($1,472+) Anaheim, CA to Washington DC, MD Movers
The cost to move from Anaheim, CA to Washington DC, MD ranges from $1,434 to $12,115, with an average cost of $4,600. Moves can be as low as $1,472 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 2,662 miles and usually takes 7 to 21 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.
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Compare moving options from Anaheim, CA to Washington DC, MD
Moving options from Anaheim to Washington DC fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,434 - $12,115 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $4,600, and movers handle all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 60% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This particular route covers 2,662 miles and typically takes 7 to 21 days depending on the service you pick.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 2,662-mile route from Anaheim to Washington DC, broken down by home size:
- Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $1,434 - $6,416, container $1,867 - $3,965, rental truck $1,503 - $3,094, freight trailer $1,768 - $3,331.
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $3,975 - $8,148, container $2,496 - $5,415, rental truck $1,628 - $3,432, freight trailer $1,977 - $4,205.
- 4+ bedrooms: full-service $7,929 - $12,115, container $3,510 - $7,448, rental truck $2,036 - $4,562, freight trailer $2,836 - $5,611.
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 Anaheim, CA to Washington DC, MD
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 2,662-mile move from Anaheim, California, to Washington DC, Maryland, with prices running from $1,434 - $12,115. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $478 - $3,188 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between Anaheim and Washington DC are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, Anaheim movers tend to run around $182 as a base rate plus $75/hour per mover, for comparison.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Anaheim to Washington DC:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,434 - $6,416
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,975 - $8,148
- 4+ bedrooms: $7,929 - $12,115
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 Anaheim to Washington DC.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from California to Maryland. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: Moving company rates climb during peak moving season (May –-September) when demand peaks. Scheduling your move outside of that window can lead to noticeably lower costs and better availability.
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Specialty moving services from Anaheim, CA to Washington DC, MD
Specialty needs vary by market — 84% of Anaheim 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 | $797 - $7,970 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready84% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Sterling Van Lines | $319 - $1,913/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $478 - $3,826 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage38% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs51% of local movers | $1,594 - $4,782 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,985 - $15,940 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,194 - $2,268 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items65% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Sterling Van Lines | $1,594 - $3,985 |
| Piano | Any piano type78% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Sterling Van Lines | $1,275 - $5,579 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling38% of local movers | $478 - $2,391 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect30% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Sterling Van Lines | $1,036 - $3,188 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $478 - $23,910+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $478 - $5,579+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Anaheim 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 full-service movers are almost always better priced than local movers in Anaheim, CA. Local companies typically run 30% - 40% more at longer distances because they aren't set up to consolidate shipments the way national carriers do. The one case where a local mover might be worth the premium is if you want a dedicated direct-route truck, which averages a 2-day delivery time, but expect to pay more for that convenience.
Moving container costs from Anaheim, CA to Washington DC, MD
Moving containers from Anaheim, California, to Washington DC, Maryland, cost between $1,867 and $7,448. You load everything on your own schedule (U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30). When you're ready, the company takes care of getting the container from point A to point B. Need more time than that? Extra storage in Anaheim typically runs around $110/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Anaheim to Washington DC:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,867 - $3,965
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,496 - $5,415
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,510 - $7,448
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $120 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $239 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 $1,116 in Anaheim, CA. 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 California 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 $1,867. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $2,496 - $5,415, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Anaheim 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 Anaheim 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 Anaheim:
- Sterling Van Lines (4.6/5), 35 years in business
- Merit Moving Systems (4.9/5), 39 years in business
- California Movers Local & Long Distance Moving Company (5.0/5), 11 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Anaheim, CA to Washington DC, MD
A rental truck for this 2,662-mile move from Anaheim, California, to Washington DC, Maryland, costs between $1,503 and $4,562. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $1,350 - $1,543
- Daily insurance: $48/day
- Equipment rentals: $11 - $32
- Anaheim daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.79 - $1.09
| 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 Anaheim to Washington DC based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,503 - $3,094
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,628 - $3,432
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,036 - $4,562
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $1,503 - $4,562 does not include fuel ($1,350 - $1,543) , lodging ($239/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Anaheim to Washington DC typically runs $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate alone.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Equipment: Tow dollies, appliance dollies, and moving pads are not included in the base rate. These extras often total between $120 and $558.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $239.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $1,350 and $1,543 for the 2,662-mile drive, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: If you'd rather not do all the heavy lifting, budget around $1,116 for 2 movers in Anaheim, California, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Anaheim 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 Anaheim, CA to Washington DC, MD
For larger DIY moves from Anaheim, California, freight trailers give you plenty of room without putting you behind the wheel. Standard trailers are 28 feet long. You load the section you need, and the carrier transports everything to Washington DC, Maryland.
