($730+) Minneapolis, MN to Washington DC, MD Movers
Moving from Minneapolis, MN, to Washington DC, MD, runs anywhere from $783 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $9,425 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,112 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 2 to 8 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.
- Full-service moves for smaller spaces (studio apartments and 1-bedrooms) start around $2,273, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $9,425 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,315 - $4,254, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $783 - $2,156.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Minneapolis, MN, to Washington DC, MD. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,842 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
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Compare moving options from Minneapolis, MN to Washington DC, MD
There are 3 main ways to move from Minneapolis to Washington DC: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service is the most expensive but covers everything from labor to transportation, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route averaging $2,842 - $7,009. Containers cost roughly 30% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 60% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 1,112 miles, expect 2 to 8 days in transit no matter which service you choose.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,112-mile route from Minneapolis to Washington DC, broken down by home size:
- A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $2,273 - $5,433 with full-service movers, $1,315 - $2,315 with a container, $783 - $1,404 with a rental truck, or $1,138 - $2,062 by freight.
- A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $2,842 - $7,009 full-service, $1,661 - $3,418 by container, $822 - $1,703 by rental truck, or $1,250 - $2,474 by freight.
- A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $4,604 - $9,425 full-service, $2,289 - $4,254 by container, $1,043 - $2,156 by rental truck, or $1,814 - $3,576 by freight.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Minneapolis, MN to Washington DC, MD
Full-service movers for the 1,112-mile relocation from Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Washington DC, Maryland, cost between $2,273 and $9,425. With a long-distance moving company, loading, transportation, and unloading are all taken care of. If you want to skip packing boxes, too, that can be added for $374 - $2,492, depending on your home size. What you pay in the end is mainly a function of how much your shipment weighs and how far it's traveling. As a point of reference, local movers in Minneapolis typically charge a base rate around $240 plus $109 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Minneapolis to Washington DC:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,273 - $5,433
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,842 - $7,009
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,604 - $9,425
Packing, storage, shuttle fees, and added coverage can stack on top of the base price. See the full add-ons and specialty services table below for what each runs from Minneapolis to Washington DC.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Minnesota to Maryland. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: Avoiding peak moving season dates (May - September) is one of the easiest ways to reduce costs. Off-season moves typically come with lower pricing and more room to negotiate since movers have fewer bookings.
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Specialty moving services from Minneapolis, MN to Washington DC, MD
Specialty needs vary by market — 91% of Minneapolis movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Washington DC, 93% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $623 - $6,230 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready91% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Matt's Moving Company | $249 - $1,495/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $374 - $2,990 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage29% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs59% of local movers | $1,246 - $3,738 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,115 - $12,460 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $933 - $1,773 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items41% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: College Muscle Movers, LLC | $1,246 - $3,115 |
| Piano | Any piano type76% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Matt's Moving Company | $997 - $4,361 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling21% of local movers | $374 - $1,869 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect12% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: College Muscle Movers, LLC | $810 - $2,492 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $374 - $18,690+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $374 - $4,361+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Minneapolis to Washington DC?
Maryland Motor Truck Association membership is a quick way to confirm a mover is legitimate in Maryland, on top of the picks below.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing means no surprise charges on moving day, and their support team is consistently rated among the most responsive in the industry.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here, with 30+ years in business since 1995. AVL is one of the few national carriers that uses full-time in-house crews instead of contracted labor.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, with fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan that covers damage, loss, and breakage.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in Minneapolis, MN. Van lines spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments, while local movers tend to charge 30% - 40% more for the same distance. A direct route with a local mover averages 2-day delivery, but that added speed typically carries a higher price tag.
Moving container costs from Minneapolis, MN to Washington DC, MD
Moving containers from Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Washington DC, Maryland, cost between $1,315 and $4,254. The container gets dropped at your door and you load it at your own pace. U-Haul gives you 3 days to load and PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're done, the company handles all the transportation. If you need extra time, storage in Minneapolis runs about $70/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Minneapolis to Washington DC:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,315 - $2,315
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,661 - $3,418
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,289 - $4,254
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $93 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $187 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Washington DC, MD, if you need to retrieve anything while items are still in storage.
- Moving labor: Since you're responsible for loading the container yourself, many customers bring in hourly help. Based on moveBuddha data, hiring 2 movers for approximately 5 hours costs about $872 in Minneapolis, MN. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection goes beyond the standard minimum and covers repair, replacement, or reimbursement at declared value. Pricing is typically 1% - 2% of your total shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 move.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Minnesota to Maryland move in the past 90 days. Our pricing data is drawn from 1,500+ monthly data points across our vetted mover network and refreshed every month.
Pro tip: Before ordering moving containers, take a careful inventory of everything you're moving. A typical 1-bedroom home weighs around 3,000 pounds and fits in a single container starting at $1,315. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,661 - $3,418, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Minneapolis to Washington DC?
- Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
- U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
- MovingYourself (5.0/5 stars)
Want a hand without paying for full service? A container or truck move does not mean doing all the heavy lifting yourself. You can hire a labor-only crew in Minneapolis to load and unload while you handle the drive, then book full help later if you change your mind. Three top-rated local crews for labor-only help in Minneapolis:
- AAA Movers (4.4/5), 38 years in business
- College Muscle Movers, LLC (4.5/5), 19 years in business
- Daymakers Moving & Storage (4.9/5), 8 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Minneapolis, MN to Washington DC, MD
Plan on $783 - $2,156 for a rental moving truck on the 1,112-mile route from Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Washington DC, Maryland. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $441 - $504
- Daily insurance: $37/day
- Equipment rentals: $9 - $25
- Minneapolis daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.59 - $0.79
| Home size | Typical truck size |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | 10 - 12 ft |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | 15 - 17 ft |
| 4+ bedrooms | 20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel) |
These are typical moving truck rental costs from Minneapolis to Washington DC based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $783 - $1,404
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $822 - $1,703
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,043 - $2,156
Pro tip: The base rate of $783 - $2,156 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Minneapolis to Washington DC. Fuel ($441 - $504) , lodging at around $187/night, meals, and equipment rentals are all on top of that. Factor in an extra $600 - $1,200 to get a realistic picture of what the move will actually cost.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Minneapolis, Minnesota, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $872.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $441 - $504 for the 1,112-mile drive, depending on whether your truck takes gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, auto transport trailers, and furniture pads are separate rentals. Expect to spend between $75 and $405, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $187 per night for hotel stops on the 1,112-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $374 - $561.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Minneapolis to Washington DC?
- Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
- Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
- U-Haul Truck Rental (4.2/5 stars)
The best truck rental companies for this route, based on moveBuddha's ratings.
Freight trailer costs from Minneapolis, MN to Washington DC, MD
Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Washington DC, Maryland. Standard trailers run 28 feet long, and you're only charged for the portion you actually fill. The carrier drops the trailer off, you load it at your own pace, and they handle the drive to your new city.
Pricing is based entirely on the linear footage your shipment occupies, not the full trailer length. Most long-distance freight moves land somewhere between $1,121 and $2,474.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Minneapolis to Washington DC:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,138 - $2,062
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,250 - $2,474
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,814 - $3,576
Pro tip: Freight trailers come with a 4-foot loading ramp, which can be a challenge with bulky furniture. With 8 feet of vertical space available, stacking efficiently often requires a ladder and a plan. Since you're billed per linear foot, packing tight can make a real difference in your final cost.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Seasonal demand: Pricing tends to rise during peak moving season, particularly between mid-May and mid-September.
- Moving labor: Most customers hire loading help since freight is self-loaded. Two movers in Minneapolis, Minnesota, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $872.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $93 and $187 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Minneapolis to Washington DC?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the best for large moves pick. While it's a top moving container option for the DIY hybrid setup (you handle the loading, they handle the driving), the same approach makes it a strong freight choice for 3 to 5+ bedroom homes that need 53 feet of trailer capacity with pay-as-you-go pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer here. In addition to their popular container service, U-Pack delivers a top-tier freight trailer option that uses the same pay-by-the-foot pricing model and skips deposits and upfront fees entirely.
- T.A. Dedicated, Inc. (4.8/5 stars): T.A. Dedicated, Inc. is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Local ownership translates to accessible support staff and facilities based in the communities they serve, giving customers more direct communication than they'd typically get from a national-only freight network.
Pro tip: One of the biggest advantages of freight trailers is speed. For an interstate move, freight delivery is one of the fastest options you have short of driving a rental truck yourself. It's a smart choice when your timeline is firm and you'll be ready to receive your shipment. If there's any chance your new place won't be ready or you need a few weeks of storage, a moving container with built-in storage may serve you better.
Cost of living: Minneapolis, MN vs Washington DC, MD
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Washington DC, side by side with Minneapolis on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Minneapolis, MN | Washington DC, MD |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 107 | 151 |
| Average rent | $1,484/mo | $2,400/mo |
| Median home value | $345,294 | $594,337 |
| Average income | $80,269/yr | $101,027/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 4.5% | 7.0% |
| State income tax | Up to 9.85% | Up to 5.75% |
| Walkability score | 71/100 | 77/100 |
| Safety index | 43.94/100 | 39.63/100 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
Cost of living index is relative to the U.S. average of 100. Figures reflect the latest available city and state data.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Washington DC, MD to Minneapolis, MN guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Minnesota to Maryland, so we know current pricing better than most. Checking our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates. Minnesota alone has 49 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 1,112-mile move like this one.
Our take
A move from Minneapolis, MN, to Washington DC, MD, gives you several options depending on your budget and how much you want to do yourself. Full-service movers handle everything but cost the most, ranging from $2,273 - $9,425 on the 1,112-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,315 - $4,254, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $783 - $2,156. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $2,842 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and round-the-clock live support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Department of Homeland Security and US Navy.
FAQs: Moving from Minneapolis, MN, to Washington DC, MD
What size moving truck do I need for this route?
Rental trucks generally range from 10 to 26 feet. A 15- to 17-foot truck covers most 2-bedroom moves, while a smaller 10- to 12-foot truck works for a studio or 1-bedroom. Homes with 3 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
Is Washington DC a safe place to live?
Washington DC has a safety index of 39.63 out of 100 and a crime index of 60.37, compared to 43.94 and 56.06 in Minneapolis. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What is the cheapest way to move from Minneapolis, MN to Washington DC, MD?
Renting a moving truck is almost always the most affordable option, since you handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself. A 2-bedroom rental truck move on this route averages $822 - $1,703. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What are the best neighborhoods in Washington DC?
For families, AU-Tenleytown, Chevy Chase, and Cleveland Park are worth a look in Washington DC. If you're moving solo or without kids, Adams Morgan, Capitol Hill, and Cleveland Park tend to be popular picks instead.
How long does a move from Minneapolis, MN to Washington DC, MD take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 5 - 7 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are usually the fastest option outside of driving yourself, with deliveries in 3 - 5 days, though you'll need to be ready to receive your shipment on arrival. Driving a rental truck yourself puts the schedule entirely in your hands.
What percentage of Minneapolis movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 76% of movers in Minneapolis handle piano moves, and 41% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
