($1,389+) Washington DC, MD to Los Angeles, CA Movers
Moving from Washington DC, MD, to Los Angeles, CA, runs anywhere from $1,389 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $11,786 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 2,668 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 7 to 21 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 $2,434, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $11,786 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,853 - $6,752, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,389 - $4,303.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Washington DC, MD, to Los Angeles, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,787 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 Washington DC, MD to Los Angeles, CA
Moving options from Washington DC to Los Angeles fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move on this route costs $3,787 - $7,459 and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 39% less for the same home size, while rental trucks land about 58% less, though both require you to load the truck or container yourself. This route spans 2,668 miles and typically takes 7 to 21 days.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 2,668-mile route from Washington DC to Los Angeles, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $2,434 - $5,648 | $1,853 - $3,419 | $1,389 - $2,691 | $1,667 - $3,173 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $3,787 - $7,459 | $2,306 - $4,857 | $1,599 - $3,204 | $1,826 - $4,167 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $6,773 - $11,786 | $3,212 - $6,752 | $1,900 - $4,303 | $2,543 - $5,565 |
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated November 2, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Washington DC, MD to Los Angeles, CA
Hiring full-service movers from Washington DC, Maryland, to Los Angeles, California, costs between $2,434 and $11,786. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 2,668-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $466 - $3,108, depending on the size of your home. Your final cost comes down to two things: the total weight of your shipment and the distance between Washington DC and Los Angeles. For a rough baseline, movers based in Washington DC tend to start around $180 plus $85/hour per mover on local jobs, before long-distance pricing takes over for a move this size.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Washington DC to Los Angeles:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,434 - $5,648
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,787 - $7,459
- 4+ bedrooms: $6,773 - $11,786
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 Washington DC to Los Angeles.
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 Washington DC, MD to Los Angeles, CA
Specialty needs vary by market: 70% of Washington DC movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Los Angeles, 56% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing80% of local movers | $777 - $7,770 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready70% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: 495 Movers, Inc | $311 - $1,865/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $466 - $3,730 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage13% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs55% of local movers | $1,554 - $4,662 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,885 - $15,540 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,164 - $2,211 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items34% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: 495 Movers, Inc | $1,554 - $3,885 |
| Piano | Any piano type42% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: 495 Movers, Inc | $1,243 - $5,439 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling9% of local movers | $466 - $2,331 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect8% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Olympia Moving & Storage | $1,010 - $3,108 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $466 - $23,310+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $466 - $5,439+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Washington DC to Los Angeles?
Movers licensed to operate in California are typically members of the California Moving & Storage Association, worth checking for before you book any of the three below.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 customer support, and 30 days of free storage are included with every move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list, 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, combining 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 van lines are the smarter financial choice over local movers in Washington DC, MD. Local companies can run 30% - 40% more at that range since they don't consolidate shipments the way interstate carriers do. If a direct, dedicated route with an average 2-day delivery appeals to you, a local mover could be worth it, but that convenience comes at a cost.
Moving container costs from Washington DC, MD to Los Angeles, CA
Moving containers from Washington DC, Maryland, to Los Angeles, California, cost between $1,853 and $6,752. 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 Washington DC typically runs around $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Washington DC to Los Angeles:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,853 - $3,419
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,306 - $4,857
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,212 - $6,752
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Access: Most major container brands operate in both Washington DC, MD and Los Angeles, CA. Still, double-check that a nearby facility is available if you need to access your belongings before delivery.
- Moving labor: Because containers are self-loaded, many customers hire hourly help. Two movers for about 5 hours typically cost around $1,088 in Washington DC, MD, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $117 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $233 for larger ones (12 - 16 feet).
- Added contents protection: For more coverage beyond the standard minimum, full-value protection is the typical upgrade, generally 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value. On a $50,000 household, that's roughly $500 - $1,000 as a one-time fee.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Maryland to California 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 $1,853. Underestimating how much you have and needing an extra container means paying for another one, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise. For reference, a 2 - 3 bedroom home typically runs $2,306 - $4,857.
What are the best moving containers Washington DC to Los Angeles?
