mile route from Raleigh to Richmond, broken down by home size:
- A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $718 - $2,742 with full-service movers, $708 - $1,221 with a container, $193 - $342 with a rental truck, or $704 - $1,145 by freight.
- A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $1,231 - $3,636 full-service, $969 - $1,775 by container, $211 - $399 by rental truck, or $767 - $1,462 by freight.
- A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $1,714 - $4,496 full-service, $1,301 - $2,266 by container, $233 - $428 by rental truck, or $1,021 - $1,743 by freight.
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 Raleigh, NC to Richmond, VA
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 170-mile move from Raleigh, North Carolina, to Richmond, Virginia, with costs ranging from $718 - $4,496. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $305 - $2,032. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Raleigh and Richmond. Local movers in Raleigh typically start around $226 as a base rate plus $93/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Raleigh to Richmond:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $718 - $2,742
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,231 - $3,636
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,714 - $4,496
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 Raleigh to Richmond.
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 Raleigh, NC to Richmond, VA
Specialty needs vary by market: 60% of Raleigh 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 packing73% of local movers | $508 - $5,080 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready60% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Miracle Movers | $203 - $1,219/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $305 - $2,438 |
| 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 | $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 items32% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Little Guys Movers | $1,016 - $2,540 |
| Piano | Any piano type52% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Miracle Movers | $813 - $3,556 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling10% of local movers | $305 - $1,524 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect4% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Athens Moving Experts | $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 Raleigh to Richmond?
If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in Virginia Movers & Warehousemen’s Association is a good first thing to confirm.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Raleigh, NC?
Based on recent quotes for this route, a 2-bedroom move from Raleigh to Richmond with a local mover averages $1,207 - $3,564. Working with a local mover based in Raleigh, NC 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.
Flex Moving & Storage (4.36/5 stars) is our preferred moving company in Raleigh, 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 Raleigh, NC to Richmond, VA
Moving containers from Raleigh, North Carolina, to Richmond, Virginia, cost between $708 and $2,266. You load everything on your own schedule (U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30). When you're ready, the company takes care of getting the container from point A to point B. Need more time than that? Extra storage in Raleigh typically runs around $80/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Raleigh to Richmond:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $708 - $1,221
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $969 - $1,775
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,301 - $2,266
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $76 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $152 per month for larger units (12 - 16 feet).
- Moving labor: Containers don't come with loading help, so many customers hire hourly movers for the job. Two movers for about 5 hours will run you around $711 in Raleigh, NC, per moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Standard coverage only reimburses by weight. Full-value protection gives you more complete coverage for higher-value items and typically costs 1% - 2% of your total declared value, around $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 shipment.
- Access: National providers generally operate in both cities, but verify that a facility near your Richmond, VA, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
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 $708. 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 $969 - $1,775.
What are the best moving containers Raleigh 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 Raleigh 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 Raleigh:
- Little Guys Movers (4.9/5), 33 years in business
- Athens Moving Experts (4.9/5), 9 years in business
- Miracle Movers (4.7/5), 20 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Raleigh, NC to Richmond, VA
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 170 miles from Raleigh, North Carolina, to Richmond, Virginia, running $193 - $428. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $55 - $63
- Daily insurance: $30/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $20
- Raleigh daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.59 - $0.79
| 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 Raleigh to Richmond based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $193 - $342
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $211 - $399
- 4+ bedrooms: $233 - $428
Pro tip: The base rate of $193 - $428 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Raleigh to Richmond. Fuel ($55 - $63), lodging at around $152/night, meals, and equipment rentals are all on top of that.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Gas: Fuel adds $55 - $63 for the 170-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 Raleigh, North Carolina, for about 5 hours typically costs around $711.
- Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
- Lodging: The 170-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 Raleigh 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 Raleigh, NC 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 Raleigh, North Carolina, 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. A 2 - 3 bedroom long-distance move using this method runs roughly between $767 and $1,462.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Raleigh to Richmond:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $704 - $1,145
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $767 - $1,462
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,021 - $1,743
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 Raleigh, North Carolina, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $711.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $76 and $152 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Raleigh to Richmond?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the pick for best for large moves. The company is well-regarded as a top moving container option for its load-it-yourself, we-drive-it model, and that same model makes it a strong freight option for larger homes that benefit from the company's 53-foot trucks and footage-based pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Alongside their flagship container service, U-Pack provides a top-notch freight trailer option that follows the same model: no deposits, no upfront fees, and pricing based on the linear footage you actually use.
Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from Raleigh 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: Raleigh, NC vs Richmond, VA
Raleigh and Richmond land in a similar range on everyday costs. The cost of living index sits at 106 in Raleigh and 95 in Richmond, and average rent is $1,670/mo vs. $1,595/mo. With an index gap that small, you likely won't need to rework your monthly budget much after this move. For reference, walkability is 31 vs 51 and safety scores are 60.13 vs 51.55.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Richmond, VA to Raleigh, NC guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from North Carolina to Virginia, so our pricing data reflects what movers are actually charging right now. Check our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers, the best way to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and bad actors. We track 313 movers in North Carolina, so you have real options to compare for this 170-mile move.
Our take
The 170-mile move from Raleigh, NC, to Richmond, VA, costs between $718 and $4,496 with full-service movers, $708 - $2,266 with a moving container, and $193 - $428 for a rental truck. Your budget and how much heavy lifting you want to do are the two biggest factors in choosing the right option. If you go with full-service movers, Safeway Moving is our top recommendation, with transparent flat-rate pricing starting around $1,231 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage, and 24/7 customer support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Brink's and CarMax.
FAQs: Moving from Raleigh, NC, to Richmond, VA
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 Raleigh, NC 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 4 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
Is Richmond a safe place to live?
Richmond has a safety index of 51.55 out of 100 and a crime index of 48.45, compared to 60.13 and 38.87 in Raleigh. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What is the cheapest way to move from Raleigh, NC to Richmond, VA?
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 $211 - $399. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What percentage of Raleigh movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 52% of movers in Raleigh handle piano moves, and 32% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.