The BEST Moving Companies in Washington DC, MD
Quick answer: Our top pick for local moves in Washington DC, MD, is Olympia Moving & Storage, thanks to their reputation for quality customer service and specialized handling of pianos and antiques. If you’re moving out of Maryland to another state, we recommend Safeway Moving in terms of overall value.
- Best Washington DC-based mover: Olympia Moving & Storage
- Best interstate mover: Safeway Moving
- Best moving container: PODS
- Best labor-only mover: HireAHelper
- Best rental truck: U-Haul Truck Rental
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Our track record
Each year, 400,000+ people trust our moving recommendations. Here are a few reasons why:
- Founded in 2015
- 2,500+ moving companies analyzed
- $50,000 in moving & auto transport grants delivered
- Up-to-date pricing info & industry data
- Fact-checked for accuracy
Best movers for those moving locally in Washington DC, MD
- Olympia Moving & Storage: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- Gentle Giant Moving Company: 4.76 out of 5 stars
- Bookstore Movers, LLC: 4.72 out of 5 stars
- Suburban Solutions Moving & Transport: 4.72 out of 5 stars
- Straightline Movers Inc.: 4.66 out of 5 stars
- Efficient service (36%)
- Professional and polite staff (30%)
- Careful handling (29%)
- Unexpected charges (25%)
- Delayed arrival or delivery (22%)
- Damage to items (20%)
Company Info
State license #: 70719
Years in Business: 30
DOT #: 70719
Olympia Moving & Storage has been a trusted provider of local residential moving services in and around Hyattsville, MD, since 1994. With a solid reputation backed by 149 Yelp reviews averaging 4.1 stars, 326 Google reviews averaging 4.6 stars, and an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, they stand out among nearby competitors. In addition to local moves, they offer packing and unpacking services, storage options, and the capability to move delicate items like pianos and antiques. Olympia Moving & Storage accepts credit cards and offers full valuation insurance coverage, ensuring peace of mind throughout the moving process.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Grandfather clocks
- Crating
- Crane vans
- Shipment tracking
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- DOD certified
- Professional and polite staff (34%)
- Efficient service (30%)
- Careful handling (29%)
- Higher-than-expected costs (15%)
- Damage to items (10%)
- Lack of communication (8%)
Company Info
State license #: 373544
Years in Business: 43
DOT #: 373544
Alternate Names: Gentle Giant Moving Company
Gentle Giant Moving Company, serving the Washington, DC area since 1981, stands out as a reputable choice for local residential moving services. Boasting an impressive 4.5-star average on Yelp and a perfect 5.0 on Google, along with an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, their customer satisfaction is consistently high. Unlike many competitors, they offer additional services such as packing, unpacking, and specialized piano moving. With no deposit required and the convenience of credit card payments, Gentle Giant proves to be a reliable and comprehensive solution for local moves.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Crane vans
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
- Efficient service (40%)
- Professional and polite staff (38%)
- Careful handling (35%)
- Damage to items (18%)
- Delayed arrival or delivery (14%)
- Lack of communication (12%)
Company Info
State license #: 2005212
Years in Business: 18
DOT #: 2005212
Bookstore Movers, LLC has been a trusted name in local residential moving services in and around Hyattsville, MD since 2006. With an impressive average rating of 4.8 from over 1,000 combined Yelp and Google reviews, and an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, their reputation for reliability and customer satisfaction is unmatched by many local competitors. In addition to standard moving services, they offer specialized options such as piano, hot tub, and pool table moving, as well as packing and unpacking services. Unlike some nearby movers, Bookstore Movers does not require a deposit, adding to their customer-friendly approach.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Grandfather clocks
- Crating
- Storage
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Efficient service (45%)
- Professional and polite staff (40%)
- Good communication (35%)
- Damage to items (30%)
- Delayed arrival or delivery (25%)
- Unexpected charges (20%)
Company Info
State license #: 2105554
Years in Business: 8
DOT #: 2105554
Suburban Solutions Moving & Transport has been a reliable choice for local residential moving services in Kensington, MD since 2016. With over 420 reviews spanning Yelp and Google, they maintain an impressive average rating of 4.4, complemented by a sterling A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. Compared to other nearby movers, Suburban Solutions stands out by offering comprehensive services including packing, unpacking, and specialized moves for items like pianos, hot tubs, and antiques, all without requiring a deposit. They also provide labor-only services and full valuation insurance coverage, ensuring peace of mind during every move.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Grandfather clocks
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Safes
- Pay by money order
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Efficient service (45%)
- Professional and polite staff (41%)
- Good communication (38%)
- Damage to items (18%)
- Delayed arrival or delivery (12%)
- Lack of communication (10%)
Company Info
Years in Business: 5
DOT #: 3183719
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Pay by credit card
