Moving from Albany, NY to Boston, MA
About 162 miles across a state line, from New York into Massachusetts, 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 Albany, NY to Boston, MA covers about 162 miles and is an interstate move. Full-service movers cost $729 – $972 for a two-bedroom home in our model, delivered in 1 to 3 days. About 100 people a year move between the two counties (Census).
The route
A short interstate haul: 162 miles, about 3 hours of driving. Long enough to be priced on weight, short enough that most carriers run it on a dedicated truck rather than pooling your goods with other shipments — a two-bedroom home typically runs $729 – $972. That means a tight delivery date and far less handling.
- Move type
- Interstate move
- Driving
- about 3 hours
- Usually moves on
- a dedicated truck
- Book ahead
- 2 to 4 weeks
Cost of moving from Albany to Boston
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $547 – $729 | $394 – $525 | $262 – $350 |
| 1 bedroom | $656 – $875 | $472 – $630 | $315 – $420 |
| 2 bedrooms | $729 – $972 | $525 – $700 | $350 – $467 |
| 3 bedrooms | $838 – $1,118 | $604 – $805 | $402 – $537 |
| 4 bedrooms | $948 – $1,264 | $682 – $910 | $455 – $607 |
| 5+ bedrooms | $1,094 – $1,458 | $787 – $1,050 | $525 – $700 |
Transport only, for an estimated 162 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, Albany to Boston
162 miles × 2.0 (two-bedroom size multiplier) × $2.50 (full-service rate) = $810. The range runs 10% under that to 20% over: $729 to $972, 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 Albany to Boston
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates that about 100 people a year (±68) moved from Albany County, NY, home to Albany, to Suffolk County, MA, home to Boston. Going the other way: about 239 people a year (±200). Movers from Albany County make up 0.2% 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 18,697 people a year (±3,077) moving from New York to Massachusetts and about 17,862 people a year (±2,974) from Massachusetts to New York — a net gain for Massachusetts of about 835 people a year.
| County | People a year |
|---|---|
| Rensselaer County, NY | 3,421 ±767 |
| Schenectady County, NY | 2,286 ±578 |
| Saratoga County, NY | 1,889 ±586 |
| Suffolk County, NY | 563 ±276 |
| Bronx County, NY | 549 ±216 |
| 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
14 household-goods carriers with interstate authority are based within 30 miles of Albany (52 counting those licensed only inside New York). 11 of them had a roadside inspection in the last 24 months, and 14.8% of their 61 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arnoff Moving & StorageUSDOT 1041699 | Malta · 25 mi | 22 trucks | 52 | 3.3% of 30 |
| Schaap Moving Systems IncUSDOT 31675 | Albany · 6 mi | 10 trucks | 11 | 14.3% of 7 |
| Don's Moving & Storage IncUSDOT 134890 | Albany · 0 mi | 6 trucks | 3 | 0.0% of 3 |
| Protocol Van Lines IncUSDOT 3736265 | Albany · 6 mi | 6 trucks | 14 | 25.0% of 8 |
| All-Ways Moving & Storage CompanyUSDOT 55254 | Pittsfield · 28 mi | 6 trucks | 5 | 0.0% of 2 |
| Liedkie Moving & Storage IncUSDOT 1207788 | Schenectady · 11 mi | 5 trucks | 4 | 100.0% of 2 |
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 New York 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 Albany to Boston
Ask whether it is hourly or flat
At 162 miles some carriers still quote hourly plus mileage rather than by weight. Get both numbers so you can compare like with like — hourly can win on a short haul with easy access at both ends.
Confirm it is a one-day run
Most carriers cover this distance in a single day, which avoids an overnight charge and a second crew. If a quote assumes two days, ask why.
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 Albany
All routes from Albany, nearest first.
| Route | Distance | 2-bedroom, movers |
|---|---|---|
| Albany to Schenectady, NY | ~17 mi | $515 – $845 |
| Albany to Utica, NY | ~94 mi | $515 – $845 |
| Albany to Hartford, CT | ~96 mi | $515 – $845 |
| Albany to Bridgeport, CT | ~123 mi | $554 – $738 |
| Albany to Mount Vernon, NY | ~140 mi | $630 – $840 |
| Albany to Syracuse, NY | ~145 mi | $653 – $870 |
| Albany to Providence, RI | ~155 mi | $698 – $930 |
| Albany to New York City, NY | ~157 mi | $707 – $942 |
Also moving to Boston: from Worcester, MA, from Nashua, NH, from Providence, RI, from Warwick, RI.
Albany to Boston moving FAQ
How much does it cost to move from Albany to Boston?
From our published model, full-service movers over about 162 miles cost about $547 – $729 for a studio, $729 – $972 for a two-bedroom home and $838 – $1,118 for a three-bedroom home, transport only; packing, storage and specialty items are extra.
How long does a move from Albany to Boston take?
The drive is about 3 hours, but the move usually takes 1 to 3 days because it moves on a dedicated truck, because the corridor is too short to be worth consolidating. Ask for the delivery window in writing. Book ahead: 2 to 4 weeks, 4 to 6 in summer.
What is the cheapest way to move from Albany to Boston?
Loading a freight trailer yourself: about $350 – $467 for a two-bedroom home, against $729 – $972 with full-service movers; a moving container is $525 – $700.
Do I need an interstate-licensed mover for Albany to Boston?
Yes. Albany is in New York and Boston is in Massachusetts, so the carrier needs active FMCSA interstate authority (an MC number) as well as a USDOT number. 14 listed movers within 30 miles of Albany hold it.
How many people move from Albany to Boston each year?
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates about 100 people a year (margin of error ±68) moved from Albany County, which contains Albany, 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.