Movers From Los Angeles to Washington, D.C.
| Long-Distance Moving Services

Los Angeles to Washington, DC Moving Cost & Timeline

How Much Does It Cost to Move from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C.?

*Based on recent moves from Los Angeles, CA to Washington, DC. The exact price depends on the weight and volume of the items in stock, how easy it is to get to them, and any special items.

Move & Care offers flat rate interstate moving at a flat rate. Your written quote is your price. There are no surprise fuel surcharges, weekend add-ons, or "gotcha" fees when you get your order. Your flat rate usually covers:

• Professional movers, a truck, mileage, tolls, and gas
• Basic protection materials, stretch wrap, and padding for furniture
• Standard set of tools, dollies, and straps
• Keeping track of things and labeling them for accountability
• Help with making COIs when management asks for them

What makes the price go up on LA→DC moves? The three most important things are mileage (about 2,670 miles), total inventory, and access. After that, the price may change depending on how much stuff you need to pack, how many stairs or elevators you have to go up and down, how far you have to carry it from the door to the truck, whether you need a shuttle (for tight streets), and any special items you need. Some common examples of specialty pricing are moving pianos, packing fragile artwork, and moving heavy things (more than 200 pounds).

For interstate moves, we strongly suggest getting a binding (flat-rate) quote. Federal consumer guidance says that movers use documents like the estimate, order for service, bill of lading, and inventory for shipments between states. You should read these carefully before signing.

FMCSA guidance says that if a shipment moves under a non-binding estimate, there are protections for delivery payment. For example, movers must deliver after receiving 110% of the non-binding estimate, plus any extra services or charges that are allowed. Before you book, we'll explain what kind of estimate you have in plain English.

Get a Free Quote from LA to DC

Sample Cross-Country Timeline: Los Angeles to Washington, DC

The LA→DC route is about 2,670 miles long (about 47–48 hours of driving time before rest stops and other realities), so most full-service moves take 5–12 days, depending on the type of load and how easy it is to get to. This is what a good plan looks like:

• Day 1: Pick up in Los Angeles County, load and inventory, and leave for the east.
• Days 2–5: On the I-40 corridor, where the weather and traffic are watched
• Days 5–12: Delivery to Washington, DC, Arlington, Alexandria, and Bethesda (depending on the dispatch model, elevator reservations, and curb access)

Dedicated Truck vs Shared Load (Consolidated) — Choose Your Priority

Not all long-distance moves are the same. We have two popular models for you to choose from based on what matters most to you:

• Dedicated truck (faster, tighter window): Your shipment rides on a truck that is mostly used for your move. Best for firm start dates for DC leases, jobs, and high-rise elevators.
• Shared load / consolidated (budget-friendly): Your shipment shares space with other shipments going to the same place. It can lower costs, but it usually makes the delivery window longer.

Need to be flexible? When the date of a closing, renovation, or move-in changes, we can set up Storage-In-Transit (SIT).

Licensed, Insured, and Easy to Verify (FMCSA / USDOT)

Move & Care is a licensed moving company that works across state lines. You should check that your mover is registered and has a USDOT number before moving across state lines. You can use the FMCSA Registered Mover Search to check a mover's registration, see if they have any complaints, and find out what kind of business they are (carrier, broker, etc.).

We put our registration information on your paperwork, and we'll be happy to explain what you're seeing in the database. This is how you avoid moving fraud.

Insurance & Valuation Options (What’s Actually Covered?)

Interstate moves aren't "insured" in the usual sense; instead, they're covered by valuation. There are usually two main choices:

• Released Value: Basic coverage at a low level.
• Full Value Protection: A higher level of protection where the mover is responsible for repairs, replacements, or settlements (as long as the terms are met).

Before we pick up your electronics, artwork, antiques, or other valuable items, we'll explain how to choose the right level. If damage is found during delivery, the inventory/checking process is important. Our team does a walkthrough and notes any exceptions on the inventory to make claims easier.

FMCSA — Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move (PDF) is an official guide for consumers.

LA + DC Logistics: Parking, Permits, and Building Rules

Los Angeles Pickup: Tight Streets, Tow-Away Zones, and Loading Access

Getting to and from your new home can make or break moving day, whether it's in West Hollywood, Santa Monica, or DTLA. If there isn't enough room on the curb, you might need temporary parking controls like "tow-away" or "no parking." LADOT gives advice on how to ask for temporary no parking/tow-away signs (the rules are different in each area), and our office helps you figure out what's possible for your street and building.

Washington, DC Delivery: Public Space Permits (TOPS) + High-Rise Rules

Moving trucks and even moving containers may need a Public Space Permit in DC if they are parked on the curb or road. DDOT tells people to apply through the Transportation Online Permitting System (TOPS), which has categories like Moving Trucks in Public Space. We'll help you figure out when you might need a permit, what size truck you're getting, and how to line up the permit window with your delivery time.

We set up COIs, elevator reservations, and loading dock times for condos and managed buildings in places like Navy Yard, NoMa, Dupont Circle, or Downtown DC so that your delivery doesn't get held up at the front desk.

Move & Care Services for LA → Washington, DC Moves

• Packing and unpacking (for the whole house or just part of it, like "pack only the kitchen")
• Custom crates for mirrors, art, and other delicate items
• Taking apart and putting back together furniture like beds, sectional sofas, and tables
• Piano and heavy things like safes, gym equipment, and baby grand pianos
• Storage (including Storage-In-Transit when dates change)
• Coordinating shipping for your car (when you need it in DC but don't want to drive across the country)
• Container-style options (we'll let you know when a moving container permit might be needed in DC public space)

The Move & Care Process (Los Angeles to Washington, DC)

1) Planning & Written Quote

Your coordinator takes a detailed inventory through a video survey or walkthrough, checks the access information (stairs, elevators, or long carry), and gives you a written estimate. We'll also make sure you have all the right moving papers and know when to expect them so there are no last-minute surprises.

2) Pickup Day in Los Angeles

Your crew shows up on time, pads the furniture, shrink-wraps soft goods as needed, and makes a clear inventory. You'll get the important papers, like the bill of lading, and a direct line to your coordinator for updates.

3) In-Transit Oversight

We send packages along a safe cross-country route, keep an eye on traffic and weather risks, and make sure your delivery window matches your DC building reservations. If you chose shared-load consolidation, we set expectations ahead of time and keep you updated as the routing process comes to an end.

4) Delivery in Washington, DC / DMV

On the day of delivery, we protect common areas, put furniture where you want it, put beds back together, and check the inventory together. We take away packing materials when everything is in order so you can move in faster.

Service Areas on This Route

Hollywood, West Hollywood, Downtown LA, Koreatown, Silver Lake, Echo Park, Santa Monica, Venice, Culver City, Beverly Hills, Pasadena, Glendale, Burbank, Long Beach, Torrance, and beyond are all common pickup spots in Los Angeles.

Delivery to Washington, DC usually includes Capitol Hill, Navy Yard, NoMa, Dupont Circle, Logan Circle, Georgetown, Adams Morgan, and the DMV suburbs of Arlington, Alexandria, Falls Church, Bethesda, Silver Spring, and Rockville.

Get a moving quote from LA to Washington, DC.