Moving from Memphis, TN to Washington, DC
About 889 miles across a state line, from Tennessee 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 Memphis, TN to Washington, DC covers about 889 miles and is an interstate move. Full-service movers cost $4,001 – $5,334 for a two-bedroom home in our model, delivered in 3 to 7 days. About 114 people a year move between the two counties (Census).
The route
At 889 miles between Tennessee 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 $4,001 – $5,334 full-service — so ask which one you are buying.
- Move type
- Interstate move
- Driving
- 2 days on the road (about 16 hours of driving)
- Usually moves on
- either a dedicated truck or a consolidated load
- Book ahead
- 4 to 6 weeks
Cost of moving from Memphis to Washington
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $3,000 – $4,001 | $2,160 – $2,880 | $1,440 – $1,920 |
| 1 bedroom | $3,600 – $4,801 | $2,592 – $3,456 | $1,728 – $2,304 |
| 2 bedrooms | $4,001 – $5,334 | $2,880 – $3,840 | $1,920 – $2,560 |
| 3 bedrooms | $4,601 – $6,134 | $3,312 – $4,417 | $2,208 – $2,944 |
| 4 bedrooms | $5,201 – $6,934 | $3,744 – $4,993 | $2,496 – $3,328 |
| 5+ bedrooms | $6,001 – $8,001 | $4,321 – $5,761 | $2,880 – $3,840 |
Transport only, for an estimated 889 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, Memphis to Washington
889 miles × 2.0 (two-bedroom size multiplier) × $2.50 (full-service rate) = $4,445. The range runs 10% under that to 20% over: $4,001 to $5,334, 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 Memphis to Washington
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates that about 114 people a year (±78) moved from Shelby County, TN, home to Memphis, to District of Columbia, DC, home to Washington. Going the other way: about 119 people a year (±112). Movers from Shelby 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 936 people a year (±826) moving from Tennessee to District of Columbia and about 458 people a year (±340) from District of Columbia to Tennessee — a net gain for District of Columbia of about 478 people a year.
| County | People a year |
|---|---|
| DeSoto County, MS | 3,849 ±780 |
| Davidson County, TN | 1,795 ±546 |
| Tipton County, TN | 1,536 ±551 |
| Fayette County, TN | 1,060 ±318 |
| Knox County, TN | 699 ±232 |
| 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
33 household-goods carriers with interstate authority are based within 30 miles of Memphis (45 counting those licensed only inside Tennessee). 20 of them had a roadside inspection in the last 24 months, and 21.3% of their 80 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lanigan Worldwide Moving & Warehousing IncUSDOT 296790 | Memphis · 5 mi | 20 trucks | 1 | 0.0% of 1 |
| Big League Movers IncUSDOT 1999318 | Memphis · 10 mi | 20 trucks | 31 | 15.0% of 20 |
| Guardian Moving Systems IncUSDOT 534684 | Memphis · 14 mi | 17 trucks | 3 | 100.0% of 1 |
| Cooper & Cooper Moving IncUSDOT 501893 | Memphis · 11 mi | 13 trucks | 7 | 33.3% of 6 |
| Ewing Moving Service IncUSDOT 435272 | Memphis · 9 mi | 11 trucks | 9 | 33.3% of 6 |
| My Town Movers IncUSDOT 2434252 | Collierville · 23 mi | 10 trucks | 4 | 0.0% of 4 |
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 Tennessee 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 Memphis 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 889 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 Memphis
All routes from Memphis, nearest first.
| Route | Distance | 2-bedroom, movers |
|---|---|---|
| Memphis to Little Rock, AR | ~151 mi | $680 – $906 |
| Memphis to Jackson, MS | ~229 mi | $1,031 – $1,374 |
| Memphis to Nashville, TN | ~230 mi | $1,035 – $1,380 |
| Memphis to Huntsville, AL | ~231 mi | $1,040 – $1,386 |
| Memphis to Birmingham, AL | ~253 mi | $1,139 – $1,518 |
| Memphis to Chattanooga, TN | ~313 mi | $1,409 – $1,878 |
| Memphis to Louisville, KY | ~374 mi | $1,683 – $2,244 |
| Memphis to Baton Rouge, LA | ~386 mi | $1,737 – $2,316 |
Also moving to Washington: from Arlington, VA, from Annapolis, MD, from Baltimore, MD, from Richmond, VA.
Memphis to Washington moving FAQ
How much does it cost to move from Memphis to Washington?
From our published model, full-service movers over about 889 miles cost about $3,000 – $4,001 for a studio, $4,001 – $5,334 for a two-bedroom home and $4,601 – $6,134 for a three-bedroom home, transport only; packing, storage and specialty items are extra.
How long does a move from Memphis to Washington take?
The drive is 2 days on the road (about 16 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 Memphis to Washington?
Loading a freight trailer yourself: about $1,920 – $2,560 for a two-bedroom home, against $4,001 – $5,334 with full-service movers; a moving container is $2,880 – $3,840.
Do I need an interstate-licensed mover for Memphis to Washington?
Yes. Memphis is in Tennessee and Washington is in District of Columbia, so the carrier needs active FMCSA interstate authority (an MC number) as well as a USDOT number. 33 listed movers within 30 miles of Memphis hold it.
How many people move from Memphis to Washington each year?
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates about 114 people a year (margin of error ±78) moved from Shelby County, which contains Memphis, 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.