($1,253+) Scottsdale, AZ to Washington DC, MD Movers
Moving from Scottsdale, AZ, to Washington DC, MD, runs anywhere from $1,253 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $11,041 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 2,287 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 7 to 18 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 $2,575, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $11,041 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,778 - $6,151, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,253 - $3,786.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Scottsdale, AZ, to Washington DC, MD. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,440 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 Scottsdale, AZ to Washington DC, MD
There are 3 main ways to move from Scottsdale to Washington DC: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service handles labor and transportation for you, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route costing $3,440 - $7,811. Moving containers run about 33% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 60% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 7 to 18 days for this 2,287-mile route, depending on which option you go with.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 2,287-mile route from Scottsdale to Washington DC, broken down by home size:
Home size makes the biggest difference in what you'll pay on this route. A studio or 1-bedroom runs $2,575 - $5,479 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($1,778 - $3,363), rental truck ($1,253 - $2,446), or freight trailer ($1,600 - $2,852). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $3,440 - $7,811 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $11,041.
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 Scottsdale, AZ to Washington DC, MD
Full-service movers for the 2,287-mile relocation from Scottsdale, Arizona, to Washington DC, Maryland, cost between $2,575 and $11,041. 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 $385 - $2,564, 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 Scottsdale typically charge a base rate around $155 plus $85 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Scottsdale to Washington DC:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,575 - $5,479
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,440 - $7,811
- 4+ bedrooms: $6,592 - $11,041
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 Scottsdale to Washington DC.
Pro tip: The summer months (May - September) are the busiest time of year for movers during peak moving season, which drives up prices and limits scheduling options. If you can move in the fall or winter, you'll likely find better rates and more flexibility.
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Specialty moving services from Scottsdale, AZ to Washington DC, MD
Specialty needs vary by market: 66% of Scottsdale movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Washington DC, 70% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing79% of local movers | $641 - $6,410 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready66% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Mentors Moving & Storage | $256 - $1,538/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $385 - $3,077 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage13% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs53% of local movers | $1,282 - $3,846 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,205 - $12,820 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $960 - $1,824 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items26% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Moving Team Six LLC | $1,282 - $3,205 |
| Piano | Any piano type35% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: You Move Me | $1,026 - $4,487 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling14% of local movers | $385 - $1,923 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect9% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Nicolosi Moving & Storage Inc. (AZ) | $833 - $2,564 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $385 - $19,230+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $385 - $4,487+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Scottsdale to Washington DC?
All three below meet the standards set by the Maryland Motor Truck Association, the group most Maryland movers are affiliated with.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list, with flat-rate pricing that holds firm on moving day and a customer support team available around the clock.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here. With 30+ years of interstate moves behind them, AVL uses full-time in-house crews instead of the contracted labor most national carriers rely on.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, with fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan available on every long-distance move.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national van lines are the smarter financial choice over local movers in Scottsdale, AZ. 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 Scottsdale, AZ to Washington DC, MD
Moving containers from Scottsdale, Arizona, to Washington DC, Maryland, cost between $1,778 and $6,151. You're in charge of loading, and the timeline is yours to set. U-Haul allows 3 days while PODS gives you a full 30. After that, the company picks it up and delivers it to your new address. Running behind schedule? Storage in Scottsdale costs roughly $90/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Scottsdale to Washington DC:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,778 - $3,363
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,302 - $4,766
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,102 - $6,151
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $96 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $192 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 $897 in Scottsdale, AZ. 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 Arizona 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 $1,778. 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 $2,302 - $4,766.
