($479+) Chesapeake, VA to Chattanooga, TN Movers

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Background image of a moving truck moving from Chesapeake, VA to Chattanooga, TN

Moving from Chesapeake, VA, to Chattanooga, TN, runs anywhere from $484 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,396 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 649 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 1 to 6 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 $1,474, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $7,396 or more.
  • Moving containers run $1,081 - $3,229, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $484 - $1,285.
  • Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Chesapeake, VA, to Chattanooga, TN. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,157 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.

Compare moving options from Chesapeake, VA to Chattanooga, TN

There are 3 main ways to move from Chesapeake to Chattanooga: 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 $2,157 - $5,669. 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 1 to 6 days for this 649-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 649-mile route from Chesapeake to Chattanooga, broken down by home size:

  • Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $1,474 - $4,008, container $1,081 - $1,821, rental truck $484 - $979, freight trailer $925 - $1,673.
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $2,157 - $5,669, container $1,334 - $2,547, rental truck $522 - $1,107, freight trailer $1,035 - $2,164.
  • 4+ bedrooms: full-service $3,773 - $7,396, container $1,872 - $3,229, rental truck $698 - $1,285, freight trailer $1,368 - $2,854.

Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.

Professional
Safeway Moving
star star star star star 4.9 / 5
Read our full Safeway review
Best overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran-owned
Container
Unlimited storage
3 container sizes
10% discount
Rental Truck
Budget Truck Rental
star star star star star 4.3 / 5
Read our full Budget review
Affordable pricing
Online estimates
Several discounts
Freight
MovingYourself
star star star star star 4.5 / 5
Read our full MovingYourself review
Fast delivery
Nationwide
100+ miles moves

Full-service moving costs from Chesapeake, VA to Chattanooga, TN

A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 649-mile move from Chesapeake, Virginia, to Chattanooga, Tennessee, with prices running from $1,474 - $7,396. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $295 - $1,968 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between Chesapeake and Chattanooga are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, Chesapeake movers tend to run around $290 as a base rate plus $125/hour per mover, for comparison.

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

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,474 - $4,008
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,157 - $5,669
  • 4+ bedrooms: $3,773 - $7,396

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 Chesapeake to Chattanooga.

The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Virginia to Tennessee. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.

Pro tip: The summer months (May - September) are the busiest time of year for movers during peak moving season, which drives up prices and limits scheduling options. If you can move in the fall or winter, you'll likely find better rates and more flexibility.

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Specialty moving services from Chesapeake, VA to Chattanooga, TN

Specialty needs vary by market — 100% of Chesapeake movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Chattanooga, 100% of movers offer the same service.

Service When you need it Typical cost
Full packingFull crew packing100% of local movers$492 - $4,920
Storage in transitNew place not ready100% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK$197 - $1,181/mo
Shuttle feeTruck can't reach door$295 - $2,362
Full-value protectionMore than $0.60/lb coverage43% of local movers$300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value)
Small movesUnder ~2,000 lbs62% of local movers$984 - $2,952
Office / commercialWorkplace relocation$2,460 - $9,840
Car shippingSecond vehicle$737 - $1,400
Antiques & fine artFragile, high-value items48% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Atlantic Beach Movers$984 - $2,460
PianoAny piano type81% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK$787 - $3,444
Pool tableDisassembly & re-leveling29% of local movers$295 - $1,476
Hot tubHeavy, needs disconnect24% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Apple Moving $640 - $1,968
Wine collectionClimate-controlled transport$295 - $14,760+
Pet relocationGround, air, or concierge$295 - $3,444+

What are the best full-service movers from Chesapeake to Chattanooga?

  1. Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 customer support, and 30 days of free storage are included with every move.
  2. American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list, with 30+ years in business since 1995. AVL is one of the few national carriers that uses full-time in-house crews instead of contracted labor.
  3. Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, combining fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan that covers damage, loss, and breakage.

Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Chesapeake, VA. 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 Chesapeake, VA to Chattanooga, TN

Moving containers from Chesapeake, Virginia, to Chattanooga, Tennessee, cost between $1,081 and $3,229. 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 Chesapeake typically costs about $100/month.

Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Chesapeake to Chattanooga:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,081 - $1,821
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,334 - $2,547
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,872 - $3,229

What other costs come with moving containers?

  • Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $74 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $148 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 $689 in Chesapeake, VA, 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 Chattanooga, TN, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.

Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Virginia to Tennessee 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 $1,081. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,334 - $2,547, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.

What are the best moving containers Chesapeake to Chattanooga?

