Virginia’s moving market is defined by the presence of the world’s largest naval station at Norfolk and a constellation of military installations – Fort Belvoir, Quantico, Langley Air Force Base, and the Pentagon among them – that generate a continuous cycle of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders throughout the year. Unlike most states where summer dominates move volume, military-driven relocation keeps Virginia movers active across all twelve months. The state is one of the few that actively regulates intrastate household goods carriers: movers handling trips longer than 30 miles must hold a Certificate of Fitness (Household Goods Carrier authority) issued by the Virginia DMV, file a tariff listing rates and policies, carry at least $750,000 in liability insurance and $50,000 in cargo insurance, and post a $50,000 surety bond. Consumers can verify a mover’s credentials through the DMV’s online motor carrier database before signing any contract.
Migration patterns reflect Virginia’s dual character. Allied Van Lines’ 2024 report ranked Virginia fifth among top inbound states, driven by Northern Virginia’s technology sector, federal contracting jobs, and proximity to Washington DC. The I-95 corridor anchors the state’s heaviest move traffic, connecting Northern Virginia to Richmond and Hampton Roads in both directions; I-81 runs the Shenandoah Valley spine linking Virginia to Tennessee and the broader South. Cross-border volume is highest with Maryland, DC, North Carolina, and Texas. Housing stock varies sharply by region: Northern Virginia’s high-rise apartment towers require elevator scheduling and loading-dock coordination, while rural Southside Virginia involves long hauls between widely spaced properties. Peak demand runs May through August; military PCS season peaks June-July when school-year timing drives families to complete moves before fall enrollment.
For all interstate moves, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulates carriers nationally – verify any mover’s USDOT number at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov regardless of distance.
Top-Rated Movers in Virginia
Hilldrup
Address: 4022 Richmond Hwy, Stafford, VA 22554
Website: https://www.hilldrup.com
USDOT: #22302
Founded in Fredericksburg in 1903, Hilldrup is one of the oldest and largest moving companies headquartered in Virginia, operating as one of the top two United Van Lines agents in the country. The company runs 11 branch locations across the Mid-Atlantic, with Virginia offices in Stafford and Richmond, and over 500 employees. Services span local and long-distance residential moves, international relocation, corporate workplace moving, and storage and logistics – Richmond’s facility includes 10,000 square feet of secure warehousing while the Stafford headquarters offers 585,000 square feet including 100,000 square feet of climate-controlled storage. Hilldrup holds ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2015 certifications and has received United Van Lines’ Customer Excellence Award 28 times, reflecting consistently high customer satisfaction scores.
MG Moving Services
Address: 42714 Trade W Dr., Sterling, VA 20166
Website: https://www.myguysmoving.com
USDOT: #2455961
Family-operated and based in Sterling in Loudoun County, MG Moving has served Northern Virginia, Maryland, and DC since 2008, drawing on professional moving experience dating to 1983. The company covers all of Virginia statewide and has been voted Best Moving Company in Northern Virginia by multiple local publications. Services include local and long-distance residential moves, commercial relocations, same-day moves, full packing and unpacking, and secure climate-controlled storage at a Chantilly warehouse – convenient to Dulles International Airport for customers with international shipments. The Sterling location’s proximity to Northern Virginia’s technology corridor makes it a frequent choice for corporate employee relocations. MG Moving is a member of Move for Hunger, donating non-perishable food items collected during moves to local food banks.
Stewart Moving & Storage
Address: 2250 Charles City Rd, Richmond, VA 23231
Website: https://www.stewartmovingandstorage.com
Founded in 2000 in Richmond’s Shockoe Bottom neighborhood, Stewart Moving & Storage has grown from a local operation into a multi-state company with 12 warehouse locations across 5 states, a fleet of over 125 trucks, and 200-plus employees. Virginia headquarters is in the Midlothian area with the primary Richmond facility on Charles City Road; additional full-service locations operate in North Carolina, Florida, Maryland, and Delaware. Services cover local, long-distance, interstate, and international residential moves, plus commercial relocations and military PCS moves – the company holds DOD-approved storage designation and employs background-checked, drug-screened movers cleared to access Richmond-area military installations. The multi-state footprint makes Stewart a strong option for Virginia residents relocating to the Southeast or Mid-Atlantic.
Moving Companies in Virginia: Common Questions
Is my moving company required to be licensed in Virginia?
Yes – Virginia is one of the more regulated states for household goods movers. Companies handling moves of more than 30 miles within Virginia must hold a Household Goods Carrier Certificate of Fitness issued by the Virginia DMV; movers operating only within a 30-mile radius require Property Carrier authority. Before hiring, confirm the company’s credentials using the DMV’s online motor carrier database at dmvNOW.com. Licensed movers must also file a tariff with the DMV, carry at least $750,000 in liability insurance and $50,000 in cargo insurance, and maintain a $50,000 surety bond.
How much does a local move typically cost in Virginia?
Published pricing varies by market within the state: Northern Virginia moves command higher rates reflecting higher labor costs, while Richmond and Hampton Roads tend to run lower. Contact movers directly for current pricing, as rates fluctuate with fuel costs, seasonal demand, and crew size. Request written estimates from at least three licensed companies and ask whether each estimate is binding or non-binding – a binding estimate caps your final cost, while a non-binding one can increase if actual weight or time exceeds the estimate.
How does Virginia’s military presence affect moving costs and scheduling?
Virginia’s concentration of military installations – Naval Station Norfolk, Fort Belvoir, Quantico, Langley Air Force Base, and others – drives unusually high move volume in June and July when PCS orders align with the school calendar. Civilian customers planning moves during those months should book movers two to three months in advance, as military contract work competes for crew and truck availability. Movers servicing DOD relocations must carry background-checked and drug-screened crews and hold DOD approval for on-base access; confirm these credentials if your origin or destination is on a military installation.
What is a binding estimate and how does it protect me under Virginia law?
A binding estimate is a written agreement fixing the maximum price you will pay regardless of actual weight or time, provided the scope of work does not change. Virginia-licensed movers are required to file their tariffs with the DMV, which means the rates they quote must match their filed schedule – a protection against arbitrary price increases at delivery. If a mover demands payment significantly above a written binding estimate before unloading your belongings, that may constitute a violation of Virginia’s consumer protection statutes.
How do I file a complaint against a moving company in Virginia?
If a licensed Virginia carrier fails to acknowledge a written damage or loss claim within 30 days, or fails to resolve it within 120 days, they are in violation of state requirements. File complaints with two agencies: the Consumer Protection Section of the Virginia Office of the Attorney General (oag.state.va.us) and the Virginia DMV Motor Carrier Services unit, which has authority to suspend or revoke a carrier’s Certificate of Fitness. For interstate moves, file a separate complaint with the FMCSA at protectyourmove.gov. Document all communications, keep copies of your bill of lading and inventory sheets, and photograph any damaged items before movers leave.