Moving from Maryland to New Jersey ($720-$3,760)
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The cost to move from Maryland to New Jersey ranges from $720 to $3,760 with full-service movers, based on 1,175 real quotes from moveBuddha users. Use our moving cost calculator to get a number tailored to your move — it weighs distance, home size, and move date together instead of leaning on a flat Maryland to New Jersey average. This 173-mile route guide draws on our review of 51 movers based in Maryland.
How much does it cost to move from Maryland to New Jersey?
The average cost of moving from Maryland to New Jersey with full-service movers typically ranges between $720 to $3,760 for a studio to 3-bedroom home. We calculated this average by reviewing 1,175 real-time quotes provided to moveBuddha users over the past 90 days. The average moving distance quoted was 173 miles.
The final price of your Maryland to New Jersey move will be dependent on the type of mover you choose, how much you're moving, time of year, distance, access, and add-on services. Get a free and accurate estimate using our moving cost calculator.
The rates below are for full-service movers, meaning the crew loads, transports, and unloads your belongings for you:
| Move Size | Full-Service Mover Cost |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $720 - $2,770 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $1,390 - $3,760 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $1,940 - $4,940 |
How much do moving containers cost from Maryland to New Jersey?
A moving container from Maryland to New Jersey costs between $590 and $2,420, depending on how much you're moving. For a 2-3 bedroom home, expect $1,140 to $1,970, roughly 35% less than full-service movers on this route. You pack and load the container yourself; the container company handles the 173-mile drive.
| Move Size | Moving Container Cost |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $590 - $1,380 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $1,140 - $1,970 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $1,450 - $2,420 |
How much does a rental truck cost from Maryland to New Jersey?
A rental truck from Maryland to New Jersey costs between $220 and $500. For a 2-3 bedroom home, budget $240 to $440, about 90% less than hiring full-service movers. That figure covers the truck itself; with gas in Maryland averaging $2.95 per gallon, fuel for the 173-mile drive, plus insurance, equipment rental, and lodging, all land on top of the base rate.
| Move Size | Rental Truck Cost |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $220 - $390 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $240 - $440 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $290 - $500 |
Add-on costs for a Maryland to New Jersey move
The figures above are linehaul: crew time on both ends plus 173 miles of transport. Accessorial charges are quoted separately, and on a Maryland to New Jersey route they commonly add 8% to 18% to the final invoice.
At 173 miles, this is a same-day haul for most carriers, so storage-in-transit and guaranteed-delivery fees rarely appear on Maryland to New Jersey quotes. Origin-side labor charges carry more weight instead. Packing, stair carries, and appliance work in Maryland make up a larger share of a short-haul total than they do on a cross-country move.
New Jersey's cost of living runs about 14% above Maryland's, so destination-side charges on this route price above national averages, including shuttle service, long carries, and storage near Trenton. Origin-side labor in Maryland is the cheaper end of this move.
| Add-On Service | Typical Cost (Maryland to New Jersey) |
|---|---|
| Full packing service | $520 - $1,350 |
| Packing materials only | $150 - $430 |
| Specialty item (piano, safe, pool table) | $350 - $960 |
| Appliance disconnect & reconnect | $100 - $280 |
| Stair or elevator carry | $90 - $290 |
| Auto transport (1 vehicle) | $350 - $550 |
| Full-value protection | 1% - 2% of declared shipment value |
Released-value protection at 60¢ per pound is included at no charge on every interstate move, but it pays out almost nothing on a damaged item. A 40-pound TV settles at $24. Full-value protection is the line item most worth the money on a 173-mile haul. Our moving cost calculator prices these accessorials into your Maryland to New Jersey estimate up front instead of leaving them to surface on moving day.
