Moving from Albany, NY to Washington, DC
About 363 miles across a state line, from New York 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 Albany, NY to Washington, DC covers about 363 miles and is an interstate move. Full-service movers cost $1,634 – $2,178 for a two-bedroom home in our model, delivered in 1 to 3 days. About 230 people a year move between the two counties (Census).
The route
A short interstate haul: 363 miles, about 7 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 $1,634 – $2,178. That means a tight delivery date and far less handling.
- Move type
- Interstate move
- Driving
- about 7 hours
- Usually moves on
- a dedicated truck
- Book ahead
- 2 to 4 weeks
Cost of moving from Albany to Washington
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,225 – $1,634 | $882 – $1,176 | $588 – $784 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,470 – $1,960 | $1,059 – $1,411 | $706 – $941 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,634 – $2,178 | $1,176 – $1,568 | $784 – $1,045 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,879 – $2,505 | $1,353 – $1,803 | $902 – $1,202 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,124 – $2,831 | $1,529 – $2,039 | $1,019 – $1,359 |
| 5+ bedrooms | $2,450 – $3,267 | $1,764 – $2,352 | $1,176 – $1,568 |
Transport only, for an estimated 363 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 Washington
363 miles × 2.0 (two-bedroom size multiplier) × $2.50 (full-service rate) = $1,815. The range runs 10% under that to 20% over: $1,634 to $2,178, 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 Washington
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates that about 230 people a year (±200) moved from Albany County, NY, home to Albany, to District of Columbia, DC, home to Washington. Going the other way: about 5 people a year (±11). Movers from Albany County make up 0.4% 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 3,117 people a year (±916) moving from New York to District of Columbia and about 4,795 people a year (±1,495) from District of Columbia to New York — a net gain for New York of about 1,678 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 |
|---|---|
| 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
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 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 New York 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 Albany to Washington
Ask whether it is hourly or flat
At 363 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 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 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 Washington: from Arlington, VA, from Annapolis, MD, from Baltimore, MD, from Richmond, VA.
Albany to Washington moving FAQ
How much does it cost to move from Albany to Washington?
From our published model, full-service movers over about 363 miles cost about $1,225 – $1,634 for a studio, $1,634 – $2,178 for a two-bedroom home and $1,879 – $2,505 for a three-bedroom home, transport only; packing, storage and specialty items are extra.
How long does a move from Albany to Washington take?
The drive is about 7 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 Washington?
Loading a freight trailer yourself: about $784 – $1,045 for a two-bedroom home, against $1,634 – $2,178 with full-service movers; a moving container is $1,176 – $1,568.
Do I need an interstate-licensed mover for Albany to Washington?
Yes. Albany is in New York and Washington is in District of Columbia, 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 Washington each year?
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates about 230 people a year (margin of error ±200) moved from Albany County, which contains Albany, 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.