Best movers for those moving out of Maryland
As you may guess, interstate — or out-of-state — moves are those that cross state lines. Movers must meet certain federal licensing requirements and standards to handle interstate moves. Consider one of these highly rated, fully licensed interstate moving companies if you’re leaving Maryland for a new state:
- Safeway Moving: 4.85 out of 5 stars
- Mayzlin Relocation: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- BLVD Moving: 4.25 out of 5 stars
- PODS: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- American Van Lines: 4.5 out of 5 stars
- GPS tracking en route
- Veteran-owned
- Dedicated move coordinator
- Flat-rate pricing
- Donates a portion of moves to charity
- Family-owned, with locations covering the East Coast
- Full refund if you cancel within 7 days of your move
- Hands-on customer service
- 24/7 support
- Price-matching policy
- Family owned & operated
- Affordable pricing
- Binding estimates
- 30 days storage included
- Local and long distance moving options
- Unlimited loading/unloading time
- Store on property or at a facility
- Experienced & fully trained moving crews
- Specializes in moving art & antiques
- Competitive pricing
- Can handle last-minute moves
- Climate-controlled storage
Best moving containers in Washington DC, MD
Moving containers offer a hybrid DIY solution that falls somewhere between a full-service moving company and a rental truck. With moving containers, you won’t have the help of a moving crew (you’ll have to do the loading and unloading) but you will get the benefit of a professional driver — a perk that doesn’t come with renting a truck.
Container costs in Washington DC vary depending on how many containers you need and how far you’re moving. Be sure to get moving quotes from multiple companies so you can best compare prices and services.
We recommend starting with these two top-tier moving container companies:
- 30 days storage included
- Local and long distance moving options
- Unlimited loading/unloading time
- Store on property or at a facility
- Long distance moves only
- Only pay for the space you use
- No deposit or initial fees
- Fast delivery time frames
Best rental trucks for your Washington DC, MD move
If you’re looking for the cheapest way to move out of state or locally in Washington DC, a moving truck rental is your best option. On average, a truck rental in Maryland costs a base rate of $19–$39 a day and a fee of $0.99–$1.19 per mile.
While you’ll certainly save money by renting a truck rather than hiring full-service movers or using a moving container, you will ultimately be responsible for every aspect of your move — including the driving.
We recommend these top truck rental companies for a full DIY move:
- More than 20,000 locations with prominent pricing
- Rental options include everything from pick-up trucks to 26-foot moving trucks
- Gentle-Ride Suspension add protection to avoid damaging your items during transit
- U-Box moving containers available if you don't want to drive
- Limits environmental impact as part of the EPA's SmartWay Program
- Non-slip flooring makes loading and unloading easier
- Easily choose truck size with their Truck Wizard Tool
Labor-only movers in Washington DC, MD
Labor-only companies can be helpful if you are using a moving container or rental truck but still want some assistance with the heavy lifting. A labor-only mover will provide you with a moving crew to load and unload your items, and you can also pay for additional packing support, as well as disassembly and reassembly of furniture, fitness equipment, and electronics.
Check out our picks for labor-only companies in Washington DC:
- First call quoting, get a quote in just a couple of minutes
- Rates are typically 20-40% lower than the industry averages
- $1,000 money-back service guarantee
- Fast and accurate delivery times
- Free damage coverage with additional coverage options
- Quick and easy booking process
- National 4.75/5 star rating (these guys are good at what they do)
- Dedicated move concierge specialist
- Pay as you go service. 2-hour minimum and then prorated down to the minute
- The time clock starts when the movers arrive and ends when you tell them
Top-rated movers in nearby cities
How we chose the best movers in Washington DC
moveBuddha’s expert team analyzed moving rates from 44 Maryland movers and listed the top five best movers based on customer satisfaction, reviews, and cost.
Customer satisfaction (40%): The company consistently delivers services in a timely matter with good communication and within the estimated cost.
Dispute resolution (20%): Mistakes cannot be avoided in the moving industry. We look for companies that own their mistakes and make genuine efforts to fix any issues that arise during a move.
Industry reputation (15%): The company is well-regarded within the moving industry and participates in industry conferences and organizations.
Online reputation (15%): The company maintains a professional website with accurate information. The company promptly and professionally responds to online customer inquiries.
Service options (10%): We look for companies with a deep breadth of services including full packing, storage, specialty item handling, and expedited delivery.
Here is our full moving company rating methodology.
How do I find a reputable Washington DC mover?
If you’re looking for the best movers in Washington DC, here’s what you should look for:
- A good reputation: Whether they’re a new family-owned business in Washington DC or a large van lines company with years of experience operating all over Maryland, a good reputation is absolutely essential. Watch out for red flags and common moving scams.
