Chapel Hill, NC

Richmond, VA → Chapel Hill, NC · Regional long-distance move

Movers from Richmond to Chapel Hill

About 166 road miles heading southwest. Typical two-bedroom cost $2,200–$3,270, delivery in 1–2 days, 400 carriers on the Richmond side and 158 in Chapel Hill.

  • 166 miroad distance
  • 3 h 34 mindriving time
  • 1–2 daysdelivery window
  • $2,200–$3,2702-bedroom estimate
Photo: (User:Wgreaves) · CC BY 3.0

Route summary

Road distance
≈ 166 miles (141 straight-line)
Drive time
3 h 34 min
Delivery window
1–2 days
Move type
Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin
400 (215 interstate)
Movers at destination
158 (95 interstate)

Reverse: Chapel Hill → Richmond

Chapel Hill sits about 166 miles southwest of Richmond, which makes this an interstate relocation from Virginia to North Carolina that most movers classify as a regional long-distance move.

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 $2,200 to $3,270 with a full-service mover, and delivery usually takes 1 to 2 days after pickup because long-haul trucks consolidate several households per trip. Driving it yourself takes about 3 h 34 min.

On the Richmond side there are 400 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (215 of them authorized for interstate work), and 158 around Chapel Hill (95 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 Chapel Hill.

Richmond has a population of about 237,257 and Chapel Hill about 62,000. Richmond is considerably denser (3,783 people per square mile versus 2,861), so expect tighter loading conditions, parking permits or elevator reservations at the origin and easier truck access at the destination. Labor and living costs run lower in North Carolina than in Virginia, 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 Chapel Hill

Full-service estimate for 166 miles, by home size
Home sizeEst. weightLowTypicalHigh
Studio 2,000 lb $1,240 $1,520 $1,850
1 Bedroom 3,000 lb $1,320 $1,610 $1,960
2 Bedrooms 5,000 lb $2,200 $2,680 $3,270
3 Bedrooms 8,000 lb $3,520 $4,290 $5,240
4+ Bedrooms 11,000 lb $4,840 $5,900 $7,200

Rental truck (DIY)

$320–$450

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

Portable container

$1,170–$1,720

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

Full-service mover

$2,200–$3,270

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

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Richmond, VA → Chapel Hill, NC. Adjust the other options to see your range.

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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)

Tforce Freight

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory
USDOT
121058
MC
109533
Based in
Henrico, VA 23233 (11 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
4,155 trucks, 4,379 drivers
USDOT registered
1974

Stewart Moving And Storage

Licensed interstate
USDOT
1194537
MC
531584
Based in
Midlothian, VA 23113 (11 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
95 trucks, 71 drivers
USDOT registered
2003

Lion Bg INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory
USDOT
1054563
MC
510871
Based in
Chesterfield, VA 23832 (12 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
58 trucks, 54 drivers
USDOT registered
2002

Rcs Moving

Licensed interstate
USDOT
805773
MC
376501
Based in
Richmond, VA 23230 (4 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
31 trucks, 58 drivers
USDOT registered
1999

Evolution Express LLC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
2109946
MC
735649
Based in
Richmond, VA 23224 (2 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
25 trucks, 25 drivers
USDOT registered
2011

D1 Moving

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory
USDOT
3013397
MC
30349
Based in
Richmond, VA 23230 (4 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
22 trucks, 31 drivers
USDOT registered
2017

Dunmar Moving System

Licensed interstate
USDOT
392896
MC
137503
Based in
Richmond, VA 23237 (9 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
20 trucks, 20 drivers
USDOT registered
1990

Orbit Freight Line INC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
3760361
MC
1338456
Based in
Chester, VA 23836 (15 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
18 trucks, 9 drivers
USDOT registered
2021

All 400 movers in Richmond

Near Chapel Hill (destination)

Pax Logistix

Licensed interstate
USDOT
3319990
MC
1056199
Based in
Chapel Hill, NC 27514 (3 mi from center)
Service
Local moves
Fleet
40 trucks, 40 drivers
USDOT registered
2019

Trosa Moving

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory
USDOT
675014
MC
315111
Based in
Durham, NC 27701 (9 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
32 trucks, 13 drivers
USDOT registered
1997

Jbruce Truck Lines INC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
2939017
MC
98627
Based in
Morrisville, NC 27560 (13 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
25 trucks, 17 drivers
USDOT registered
2016

Green'S Trucking

Licensed interstate
USDOT
4196166
MC
1617931
Based in
Durham, NC 27703 (13 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
25 trucks, 1 drivers
USDOT registered
2024

Miracle Movers Raleigh

Licensed interstate
USDOT
3139734
MC
98319
Based in
Durham, NC 27703 (13 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
20 trucks, 21 drivers
USDOT registered
2018

DBA Armstrong Relocation Co INC Raleigh Nc

Licensed interstate
USDOT
1071807
MC
550171
Based in
Durham, NC 27703 (13 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
15 trucks, 15 drivers
USDOT registered
2002

Howards Cargo

Licensed interstate
USDOT
3876757
MC
1421028
Based in
Durham, NC 27703 (13 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
13 trucks, 13 drivers
USDOT registered
2022

North State Express INC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
520251
MC
262686
Based in
Durham, NC 27703 (13 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
8 trucks, 6 drivers
USDOT registered
1993

All 158 movers in Chapel Hill

Related routes

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to move from Richmond to Chapel Hill?

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $1,240 to $1,850 for a studio, $1,320 to $1,960 for a one-bedroom, $2,200 to $3,270 for a two-bedroom, $3,520 to $5,240 for a three-bedroom and $4,840 to $7,200 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Chapel Hill from Richmond?

About 166 road miles (141 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 3 h 34 min.

How long will the movers take to deliver?

Expect a delivery window of 1 to 2 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 Virginia into North Carolina 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 Chapel Hill?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $320 to $450 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,170 to $1,720. 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–Chapel Hill corridor.