Moving from Boston, MA to Washington, DC
451 miles across a state line, from Massachusetts into District of Columbia, so the federal interstate rules apply from the first quote.
Measured driving distance. Prices from our published model, not quotes.
In short
Moving from Boston, MA to Washington, DC 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 319 people a year move between the two counties (Census).
The route
At 451 miles between Massachusetts and District of Columbia, 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 Boston to Washington
| 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, Boston to Washington
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 Boston to Washington
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates that about 319 people a year (±127) moved from Suffolk County, MA, home to Boston, to District of Columbia, DC, home to Washington. Going the other way: about 428 people a year (±168). Movers from Suffolk County make up 0.6% of the 56,680 people a year who moved into District of Columbia from another county or state.
At state level, the 2024 survey counts about 1,818 people a year (±613) moving from Massachusetts to District of Columbia and about 1,249 people a year (±781) from District of Columbia to Massachusetts — a net gain for District of Columbia of about 569 people a year.
| County | People a year |
|---|---|
| Middlesex County, MA | 17,104 ±1,315 |
| Norfolk County, MA | 10,905 ±1,500 |
| Essex County, MA | 4,501 ±942 |
| Plymouth County, MA | 3,190 ±733 |
| Worcester County, MA | 2,085 ±401 |
| County | People a year |
|---|---|
| Prince George's County, MD | 5,604 ±979 |
| Montgomery County, MD | 4,380 ±582 |
| Arlington County, VA | 2,881 ±512 |
| Fairfax County, VA | 2,217 ±690 |
| Middlesex County, MA | 1,538 ±527 |
Licensed movers at each end
174 household-goods carriers with interstate authority are based within 30 miles of Boston (246 counting those licensed only inside Massachusetts). 120 of them had a roadside inspection in the last 24 months, and 12.0% of their 368 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gentle Giant Moving CompanyUSDOT 373544 | Winchester · 8 mi | 88 trucks | 78 | 4.9% of 41 |
| Olympia Moving & StorageUSDOT 597632 | Watertown Town · 6 mi | 70 trucks | 30 | 5.3% of 19 |
| DN Van Lines Moving & StorageUSDOT 1141917 | Northborough · 30 mi | 32 trucks | 95 | 10.8% of 37 |
| Stairhopper Movers LLCUSDOT 1696867 | Everett · 3 mi | 31 trucks | 54 | 0.0% of 16 |
| ABC Moving Services IncUSDOT 279719 | Somerville · 3 mi | 23 trucks | 0 | — |
| Tobin ScientificUSDOT 342626 | Beverly · 18 mi | 22 trucks | 21 | 10.0% of 10 |
How these figures are calculated
At the Washington end
For a local crew after delivery, the largest licensed carriers within 30 miles of Washington: JK Moving Services (Sterling, 173 trucks), Eagle Van Lines Inc (Temple Hills, 72 trucks), Town and Country Movers Inc (Gaithersburg, 64 trucks), A&A Transfer LLC (Chantilly, 62 trucks).
Rules that apply to this move
Because the truck crosses from Massachusetts into District of Columbia, 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 Boston to Washington
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 Washington
A local move inside Washington later — across town, out of temporary housing — is billed by the hour: about $525 – $873 for a two-bedroom home and $885 – $1,614 for three bedrooms. The nearest cities we cover from Washington are Arlington (about 4 mi), Annapolis (about 35 mi), Baltimore (about 42 mi).
Other routes from Boston
All routes from Boston, nearest first.
| Route | Distance | 2-bedroom, movers |
|---|---|---|
| Boston to Worcester, MA | ~45 mi | $525 – $859 |
| Boston to Nashua, NH | 45 mi | $525 – $859 |
| Boston to Providence, RI | ~48 mi | $525 – $859 |
| Boston to Warwick, RI | ~58 mi | $525 – $859 |
| Boston to Springfield, MA | ~94 mi | $525 – $859 |
| Boston to Hartford, CT | ~108 mi | $486 – $648 |
| Boston to Portland, ME | ~115 mi | $518 – $690 |
| Boston to New Haven, CT | ~140 mi | $630 – $840 |
Also moving to Washington: from Arlington, VA, from Annapolis, MD, from Baltimore, MD, from Richmond, VA.
Boston to Washington moving FAQ
How much does it cost to move from Boston to Washington?
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 Boston to Washington 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 Boston to Washington?
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 Boston to Washington?
Yes. Boston is in Massachusetts and Washington is in District of Columbia, so the carrier needs active FMCSA interstate authority (an MC number) as well as a USDOT number. 174 listed movers within 30 miles of Boston hold it.
How many people move from Boston to Washington each year?
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates about 319 people a year (margin of error ±127) moved from Suffolk County, which contains Boston, to District of Columbia, which contains Washington.
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.