Allentown, PA → Washington, DC · Regional long-distance move
About 168 road miles heading southwest. Typical two-bedroom cost $2,420–$3,610, delivery in 1–2 days, 424 carriers on the Allentown side and 1,904 in Washington.
The route from Allentown, PA to Washington, DC covers roughly 168 miles by road, a southwest-bound trip that falls into the regional long-distance move category for pricing purposes.
At this distance carriers price by shipment weight and mileage rather than by the hour. A two-bedroom home (around 5,000 lb of goods) typically costs $2,420 to $3,610 with a full-service mover, and delivery usually takes 1 to 2 days after pickup because long-haul trucks consolidate several households per trip. Driving it yourself takes about 3 h 36 min.
On the Allentown side there are 424 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (296 of them authorized for interstate work), and 1,904 around Washington (1,206 interstate). For an interstate move you can book from either end; movers near the origin handle loading and are usually the better first call, while a destination-side company can be useful if you need storage or delivery-day help in Washington.
Allentown has a population of about 126,044 and Washington about 693,645. Washington is the denser city (11,286 people per square mile versus 7,150 in Allentown), which often means shuttle trucks, parking restrictions or building move-in windows on delivery day. District of Columbia is a higher-cost state than Pennsylvania, so budget a little more for destination-side help, deposits and first-month expenses.
| Home size | Est. weight | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | 2,000 lb | $1,370 | $1,660 | $2,030 |
| 1 Bedroom | 3,000 lb | $1,450 | $1,770 | $2,160 |
| 2 Bedrooms | 5,000 lb | $2,420 | $2,960 | $3,610 |
| 3 Bedrooms | 8,000 lb | $3,880 | $4,730 | $5,770 |
| 4+ Bedrooms | 11,000 lb | $5,330 | $6,510 | $7,940 |
$320–$460
One-way truck for the distance, mileage and fuel included; you load and drive.
$1,170–$1,720
Container delivered, you load, company transports; transit is slower than a mover.
$2,420–$3,610
Two-bedroom reference; crew loads, hauls and unloads.
Distance is pre-filled for Allentown, PA → Washington, DC. Adjust the other options to see your range.
Typical full-service range.
Estimates use market baselines described on the cost guide; your quotes will vary by inventory, access and date.
Legal name: Marine Transportation Intermodal INC
Legal name: Ritter Transport INC
Legal name: Geva Transportation LLC
Legal name: Michael Dancy
Typical full-service estimates for this route are $1,370 to $2,030 for a studio, $1,450 to $2,160 for a one-bedroom, $2,420 to $3,610 for a two-bedroom, $3,880 to $5,770 for a three-bedroom and $5,330 to $7,940 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.
About 168 road miles (142 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 3 h 36 min.
Expect a delivery window of 1 to 2 days after pickup. Carriers give a spread rather than a fixed date because long-distance trucks carry several shipments; a dedicated truck or expedited service shortens the window for an extra fee.
Yes. Crossing from Pennsylvania into District of Columbia makes this an interstate move, so the carrier must hold active FMCSA operating authority (an MC number) in addition to its USDOT number. The company cards on this page flag which carriers are authorized for interstate work.
A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $320 to $460 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,170 to $1,720. Both save money versus a full-service crew but you do the loading, and container transit can take longer than a mover's delivery window.
Rates are highest in summer and around the last days of any month, when demand peaks. Mid-month, mid-week and winter dates are usually quoted below the standard rate. Booking four to eight weeks ahead gives you the widest choice of carriers on the Allentown–Washington corridor.