($1,431+) Washington DC, MD to Long Beach, CA Movers
Moving from Washington DC, MD, to Long Beach, CA, runs anywhere from $1,431 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $12,311 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 2,684 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 $2,587, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $12,311 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,867 - $7,226, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,431 - $4,266.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Washington DC, MD, to Long Beach, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,814 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 Long Beach, CA
Moving options from Washington DC to Long Beach fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $3,814 - $7,565 for a 2-3 bedroom home and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers cost about 35% less than full-service for the same size, and rental trucks land around 59% less, with both DIY options requiring you to load yourself. Covering 2,684 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 2,684-mile route from Washington DC to Long Beach, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $2,587 - $5,499 | $1,867 - $3,699 | $1,431 - $2,833 | $1,613 - $3,395 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $3,814 - $7,565 | $2,470 - $5,253 | $1,552 - $3,338 | $1,916 - $4,080 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $7,031 - $12,311 | $3,506 - $7,226 | $2,022 - $4,266 | $2,589 - $5,780 |
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated October 30, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Washington DC, MD to Long Beach, CA
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 2,684-mile move from Washington DC, Maryland, to Long Beach, California, with costs ranging from $2,587 - $12,311. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $466 - $3,108. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Washington DC and Long Beach. Local movers in Washington DC typically start around $180 as a base rate plus $85/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Washington DC to Long Beach:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,587 - $5,499
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,814 - $7,565
- 4+ bedrooms: $7,031 - $12,311
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 Long Beach.
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 Long Beach, CA
Specialty needs vary by market: 70% of Washington DC movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Long Beach, 56% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing80% of local movers | $777 - $7,770 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready70% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: 495 Movers, Inc | $311 - $1,865/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $466 - $3,730 |
| 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 | $1,554 - $4,662 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,885 - $15,540 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,164 - $2,211 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items34% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: 495 Movers, Inc | $1,554 - $3,885 |
| Piano | Any piano type42% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: 495 Movers, Inc | $1,243 - $5,439 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling9% of local movers | $466 - $2,331 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect8% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Olympia Moving & Storage | $1,010 - $3,108 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $466 - $23,310+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $466 - $5,439+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Washington DC to Long Beach?
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 Long Beach, CA
Moving containers from Washington DC, Maryland, to Long Beach, California, cost between $1,867 and $7,226. The container gets dropped at your door and you load it at your own pace. U-Haul gives you 3 days to load and PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're done, the company handles all the transportation. If you need extra time, storage in Washington DC runs about $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Washington DC to Long Beach:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,867 - $3,699
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,470 - $5,253
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,506 - $7,226
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $117 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $233 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 $1,088 in Washington DC, MD, 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 Long Beach, CA, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
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 $1,867. 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 $2,470 - $5,253.
What are the best moving containers Washington DC to Long Beach?
- 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 Long Beach, CA
Plan on $1,431 - $4,266 for a rental moving truck on the 2,684-mile route from Washington DC, Maryland, to Long Beach, California. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $1,327 - $1,517
- 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 Long Beach based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,431 - $2,833
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,552 - $3,338
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,022 - $4,266
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $1,431 - $4,266 when pricing out a rental truck from Washington DC to Long Beach. Fuel alone runs $1,327 - $1,517, and overnight lodging ($233/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?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Washington DC, Maryland, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $1,088.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $1,327 - $1,517 for the 2,684-mile drive, depending on whether your truck takes gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, auto transport trailers, and furniture pads are separate rentals. Expect to spend between $93 and $505, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $233 per night for hotel stops on the 2,684-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $466 - $699.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Washington DC to Long Beach?
- 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 Long Beach, CA
If you're moving a larger household from Washington DC, Maryland, 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 Long Beach, California.
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 $1,916 and $4,080.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Washington DC to Long Beach:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,613 - $3,395
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,916 - $4,080
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,589 - $5,780
Pro tip: Freight trailers come with a 4-foot loading ramp, which can be a challenge with bulky furniture. With 8 feet of vertical space available, stacking efficiently often requires a ladder and a plan. Since you're billed per linear foot, packing tight can make a real difference in your final cost.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In Washington DC, Maryland, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $1,088.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $117 - $233 per additional foot to your total.
- Time of year: Rates tend to climb during peak moving season (mid-May through mid-September) when trailer demand is at its highest.
What are the best freight companies from Washington DC to Long Beach?
- 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: 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 Long Beach 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: Washington DC, MD vs Long Beach, CA
Day-to-day costs in Long Beach are close to what you're used to in Washington DC: cost of living index of 162 versus 151, with average rent of $2,075/mo compared to $2,400/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 77/100 and 39.63/100 in Washington DC versus 73/100 and 41.42/100 in Long Beach.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Long Beach, 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 206 movers licensed in Maryland, useful context for sizing up this 2,684-mile move.
Our take
A move from Washington DC, MD, to Long Beach, 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 $2,587 - $12,311 on the 2,684-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,867 - $7,226, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $1,431 - $4,266. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $3,814 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 UTi Worldwide and Molina Healthcare.
FAQs: Moving from Washington DC, MD, to Long Beach, CA
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Washington DC, MD to Long Beach, CA?
Cutting 500 pounds from your shipment, roughly one bedroom's worth of items, saves approximately $200 - $400 on a full-service move on this route. Beyond that, staying organized matters just as much. A solid moving checklist keeps you on schedule and helps you avoid costly last-minute mistakes.
How much does it cost to move from Washington DC, MD to Long Beach, CA?
Costs on this route range from around $1,431 to $12,311, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,587 and $12,311, 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.
How walkable is Long Beach?
Long Beach has a walkability score of 73 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 70, compared to 77 and 70 in Washington DC. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($1,327 - $1,517), daily insurance ($47/day), and equipment rentals ($11 - $31) on top. Overnight stops can add another $233/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How do I know a mover is licensed in California?
When contacting a local moving company for an estimate in California, make sure each has a “T Number” issued by the California Public Utilities Commission (CAPUC). Moving companies with valid T Numbers have met state requirements for insurance, safety, and financial stability and have passed criminal clearance checks conducted by the California Department of Justice.
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 40% and 26% nationally.