- Look into dispute resolution: All businesses may have some hiccups, but it's how they handle these incidents that shows the company’s true colors. If a mover in Washington DC has a history of unresolved customer complaints, it might be best to look elsewhere.
- Ensure experience aligns with your move: A mover with excellent reviews for local moves in Washington DC may not be the best interstate moving company. Verify that the company has adequate experience with the type of move you're planning.
- Get multiple estimates: Reputable Washington DC movers should provide a free estimate for your move. Getting moving quotes from multiple companies will give you a good idea of a fair price for the services you need.
Fortunately, the Washington DC movers on this list all pass this checklist with flying colors and have been hand selected by our experts at moveBuddha.
If you want to broaden your search to the whole state, check out the best moving companies in Maryland.
Average cost of movers in Washington DC, Maryland
The pricing table below shows ballpark costs for local moves within the Washington DC area and its surrounding suburbs. Or check out our post on the cost to move in Maryland for more pricing info.
Keep in mind the price ranges listed are only averages. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the specific requirements of your move.
You can also check out our moving cost calculator for more accurate moving cost estimate.
Local moving costs in Washington DC
If you’re moving within 50 miles of Washington DC, it’s considered a local move. The cost of a rental truck combines a base fee and the mileage fees. In Washington DC, the base fee ranges from $19 to $39 while the mileage ranges from $0.99 per mile to $1.19 per mile.
And if you’re looking for some labor help, the average cost for movers in Washington DC is $85 per hour.
| Home Size | Avg. Total Cost | Cost/hour | # of Movers | # Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $289 | $118 | 2 movers | 3 hours |
| 1 Bedroom | $407 | $118 | 2 movers | 4 hours |
| 2 Bedroom | $669 | $166 | 3 movers | 5 hours |
| 3 Bedroom | $1,563 | $232 | 4 movers | 8 hours |
| 4 Bedroom | $1,795 | $232 | 4 movers | 9 hours |
| 5+ Bedroom | $2,771 | $325 | 5 movers | 10 hours |
Interstate moving costs out of Washington DC
The cost to move from Washington DC to a different state is determined by how much you’re moving and how far away the new state is from Maryland. Here are a few examples:
- Washington DC to California Movers: $1,616 to $7,982
- Washington DC to New York Movers: $274 to $4,127
- Washington DC to Illinois Movers: $558 to $5,695
- Washington DC to New York Movers: $274 to $4,127
Don’t see your new home state? Check out these popular moving routes.
Factors that affect the cost of your move
- Distance: Your moving costs in Washington DC will be determined in large part by where you are relocating. A local move within 50 miles of Washington DC will be less expensive than moving 450 miles across Maryland state lines.
- Move size: The more stuff you have, the more your move will cost, since moving companies determine price based on how large your truck and moving truck need to be. For long-distance and interstate relocations out of Washington DC, a moving company will base your price on the total estimated weight and volume of your belongings. Decluttering and downsizing to reduce those total measurements can help you keep costs down.
- Moving method: A full-service mover will likely be the most expensive option, and renting a truck will save you the most money. Just make sure you are factoring in services with pricing, so you don’t end up skimping on the help you need for your specific move just to cut costs.
- Additional services: No matter what kind of move you opt for, extra options like packing, labor, and comprehensive insurance will all come with added fees.
- The time of the year: Relocating during peak moving season (May–September) will cost you more because demand is higher and availability is lower. If possible, plan your move between October and April for a lower rate.
FAQs
Do I need to get a parking permit for local movers in Washington DC?
The City charges $55 per permit for up to 88 feet of parking space (about 3-4 car lengths). If metered, it can be an additional $24-48 per meter per day.
For more info on parking permits in Washington DC, visit the local DOT website.
How can I save money when hiring a Washington DC moving company?
You can save money when hiring a Washington DC mover by planning your moving date outside of peak season, which runs from May through September. Moving during the week and between October and April allows for the greatest savings.
There are other ways to negotiate your moving costs, including asking a company about any moving discounts or deals that may apply to you.
Do Washington DC movers offer storage?
Yes, many Washington DC movers offer short- and long-term storage options. Many moving companies operate their own storage facilities, but some may partner with a third-party warehouse. It's always worth asking about a mover’s storage options and getting estimates for the added cost.
If your Washington DC mover doesn’t offer storage — or you need services beyond what they can provide — reach out to at least three of the best self-storage companies to get an idea of the price of self-storage before choosing one.
How can I see all moving companies in Maryland?
You can see all moving companies in Maryland by taking a look at our full list of Maryland movers.
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