($1,046+) McAllen, TX to Norfolk, VA Movers
Moving from McAllen, TX, to Norfolk, VA, runs anywhere from $1,015 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $10,263 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,703 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 4 to 15 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 $2,285, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $10,263 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,520 - $5,216, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,015 - $2,898.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from McAllen, TX, to Norfolk, VA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,253 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 McAllen, TX to Norfolk, VA
There are 3 main ways to move from McAllen to Norfolk: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service is the most expensive but covers everything from labor to transportation, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route averaging $3,253 - $7,472. Containers cost roughly 30% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 60% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 1,703 miles, expect 4 to 15 days in transit no matter which service you choose.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,703-mile route from McAllen to Norfolk, broken down by home size:
Home size makes the biggest difference in what you'll pay on this route. A studio or 1-bedroom runs $2,285 - $5,471 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($1,520 - $2,866), rental truck ($1,015 - $2,012), or freight trailer ($1,438 - $2,632). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $3,253 - $7,472 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $10,263.
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 McAllen, TX to Norfolk, VA
For the 1,703-mile move from McAllen, Texas, to Norfolk, Virginia, full-service movers cost between $2,285 and $10,263. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $246 - $1,640 (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 McAllen generally start around $160 plus $80 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from McAllen to Norfolk:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,285 - $5,471
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,253 - $7,472
- 4+ bedrooms: $5,911 - $10,263
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 McAllen to Norfolk.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Texas to Virginia. 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 McAllen, TX to Norfolk, VA
Specialty needs vary by market — 57% of McAllen movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Norfolk, 100% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing71% of local movers | $410 - $4,100 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready57% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Jones Moving & Storage Co., Inc. | $164 - $984/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $246 - $1,968 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs43% of local movers | $820 - $2,460 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,050 - $8,200 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $614 - $1,167 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items29% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Rick's Moving & Storage LLC | $820 - $2,050 |
| Piano | Any piano type71% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Jones Moving & Storage Co., Inc. | $656 - $2,870 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling57% of local movers | $246 - $1,230 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect22% nationallyTop pick: | $533 - $1,640 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $246 - $12,300+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $246 - $2,870+ |
What are the best full-service movers from McAllen to Norfolk?
All three below meet the standards set by the Virginia Movers & Warehousemen’s Association, the group most Virginia movers are affiliated with.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national full-service movers are almost always better priced than local movers in McAllen, TX. 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 McAllen, TX to Norfolk, VA
Moving containers from McAllen, Texas, to Norfolk, Virginia, cost between $1,520 and $5,216. 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 McAllen typically costs about $55/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from McAllen to Norfolk:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,520 - $2,866
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,043 - $4,051
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,735 - $5,216
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 $574 in McAllen, TX. 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 $62 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $123 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 Norfolk, VA, destination before booking.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Texas 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 $1,520. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $2,043 - $4,051, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers McAllen to Norfolk?
- 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 McAllen 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 McAllen:
- Groves Moving and Storage (3.5/5), 27 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from McAllen, TX to Norfolk, VA
Truck rentals from McAllen, Texas, to Norfolk, Virginia, range from $1,015 - $2,898 for the 1,703-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $444 - $508
- Daily insurance: $25/day
- Equipment rentals: $6 - $16
- McAllen daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.69
| 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 McAllen to Norfolk based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,015 - $2,012
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,167 - $2,296
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,369 - $2,898
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $1,015 - $2,898 does not include fuel ($444 - $508) , lodging ($123/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from McAllen to Norfolk typically runs $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate alone.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $123 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 McAllen, Texas, usually costs about $574 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 1,703-mile drive falls between $444 and $508, 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 $41 and $246 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from McAllen to Norfolk?
- 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 McAllen, TX to Norfolk, VA
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from McAllen, Texas, to Norfolk, 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 $1,524 and $3,370.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from McAllen to Norfolk:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,438 - $2,632
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,524 - $3,370
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,080 - $4,390
Pro tip: A 4-foot ramp sounds simple, but heavy or awkward furniture can make the climb tricky. With 8 feet of height to work with, smart vertical stacking is key. Since freight companies charge by the linear foot, every extra foot you use adds to the bill.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In McAllen, Texas, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $574.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $62 - $123 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 McAllen to Norfolk?
- 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.
- 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.
- Royal Freight Lp (4.66/5 stars): Royal Freight Lp 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.
Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from McAllen to Norfolk. If you have a hard move-in date and want your stuff there as soon as possible, freight is hard to beat. It's worth noting that freight works best when you're ready to receive your delivery, so if your move-in date is still up in the air or you'll need short-term storage, a moving container is likely the more practical choice.
Cost of living: McAllen, TX vs Norfolk, VA
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Norfolk, side by side with McAllen on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | McAllen, TX | Norfolk, VA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 76 | 91 |
| Average rent | $1,350/mo | $1,500/mo |
| Median home value | $173,919 | $270,567 |
| Average income | $60,165/yr | $64,017/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 7.9% | 7.3% |
| State income tax | None | Up to 5.75% |
| Walkability score | 41/100 | 46/100 |
| Safety index | 63.74/100 | 41.9/100 |
| Air quality | Moderate | 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 Norfolk, VA to McAllen, TX guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Texas to Virginia in the past 3 months alone, keeping our pricing data current. Run your numbers through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. For context, we track 289 movers based in Texas, handy for sizing up options on this 1,703-mile route.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from McAllen, TX, to Norfolk, 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 $2,285 - $10,263 on the 1,703-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,520 - $5,216 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $1,015 - $2,898 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $3,253 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 CMA CGM and Norfolk Southern Railway.
FAQs: Moving from McAllen, TX, to Norfolk, VA
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($444 - $508), daily insurance ($25/day), and equipment rentals ($6 - $16) on top. Overnight stops can add another $123/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
What is the cheapest way to move from McAllen, TX to Norfolk, 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 $1,167 - $2,296. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
How much does it cost to move from McAllen, TX to Norfolk, VA?
Costs on this route range from around $2,285 to $10,263, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,285 and $10,263, 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 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 do local movers charge in McAllen?
Local movers based in McAllen typically start around $160 as a base rate, plus $80/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 Norfolk run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
What percentage of McAllen movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 71% of movers in McAllen handle piano moves, and 29% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
