($1,503+) Washington DC, MD to Irvine, CA Movers
Moving from Washington DC, MD, to Irvine, CA, runs anywhere from $1,534 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $12,744 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 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 $2,581, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $12,744 or more.
- Moving containers run $2,063 - $7,520, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,534 - $4,299.
- 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 $3,936 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. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $3,936 - $7,828 on this route, with movers handling 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 2,666-mile route typically takes 7 to 21 days door to door.
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:
- Full-service movers: $2,581 for a studio up to $12,744 for a 4+ bedroom home.
- Moving containers: $2,063 - $7,520 depending on home size.
- Rental trucks: $1,534 - $4,299, the lowest-cost option across the board.
- Freight trailers: $1,768 - $6,073, billed by the space you actually use.
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 Washington DC, MD to Irvine, CA
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 2,666-mile move from Washington DC, Maryland, to Irvine, California, with prices running from $2,581 - $12,744. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $470 - $3,132 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between Washington DC and Irvine are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, Washington DC movers tend to run around $180 as a base rate plus $85/hour per mover, for comparison.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Washington DC to Irvine:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,581 - $5,988
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,936 - $7,828
- 4+ bedrooms: $7,552 - $12,744
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: Peak moving season (May - September) limits truck availability and pushes up full-service moving costs. Booking during slower months can give you more scheduling room and a lower final price.
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Specialty moving services from Washington DC, MD to Irvine, CA
Specialty needs vary by market — 93% of Washington DC movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Irvine, 85% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $783 - $7,830 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready93% of local movers85% 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 coverage30% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs58% 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 items53% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: 495 Movers, Inc | $1,566 - $3,915 |
| Piano | Any piano type70% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: 495 Movers, Inc | $1,253 - $5,481 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling39% of local movers | $470 - $2,349 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect27% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: 495 Movers, Inc | $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?
California Moving & Storage Association membership is a quick way to confirm a mover is legitimate in California, 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 carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Washington DC, MD. At that distance, local movers often charge 30% - 40% more because they don't spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments the way national carriers do. If a direct route and faster delivery (averaging 2 days) are priorities, a local mover may be worth considering, but that service comes at a higher price.
Moving container costs from Washington DC, MD to Irvine, CA
Moving containers from Washington DC, Maryland, to Irvine, California, cost between $2,063 and $7,520. 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 Irvine. If you go over that window, storage in Washington DC adds around $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Washington DC to Irvine:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,063 - $3,927
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,419 - $5,150
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,405 - $7,520
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 $2,063. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $2,419 - $5,150, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
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:
- BoxStar Movers (5.0/5), 5 years in business
- Zip Moving And Storage, Inc. (4.9/5), 10 years in business
- Bookstore Movers, LLC (4.8/5), 20 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Washington DC, MD to Irvine, CA
Plan on $1,534 - $4,299 for a rental moving truck on the 2,666-mile route from Washington DC, Maryland, to Irvine, California. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- 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: $1,534 - $3,033
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,678 - $3,647
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,036 - $4,299
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $1,534 - $4,299 does not include fuel ($1,328 - $1,518) , lodging ($235/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Washington DC to Irvine typically runs $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate alone.
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
For larger DIY moves from Washington DC, Maryland, freight trailers give you plenty of room without putting you behind the wheel. Standard trailers are 28 feet long. You load the section you need, and the carrier transports everything to Irvine, California.
Because freight companies bill by linear footage, your total is based on how much of the trailer you occupy, not the full length. For most medium-to-large moves on this route, pricing typically falls between $2,058 and $4,205.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Washington DC to Irvine:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,768 - $3,399
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,058 - $4,205
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,836 - $6,073
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 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.
- Terminal Transportation Services (4.7/5 stars): Terminal Transportation Services is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned facilities and accessible live support staff make scheduling and route coordination easier on local-area routes than what most national freight providers can offer.
Pro tip: One of the biggest advantages of freight trailers is speed. For an interstate move, freight delivery is one of the fastest options you have short of driving a rental truck yourself. It's a smart choice when your timeline is firm and you'll be ready to receive your shipment. If there's any chance your new place won't be ready or you need a few weeks of storage, a moving container with built-in storage may serve you better.
Cost of living: Washington DC, MD vs Irvine, CA
Day-to-day costs in Irvine are close to what you're used to in Washington DC: cost of living index of 165 versus 151, with average rent of $4,000/mo compared to $2,400/mo. Housing, income, and taxes are all in a similar range, so budgeting for this move mostly comes down to the moving costs above rather than a shift in your monthly expenses. Walkability and safety scores are close too, at 77/100 and 39.63/100 in Washington DC versus 43/100 and 68.99/100 in Irvine.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Irvine, CA to Washington DC, MD guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from Maryland to California, so our pricing data stays current. Use our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and spot bad actors early. We track 52 movers licensed in Maryland, useful context for sizing up this 2,666-mile move.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 2,666-mile route from Washington DC, MD, to Irvine, CA, run $2,581 - $12,744 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $2,063 - $7,520, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $1,534 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,936, 30 days of free storage, and a 24/7 support team you can actually reach.
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 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.
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 $1,678 - $3,647. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
How much does it cost to move from Washington DC, MD to Irvine, CA?
Costs on this route range from around $2,581 to $12,744, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,581 and $12,744, 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 3 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 Washington DC?
Local movers based in Washington DC typically start around $180 as a base rate, plus $85/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 Irvine run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
What percentage of Washington DC movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 70% of movers in Washington DC handle piano moves, and 53% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
