Lancaster, PA

Richmond, CA → Lancaster, PA · Cross-country move

Movers from Richmond to Lancaster

About 2,891 road miles heading east. Typical two-bedroom cost $9,070–$13,490, delivery in 7–14 days, 252 carriers on the Richmond side and 260 in Lancaster.

  • 2,891 miroad distance
  • 50 hours (6 driving days)driving time
  • 7–14 daysdelivery window
  • $9,070–$13,4902-bedroom estimate
Photo: Randolph Carney · CC BY-SA 3.0

Route summary

Road distance
≈ 2,891 miles (2,450 straight-line)
Drive time
50 hours (6 driving days)
Delivery window
7–14 days
Move type
Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin
252 (86 interstate)
Movers at destination
260 (171 interstate)

Reverse: Lancaster → Richmond

Moving from Richmond to Lancaster is a cross-country move of roughly 2,891 road miles, heading east from California to Pennsylvania.

At this distance carriers price by shipment weight and mileage rather than by the hour. A two-bedroom home (around 5,000 lb of goods) typically costs $9,070 to $13,490 with a full-service mover, and delivery usually takes 7 to 14 days after pickup because long-haul trucks consolidate several households per trip. Driving it yourself takes about 50 hours (6 driving days).

On the Richmond side there are 252 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (86 of them authorized for interstate work), and 260 around Lancaster (171 interstate). For an interstate move you can book from either end; movers near the origin handle loading and are usually the better first call, while a destination-side company can be useful if you need storage or delivery-day help in Lancaster.

Richmond has a population of about 114,861 and Lancaster about 58,000. Lancaster is the denser city (8,031 people per square mile versus 3,869 in Richmond), which often means shuttle trucks, parking restrictions or building move-in windows on delivery day. Labor and living costs run lower in Pennsylvania than in California, which tends to make destination-side services such as unpacking or storage cheaper than the same services back home.

Cost of moving from Richmond to Lancaster

Full-service estimate for 2,891 miles, by home size
Home sizeEst. weightLowTypicalHigh
Studio 2,000 lb $3,630 $4,420 $5,400
1 Bedroom 3,000 lb $5,440 $6,630 $8,090
2 Bedrooms 5,000 lb $9,070 $11,060 $13,490
3 Bedrooms 8,000 lb $14,510 $17,690 $21,580
4+ Bedrooms 11,000 lb $19,950 $24,320 $29,670

Rental truck (DIY)

$4,020–$5,680

One-way truck for the distance, mileage and fuel included; you load and drive.

Portable container

$3,600–$5,290

Container delivered, you load, company transports; transit is slower than a mover.

Full-service mover

$9,070–$13,490

Two-bedroom reference; crew loads, hauls and unloads.

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Richmond, CA → Lancaster, PA. Adjust the other options to see your range.

—to—

Typical full-service range.

Estimates use market baselines described on the cost guide; your quotes will vary by inventory, access and date.

Moving companies for this route

Near Richmond (origin)

Nd Freights INC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
4049726
MC
1534271
Based in
Richmond, CA 94806 (2 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
54 trucks, 54 drivers
USDOT registered
2023

Lengner & Sons Express

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory
USDOT
154572
MC
156852
Based in
Oakland, CA 94607 (10 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
42 trucks, 40 drivers
USDOT registered
1974

Waters Moving & Storage INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory
USDOT
1125579
MC
481361
Based in
Martinez, CA 94553 (11 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
35 trucks, 12 drivers
USDOT registered
2003

Earl Farnsworth Express

Licensed interstate
USDOT
1854601
MC
722903
Based in
San Rafael, CA 94901 (8 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
15 trucks, 7 drivers
USDOT registered
2009

Btw

Licensed interstate
USDOT
1110324
MC
452601
Based in
Oakland, CA 94607 (10 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
12 trucks, 14 drivers
USDOT registered
2003

Ab Trucking Ops

Licensed interstate
USDOT
663960
MC
310575
Based in
Oakland, CA 94607 (10 mi from center)
Service
Local moves
Fleet
10 trucks, 10 drivers
USDOT registered
1996

Steinel Trucking

Interstate carrier
USDOT
3416341
Based in
San Francisco, CA 94102 (12 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
10 trucks, 16 drivers
USDOT registered
2020

D N H Carriers

Licensed interstate
USDOT
1200199
MC
478412
Based in
El Cerrito, CA 94530 (4 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
8 trucks, 6 drivers
USDOT registered
2004

All 252 movers in Richmond

Near Lancaster (destination)

Miller Dedicated Services LLC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
2562869
MC
894481
Based in
Lancaster, PA 17601 (2 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
200 trucks, 200 drivers
USDOT registered
2014

Sunrise Transport INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory
USDOT
276388
MC
290856
Based in
Ephrata, PA 17522 (11 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
128 trucks, 152 drivers
USDOT registered
1986

Falcon Transport INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory
USDOT
168358
MC
145282
Based in
Lancaster, PA 17601 (2 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
120 trucks, 110 drivers
USDOT registered
1974

Pioneer Transport INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory
USDOT
514795
MC
197249
Based in
Lancaster, PA 17601 (2 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
115 trucks, 100 drivers
USDOT registered
1993

Quaker Transport INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory
USDOT
619559
MC
287214
Based in
Lancaster, PA 17601 (2 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
66 trucks, 60 drivers
USDOT registered
1995

Snavely'S Mill INC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
377174
MC
302885
Based in
Lititz, PA 17543 (10 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
39 trucks, 40 drivers
USDOT registered
1990

Clark Transport LLC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
2040512
MC
720073
Based in
Quarryville, PA 17566 (15 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
30 trucks, 30 drivers
USDOT registered
2010

Shawnee Trucking Pa INC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
1342517
MC
515012
Based in
Lancaster, PA 17601 (2 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
25 trucks, 63 drivers
USDOT registered
2005

All 260 movers in Lancaster

Related routes

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to move from Richmond to Lancaster?

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $3,630 to $5,400 for a studio, $5,440 to $8,090 for a one-bedroom, $9,070 to $13,490 for a two-bedroom, $14,510 to $21,580 for a three-bedroom and $19,950 to $29,670 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Lancaster from Richmond?

About 2,891 road miles (2,450 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 50 hours (6 driving days).

How long will the movers take to deliver?

Expect a delivery window of 7 to 14 days after pickup. Carriers give a spread rather than a fixed date because long-distance trucks carry several shipments; a dedicated truck or expedited service shortens the window for an extra fee.

Does my mover need interstate authority for this move?

Yes. Crossing from California into Pennsylvania makes this an interstate move, so the carrier must hold active FMCSA operating authority (an MC number) in addition to its USDOT number. The company cards on this page flag which carriers are authorized for interstate work.

Is it cheaper to rent a truck or use a container for Richmond to Lancaster?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $4,020 to $5,680 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $3,600 to $5,290. Both save money versus a full-service crew but you do the loading, and container transit can take longer than a mover's delivery window.

When is the least expensive time to book this move?

Rates are highest in summer and around the last days of any month, when demand peaks. Mid-month, mid-week and winter dates are usually quoted below the standard rate. Booking four to eight weeks ahead gives you the widest choice of carriers on the Richmond–Lancaster corridor.