($1,140) Movers From Illinois to Washington DC, MD

Quick answer: Moving from Illinois to Washington DC, MD, costs $570 to $5,788 and takes two to seven days. How much you’re moving, your move date, and whether you hire a company or do the move yourself will affect the overall cost of your 771-mile move.

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  • Specialty packing services
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Moving the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our moving from Washington DC, MD to Illinois guide.

The best Illinois to Washington DC, MD, full-service moving companies

Hiring an interstate moving company from Illinois to Washington DC is a big deal.

There are more than 8,000 moving companies in the U.S. But don’t worry, you won’t have to filter through all of them. We’ve done the research for you and narrowed the list based on customer satisfaction, cost, and services.

Here are the best long-distance moving companies serving Illinois to Washington DC.

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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
(980) 217-6841
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  • 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
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(980) 217-6841
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.85 / 5
(855) 650-0657
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  • GPS tracking en route
  • Veteran-owned
  • Dedicated move coordinator
  • Flat-rate pricing
  • Donates a portion of moves to charity
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(855) 650-0657
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
(866) 835-2392
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  • Experienced & fully trained moving crews
  • Specializes in moving art & antiques
  • Competitive pricing
  • Can handle last-minute moves
  • Climate-controlled storage
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(866) 835-2392
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.75 / 5
(866) 935-3437
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  • Fragile packing
  • Storage options
  • 24/7 shipment tracking
  • Quick & efficient
  • Accurate quotes
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(866) 935-3437
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.45 / 5
(855) 929-4120
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  • 10% discount for veterans and seniors
  • Very competitive rates due to their national coverage
  • Services local, long-distance, and international moves
  • Can service most domestic moves within 48 hours
  • 24/7 customer service
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(855) 929-4120

Cost to hire professional movers from Illinois to Washington DCtoggle

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Illinois to Washington DC will cost between $1,140 to $3,890. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from Illinois to Washington DC will range from $2,199 to $5,788, and a large move from Illinois to Washington DC will cost from $3,973 to $7,382.

The best moving containers for your Illinois to Washington DC move

If you want a budget-friendly move without driving a rental truck, moving containers are a great middle-ground option. You handle the packing and loading, while the company takes care of transportation.

Many providers also offer storage options, giving you extra flexibility if your new home isn’t ready yet. It’s an easy way to move at your own pace while skipping the hassle of long-distance driving.

Here are our moving container companies in Illinois, that can get your belongings safely to your new home in Washington DC, MD:

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  • Unlimited storage
  • 3 container sizes
  • 10% discount
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  • Fast delivery
  • Nationwide
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
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  • Affordable pricing
  • Offers car shipping
  • No hidden fees

Cost of moving containers from Illinois to Washington DCtoggle

Moving containers from Illinois to Washington DC will cost you $793 to $1,848 for a small move. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,359 to $2,777. A four-bedroom move or bigger will cost $1,859 to $3,651.

Here are the cheapest moving containers for your move to Washington DC.

The best moving truck rentals for your Illinois to Washington DC move

If you don’t mind a little DIY, renting a moving truck is the most affordable way to relocate to Illinois to Washington DC. You’ll have to handle the packing, loading, and driving — but the upside is you control the timeline from start to finish.

Check out these top-rated truck rental companies in Illinois:

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.3 / 5
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  • Affordable pricing
  • Online pricing
  • Several discounts
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  • Most expensive
  • 4 truck sizes
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  • Greatest coverage
  • 7 truck sizes
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Cost of moving truck rentals from Illinois to Washington DCtoggle

A moving rental truck is generally the cheapest option for moving from Illinois to Washington DC, but it requires you to do all of the driving and labor.

Moving a studio or one-bedroom apartment in a rental truck will cost around $529 to $1,055. A larger move will cost $570 to $1,216, and a four-bedroom or more move from Illinois to Washington DC costs from $758 to $1,416. These estimates include the estimated fuel cost.

These are the cheapest rental truck companies for your move from Illinois

The best hourly movers for your Illinois to Washington DC move

Labor-only movers are a great option if you’ve already arranged transportation for your move to Washington DC, MD, but want to avoid the strain of moving bulky furniture and heavy boxes on your own.

A moving labor company will provide you with a professional moving crew with enough members to match your move size. They’ll load your items into your moving container or rental truck and you’ll pay them by the hour for their assistance.

We recommend using one of these labor-only moving companies in Illinois to make your move faster and easier:

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  • Hire moving labor
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  • Online booking
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How much does it cost to move from Illinois to Washington DC, MD?

The table below lays out average cost ranges to move from Illinois to Washington DC for different moving services depending on the size of your home.

Hiring a professional Illinois moving company will be on the more expensive side, while renting a truck or a moving container is usually cheaper but requires more work.

Size of the Move Moving Company Moving Container Rental Truck
Studio / 1 Bedroom $1,140 - $3,890 $793 - $1,848 $529 - $1,055
2 - 3 bedrooms $2,199 - $5,788 $1,359 - $2,777 $570 - $1,216
4+ bedrooms $3,973 - $7,382 $1,859 - $3,651 $758 - $1,416

*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 771 miles and historical averages. The actual size of your move, additional services required, truck parking access, market conditions, and availability can greatly affect the final cost of your move.

The cost to move from Illinois to Washington DC, MD, will depend on:

  • Move size: The amount of items you have — as well as your home size and layout — will impact the total cost of your relocation.
  • Time of year: Summer is peak moving season in Illinois, so moving companies will likely charge more.
  • DIY vs. professional mover: DIY moving services are usually cheaper but involve more work and stress compared to letting the pros handle your move.

