($1,400+) Long Beach, CA to Washington DC, MD Movers
The cost to move from Long Beach, CA to Washington DC, MD ranges from $1,224 to $11,692, with an average cost of $4,350. Moves can be as low as $1,400 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.
Fact Checked by:
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 $1,224 - $11,692 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $4,350, and movers handle all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 38% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 56% 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:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,224 - $5,892 | $1,845 - $3,404 | $1,429 - $2,800 | $1,627 - $3,354 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $3,691 - $7,933 | $2,295 - $4,888 | $1,613 - $3,298 | $1,836 - $4,072 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $7,015 - $11,692 | $3,397 - $7,071 | $1,957 - $4,257 | $2,532 - $5,327 |
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 Long Beach, CA to Washington DC, MD
Hiring full-service movers from Long Beach, California, to Washington DC, Maryland, costs between $1,224 and $11,692. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 2,681-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $473 - $3,152, 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 Long Beach and Washington DC. For a rough baseline, movers based in Long Beach tend to start around $162 plus $75/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 Long Beach to Washington DC:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,224 - $5,892
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,691 - $7,933
- 4+ bedrooms: $7,015 - $11,692
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.
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.
Don't see your company listed?
Reach customers actively searching for trusted movers in your area. Tell us about your company and services to get your business listed on moveBuddha.
Specialty moving services from Long Beach, CA to Washington DC, MD
Specialty needs vary by market: 55% of Long Beach 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 packing78% of local movers | $788 - $7,880 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready55% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: SOS Moving, LLC | $315 - $1,891/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $473 - $3,782 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage13% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs54% 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 items31% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: SOS Moving, LLC | $1,576 - $3,940 |
| Piano | Any piano type41% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: SOS Moving, LLC | $1,261 - $5,516 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling10% of local movers | $473 - $2,364 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect4% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Silicon Valley Moving and Storage (CA) | $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?
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 full-service movers are almost always better priced than local movers in Long Beach, 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 Long Beach, CA to Washington DC, MD
Moving containers from Long Beach, California, to Washington DC, Maryland, cost between $1,845 and $7,071. A container is delivered to your home and you load it on your own time. Loading windows vary by company: U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30. From there, the company takes over and transports it to Washington DC. If you go over that window, storage in Long Beach adds around $90/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Long Beach to Washington DC:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,845 - $3,404
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,295 - $4,888
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,397 - $7,071
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Because loading is on you with a container move, hourly labor help is a popular add-on. In Long Beach, CA, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $1,103, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: After the first month, ongoing rental fees kick in. A small container (7 - 8 feet) averages about $118 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $236 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Long Beach, CA, and Washington DC, MD, but confirm a facility is within reasonable distance if you need to retrieve items while in storage.
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection provides broader coverage than the standard liability in your contract. It typically costs 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on $50,000 worth of belongings.
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 $1,845. 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 $2,295 - $4,888.
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:
- Rigo's Moving Company Inc (4.3/5), 12 years in business
- Meathead Movers (4.7/5), 24 years in business
- Best Fit Movers (4.8/5), 8 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Long Beach, CA to Washington DC, MD
A rental truck for this 2,681-mile move from Long Beach, California, to Washington DC, Maryland, costs between $1,429 and $4,257. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- 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: $1,429 - $2,800
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,613 - $3,298
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,957 - $4,257
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $1,429 - $4,257 when pricing out a rental truck from Long Beach to Washington DC. Fuel alone runs $1,344 - $1,536, and overnight lodging ($236/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 $118 and $552.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $236.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $1,344 and $1,536 for the 2,681-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 $1,103 for 2 movers in Long Beach, California, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
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 a good fit for medium-to-large moves where you need more space than a container but don't want to drive a rental truck from Long Beach, California, to Washington DC, Maryland. The trailer is delivered to your address, you load it, and the carrier takes it the rest of the way.
Unlike truck rentals with flat rates, freight trailers scale with your shipment. Every additional section of trailer space you fill increases your total. A 2 - 3 bedroom long-distance move using this method runs roughly between $1,836 and $4,072.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Long Beach to Washington DC:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,627 - $3,354
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,836 - $4,072
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,532 - $5,327
Pro tip: Freight pricing rewards efficient packing. Trailers are 8 feet tall and accessed via a 4-foot ramp, so technique matters, especially for heavy pieces. Since each additional linear foot adds to your quote, packing strategically is one of the easiest ways to control costs.
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 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 Washington DC 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: Long Beach, CA vs Washington DC, MD
Day-to-day costs in Washington DC are close to what you're used to in Long Beach: cost of living index of 151 versus 162, with average rent of $2,400/mo compared to $2,075/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 73/100 and 41.42/100 in Long Beach versus 77/100 and 39.63/100 in Washington DC.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Washington DC, MD to Long Beach, CA guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from California to Maryland, so we know current pricing better than most. Checking our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates. California alone has 1,154 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 2,681-mile move like this one.
Our take
For a move from Long Beach, CA, to Washington DC, MD, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $1,224 for a studio to $11,692 for a 4+ bedroom home on the 2,681-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,845 - $7,071. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $1,429 - $4,257, 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 $3,691 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 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 $1,400 to $11,692, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,224 and $11,692, 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 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.
What do local movers charge in Long Beach?
Local movers based in Long Beach typically start around $162 as a base rate, plus $75/hour per mover. That's a useful baseline if you're hiring help just to load a rental truck or container rather than booking a full long-distance move. Rates in Washington DC run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
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 are the best neighborhoods in Washington DC?
For families, AU-Tenleytown, Chevy Chase, and Cleveland Park are worth a look in Washington DC. If you're moving solo or without kids, Adams Morgan, Capitol Hill, and Cleveland Park tend to be popular picks instead.
What percentage of Long Beach movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 41% of movers in Long Beach handle piano moves, and 31% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.