($1,406+) Richmond, VA to Long Beach, CA Movers
Moving from Richmond, VA, to Long Beach, CA, runs anywhere from $1,406 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $11,625 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 2,629 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 7 to 21 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 $2,243, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $11,625 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,935 - $6,844, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,406 - $4,061.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Richmond, VA, to Long Beach, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,369 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 Richmond, VA to Long Beach, CA
Moving options from Richmond to Long Beach fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $3,369 - $6,929 on this route, with movers handling all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 28% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 55% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This 2,629-mile route typically takes 7 to 21 days door to door.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 2,629-mile route from Richmond to Long Beach, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $2,243 - $5,189 | $1,935 - $3,540 | $1,406 - $2,752 | $1,725 - $3,218 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $3,369 - $6,929 | $2,436 - $5,226 | $1,508 - $3,343 | $1,815 - $4,101 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $6,670 - $11,625 | $3,390 - $6,844 | $1,904 - $4,061 | $2,580 - $5,258 |
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 Richmond, VA to Long Beach, CA
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 2,629-mile move from Richmond, Virginia, to Long Beach, California, with prices running from $2,243 - $11,625. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $365 - $2,436 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between Richmond and Long Beach are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, Richmond movers tend to run around $360 as a base rate plus $100/hour per mover, for comparison.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Richmond to Long Beach:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,243 - $5,189
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,369 - $6,929
- 4+ bedrooms: $6,670 - $11,625
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 Richmond to Long Beach.
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.
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 Richmond, VA to Long Beach, CA
Specialty needs vary by market: 65% of Richmond movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Long Beach, 55% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing74% of local movers | $609 - $6,090 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready65% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $244 - $1,462/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $365 - $2,923 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage12% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs56% of local movers | $1,218 - $3,654 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,045 - $12,180 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $912 - $1,733 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items32% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $1,218 - $3,045 |
| Piano | Any piano type43% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $974 - $4,263 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling6% of local movers | $365 - $1,827 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect6% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $792 - $2,436 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $365 - $18,270+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $365 - $4,263+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Richmond to Long Beach?
All three below meet the standards set by the California Moving & Storage Association, the group most California 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 movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in Richmond, VA. 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 Richmond, VA to Long Beach, CA
Moving containers from Richmond, Virginia, to Long Beach, California, cost between $1,935 and $6,844. 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 Long Beach. If you go over that window, storage in Richmond adds around $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Richmond to Long Beach:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,935 - $3,540
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,436 - $5,226
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,390 - $6,844
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 $853 in Richmond, VA. 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 $91 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $183 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 Long Beach, CA, destination before booking.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Virginia to California 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 $1,935. 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 $2,436 - $5,226.
What are the best moving containers Richmond to Long Beach?
- 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 Richmond 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 Richmond:
- Mr. Moving, LLC (4.6/5), 6 years in business
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.9/5), 0 years in business
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.8/5), 9 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Richmond, VA to Long Beach, CA
Truck rentals from Richmond, Virginia, to Long Beach, California, range from $1,406 - $4,061 for the 2,629-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $1,019 - $1,164
- Daily insurance: $37/day
- Equipment rentals: $9 - $24
- Richmond daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.89
| 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 Richmond to Long Beach based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,406 - $2,752
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,508 - $3,343
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,904 - $4,061
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Richmond to Long Beach starts at $1,406 - $4,061, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($1,019 - $1,164), overnight lodging ($183/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for roughly $600 - $1,200 more on top of fuel and lodging to cover meals, equipment, and other extras.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Richmond, Virginia, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $853.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $1,019 - $1,164 for the 2,629-mile drive, depending on whether your truck takes gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, auto transport trailers, and furniture pads are separate rentals. Expect to spend between $73 and $396, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $183 per night for hotel stops on the 2,629-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $365 - $548.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Richmond to Long Beach?
- 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 Richmond, VA to Long Beach, CA
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Richmond, Virginia, to Long Beach, California, 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. Pricing for a 2 - 3 bedroom move of this distance typically lands between $1,815 and $4,101.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Richmond to Long Beach:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,725 - $3,218
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,815 - $4,101
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,580 - $5,258
Pro tip: Freight trailers offer generous space but reward good packing strategy. The 4-foot ramp can be challenging for large or heavy pieces, and using the full 8-foot height takes careful stacking. Because you're billed by the linear foot, maximizing vertical space keeps your costs lower.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- More space: Freight trailers are billed by the section you fill. If you misjudge your shipment size, each extra foot of trailer space adds around $91 - $183 to your final bill.
- Peak season pricing: Expect higher rates during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) when trailer availability tightens across the country.
- Moving labor: Loading is on you unless you hire outside help. A half-day crew of two movers in Richmond, Virginia, typically costs $853.
What are the best freight companies from Richmond to Long Beach?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is our pick for best for large moves. The company is best known as a top moving container option for its hybrid model where you load and they drive, and that same model translates well to freight thanks to their 53-foot trucks and pay-by-the-foot pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Beyond their flagship container service, U-Pack also runs freight trailers with the same no-deposit, no-upfront-fee model, charging only for the linear footage you actually fill.
Pro tip: One of the biggest advantages of freight trailers is speed. For an interstate move, freight delivery is one of the fastest options you have short of driving a rental truck yourself. It's a smart choice when your timeline is firm and you'll be ready to receive your shipment. If there's any chance your new place won't be ready or you need a few weeks of storage, a moving container with built-in storage may serve you better.
Cost of living: Richmond, VA vs Long Beach, CA
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Long Beach, side by side with Richmond on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Richmond, VA | Long Beach, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 95 | 162 |
| Average rent | $1,595/mo | $2,075/mo |
| Median home value | $327,959 | $762,188 |
| Average income | $62,671/yr | $83,969/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 7.1% | 5.2% |
| State income tax | Up to 5.75% | Up to 13.3% |
| Walkability score | 51/100 | 73/100 |
| Safety index | 51.55/100 | 41.42/100 |
| Air quality | Good | 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 Long Beach, CA to Richmond, VA guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from Virginia to California, so our pricing data stays current. Use our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and spot bad actors early. We track 304 movers licensed in Virginia, useful context for sizing up this 2,629-mile move.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from Richmond, VA, to Long Beach, CA, 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 $2,243 - $11,625 on the 2,629-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,935 - $6,844 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $1,406 - $4,061 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $3,369 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 UTi Worldwide and Molina Healthcare.
FAQs: Moving from Richmond, VA, to Long Beach, CA
What do local movers charge in Richmond?
Local movers based in Richmond typically start around $360 as a base rate, plus $100/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 Long Beach run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Richmond, VA to Long Beach, CA?
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.
How much does it cost to move from Richmond, VA to Long Beach, CA?
Costs on this route range from around $1,406 to $11,625, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,243 and $11,625, 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.
How walkable is Long Beach?
Long Beach has a walkability score of 73 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 70, compared to 51 and 51 in Richmond. 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 ($1,019 - $1,164), daily insurance ($37/day), and equipment rentals ($9 - $24) on top. Overnight stops can add another $183/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
What percentage of Richmond movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 43% of movers in Richmond handle piano moves, and 32% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.