Use our moveBuddha moving cost calculator to get a more accurate estimate for your moving costs.

Things to know before moving from Illinois to Washington DC, MD

Cost of living: Illinois vs Washington DC, MD

Illinois Washington DC
Average rent cost $1,179 $2,400
Average home value $249,224 $594,337
Average income (per capita) $78,433 $101,722
Unemployment rate 5% 7%
State income tax 5% 6%
  • Rent is about 104% more expensive in Washington DC than in Illinois.
  • Home prices are about 138% higher in Washington DC than in Illinois.
  • The average income is about 30% higher in Washington DC than in Illinois.
  • Washington DC has a higher unemployment rate than Illinois by about 32%.
  • Income taxes are 16% higher in Washington DC than in Illinois.

How life is different in Washington DC from Illinois

Washington DC Illinois
Population 705,749 12,549,689
Political leaning Republican 49-48 Democratic 55-45
Summer high 89ºF 86ºF
Winter low 27ºF 17ºF
Annual rain 43" 40"
Annual snow 14" 22"
Crime index 60.37 19.7
  • The population of Washington DC is approximately 94% lower than the population of Illinois.
  • In the last presidential election, Washington DC voted Republican and Illinois voted Democratic.
  • The average high in the summertime in Washington DC is 89ºF and in Illinois, it’s 86ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, Washington DC reaches the temperature of 27ºF and Illinois gets down to 17ºF.
  • You can expect about 43 inches of annual rainfall in Washington DC vs 40 inches of rainfall in Illinois.
  • In Washington DC, it snows about 14 inches annually vs 22 inches of snow in Illinois.
  • Washington DC has a higher crime rate than Illinois with a crime index of 60.37 vs 19.7.

Things to do in Washington DC

Whether you’re looking for parks, museums, sports, or even universities, you’ll be happy to find a plethora of these in Washington DC.

Museums in Washington DCtoggle

  • Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
  • National Museum of African American History and Culture
  • National Gallery of Art
  • United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
  • National Air and Space Museum
  • National Portrait Gallery
  • Museum of the Bible
  • Ford's Theatre
  • The National Archives Museum
  • Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens
  • Smithsonian American Art Museum
  • National Museum of American History
  • International Spy Museum
  • Renwick Gallery
  • National Geographic Museum

Parks in Washington DCtoggle

  • National Mall
  • National Gallery of Art - Sculpture Garden
  • Rock Creek Park
  • Theodore Roosevelt Island Park
  • The Yards Park
  • Potomac Park
  • Hains Point
  • Meridian Hill Park
  • Bartholdi Park
  • Constitution Gardens
  • Lincoln Park
  • Anacostia Park
  • Montrose Park
  • Rock Creek Park Nature Center and Planetarium
  • Francis Scott Key Memorial Park

Sports Teams in Washington DCtoggle

  • Washington Wizards (NBA)
  • Washington Capitals (NHL)
  • Washington Mystics (WNBA)
  • D.C. Untied (MLS)
  • Washington Commanders (NFL)
  • DC Defenders (XFL)
  • Old Glory DC (MLR)

Universities in Washington DCtoggle

  • American University
  • Catholic University of America
  • Gallaudet University
  • George Washington University
  • Georgetown University
  • Howard University

Other considerations when moving to Washington DC, MD

  • Weather: Winters are cool to cold with light snow more common but heavy snow not uncommon, and summers are hot and humid. Spring and fall are mild to warm. Be sure to check your weather app to avoid heavy snowfall or high heat.
  • HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
  • Elevator reservation: One common and important example of something that should be handled ahead of time is reserving the building's elevator and finding out their rules for using the elevator.
  • Parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles, find out ahead of time with your new local rules.
  • State licensing: Although a local license is not required in Maryland, make sure the moving company you’ll be hiring is registered with U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). To verify if you’re dealing with a legal and licensed mover, you may ask them their USDOT registration number. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State regulator: You can verify a Maryland moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
  • Moving permits: Maryland does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
  • Change of address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to Maryland. Get started here.
  • Mover's insurance: Every state has their own requirements when it comes to insurance. In Alabama, Released Value Protection stands out as the most economical option, incurring no additional costs. Provided by movers at no extra charge, it offers minimal coverage at 60 cents per pound per article. For those seeking comprehensive coverage, it is advisable to consult with your chosen moving company for alternative options or explore third-party insurance providers.
  • Moving checklist: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.

FAQ

How long does a move from Illinois to Washington DC take?

The time frame for a move from Illinois to Washington DC, MD, varies based on your moving method and starting location. The actual loading up of your items should not take more than a day, even with DIY moves.

Obviously, the further upstate you are in Illinois, the longer the drive time to Washington DC will be. If you’re driving a rental truck, the move could be completed in one or two days, on average, depending on your route and how often you stop.

With professional movers or moving containers, delivery times to Washington DC from Illinois can range from a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on the company’s schedule and transit logistics. You can always ask for a general timeline before booking.

How far in advance should I book movers when moving from Illinois to Washington DC?

Because of the 771-mile move, it’s best to book your move from Illinois to Washington DC as soon as you have your moving details. Ideally, you’d book your move two to three months ahead of time.

What time of year is the cheapest to move to Washington DC, MD?

With the summer highs of 89ºF and the winter lows of 27ºF, most people move to Washington DC from Illinois during the spring and fall months. To avoid competing during those busy moving seasons, you could save some money by booking your move to Washington DC during summer or winter.

Helpful moving resources