Portsmouth, NH → Washington, DC · Long-distance move
About 512 road miles heading southwest. Typical two-bedroom cost $3,920–$5,840, delivery in 2–5 days, 51 carriers on the Portsmouth side and 1,904 in Washington.
Moving from Portsmouth to Washington is a long-distance move of roughly 512 road miles, heading southwest from New Hampshire to District of Columbia.
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 $3,920 to $5,840 with a full-service mover, and delivery usually takes 2 to 5 days after pickup because long-haul trucks consolidate several households per trip. Driving it yourself takes about 9 h 32 min.
On the Portsmouth side there are 51 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (38 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.
Portsmouth has a population of about 23,000 and Washington about 693,645. Washington is the denser city (11,286 people per square mile versus 1,402 in Portsmouth), which often means shuttle trucks, parking restrictions or building move-in windows on delivery day. District of Columbia is a higher-cost state than New Hampshire, so budget a little more for destination-side help, deposits and first-month expenses. Note that District of Columbia does collect a state income tax, unlike New Hampshire, so factor that into the cost-of-living comparison.
| Home size | Est. weight | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | 2,000 lb | $1,570 | $1,910 | $2,340 |
| 1 Bedroom | 3,000 lb | $2,350 | $2,870 | $3,500 |
| 2 Bedrooms | 5,000 lb | $3,920 | $4,790 | $5,840 |
| 3 Bedrooms | 8,000 lb | $6,280 | $7,660 | $9,340 |
| 4+ Bedrooms | 11,000 lb | $8,630 | $10,530 | $12,840 |
$830–$1,170
One-way truck for the distance, mileage and fuel included; you load and drive.
$1,480–$2,170
Container delivered, you load, company transports; transit is slower than a mover.
$3,920–$5,840
Two-bedroom reference; crew loads, hauls and unloads.
Distance is pre-filled for Portsmouth, NH → 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: Crowded Street Holdings LLC
Legal name: Preferred Movers LLC
Legal name: Bluebird Storage LLC
Legal name: Ritter Transport INC
Legal name: Geva Transportation LLC
Legal name: Michael Dancy
Typical full-service estimates for this route are $1,570 to $2,340 for a studio, $2,350 to $3,500 for a one-bedroom, $3,920 to $5,840 for a two-bedroom, $6,280 to $9,340 for a three-bedroom and $8,630 to $12,840 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.
About 512 road miles (434 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 9 h 32 min.
Expect a delivery window of 2 to 5 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 New Hampshire 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 $830 to $1,170 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,480 to $2,170. 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 Portsmouth–Washington corridor.