Washington, DC → Paterson, NJ · Regional long-distance move
About 242 road miles heading northeast. Typical two-bedroom cost $2,910–$4,320, delivery in 1–2 days, 1,904 carriers on the Washington side and 2,164 in Paterson.
The route from Washington, DC to Paterson, NJ covers roughly 242 miles by road, a northeast-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 $2,910 to $4,320 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 4 h 52 min.
On the Washington side there are 1,904 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (1,206 of them authorized for interstate work), and 2,164 around Paterson (1,282 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 Paterson.
Washington has a population of about 693,645 and Paterson about 161,793. Paterson is the denser city (19,016 people per square mile versus 11,286 in Washington), which often means shuttle trucks, parking restrictions or building move-in windows on delivery day.
| Home size | Est. weight | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | 2,000 lb | $1,460 | $1,780 | $2,170 |
| 1 Bedroom | 3,000 lb | $1,740 | $2,130 | $2,590 |
| 2 Bedrooms | 5,000 lb | $2,910 | $3,540 | $4,320 |
| 3 Bedrooms | 8,000 lb | $4,650 | $5,670 | $6,920 |
| 4+ Bedrooms | 11,000 lb | $6,390 | $7,790 | $9,510 |
$400–$560
One-way truck for the distance, mileage and fuel included; you load and drive.
$1,240–$1,820
Container delivered, you load, company transports; transit is slower than a mover.
$2,910–$4,320
Two-bedroom reference; crew loads, hauls and unloads.
Distance is pre-filled for Washington, DC → Paterson, NJ. 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: Ritter Transport INC
Legal name: Geva Transportation LLC
Legal name: Michael Dancy
Legal name: Venus Global Consulting
Legal name: Dxo East Productions LLC
Typical full-service estimates for this route are $1,460 to $2,170 for a studio, $1,740 to $2,590 for a one-bedroom, $2,910 to $4,320 for a two-bedroom, $4,650 to $6,920 for a three-bedroom and $6,390 to $9,510 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.
About 242 road miles (205 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 4 h 52 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 District of Columbia into New Jersey 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 $400 to $560 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,240 to $1,820. 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 Washington–Paterson corridor.