($1,447+) Washington DC, MD to Irvine, CA Movers
Moving from Washington DC, MD, to Irvine, CA, runs anywhere from $1,447 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $11,553 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 2,666 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 $2,386, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $11,553 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,761 - $6,957, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,447 - $3,931.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Washington DC, MD, to Irvine, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,750 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 Irvine, CA
Moving options from Washington DC to Irvine fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $3,750 - $7,835 for a 2-3 bedroom home and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers cost about 38% less than full-service for the same size, and rental trucks land around 58% less, with both DIY options requiring you to load yourself. Covering 2,666 miles, this route usually takes 7 to 21 days from pickup to delivery.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 2,666-mile route from Washington DC to Irvine, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $2,386 - $5,476 | $1,761 - $3,419 | $1,447 - $2,974 | $1,651 - $3,302 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $3,750 - $7,835 | $2,330 - $5,108 | $1,567 - $3,339 | $1,980 - $3,886 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $6,773 - $11,553 | $3,410 - $6,957 | $1,900 - $3,931 | $2,596 - $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 Irvine, CA
Hiring full-service movers from Washington DC, Maryland, to Irvine, California, costs between $2,386 and $11,553. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 2,666-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $470 - $3,132, 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 Irvine. 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 Irvine:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,386 - $5,476
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,750 - $7,835
- 4+ bedrooms: $6,773 - $11,553
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 Irvine.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Maryland to California. 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 Washington DC, MD to Irvine, CA
Specialty needs vary by market: 70% of Washington DC movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Irvine, 56% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing80% of local movers | $783 - $7,830 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready70% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: 495 Movers, Inc | $313 - $1,879/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $470 - $3,758 |
| 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 | $1,566 - $4,698 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,915 - $15,660 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,173 - $2,228 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items34% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: 495 Movers, Inc | $1,566 - $3,915 |
| Piano | Any piano type42% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: 495 Movers, Inc | $1,253 - $5,481 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling9% of local movers | $470 - $2,349 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect8% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Olympia Moving & Storage | $1,018 - $3,132 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $470 - $23,490+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $470 - $5,481+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Washington DC to Irvine?
If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in California Moving & Storage Association is a good first thing to confirm.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving offers the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing locks in your cost upfront, and 24/7 customer support is available throughout the move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. Operating since 1995, AVL staffs every move with full-time in-house crews trained on antiques, art, and other high-value items.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. As one of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, real-time shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national full-service movers are the more cost-efficient choice. Local movers in Washington DC, MD, often charge 30% - 40% more at that distance because their operations aren't built for long-haul logistics. The exception is if you want a dedicated point-to-point truck with an average 2-day delivery, though that level of service generally increases your total cost.
Moving container costs from Washington DC, MD to Irvine, CA
Moving containers from Washington DC, Maryland, to Irvine, California, cost between $1,761 and $6,957. 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 Irvine:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,761 - $3,419
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,330 - $5,108
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,410 - $6,957
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Containers are self-loaded, so many people hire hourly help for the heavy lifting. moveBuddha data shows two movers for about five hours runs around $1,096 in Washington DC, MD. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: If you want stronger coverage than the default liability, full-value protection is the upgrade to consider. Most providers charge 1% - 2% of your shipment value, roughly $500 - $1,000 for $50,000 in contents.
- Storage: After the first month, rental fees average $117 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $235 per month for a larger 12- to 16-foot unit.
- Access: If you anticipate needing to access items while in storage, confirm there's a facility conveniently located near your Irvine, CA, destination before booking.
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 $1,761. 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 $2,330 - $5,108.
What are the best moving containers Washington DC to Irvine?
- 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 Irvine, CA
A rental truck for this 2,666-mile move from Washington DC, Maryland, to Irvine, California, costs between $1,447 and $3,931. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $1,328 - $1,518
- 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 Irvine based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,447 - $2,974
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,567 - $3,339
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,900 - $3,931
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $1,447 - $3,931 when pricing out a rental truck from Washington DC to Irvine. Fuel alone runs $1,328 - $1,518, and overnight lodging ($235/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?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $235 per night if your drive requires an overnight stop. Typically, you'll make 1 - 3 overnight stops, depending on move distance.
- Moving labor: Bringing in professional loading help in Washington DC, Maryland, usually costs about $1,096 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 2,666-mile drive falls between $1,328 and $1,518, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, moving pads, and vehicle trailers are easy to overlook but can add between $78 and $470 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Washington DC to Irvine?
- 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 Irvine, CA
Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from Washington DC, Maryland, to Irvine, California. 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 $1,409 and $3,886.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Washington DC to Irvine:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,651 - $3,302
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,980 - $3,886
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,596 - $5,565
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?
- More space: Freight trailers are billed by the section you fill. If you misjudge your shipment size, each extra foot of trailer space adds around $117 - $235 to your final bill.
- Peak season pricing: Expect higher rates during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) when trailer availability tightens across the country.
- Moving labor: Loading is on you unless you hire outside help. A half-day crew of two movers in Washington DC, Maryland, typically costs $1,096.
What are the best freight companies from Washington DC to Irvine?
- 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 Irvine 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 Irvine, CA
Good news for your budget: Irvine isn't meaningfully more or less expensive to live in than Washington DC. Cost of living index runs 165 there against 151 here. Focus your planning on the move itself rather than a change in monthly expenses. For reference, walkability and safety scores are 77/100 and 39.63/100 here versus 43/100 and 68.99/100 there.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Irvine, CA to Washington DC, MD guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Maryland to California 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 220 movers based in Maryland, handy for sizing up options on this 2,666-mile route.
Our take
A move from Washington DC, MD, to Irvine, CA, 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 $2,386 - $11,553 on the 2,666-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,761 - $6,957, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $1,447 - $3,931. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $3,750 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 Mitsubishi Digital Electronics America and Taco Bell.
FAQs: Moving from Washington DC, MD, to Irvine, CA
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.
How much does it cost to move from Washington DC, MD to Irvine, CA?
Costs on this route range from around $1,447 to $11,553, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,386 and $11,553, while DIY options like rental trucks and containers come in lower. Moving during peak season (May - September) tends to push prices higher across the board.
What is the cheapest way to move from Washington DC, MD to Irvine, CA?
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 $1,567 - $3,339. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($1,328 - $1,518), daily insurance ($47/day), and equipment rentals ($11 - $31) on top. Overnight stops can add another $235/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How long does a move from Washington DC, MD to Irvine, CA take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 7 to 21 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are often one of the faster options outside of driving yourself, 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 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.