($698+) Washington DC, MD to Kansas City, MO Movers
Moving from Washington DC, MD, to Kansas City, MO, runs anywhere from $691 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,061 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,057 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 2 to 8 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 $2,091, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $8,061 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,267 - $4,413, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $691 - $1,958.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Washington DC, MD, to Kansas City, MO. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,768 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 Kansas City, MO
Moving options from Washington DC to Kansas City fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move on this route costs $2,768 - $6,415 and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, while rental trucks land about 60% less, though both require you to load the truck or container yourself. This route spans 1,057 miles and typically takes 2 to 8 days.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,057-mile route from Washington DC to Kansas City, broken down by home size:
- A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $2,091 - $4,800 with full-service movers, $1,267 - $2,177 with a container, $691 - $1,367 with a rental truck, or $1,062 - $2,125 by freight.
- A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $2,768 - $6,415 full-service, $1,550 - $3,284 by container, $816 - $1,560 by rental truck, or $1,254 - $2,500 by freight.
- A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $4,406 - $8,061 full-service, $2,094 - $4,413 by container, $1,016 - $1,958 by rental truck, or $1,676 - $3,430 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 Washington DC, MD to Kansas City, MO
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 1,057-mile move from Washington DC, Maryland, to Kansas City, Missouri, with costs ranging from $2,091 - $8,061. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $377 - $2,516. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Washington DC and Kansas City. 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 Kansas City:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,091 - $4,800
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,768 - $6,415
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,406 - $8,061
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 Kansas City.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Maryland to Missouri. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: Avoiding peak moving season dates (May - September) is one of the easiest ways to reduce costs. Off-season moves typically come with lower pricing and more room to negotiate since movers have fewer bookings.
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Specialty moving services from Washington DC, MD to Kansas City, MO
Specialty needs vary by market — 93% of Washington DC movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Kansas City, 72% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $629 - $6,290 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready93% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: 495 Movers, Inc | $252 - $1,510/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $377 - $3,019 |
| 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 | $1,258 - $3,774 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,145 - $12,580 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $942 - $1,790 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items53% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: 495 Movers, Inc | $1,258 - $3,145 |
| Piano | Any piano type70% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: 495 Movers, Inc | $1,006 - $4,403 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling39% of local movers | $377 - $1,887 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect27% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: 495 Movers, Inc | $818 - $2,516 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $377 - $18,870+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $377 - $4,403+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Washington DC to Kansas City?
- 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 van lines are the smarter financial choice over local movers in Washington DC, MD. Local companies can run 30% - 40% more at that range since they don't consolidate shipments the way interstate carriers do. If a direct, dedicated route with an average 2-day delivery appeals to you, a local mover could be worth it, but that convenience comes at a cost.
Moving container costs from Washington DC, MD to Kansas City, MO
Moving containers from Washington DC, Maryland, to Kansas City, Missouri, cost between $1,267 and $4,413. 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 Washington DC costs roughly $100/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Washington DC to Kansas City:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,267 - $2,177
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,550 - $3,284
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,094 - $4,413
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Access: Most major container brands operate in both Washington DC, MD and Kansas City, MO. Still, double-check that a nearby facility is available if you need to access your belongings before delivery.
- Moving labor: Because containers are self-loaded, many customers hire hourly help. Two movers for about 5 hours typically cost around $881 in Washington DC, MD, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $94 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $189 for larger ones (12 - 16 feet).
- Added contents protection: For more coverage beyond the standard minimum, full-value protection is the typical upgrade, generally 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value. On a $50,000 household, that's roughly $500 - $1,000 as a one-time fee.
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 $1,267. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,550 - $3,284, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Washington DC to Kansas City?
- 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 Kansas City, MO
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 1,057 miles from Washington DC, Maryland, to Kansas City, Missouri, running $691 - $1,958. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $423 - $484
- Daily insurance: $38/day
- Equipment rentals: $9 - $25
- 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 Kansas City based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $691 - $1,367
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $816 - $1,560
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,016 - $1,958
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Washington DC to Kansas City starts at $691 - $1,958, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($423 - $484) , overnight lodging ($189/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for an additional $600 - $1,200 on top of your base rate to cover those costs.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $189 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 $881 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 1,057-mile drive falls between $423 and $484, 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 $63 and $377 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Washington DC to Kansas City?
- 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 Kansas City, MO
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 Kansas City, Missouri.
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 $1,254 and $2,500.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Washington DC to Kansas City:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,062 - $2,125
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,254 - $2,500
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,676 - $3,430
Pro tip: Loading a freight trailer is a bit different from filling a container. The 4-foot ramp can be steep with large items, and getting the most out of 8 feet of vertical clearance takes planning. Since pricing is based on linear feet used, every inch of wasted space has a cost.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Seasonal demand: Pricing tends to rise during peak moving season, particularly between mid-May and mid-September.
- Moving labor: Most customers hire loading help since freight is self-loaded. Two movers in Washington DC, Maryland, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $881.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $94 and $189 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Washington DC to Kansas City?
- 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 Kansas City, MO
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Kansas City, side by side with Washington DC on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Washington DC, MD | Kansas City, MO |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 151 | 88 |
| Average rent | $2,400/mo | $1,300/mo |
| Median home value | $594,337 | $223,324 |
| Average income | $101,027/yr | $67,449/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 7.0% | 5.3% |
| State income tax | Up to 5.75% | Up to 4.8% |
| Walkability score | 77/100 | 35/100 |
| Safety index | 39.63/100 | 42.6/100 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
Cost of living index is relative to the U.S. average of 100. Figures reflect the latest available city and state data.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Kansas City, MO to Washington DC, MD guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from Maryland to Missouri, so our pricing data reflects what movers are actually charging right now. Check our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers, the best way to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and bad actors. We track 52 movers in Maryland, so you have real options to compare for this 1,057-mile move.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from Washington DC, MD, to Kansas City, MO, comes down to your budget and how much time and work you're able to put into it. Hands-off relocations handled by full-service movers range from $2,091 - $8,061 on the 1,057-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,267 - $4,413 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $691 - $1,958 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $2,768 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and 24/7 live support.
Beyond the move itself, people who've relocated to Kansas City tend to point to ample economic opportunity and delicious barbecue, though tornadoes and extreme weather come up as common complaints. Major employers in the area include Public School System and Federal Government.
FAQs: Moving from Washington DC, MD, to Kansas City, MO
What are the best neighborhoods in Kansas City?
For families, Armour Hills, Brookside, and Sunset Hill are worth a look in Kansas City. If you're moving solo or without kids, River Market, Union Hill, and Volker tend to be popular picks instead.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Missouri?
Movers that provide local and intrastate relocation services in Missouri fall under the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT). Every household goods mover operating in the state is required to have a MoDOT Number.
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 Kansas City run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
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.
How much does it cost to move from Washington DC, MD to Kansas City, MO?
Costs on this route range from around $2,091 to $8,061, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,091 and $8,061, 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 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.