Our recommended Maryland to New Jersey Movers
Compare movers for your Maryland to New Jersey move
Before you request quotes, take a look at the Maryland long-distance movers our team has reviewed and rated for routes like this one to New Jersey:
640 Lofstrand Ln, Rockville, MD 20850
1140 3rd Street N.E., Suite 2166, Washington, DC 20002
20 Southlawn CT, STE A, Rockville, MD 20850
8425 Helgerman Ct, Gaithersburg, MD 20877
8691 Larkin Road, Savage, MD 20763
Alternate Maryland to New Jersey moving options
DIY moving options offer real cost savings on a Maryland to New Jersey move, with the right choice depending on how hands-on you want to be. Moving containers run about 35% less than full-service interstate movers, and rental trucks come in around 90% less.
With a rental truck (ex: U-Haul), you handle all the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus added costs like fuel, insurance, and equipment rentals on top of the base rate. If you'd rather skip the heavy lifting, local labor-only crews in Maryland run $59 - $79 per hour to load the truck for you, while you still drive and unload on the New Jersey end.
With a moving container (ex: PODS), you handle the packing and loading in Maryland on your own timeline, and the container company will drop it off in New Jersey for you to unload. A standard 16-foot container (the size most 2-3 bedroom interstate moves need) typically runs $323 - $823 to rent in Maryland, before the long-distance haul fee shown above is added.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed over 1,175 real quotes from Maryland to New Jersey, 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.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our New Jersey to Maryland guide.
Maryland to New Jersey cost of living comparison
Before you commit to a Maryland to New Jersey move, it helps to know how the two states actually compare. Based on the moving trends moveBuddha tracks nationwide, cost of living, job markets, housing, and lifestyle are the factors that most often make or break a relocation decision:
| Factor | Maryland | New Jersey |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 100 | 114 |
| Average household income | $98,461 | $97,126 |
| Median home value | $418,438 | $534,773 |
| Unemployment rate | 3.0% | 4.7% |
| State income tax | 5.75% | 10.7% |
New Jersey has a higher cost of living than Maryland, so most people moving in this direction are doing so for career, family, or lifestyle reasons rather than affordability. Budget for higher housing costs and day-to-day expenses compared to what you're used to in Maryland.
Getting to know New Jersey
New Jersey is nicknamed the Garden State. People who've made this move point to diversity, world-class entertainment, and leading education as the biggest draws. Thomas Edison filed more than 400 patents from his laboratory in Menlo Park. He used copper in almost all his electrical inventions; inside phones, motors, generators and electromagnets.
Coming from Maryland, where winters average 25°F, expect winters in New Jersey to run about 3° colder. New Jersey summers are typically hot and humid and winters are usually cold. During winter and early spring, New Jersey can experience "nor'easters", which are capable of causing blizzards or flooding throughout the northeastern United States.
And in case you're feeling nostalgic once you're settled: Maryland has a state crustacean. The blue crab was named the state crustacean (crustacean comes from the Latin word crusta, which means shell) in 1989. The blue crab is commonly called the “Maryland crab”, even though a large amount of blue crabs are caught off the waters of Virginia. The crabs are in peak season from April to November, and Marylanders are known to eat their crabs with Old Bay or Chesapeake Bay seasoning.
Moving from Maryland to New Jersey FAQs
What should I know before moving to New Jersey?
Before your Maryland to New Jersey move, plan for these practical steps:
- Update your driver's license: As per the state laws of New Jersey, new residents are expected to transfer their driver's license and register their vehicles within 60 days of arriving in the state. However, during public health crises, this time frame may be extended to 120 days. It is important to note that there won't be any reminders for this, so it's recommended to keep a record of the date of your arrival in the state.
- Vehicle registration and inspection: If you are planning to reside in New Jersey for a minimum of 6 months, it is mandatory to transfer the title of your vehicle, register it, and obtain a driver's license from the state. As a new resident, you have 60 days from the date of establishing your residency to register your vehicle. It is important to note that before registering your vehicle, you are required to have liability insurance coverage as per the New Jersey state laws.
- Voter registration should move with you — update it for New Jersey once residency is established.
