($1,021+) McAllen, TX to Richmond, VA Movers
Moving from McAllen, TX, to Richmond, VA, runs anywhere from $1,083 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $10,002 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,670 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 $2,338, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $10,002 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,588 - $5,231, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,083 - $2,910.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from McAllen, TX, to Richmond, VA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,305 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
Fact Checked by:
Compare moving options from McAllen, TX to Richmond, VA
There are 3 main ways to move from McAllen 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 $3,305 - $7,618. Moving containers run about 30% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 60% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 4 to 15 days for this 1,670-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 1,670-mile route from McAllen to Richmond, 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 $2,338 - $5,285 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($1,588 - $2,991), rental truck ($1,083 - $2,000), or freight trailer ($1,416 - $2,692). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $3,305 - $7,618 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $10,002.
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 Richmond, VA
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 1,670-mile move from McAllen, Texas, to Richmond, Virginia, with costs ranging from $2,338 - $10,002. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $251 - $1,672. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between McAllen and Richmond. Local movers in McAllen typically start around $160 as a base rate plus $80/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from McAllen to Richmond:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,338 - $5,285
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,305 - $7,618
- 4+ bedrooms: $6,030 - $10,002
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 Richmond.
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: Moving company rates climb during peak moving season (May –-September) when demand peaks. Scheduling your move outside of that window can lead to noticeably lower costs and better availability.
Don't see your company listed?
Reach customers actively searching for trusted movers in your area. Tell us about your company and services to get your business listed on moveBuddha.
Specialty moving services from McAllen, TX to Richmond, VA
Specialty needs vary by market — 57% of McAllen 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 packing71% of local movers | $418 - $4,180 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready57% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Jones Moving & Storage Co., Inc. | $167 - $1,003/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $251 - $2,006 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs43% of local movers | $836 - $2,508 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,090 - $8,360 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $626 - $1,190 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items29% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Rick's Moving & Storage LLC | $836 - $2,090 |
| Piano | Any piano type71% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Jones Moving & Storage Co., Inc. | $669 - $2,926 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling57% of local movers | $251 - $1,254 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect22% nationallyTop pick: | $543 - $1,672 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $251 - $12,540+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $251 - $2,926+ |
What are the best full-service movers from McAllen to Richmond?
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 carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in McAllen, TX. At that distance, local movers often charge 30% - 40% more because they don't spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments the way national carriers do. If a direct route and faster delivery (averaging 2 days) are priorities, a local mover may be worth considering, but that service comes at a higher price.
Moving container costs from McAllen, TX to Richmond, VA
Moving containers from McAllen, Texas, to Richmond, Virginia, cost between $1,588 and $5,231. 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 Richmond:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,588 - $2,991
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,954 - $4,103
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,666 - $5,231
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $63 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $125 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 $585 in McAllen, TX, 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 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 $1,588. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,954 - $4,103, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers McAllen 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 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 Richmond, VA
Plan on $1,083 - $2,910 for a rental moving truck on the 1,670-mile route from McAllen, Texas, to Richmond, Virginia. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $444 - $508
- Daily insurance: $25/day
- Equipment rentals: $6 - $17
- 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 Richmond based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,083 - $2,000
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,172 - $2,356
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,391 - $2,910
Pro tip: The base rate of $1,083 - $2,910 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from McAllen to Richmond. Fuel ($444 - $508) , lodging at around $125/night, meals, and equipment rentals are all on top of that. Factor in an extra $600 - $1,200 to get a realistic picture of what the move will actually cost.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Equipment: Tow dollies, appliance dollies, and moving pads are not included in the base rate. These extras often total between $63 and $293.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $125.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $444 and $508 for the 1,670-mile drive, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: If you'd rather not do all the heavy lifting, budget around $585 for 2 movers in McAllen, Texas, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from McAllen 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 McAllen, TX 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 McAllen, Texas, 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 $1,485 and $3,219.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from McAllen to Richmond:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,416 - $2,692
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,485 - $3,219
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,111 - $4,399
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?
- 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 $63 and $125.
- 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 McAllen, Texas, for roughly five hours typically average $585.
What are the best freight companies from McAllen 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.
- Royal Freight Lp (4.66/5 stars): Royal Freight Lp 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 move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from McAllen to Richmond. 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 Richmond, VA
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Richmond, side by side with McAllen on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | McAllen, TX | Richmond, VA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 76 | 95 |
| Average rent | $1,350/mo | $1,595/mo |
| Median home value | $173,919 | $327,959 |
| Average income | $60,165/yr | $62,671/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 7.9% | 7.1% |
| State income tax | None | Up to 5.75% |
| Walkability score | 41/100 | 51/100 |
| Safety index | 63.74/100 | 51.55/100 |
| 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 Richmond, 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 1,670-mile route.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from McAllen, TX, to Richmond, 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 $2,338 - $10,002 on the 1,670-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,588 - $5,231 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $1,083 - $2,910 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $3,305 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 Brink's and CarMax.
FAQs: Moving from McAllen, TX, to Richmond, VA
What is the best time of year to move from McAllen, TX 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 are some tips for saving money on a move from McAllen, TX to Richmond, 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 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 63.74 and 36.26 in McAllen. 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 Richmond?
Richmond has a walkability score of 51 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 51, compared to 41 and 46 in McAllen. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
What are the best neighborhoods in Richmond?
For families, Bellevue, Byrd Park, and Museum District are worth a look in Richmond. If you're moving solo or without kids, Monroe Ward, The Fan District, and The Museum District tend to be popular picks instead.
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.