Because freight companies bill by linear footage, your total is based on how much of the trailer you occupy, not the full length. For most medium-to-large moves on this route, pricing typically falls between $1,977 and $4,205.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Anaheim to Washington DC:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,768 - $3,331
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,977 - $4,205
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,836 - $5,611
Pro tip: Freight trailers offer generous space but reward good packing strategy. The 4-foot ramp can be challenging for large or heavy pieces, and using the full 8-foot height takes careful stacking. Because you're billed by the linear foot, maximizing vertical space keeps your costs lower.
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 Anaheim, California, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $1,116.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $120 and $239 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Anaheim to Washington DC?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Primarily known as a top moving container option for its DIY hybrid model where customers load and the company drives, MovingYourself also functions as a strong freight option thanks to its 53-foot trucks and pay-only-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. Best known for its container service, U-Pack also runs a top-notch freight trailer operation with the same no-deposit, pay-by-the-foot approach that keeps overall costs lower than most freight competitors.
- ALL Service Handling (4.76/5 stars): ALL Service Handling is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned facilities and accessible live support staff make scheduling and route coordination easier on local-area routes than what most national freight providers can offer.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are one of the fastest ways to move your belongings interstate, often beating full-service movers on delivery time. If getting your stuff to Washington DC quickly is a priority, freight is worth a hard look. That said, freight carriers typically require you to be available to receive your shipment within a set window, so if you need short-term storage or your new place won't be ready right away, a container or full-service mover may give you more flexibility.
Cost of living: Anaheim, CA vs Washington DC, MD
Anaheim and Washington DC land in a similar range on everyday costs. The cost of living index sits at 165 in Anaheim and 151 in Washington DC, and rent tracks closely too ($2,550/mo vs. $2,400/mo). You likely won't need to rework your monthly budget much after this move. Walkability (56 vs 77) and safety scores (46.82 vs 39.63) come out about the same too.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Washington DC, MD to Anaheim, CA guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from California to Maryland, so our pricing data stays current. Use our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and spot bad actors early. We track 374 movers licensed in California, useful context for sizing up this 2,662-mile move.
Our take
The 2,662-mile move from Anaheim, CA, to Washington DC, MD, costs between $1,434 and $12,115 with full-service movers, $1,867 - $7,448 with a moving container, and $1,503 - $4,562 for a rental truck. Your budget and how much heavy lifting you want to do are the two biggest factors in choosing the right option. If you go with full-service movers, Safeway Moving is our top recommendation, with transparent flat-rate pricing starting around $3,975 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage, and 24/7 customer support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Department of Homeland Security and US Navy.
FAQs: Moving from Anaheim, CA, to Washington DC, MD
How long does a move from Anaheim, CA 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 is the best time of year to move from Anaheim, CA to Washington DC, MD?
Aim for a move between October and March, when demand drops and rates tend to be lower across all service types. Peak season runs mid-May through mid-September, and weekends and month-end dates are pricier regardless of season. A midweek, mid-month date outside peak season is your best bet for saving money.
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Anaheim, CA to Washington DC, MD?
Cutting 500 pounds from your shipment, roughly one bedroom's worth of items, saves approximately $200 - $400 on a full-service move on this route. Beyond that, staying organized matters just as much. A solid moving checklist keeps you on schedule and helps you avoid costly last-minute mistakes.
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 46.82 and 53.18 in Anaheim. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
How walkable is Washington DC?
Washington DC has a walkability score of 77 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 70, compared to 56 and 52 in Anaheim. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
What percentage of Anaheim movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 78% of movers in Anaheim handle piano moves, and 65% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