- Give utility providers a head start: electricity, gas, internet, and water setup can take 1 - 2 weeks in a new state.
- Change your address on file with your bank, employer, insurance carriers, and the IRS within 30 days of the move.
How do I get a moving quote from Maryland to New Jersey?
Getting an accurate quote for your 173-mile move from Maryland to New Jersey takes four steps.
- Get a ballpark with a cost calculator. Plug your home size and dates into our moving cost calculator for an instant estimate across all three move types on this 173-mile route. Most Maryland to New Jersey moves take 1-2 days from packing to delivery.
- Decide on your type of mover. Use that ballpark to pick a lane: full-service movers (they load, drive, and unload), moving containers (you pack, they haul), or a rental truck (cheapest, but you drive). A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $1,390-$3,760, while rental trucks start around $220.
- Take a moving survey. Go room by room and list your furniture, boxes, and anything bulky (appliances, a piano, a safe). The more detail you give each company up front, the closer your quote will be to your final bill.
- Get quotes and choose your mover. Collect a few real quotes within your chosen lane and ask each company whether the estimate is binding or non-binding. Compare them across packing, access fees, storage, and the 1-2-day delivery window, not just the bottom line. moveBuddha has reviewed 51 movers based in Maryland alone, so you have a real pool to compare against before booking.
How long does it take to move from Maryland to New Jersey?
Most full-service Maryland to New Jersey moves land in the 1 - 2 day range from pickup to delivery, with the exact number driven by distance, your mover's schedule, and whether your load is consolidated with others headed the same direction.
Moving containers take longer than full-service, typically 1 - 2 weeks from when you finish loading to delivery at your new home, because they ship by ground freight on a scheduled run. Rental trucks give you the most control over timing since you drive directly to New Jersey, but add 1 - 2 days of driving depending on the distance.
Who regulates interstate moves?
Interstate moves (any move that crosses state lines, like a Maryland to New Jersey relocation) are regulated federally by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Every interstate mover needs a valid USDOT number — verify one for free at FMCSA's carrier lookup tool, and report violations to FMCSA at 1-888-368-7238.
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. In New Jersey: In New Jersey, the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs handles the regulation of in-state moving companies. The state’s Division of Consumer Affairs works to ensure that warehousemen (public storage companies) and public movers provide safe, reliable, and ethical services while adhering to all relevant state rules and regulations.
Are full-service movers worth it for a Maryland to New Jersey move?
People making the Maryland to New Jersey move are often chasing bountiful recreational opportunities in New Jersey — the kind of move worth protecting with professional handling rather than risking on a DIY haul.
Full-service movers are worth it for a Maryland to New Jersey move when any of the following apply: you're moving a large home (3+ bedrooms), your timeline is tight, you have high-value or fragile items that need professional handling, or you can't take time away from work to manage the logistics of a multi-day drive across state lines.
DIY options make more sense when you're moving a smaller home (1-2 bedrooms), cost is the primary constraint, and you have the time and physical capacity to handle loading, driving, and unloading yourself. Moving containers, about 35% less than full-service, are the best middle-ground for people who want to skip the drive but still save significantly over full-service pricing.
Popular Maryland to New Jersey moving routes
These are the most common city-to-city moves on the Maryland to New Jersey corridor. Each guide covers local mover recommendations, cost estimates specific to those metro areas, and neighborhood information to help you plan your destination.
Moving from Maryland to New Jersey: the bottom line
The cost to move from Maryland to New Jersey ranges from $720 - $3,760 for a studio to 3-bedroom home with full-service movers. Moving containers and rental trucks cost 35% - 90% less for the same move. For most people making this 173-mile relocation, hiring a full-service mover is the most reliable option, especially for larger homes, time-sensitive moves, or relocations involving high-value items.
To get the best price, collect at least 3 quotes, book 4 - 12 weeks in advance depending on your season, and schedule a mid-week, mid-month pickup date when possible. Use our moving cost calculator to compare costs across all service types for your specific home size.
