Moving from Washington, DC to Boston, MA
451 miles across a state line, from District of Columbia into Massachusetts, so the federal interstate rules apply from the first quote.
Measured driving distance. Prices from our published model, not quotes.
In short
Moving from Washington, DC to Boston, MA covers 451 miles and is an interstate move. Full-service movers cost $2,030 – $2,706 for a two-bedroom home in our model, delivered in 3 to 7 days. About 428 people a year move between the two counties (Census).
The route
At 451 miles between District of Columbia and Massachusetts, this sits in the range where carriers differ most. Some run it dedicated with a firm date; others consolidate it with other shipments and quote a window of 3 to 7 days. The price gap between those two is real — a two-bedroom home runs $2,030 – $2,706 full-service — so ask which one you are buying.
- Move type
- Interstate move
- Driving
- about 8 hours
- Usually moves on
- either a dedicated truck or a consolidated load
- Book ahead
- 4 to 6 weeks
Cost of moving from Washington to Boston
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,522 – $2,030 | $1,096 – $1,461 | $731 – $974 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,827 – $2,435 | $1,315 – $1,753 | $877 – $1,169 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,030 – $2,706 | $1,461 – $1,948 | $974 – $1,299 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,334 – $3,112 | $1,680 – $2,241 | $1,120 – $1,494 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,638 – $3,518 | $1,900 – $2,533 | $1,266 – $1,689 |
| 5+ bedrooms | $3,044 – $4,059 | $2,192 – $2,922 | $1,461 – $1,948 |
Transport only, for 451 miles, from our published model: distance × home-size factor × service rate, shown as −10% to +20% around the base figure. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items sit on top. How we price it.
Worked example: a two-bedroom home, Washington to Boston
451 miles × 2.0 (two-bedroom size multiplier) × $2.50 (full-service rate) = $2,255. The range runs 10% under that to 20% over: $2,030 to $2,706, transport only. Every parameter is on the methodology page; moving cost per mile explains why the rate falls with distance.
How many people move from Washington to Boston
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates that about 428 people a year (±168) moved from District of Columbia, DC, home to Washington, to Suffolk County, MA, home to Boston. Going the other way: about 319 people a year (±127). Movers from District of Columbia make up 0.7% of the 64,488 people a year who moved into Suffolk County from another county or state.
At state level, the 2024 survey counts about 1,249 people a year (±781) moving from District of Columbia to Massachusetts and about 1,818 people a year (±613) from Massachusetts to District of Columbia — a net gain for District of Columbia of about 569 people a year.
| County | People a year |
|---|---|
| Prince George's County, MD | 10,730 ±1,168 |
| Montgomery County, MD | 5,618 ±673 |
| Arlington County, VA | 3,566 ±703 |
| Fairfax County, VA | 2,910 ±534 |
| New York County, NY | 1,703 ±345 |
| County | People a year |
|---|---|
| Middlesex County, MA | 15,398 ±1,386 |
| Norfolk County, MA | 7,422 ±847 |
| Essex County, MA | 2,813 ±534 |
| Plymouth County, MA | 2,372 ±493 |
| Worcester County, MA | 1,552 ±260 |
Licensed movers at each end
299 household-goods carriers with interstate authority are based within 30 miles of Washington (481 counting those licensed only inside District of Columbia). 168 of them had a roadside inspection in the last 24 months, and 16.8% of their 949 vehicle inspections ended with a truck put out of service. The largest by registered fleet:
| Carrier | Based in | Size | Inspections, 24 mo | Vehicle out of service |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JK Moving ServicesUSDOT 1065394 | Sterling · 24 mi | 173 trucks | 107 | 12.3% of 57 |
| Eagle Van Lines IncUSDOT 388638 | Temple Hills · 8 mi | 72 trucks | 94 | 37.7% of 53 |
| Town and Country Movers IncUSDOT 418499 | Gaithersburg · 20 mi | 64 trucks | 75 | 18.9% of 53 |
| A&A Transfer LLCUSDOT 503883 | Chantilly · 26 mi | 62 trucks | 9 | 33.3% of 3 |
| MG Moving ServicesUSDOT 2455961 | Sterling · 24 mi | 58 trucks | 38 | 11.1% of 18 |
| Executive Moving Systems IncUSDOT 487595 | Woodbridge · 22 mi | 34 trucks | 20 | 33.3% of 12 |
How these figures are calculated
At the Boston end
For a local crew after delivery, the largest licensed carriers within 30 miles of Boston: Gentle Giant Moving Company (Winchester, 88 trucks), Olympia Moving & Storage (Watertown Town, 70 trucks), DN Van Lines Moving & Storage (Northborough, 32 trucks), Stairhopper Movers LLC (Everett, 31 trucks).
