Moving from Minneapolis, MN to Washington, DC
About 1,086 miles across a state line, from Minnesota into District of Columbia, so the federal interstate rules apply from the first quote.
Distance estimated from city coordinates; the calculator measures your exact route. Prices from our published model, not quotes.
In short
Moving from Minneapolis, MN to Washington, DC covers about 1,086 miles and is an interstate move. Full-service movers cost $4,887 – $6,516 for a two-bedroom home in our model, delivered in 3 to 7 days. About 137 people a year move between the two counties (Census).
The route
At 1,086 miles between Minnesota 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 $4,887 – $6,516 full-service — so ask which one you are buying.
- Move type
- Interstate move
- Driving
- 3 days on the road (about 20 hours of driving)
- Usually moves on
- either a dedicated truck or a consolidated load
- Book ahead
- 4 to 6 weeks
Cost of moving from Minneapolis to Washington
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $3,665 – $4,887 | $2,639 – $3,519 | $1,759 – $2,346 |
| 1 bedroom | $4,398 – $5,864 | $3,167 – $4,222 | $2,111 – $2,815 |
| 2 bedrooms | $4,887 – $6,516 | $3,519 – $4,692 | $2,346 – $3,128 |
| 3 bedrooms | $5,620 – $7,493 | $4,046 – $5,395 | $2,698 – $3,597 |
| 4 bedrooms | $6,353 – $8,471 | $4,574 – $6,099 | $3,049 – $4,066 |
| 5+ bedrooms | $7,331 – $9,774 | $5,278 – $7,037 | $3,519 – $4,692 |
Transport only, for an estimated 1,086 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, Minneapolis to Washington
1,086 miles × 2.0 (two-bedroom size multiplier) × $2.50 (full-service rate) = $5,430. The range runs 10% under that to 20% over: $4,887 to $6,516, 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 Minneapolis to Washington
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates that about 137 people a year (±64) moved from Hennepin County, MN, home to Minneapolis, to District of Columbia, DC, home to Washington. Going the other way: about 255 people a year (±201). Movers from Hennepin County make up 0.2% 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 460 people a year (±340) moving from Minnesota to District of Columbia and about 415 people a year (±358) from District of Columbia to Minnesota — a net gain for District of Columbia of about 45 people a year.
| County | People a year |
|---|---|
| Ramsey County, MN | 12,138 ±1,365 |
| Anoka County, MN | 8,764 ±1,203 |
| Dakota County, MN | 6,506 ±899 |
| Carver County, MN | 2,839 ±475 |
| Washington County, MN | 2,544 ±572 |
| 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
56 household-goods carriers with interstate authority are based within 30 miles of Minneapolis (187 counting those licensed only inside Minnesota). 34 of them had a roadside inspection in the last 24 months, and 17.5% of their 715 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bay and BayUSDOT 125630 | Eagan · 10 mi | 360 trucks | 954 | 15.8% of 507 |
| Berger Transfer & Storage IncUSDOT 125665 | Saint Paul · 6 mi | 221 trucks | 63 | 13.9% of 36 |
| Manning Transfer IncUSDOT 116111 | Blaine · 14 mi | 60 trucks | 104 | 23.5% of 51 |
| AAA Movers IncUSDOT 1140502 | Brooklyn Park · 11 mi | 44 trucks | 7 | 0.0% of 4 |
| Matt's Moving LLCUSDOT 1704106 | Saint Paul · 10 mi | 32 trucks | 15 | 25.0% of 4 |
| Twin Cities Moving Systems IncUSDOT 1273556 | Prior Lake · 22 mi | 30 trucks | 47 | 25.0% of 24 |
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 Minnesota 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 Minneapolis 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 1,086 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 Minneapolis
All routes from Minneapolis, nearest first.
| Route | Distance | 2-bedroom, movers |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis to Saint Paul, MN | ~10 mi | $535 – $873 |
| Minneapolis to Rochester, MN | ~90 mi | $535 – $873 |
| Minneapolis to Sioux Falls, SD | ~231 mi | $1,040 – $1,386 |
| Minneapolis to Fargo, ND | ~250 mi | $1,125 – $1,500 |
| Minneapolis to Madison, WI | ~272 mi | $1,224 – $1,632 |
| Minneapolis to Des Moines, IA | ~274 mi | $1,233 – $1,644 |
| Minneapolis to Omaha, NE | ~338 mi | $1,521 – $2,028 |
| Minneapolis to Milwaukee, WI | ~347 mi | $1,562 – $2,082 |
Also moving to Washington: from Arlington, VA, from Annapolis, MD, from Baltimore, MD, from Richmond, VA.
Minneapolis to Washington moving FAQ
How much does it cost to move from Minneapolis to Washington?
From our published model, full-service movers over about 1,086 miles cost about $3,665 – $4,887 for a studio, $4,887 – $6,516 for a two-bedroom home and $5,620 – $7,493 for a three-bedroom home, transport only; packing, storage and specialty items are extra.
How long does a move from Minneapolis to Washington take?
The drive is 3 days on the road (about 20 hours of driving), 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 Minneapolis to Washington?
Loading a freight trailer yourself: about $2,346 – $3,128 for a two-bedroom home, against $4,887 – $6,516 with full-service movers; a moving container is $3,519 – $4,692.
Do I need an interstate-licensed mover for Minneapolis to Washington?
Yes. Minneapolis is in Minnesota and Washington is in District of Columbia, so the carrier needs active FMCSA interstate authority (an MC number) as well as a USDOT number. 56 listed movers within 30 miles of Minneapolis hold it.
How many people move from Minneapolis to Washington each year?
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates about 137 people a year (margin of error ±64) moved from Hennepin County, which contains Minneapolis, 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.