Local Movers in Northern Virginia

Craig Van Lines is a family-owned local moving company that has been moving homes and businesses across Northern Virginia since 1918. Now in our fourth generation, we handle local moves throughout Fairfax, Prince William, Loudoun, and Arlington counties and the City of Alexandria, along with nearby Washington, DC and Maryland. Local moves are billed at an hourly rate, and every estimate is free, with no hidden fees.

Whether you are moving from an apartment in Arlington to a townhouse in Fairfax or relocating an office across Loudoun County, our crews handle the packing, loading, transport, and setup so you can focus on settling in. Request a free, same-day moving quote or call our team to talk through your move.

Local Moving Services for Homes and Businesses

Every local move is different, so we build each one around what you actually need. Our crews can take on the whole job or just the parts you would rather not handle yourself.

Home and apartment moves: Houses, townhomes, condos, and apartments of every size, including homes with tight stairwells, elevators, and HOA or building move-in rules. Learn more about our residential moving services.
Office and commercial moves: Desks, workstations, files, and office equipment, scheduled to limit downtime for your business. See our commercial moving services.
Packing and unpacking: Full packing, partial packing for a few rooms, or packing supplies on their own. Explore our professional packing services.
Storage: Short-term and long-term storage in secure, climate-controlled facilities for when your move-out and move-in dates do not line up. View our storage solutions.
Specialty items: Pianos, antiques, wine cellars, and other valuable or delicate pieces that need extra care.
Furniture disassembly and reassembly: Beds, desks, and other large pieces are taken apart, padded, and put back together at your new location.

On moving day, our crews also protect floors and walls at both locations, so your home arrives in the same condition as your belongings.

How Much Do Local Movers Cost in Northern Virginia?

Local moves are priced by the hour rather than by weight. Your total cost depends on three main factors: the number of movers your move requires, the time it takes to load, transport, and unload, and the travel time to and from your locations.

A studio apartment might need two movers and a few hours, while a four-bedroom home with a finished basement may need a larger crew and most of the day. Packing services, packing materials, and storage are billed separately, so you only pay for what you use.

The date you choose also affects your rate. Mid-week and mid-month moves typically offer the best rates because demand is lower than on weekends and at the end of the month. Check our monthly moving specials for current offers.

Every estimate is free. You can request a quote online, by phone, or in person, and for larger homes one of our relocation specialists may visit to give you a more accurate number. We explain exactly how your rate is calculated before moving day.

Ways to Lower the Cost of Your Local Move

The biggest savings come from reducing the time your crew spends on the job. Declutter before you move so there is less to carry, pack some or all of your boxes yourself, and have every box sealed and labeled by room before the truck arrives. Reserving parking close to your door and choosing a mid-week date can also shorten the day and lower your total.

What Counts as a Local Move in Virginia?

Most movers consider a local move to be one that stays within about 30 miles of where it starts. That threshold matters in Virginia. Under Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles household goods rules, moves of more than 30 miles from the starting point must be handled by a certified household goods carrier and charged according to a rate tariff filed with the DMV, rather than a simple hourly rate.

Moves that cross into Washington, DC or Maryland fall into a different category. Even a short trip from Arlington into DC crosses a state line, which makes it an interstate move under federal rules. Craig Van Lines is registered with the U.S. Department of Transportation (US DOT #486494), so we handle these moves as well. Learn more about our long-distance moving services. Your estimator will confirm which category your move falls into and how it will be priced.

Why Northern Virginia Families Choose Craig Van Lines

Four generations of the Craig family have run this company for more than 100 years. Our movers are trained, long-term employees who know the neighborhoods, buildings, and traffic patterns of Northern Virginia. Learn more about our history.

BBB accredited since 1984: We have held an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau for four decades.
Licensed and fully insured: We carry workers’ compensation coverage for added protection on every job.
Well-maintained fleet: Our trucks are clean, professionally serviced, and operated under US DOT #486494.
Transportation protection options: Coverage ranges from basic protection to full-value replacement, so you can choose the level that fits your belongings.
Flexible payment: We accept VISA, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover.

Thousands of Northern Virginia customers have trusted us with their moves. Read our customer reviews to see what they say about our crews.

Local Movers Serving Communities Across Northern Virginia

Our headquarters is in Gainesville, and our second office is in Fairfax, which puts our crews within easy reach of every community in the region.

In Fairfax County, we move families and businesses in Fairfax, Tysons Corner, McLean, and Chantilly, along with Reston, Vienna, Springfield, and Burke. In Prince William County, we serve Manassas, Haymarket, Bristow, Woodbridge, and our home base of Gainesville. We also serve Ashburn and communities across Loudoun County, plus Arlington and Alexandria.

Do not see your town? View our full list of moving service areas or give us a call.

Tips to Prepare for a Local Move

Book early for busy dates: Late spring through summer and the end of each month fill quickly.
Check building and HOA rules: Many condo buildings and communities require elevator reservations, set move-in hours, or advance notice.
Plan for truck parking: Reserve space close to your door, and ask your city or HOA whether a permit is needed.
Pack a first-night box: Keep toiletries, medications, chargers, a change of clothes, and important documents with you.

For a complete timeline, use our week-by-week moving checklist. Moving with a family? Our guide to moving with kids and pets covers how to keep everyone calm and on schedule.

Frequently Asked Questions About Local Moving

How much do local movers cost in Northern Virginia?

Local moves in Northern Virginia are usually billed by the hour. Your cost depends on how many movers you need, how long the move takes, and travel time to and from your locations. Packing and storage are priced separately. Mid-week and mid-month dates often cost less because demand is lower. Craig Van Lines provides free estimates so you know what to expect before moving day.

What is considered a local move?

A local move generally stays within about 30 miles of where it starts. In Virginia, household goods moves longer than 30 miles must be charged according to a rate tariff filed with the Virginia DMV. Moves that cross into Washington, DC or Maryland count as interstate moves under federal rules, even when the distance is short.

How far in advance should I book local movers?

Booking four to six weeks ahead is a good rule of thumb. Late spring, summer, weekends, and the last few days of each month are the busiest times, so book earlier if your move falls in one of those windows. If your timeline is short, call us to check availability.

Do you move pianos and antiques?

Yes. Our crews move pianos, antiques, wine cellars, and other valuable or delicate items as part of local moves. We use extra padding and careful packing for fragile pieces, and we disassemble and reassemble large furniture at your new home.

Can you store my belongings between homes?

Yes. Craig Van Lines offers short-term and long-term storage in secure, climate-controlled facilities. Storage helps when your closing dates do not line up, when you are renovating, or when you are downsizing and need time to decide what to keep.

Is Craig Van Lines licensed and insured?

Yes. Craig Van Lines is licensed and fully insured, carries workers’ compensation coverage, and is registered with the U.S. Department of Transportation under US DOT #486494. We have been an accredited Better Business Bureau member with an A+ rating since 1984.

Get a Free Local Moving Quote

Ready to plan your move? Call us today for a free moving quote, or request your quote online. Our team will walk you through your options and give you a clear estimate for your local move.