Rules that apply to this move
Because the truck crosses from District of Columbia into Massachusetts, 49 CFR Part 375 applies: a written estimate before loading, no more than 110% of a non-binding estimate collected at delivery, and full-value protection unless you choose released value in writing. See binding vs non-binding estimates and valuation explained.
Before you book Washington to Boston
Ask: dedicated or consolidated?
This is the distance where carriers split. A dedicated truck costs more and delivers on a date; a consolidated load costs less and delivers in a window. Decide which you are buying before you compare prices.
Get it binding or not-to-exceed
A non-binding estimate is a guess with no ceiling. On 451 miles the gap between a guess and a weighed load is measured in four figures.
Arriving in Boston
A local move inside Boston later — across town, out of temporary housing — is billed by the hour: about $525 – $859 for a two-bedroom home and $885 – $1,587 for three bedrooms. The nearest cities we cover from Boston are Nashua (about 41 mi), Worcester (about 45 mi), Providence (about 48 mi).
Other routes from Washington
All routes from Washington, nearest first.
| Route | Distance | 2-bedroom, movers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington to Arlington, VA | ~4 mi | $525 – $873 |
| Washington to Annapolis, MD | ~35 mi | $525 – $873 |
| Washington to Baltimore, MD | ~42 mi | $525 – $873 |
| Washington to Frederick, MD | ~48 mi | $525 – $873 |
| Washington to Richmond, VA | ~112 mi | $504 – $672 |
| Washington to Wilmington, DE | ~115 mi | $518 – $690 |
| Washington to Philadelphia, PA | ~144 mi | $648 – $864 |
| Washington to Norfolk, VA | ~172 mi | $774 – $1,032 |
Also moving to Boston: from Worcester, MA, from Nashua, NH, from Providence, RI, from Warwick, RI.
Washington to Boston moving FAQ
How much does it cost to move from Washington to Boston?
From our published model, full-service movers over 451 miles cost about $1,522 – $2,030 for a studio, $2,030 – $2,706 for a two-bedroom home and $2,334 – $3,112 for a three-bedroom home, transport only; packing, storage and specialty items are extra.
How long does a move from Washington to Boston take?
The drive is about 8 hours, but the move usually takes 3 to 7 days because it moves on either a dedicated truck or a consolidated load, depending on the carrier and the season. Ask for the delivery window in writing. Book ahead: 4 to 6 weeks, 6 to 8 in summer.
What is the cheapest way to move from Washington to Boston?
Loading a freight trailer yourself: about $974 – $1,299 for a two-bedroom home, against $2,030 – $2,706 with full-service movers; a moving container is $1,461 – $1,948.
Do I need an interstate-licensed mover for Washington to Boston?
Yes. Washington is in District of Columbia and Boston is in Massachusetts, so the carrier needs active FMCSA interstate authority (an MC number) as well as a USDOT number. 299 listed movers within 30 miles of Washington hold it.
How many people move from Washington to Boston each year?
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates about 428 people a year (margin of error ±168) moved from District of Columbia, which contains Washington, to Suffolk County, which contains Boston.
Sources for this page
The published cost model; US Census Bureau ACS migration flows (± is the 90% margin of error); the FMCSA Motor Carrier Census and Safety Measurement System; 49 CFR Part 375. Data last refreshed September 24, 2026.