What are the best moving containers Scottsdale 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 Scottsdale 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 Scottsdale:
- B Line Movers (4.9/5), 10 years in business
- Bellhop Moving (4.2/5), 15 years in business
- Aardvark Movers Inc (4.5/5), 23 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Scottsdale, AZ to Washington DC, MD
Truck rentals from Scottsdale, Arizona, to Washington DC, Maryland, range from $1,253 - $3,786 for the 2,287-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $933 - $1,066
- Daily insurance: $38/day
- Equipment rentals: $9 - $26
- Scottsdale daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.89
| 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 Scottsdale to Washington DC based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,253 - $2,446
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,370 - $3,058
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,677 - $3,786
Pro tip: The base rate of $1,253 - $3,786 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Scottsdale to Washington DC. Fuel ($933 - $1,066), lodging at around $192/night, meals, and equipment rentals are all on top of that. Factor in roughly $600 - $1,200 more for meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging to get a realistic picture of what the move will actually cost.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $192 per night. Most long-distance moves with rental trucks require 1 - 3 overnight stops.
- Equipment: Tow dollies, auto trailers, and specialty moving equipment can add between $83 and $417 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $933 - $1,066 in fuel for the 2,287-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $897 in Scottsdale, Arizona, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Scottsdale 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 Scottsdale, AZ to Washington DC, MD
If you're moving a larger household from Scottsdale, Arizona, 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 Washington DC, Maryland.
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 $1,666 and $3,704.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Scottsdale to Washington DC:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,600 - $2,852
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,666 - $3,704
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,410 - $4,674
Pro tip: A 4-foot ramp sounds simple, but heavy or awkward furniture can make the climb tricky. With 8 feet of height to work with, smart vertical stacking is key. Since freight companies charge by the linear foot, every extra foot you use adds to the bill.
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 $96 - $192 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Scottsdale, Arizona, for about five hours typically runs $897.
What are the best freight companies from Scottsdale to Washington DC?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Best known as a top moving container option thanks to its DIY hybrid model (you load, they drive), MovingYourself also doubles as a strong freight choice with their 53-foot trucks and pay-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. In addition to their well-known container service, U-Pack offers freight trailers that follow the same pay-by-the-foot model with no deposits or upfront fees, making them one of the most flexible freight options for budget-conscious moves.
Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from Scottsdale to Washington DC, freight trailers are one of the fastest interstate options available, second only to renting a truck and driving it yourself. The tradeoff is that freight works best when you're ready to receive your belongings on the other end. If your timeline is tight on the receiving side or you need a short storage buffer, a moving container might be a better fit.
Cost of living: Scottsdale, AZ 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 Scottsdale on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Scottsdale, AZ | Washington DC, MD |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 113 | 151 |
| Average rent | $3,300/mo | $2,400/mo |
| Median home value | $709,486 | $594,337 |
| Average income | $107,372/yr | $101,027/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 4.7% | 7.0% |
| State income tax | Up to 2.5% | Up to 5.75% |
| Walkability score | 32/100 | 77/100 |
| Safety index | 74.2/100 | 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 Scottsdale, AZ guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Arizona to Maryland in the past 3 months alone, keeping our pricing data current. Run your numbers through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. For context, we track 242 movers based in Arizona, handy for sizing up options on this 2,287-mile route.
Our take
For a move from Scottsdale, AZ, to Washington DC, MD, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $2,575 for a studio to $11,041 for a 4+ bedroom home on the 2,287-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,778 - $6,151. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $1,253 - $3,786, though you'll be handling the driving and loading yourself. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with quotes starting around $3,440 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage included, and 24/7 live customer support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Department of Homeland Security and US Navy.
FAQs: Moving from Scottsdale, AZ, to Washington DC, MD
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($933 - $1,066), daily insurance ($38/day), and equipment rentals ($9 - $26) on top. Overnight stops can add another $192/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Maryland?
Although a local license is not required in Maryland, make sure the moving company you’ll be hiring is registered with U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). To verify if you’re dealing with a legal and licensed mover, you may ask them their USDOT registration number.
What is the best time of year to move from Scottsdale, AZ 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 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 4 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 74.2 and 25.8 in Scottsdale. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What percentage of Scottsdale movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 35% of movers in Scottsdale handle piano moves, and 26% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.