- 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 Washington DC 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 Washington DC:
- Straightline Movers Inc. (4.9/5), 7 years in business
- Zip Moving And Storage, Inc. (4.9/5), 11 years in business
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.9/5), 0 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Washington DC, MD to Los Angeles, CA
A rental truck for this 2,668-mile move from Washington DC, Maryland, to Los Angeles, California, costs between $1,389 and $4,303. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $1,319 - $1,508
- Daily insurance: $47/day
- Equipment rentals: $11 - $31
- Washington DC daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.99 - $1.19
| 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 Washington DC to Los Angeles based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,389 - $2,691
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,599 - $3,204
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,900 - $4,303
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $1,389 - $4,303 when pricing out a rental truck from Washington DC to Los Angeles. Fuel alone runs $1,319 - $1,508, and overnight lodging ($233/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend roughly $600 - $1,200 more on meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging by the time the move is done.
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 $117 and $544.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $233.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $1,319 and $1,508 for the 2,668-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 $1,088 for 2 movers in Washington DC, Maryland, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Washington DC to Los Angeles?
- 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 Washington DC, MD to Los Angeles, CA
If you're moving a larger household from Washington DC, Maryland, and want to stay in control of the loading process, freight trailers offer a practical middle ground between hiring movers and renting a truck yourself. A 28-foot trailer is delivered to your door, you load what you need, and the carrier handles the drive to Los Angeles, California.
Freight trailers are priced by the linear feet your belongings take up, so you only pay for the space you use. A 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route typically falls between $1,826 and $4,167.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Washington DC to Los Angeles:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,667 - $3,173
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,826 - $4,167
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,543 - $5,565
Pro tip: Loading a freight trailer is a bit different from filling a container. The 4-foot ramp can be steep with large items, and getting the most out of 8 feet of vertical clearance takes planning. Since pricing is based on linear feet used, every inch of wasted space has a cost.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Demand cycles: Trailer costs climb during peak moving season, especially from mid-May through mid-September when demand is at its highest.
- More space: You're billed only for the linear feet you use, but underestimating your inventory means paying for extra space, typically around $117 - $233 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Washington DC, Maryland, for about five hours typically runs $1,088.
What are the best freight companies from Washington DC to Los Angeles?
- 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.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in Los Angeles fast. For interstate moves, freight is one of the quickest delivery methods out there. Just keep in mind that freight carriers expect you to be available to receive your shipment, so it works best when your move-in is locked in and you don't need temporary storage on either end.
Cost of living: Washington DC, MD vs Los Angeles, CA
Day-to-day costs in Los Angeles are close to what you're used to in Washington DC: cost of living index of 162 versus 151, with average rent of $2,960/mo compared to $2,400/mo. With an index gap that small, budgeting for this move mostly comes down to the moving costs above rather than a shift in your monthly expenses. For reference, walkability and safety scores are 77/100 and 39.63/100 in Washington DC versus 69/100 and 46.19/100 in Los Angeles.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Los Angeles, CA to Washington DC, MD guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from Maryland to California, so our pricing data reflects what movers are actually charging right now. Check our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers, the best way to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and bad actors. We track 220 movers in Maryland, so you have real options to compare for this 2,668-mile move.
Our take
The 2,668-mile move from Washington DC, MD, to Los Angeles, CA, costs between $2,434 and $11,786 with full-service movers, $1,853 - $6,752 with a moving container, and $1,389 - $4,303 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 $3,787 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 County of Los Angeles and Los Angeles Unified School District.
FAQs: Moving from Washington DC, MD, to Los Angeles, CA
How do I know a mover is licensed in California?
When contacting a local moving company for an estimate in California, make sure each has a “T Number” issued by the California Public Utilities Commission (CAPUC). Moving companies with valid T Numbers have met state requirements for insurance, safety, and financial stability and have passed criminal clearance checks conducted by the California Department of Justice.
What are the best neighborhoods in Los Angeles?
For families, Brentwood, Eagle Rock, and Mar Vista are worth a look in Los Angeles. If you're moving solo or without kids, Echo Park, Los Feliz, and Playa Del Rey tend to be popular picks instead.
How walkable is Los Angeles?
Los Angeles has a walkability score of 69 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 59, compared to 77 and 70 in Washington DC. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
Is Los Angeles a safe place to live?
Los Angeles has a safety index of 46.19 out of 100 and a crime index of 53.81, compared to 39.63 and 60.37 in Washington DC. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Washington DC, MD to Los Angeles, CA?
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.
What percentage of Washington DC movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 42% of movers in Washington DC handle piano moves, and 34% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.