($1,640+) Long Beach, CA to Washington DC, MD Movers
The cost to move from Long Beach, CA to Washington DC, MD ranges from $1,421 to $13,028, with an average cost of $4,550. Moves can be as low as $1,640 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 2,681 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 Long Beach, CA to Washington DC, MD
Moving options from Long Beach to Washington DC fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,421 - $13,028 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $4,550, 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 2,681 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 2,681-mile route from Long Beach to Washington DC, broken down by home size:
- A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $1,421 - $6,433 with full-service movers, $1,897 - $3,837 with a container, $1,640 - $3,090 with a rental truck, or $1,814 - $3,591 by freight.
- A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $3,954 - $7,921 full-service, $2,434 - $5,396 by container, $1,744 - $3,677 by rental truck, or $2,008 - $4,402 by freight.
- A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $7,893 - $13,028 full-service, $3,708 - $7,133 by container, $2,246 - $4,203 by rental truck, or $2,967 - $5,997 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 Long Beach, CA to Washington DC, MD
Full-service movers for the 2,681-mile relocation from Long Beach, California, to Washington DC, Maryland, cost between $1,421 and $13,028. 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 $473 - $3,152, 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 Long Beach typically charge a base rate around $162 plus $75 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Long Beach to Washington DC:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,421 - $6,433
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,954 - $7,921
- 4+ bedrooms: $7,893 - $13,028
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 Long Beach 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: 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 Long Beach, CA to Washington DC, MD
Specialty needs vary by market — 87% of Long Beach 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 | $788 - $7,880 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready87% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Sterling Van Lines | $315 - $1,891/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $473 - $3,782 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage40% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs55% of local movers | $1,576 - $4,728 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,940 - $15,760 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,180 - $2,243 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items67% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Sterling Van Lines | $1,576 - $3,940 |
| Piano | Any piano type79% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Sterling Van Lines | $1,261 - $5,516 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling39% of local movers | $473 - $2,364 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect29% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Sterling Van Lines | $1,024 - $3,152 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $473 - $23,640+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $473 - $5,516+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Long Beach 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 Long Beach, CA. 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 Long Beach, CA to Washington DC, MD
Moving containers from Long Beach, California, to Washington DC, Maryland, cost between $1,897 and $7,133. 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 Long Beach costs roughly $90/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Long Beach to Washington DC:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,897 - $3,837
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,434 - $5,396
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,708 - $7,133
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $118 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $236 per month for larger units (12 - 16 feet).
- Moving labor: Containers don't come with loading help, so many customers hire hourly movers for the job. Two movers for about 5 hours will run you around $1,103 in Long Beach, CA, per moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Standard coverage only reimburses by weight. Full-value protection gives you more complete coverage for higher-value items and typically costs 1% - 2% of your total declared value, around $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 shipment.
- Access: National providers generally operate in both cities, but verify that a facility near your Washington DC, MD, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
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 $1,897. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $2,434 - $5,396, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Long Beach 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 Long Beach 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 Long Beach:
- Sterling Van Lines (4.6/5), 35 years in business
- Merit Moving Systems (4.9/5), 39 years in business
- Box-N-Go, LLC (4.8/5), 19 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Long Beach, CA to Washington DC, MD
Renting a moving truck for the 2,681-mile move from Long Beach, California, to Washington DC, Maryland, costs between $1,640 and $4,203, before these typical add-ons:
- Fuel for the drive: $1,344 - $1,536
- Daily insurance: $47/day
- Equipment rentals: $11 - $32
- Long Beach 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 Long Beach to Washington DC based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,640 - $3,090
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,744 - $3,677
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,246 - $4,203
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $1,640 - $4,203 does not include fuel ($1,344 - $1,536) , lodging ($236/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Long Beach to Washington DC typically runs $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate alone.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Gas: Fuel adds $1,344 - $1,536 for the 2,681-mile drive, depending on whether your rental truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: You'll handle the heavy lifting unless you bring in help. Two movers in Long Beach, California, for about 5 hours typically costs around $1,103.
- Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
- Lodging: The 2,681-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $236 per night, adding $473 - $709 in hotel costs total.
- Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $79 and $473.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Long Beach 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 Long Beach, CA to Washington DC, MD
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Long Beach, California, to Washington DC, Maryland, when you want to do the loading yourself without having to drive a massive vehicle. The trailer is delivered, you pack it up, and the carrier handles the long haul.
What sets freight trailers apart is the pay-for-what-you-use pricing model. Each additional foot of trailer space you occupy adds to the cost. Overall pricing for a move of this size and distance typically lands around $2,008 and $4,402.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Long Beach to Washington DC:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,814 - $3,591
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,008 - $4,402
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,967 - $5,997
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?
- More space: Freight pricing is based on exactly how much of the trailer you fill. If your items take up more than expected, the added footage can increase your cost by between $118 and $236.
- Peak season impact: Moving during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) often means higher trailer rates as demand increases across the board.
- Moving labor: Unless you plan to load everything yourself, factor in labor costs. Two movers in Long Beach, California, for roughly five hours typically average $1,103.
What are the best freight companies from Long Beach to Washington DC?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is our pick for best for large moves. The company is best known as a top moving container option for its hybrid model where you load and they drive, and that same model translates well to freight thanks to their 53-foot trucks and pay-by-the-foot pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Beyond their flagship container service, U-Pack also runs freight trailers with the same no-deposit, no-upfront-fee model, charging only for the linear footage you actually fill.
- Sea-Logix, LLC (4.76/5 stars): Sea-Logix, LLC is our pick for best locally owned freight company. Their locally owned and operated facilities mean you work with support staff who know the route and the area, giving you more responsive scheduling than national-only carriers typically 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: Long Beach, CA vs Washington DC, MD
Long Beach and Washington DC land in a similar range on everyday costs. The cost of living index sits at 162 in Long Beach and 151 in Washington DC, and rent tracks closely too ($2,075/mo vs. $2,400/mo). You likely won't need to rework your monthly budget much after this move. Walkability (73 vs 77) and safety scores (41.42 vs 39.63) come out about the same too.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Washington DC, MD to Long Beach, CA guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from California to Maryland over the past 3 months, giving us some of the most up-to-date pricing data around. Running your move through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. There are 374 movers in our California network to compare for this 2,681-mile move.
Our take
A move from Long Beach, CA, 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 $1,421 - $13,028 on the 2,681-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,897 - $7,133, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $1,640 - $4,203. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $3,954 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 Long Beach, CA, to Washington DC, MD
How much does it cost to move from Long Beach, CA to Washington DC, MD?
Costs on this route range from around $1,421 to $13,028, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,421 and $13,028, 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 Long Beach, CA 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 $1,744 - $3,677. 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 ($1,344 - $1,536), daily insurance ($47/day), and equipment rentals ($11 - $32) on top. Overnight stops can add another $236/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How long does a move from Long Beach, 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 Long Beach, 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 percentage of Long Beach movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 79% of movers in Long Beach handle piano moves, and 67% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
