A group of people standing in front of a sign.

Virginia Beach Moving Costs: What Does It Cost to Hire Professional Movers?

Get a Free Quote

Free Moving Quote

"*" indicates required fields

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
MM slash DD slash YYYY

Virginia Beach Moving Costs: What Does It Cost to Hire Professional Movers?

A Complete 2026 Guide to Moving Costs in Virginia Beach, VA

Planning a move in Virginia Beach? One of the first questions most people ask is, "How much do professional movers cost?" The answer depends on several factors, including the size of your home, the distance of your move, the amount of furniture, packing services, accessibility, and any specialty items that require extra care.

This guide explains what affects moving costs in Virginia Beach and how you can prepare for a smooth, efficient, and budget-friendly move.

Quick Answer

The cost of hiring professional movers in Virginia Beach varies based on the size and complexity of your move. Factors such as the number of movers needed, travel distance, stairs or elevators, packing services, specialty items, and scheduling all influence the final estimate. The best way to receive an accurate price is to schedule a free, personalized moving estimate with Southside Moving & Storage.

Average Cost of Local Moving in Virginia Beach Under 50 Miles

Virginia Beach local moving rates average $110 to $140 per hour for a standard truck and 2 man moving crew. However, final costs are heavily shaped by seasonal demands (primarily military PCS rotations) and coastal building layouts.

Local relocations in the Hampton Roads region are billed on a straight hourly basis. In Virginia Beach, moving companies typically assess a one-time base travel fee (averaging $183) to cover fuel and dispatch, followed by hourly labor.

Home SizeRecommended Crew SizeEstimated Labor HoursAverage Total Cost Range
Studio Apartment2 Movers3 hours$325 – $460
1-Bedroom Apartment2 Movers4 hours$460 – $594
2-Bedroom Home/Townhouse3 Movers5 hours$766 – $992
3-Bedroom Single-Family4 Movers8 hours$1,806 – $2,211
4+ Bedroom Executive Home4 to 5 Movers9 to 10+ hours$2,076 – $3,893+

 

Southside Moving and Storage

What Factors Affect Moving Costs?

Every move is different, which is why professional moving estimates are based on your specific needs rather than a one-size-fits-all price.

1. Size of Your Home

Larger homes generally require more movers, more time, and larger trucks.

Common move types include:

2. Distance Between Locations

Local moves within Virginia Beach are different from long-distance relocations. The distance between your current and new home plays a significant role in planning labor, equipment, and travel.

Whether you're moving from Kempsville to Red Mill, Town Center to Great Neck, or Virginia Beach to another city or state, every move has unique requirements.

3. Number of Movers Needed

Professional moving crews are assigned based on the size and complexity of your move.

Factors include:

  • Number of rooms
  • Amount of furniture
  • Heavy lifting requirements
  • Staircases
  • Elevator access
  • Long carrying distances
  • Garage or storage contents

The right moving crew size helps complete your move efficiently while protecting your belongings.

 

Long-Distance Moving Costs Departing from Virginia Beach

Interstate moves crossing state lines are calculated using a federally regulated tariff model based on total shipment weight and transit mileage.

  • Regional Interstate (250 – 500 Miles): For moves out of Hampton Roads to destinations like Washington D.C., Charlotte, or Philadelphia, a typical 2-to-3-bedroom home averages $2,471 to $4,465

  • National Interstate (1,000+ Miles): Relocations to Florida, Texas, or the Midwest generally start around $6,000 to $9,500+ depending on total payload volume.

 

Local DIY Moving Alternatives in Virginia Beach

For homeowners who prefer to handle the heavy lifting themselves, Virginia Beach offers various truck and storage container options:

  • Truck Rental (U-Haul, Budget, Penske): Local daily rates average $130 to $306 once accounting for the base fee ($20 to $70/day), mileage fees ($0.37 to $0.63/mile), and basic commercial insurance.

  • Moving Containers (PODS, U-Pack): Delivering a container to a driveway in Virginia Beach typically runs $156 to $447 for an 8-foot container or $334 to $878 for a larger 16-foot container, covering local transit and monthly storage.

  • Labor-Only Help: Hiring local movers to simply load your rental truck or container averages $91 to $113 per hour for a two-mover crew.

Professional Moving Services

Regional Cost Factors Specific to Virginia Beach

Hampton Roads has unique geographic and demographic traits that directly influence local moving quotes:

The Military Relocation Spike (May – September)

Virginia Beach is home to NAS Oceana, and sits adjacent to Naval Station Norfolk and Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story.

  • Impact: Massive summer military PCS (Permanent Change of Station) rotations deplete local fleet supply.

  • Cost Delta: Booking a move between mid-May and mid-September incurs a 20% to 30% peak-season premium.

Historic Ghent & Beachfront Condo Access Fees

  • Stair/Elevator Surcharges: Moving into multi-floor condos along the Oceanfront or historic multi-story apartments in Ghent often adds $50 to $75 per flight of stairs or flat $50 to $100 elevator fees due to prolonged load times.

  • Long-Carry Fees: If the narrow streets of downtown Norfolk or oceanside parking limits a moving truck's parking access to more than 75 feet from the door, a long-carry fee of $75 to $150 is standard.

Avoid "Hidden Fees": Virginia Beach Mover Checklist

To protect yourself from price adjustments on moving day, verify these localized details with your selected carrier:

 

1.Confirm the 'Clock-Start' Policy: Step 1.

Some local Hampton Roads moving companies start billing when they leave their depot. Seek out moving companies that only start the hourly clock once they physically arrive at your residence.

2.Verify the Regulatory Credentials: Step 2.

Legitimate local moving companies operating in Virginia must hold active federal operating authority. Ensure your mover displays a valid USDOT number on their estimates.

3.Opt for a Binding 'Not-to-Exceed' Estimate: Step 3.

Avoid simple "non-binding" phone estimates. Request an on-site or virtual visual survey to lock in a Binding Not-To-Exceed Estimate that guarantees your final price will not swell past the initial quote unless you add more inventory.

Moving in Virginia Beach Neighborhoods

Each Virginia Beach neighborhood presents different moving considerations.

We regularly assist customers moving throughout Virginia Beach and Hampton Roads:

Our local knowledge helps us plan efficient routes and prepare for neighborhood-specific access requirements.

Southside Moving and Storage

Get Your Free Virginia Beach Moving Estimate 757-234-7080

Southside Moving & Storage provides free, no-obligation moving estimates for homeowners, renters, businesses, military families, and seniors throughout Virginia Beach. Our experienced team will review your moving needs, answer your questions, and help you create a plan that fits your schedule and budget.

Contact us today to get started on a smooth, stress-free move.  757-234-7080

author avatar
Southside Moving and Storage
See Full Bio