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

  • TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.4/5), 9 years in business
  • Atlantic Beach Movers (4.7/5), 20 years in business
  • Tidal Town Moving (4.9/5), 6 years in business

Moving truck rental costs from Chesapeake, VA to Chattanooga, TN

Truck rentals from Chesapeake, Virginia, to Chattanooga, Tennessee, range from $484 - $1,285 for the 649-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:

  • Fuel for the drive: $203 - $232
  • Daily insurance: $30/day
  • Equipment rentals: $7 - $20
  • Chesapeake daily rental rate: $19 - $39
  • Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.89
Home sizeTypical truck size
Studio / 1 bedroom10 - 12 ft
2 - 3 bedrooms15 - 17 ft
4+ bedrooms20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel)

These are typical moving truck rental costs from Chesapeake to Chattanooga based on home size:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $484 - $979
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $522 - $1,107
  • 4+ bedrooms: $698 - $1,285

Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Chesapeake to Chattanooga starts at $484 - $1,285, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($203 - $232) , overnight lodging ($148/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for an additional $600 - $1,200 on top of your base rate to cover those costs.

What other costs come with rental trucks?

  • Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $148 per night. Most long-distance moves with rental trucks require 1 - 3 overnight stops.
  • Equipment: Tow dollies, auto trailers, and specialty moving equipment can add between $64 and $320 to your total.
  • Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
  • Gas: Plan on spending $203 - $232 in fuel for the 649-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
  • Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $689 in Chesapeake, Virginia, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.

What are the best moving truck rentals from Chesapeake to Chattanooga?

  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 Chesapeake, VA to Chattanooga, TN

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 Chesapeake, Virginia, to Chattanooga, Tennessee. 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 $1,035 and $2,164.

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

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $925 - $1,673
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,035 - $2,164
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,368 - $2,854

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?

  • Demand cycles: Trailer costs climb during peak moving season, especially from mid-May through mid-September when demand is at its highest.
  • More space: You're billed only for the linear feet you use, but underestimating your inventory means paying for extra space, typically around $74 - $148 more per foot.
  • Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Chesapeake, Virginia, for about five hours typically runs $689.

What are the best freight companies from Chesapeake to Chattanooga?

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Sysco Hampton Roads, Inc. (4.58/5 stars): Sysco Hampton Roads, Inc. is our pick for best locally owned freight company. Their locally owned and operated facilities mean you work with support staff who know the route and the area, giving you more responsive scheduling than national-only carriers typically offer.

Pro tip: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in Chattanooga fast. For interstate moves, freight is one of the quickest delivery methods out there. Just keep in mind that freight carriers expect you to be available to receive your shipment, so it works best when your move-in is locked in and you don't need temporary storage on either end.

Cost of living: Chesapeake, VA vs Chattanooga, TN

Chesapeake and Chattanooga land in a similar range on everyday costs. The cost of living index sits at 104 in Chesapeake and 90 in Chattanooga, and rent tracks closely too ($1,800/mo vs. $1,475/mo). You likely won't need to rework your monthly budget much after this move. Walkability (21 vs 29) and safety scores (70.88 vs 46.11) come out about the same too.

Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Chattanooga, TN to Chesapeake, VA guide.

Why book your mover through moveBuddha:

moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Virginia to Tennessee 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 104 movers based in Virginia, handy for sizing up options on this 649-mile route.

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Our take

A move from Chesapeake, VA, to Chattanooga, TN, gives you several options depending on your budget and how much you want to do yourself. Full-service movers handle everything but cost the most, ranging from $1,474 - $7,396 on the 649-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,081 - $3,229, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $484 - $1,285. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $2,157 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and round-the-clock live support.

Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Hamilton County and Schools Erlanger.

FAQs: Moving from Chesapeake, VA, to Chattanooga, TN

How much does it cost to move from Chesapeake, VA to Chattanooga, TN?

Costs on this route range from around $1,474 to $7,396, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,474 and $7,396, 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 Chattanooga?

Chattanooga has a walkability score of 29 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 35, compared to 21 and 35 in Chesapeake. 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 ($203 - $232), daily insurance ($30/day), and equipment rentals ($7 - $20) on top. Overnight stops can add another $148/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.

How do I know a mover is licensed in Tennessee?

Although a local license is not required in Tennessee, make sure the moving company you’ll be hiring is registered with U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). To verify if you’re dealing with a legal and licensed mover, you may ask them their USDOT registration number.

What is the best time of year to move from Chesapeake, VA to Chattanooga, TN?

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. A midweek, mid-month date outside peak season is your best bet for saving money.

What percentage of Chesapeake movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?

About 81% of movers in Chesapeake handle piano moves, and 48% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.