($308+) Philadelphia, PA to Richmond, VA Movers

Full-service moving costs from Philadelphia, PA to Richmond, VA

For the 253-mile move from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Richmond, Virginia, full-service movers cost between $952 and $5,987. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $301 - $2,008 (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 Philadelphia generally start around $282 plus $130 per hour, per mover.

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

• Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $952 - $3,746
• 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,508 - $4,680
• 4+ bedrooms: $2,014 - $5,987

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 Philadelphia to Richmond.

Specialty moving services from Philadelphia, PA to Richmond, VA

Specialty needs vary by market — 90% of Philadelphia movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Richmond, 89% of movers offer the same service.

What are the best full-service movers from Philadelphia to Richmond?

All three below meet the standards set by the Virginia Movers & Warehousemen’s Association, the group most Virginia movers are affiliated with.

1. Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list, with flat-rate pricing that holds firm on moving day and a customer support team available around the clock.
2. American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here. With 30+ years of interstate moves behind them, AVL uses full-time in-house crews instead of the contracted labor most national carriers rely on.
3. Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, with fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan available on every long-distance move.

How much do local movers cost in Philadelphia, PA?

Based on recent quotes for this route, a 2-bedroom move from Philadelphia to Richmond with a local mover averages $1,538 - $4,773. For moves under 500 miles, local moving companies in Philadelphia, PA can be a practical and cost-effective alternative to national carriers. Many price shorter moves using hourly or regional rates that may come in lower overall, with leaner operations and tighter service areas often translating to more flexible scheduling and a more personalized experience.

Keep in mind that not every local mover is authorized for moves that cross city or state lines. Always confirm interstate licensing and proper insurance before booking.

Moving container costs from Philadelphia, PA to Richmond, VA

Moving containers from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Richmond, Virginia, cost between $871 and $2,635. The container gets dropped at your door and you load it at your own pace. U-Haul gives you 3 days to load and PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're done, the company handles all the transportation. If you need extra time, storage in Philadelphia runs about $80/month.

Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Philadelphia to Richmond:

• Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $871 - $1,550
• 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,158 - $2,085
• 4+ bedrooms: $1,527 - $2,635

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 Philadelphia, PA, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $703, 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 $75 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $151 per month.
• Access: Most major container companies serve both Philadelphia, PA, 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.

What are the best moving containers Philadelphia to Richmond?

1. Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
2. U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
3. MovingYourself (5.0/5 stars)

Moving truck rental costs from Philadelphia, PA to Richmond, VA

Plan on $292 - $743 for a rental moving truck on the 253-mile route from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Richmond, Virginia. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:

• Fuel for the drive: $81 - $92
• Daily insurance: $30/day
• Equipment rentals: $7 - $20
• Philadelphia daily rental rate: $19 - $39
• Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.89 - $0.99

These are typical moving truck rental costs from Philadelphia to Richmond based on home size:

• Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $292 - $577
• 2 - 3 bedrooms: $323 - $683
• 4+ bedrooms: $396 - $743

What other costs come with rental trucks?

• Gas: Fuel adds $81 - $92 for the 253-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 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for about 5 hours typically costs around $703.
• Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
• Lodging: The 253-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $151 per night, adding $301 - $452 in hotel costs total.
• Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $50 and $301.

What are the best moving truck rentals from Philadelphia to Richmond?

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 Philadelphia, PA to Richmond, VA

Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Richmond, 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. Overall pricing for a move of this size and distance typically lands around $918 and $1,736.

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

• Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $785 - $1,464
• 2 - 3 bedrooms: $918 - $1,736
• 4+ bedrooms: $1,198 - $2,065

What other costs come with freight trailers?

• Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $703.
• More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $75 - $151 per additional foot to your total.
• Time of year: Rates tend to climb during peak moving season (mid-May through mid-September) when trailer demand is at its highest.

What are the best freight companies from Philadelphia to Richmond?

1. MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Primarily known as a top moving container option for its DIY hybrid model where customers load and the company drives, MovingYourself also functions as a strong freight option thanks to its 53-foot trucks and pay-only-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
2. U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. Best known for its container service, U-Pack also runs a top-notch freight trailer operation with the same no-deposit, pay-by-the-foot approach that keeps overall costs lower than most freight competitors.
3. Pipco Transportation, Inc. (4.66/5 stars): Pipco Transportation, Inc. is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned facilities and accessible live support staff make scheduling and route coordination easier on local-area routes than what most national freight providers can offer.

Cost of living: Philadelphia, PA vs Richmond, VA

Good news for your budget: Richmond isn't meaningfully more or less expensive to live in than Philadelphia. Cost of living index runs 95 there against 104 here, and rent, income, and tax rates all fall in a comparable band. Focus your planning on the move itself rather than a change in monthly expenses. Walkability and safety scores land in a similar range too - 75/100 and 33.91/100 here versus 51/100 and 51.55/100 there.