Student & College Movers in Palisades, DC
In and Out Movers and Movers USA are FMCSA-registered movers handling student and college moves in Palisades, DC. Student moves are typically studios ($300–$600) and 1-bedrooms ($500–$900) | dorm rooms, apartments, and off-campus housing. Serving students at Georgetown University, George Washington University, American University, Howard University, and 10 more.
2 verified · 0 surveyed · 2026-06-07
29 movers in Palisades
~$1,365 2BR local
~$1,918 2BR local
~$1,001 2BR local
~$1,052 2BR local
~$1,777 2BR local
~$6,400 2BR local
~$1,365 2BR local
~$1,918 2BR local
~$1,001 2BR local
~$1,052 2BR local
~$1,777 2BR local
~$6,400 2BR local
Student Move Costs in Palisades
| Move Type | Cost | Typical Scenario |
|---|---|---|
| Dorm room | $200–$400 | Bed, desk, boxes, mini fridge. Elevator building. Mover minimum may apply. |
| Studio apartment | $300–$600 | Bed, couch, desk, TV, 10–20 boxes. 150–300 cubic feet. |
| 1 BR apartment | $500–$900 | Full bedroom set, living room, kitchen. 400–600 cubic feet. |
| Shared apt (your room only) | $250–$500 | One bedroom from a shared apartment. Similar to studio volume. |
| Summer storage pickup/delivery | $150–$300 + storage | Pick up items at end of semester, store, deliver at start of next semester. |
Prices for local moves in the Palisades area. Many movers have a minimum charge of $350–$600 regardless of move size | a dorm room may hit the minimum.
How to keep costs down
- Self-pack. Packing your own boxes saves $200–$400. Get free boxes from campus mail rooms, liquor stores, or ask on your dorm's group chat.
- Move midweek. Tuesday–Thursday moves are 10–15% cheaper than weekends.
- Avoid August move-in week. Prices spike 10–20% and crews are booked solid. If your school allows early move-in, take it.
- Consolidate with a roommate. If you and your roommate are both moving, book one truck instead of two | split the cost.
- Sell what you can. That $50 IKEA bookshelf costs $30–$50 to move. Sell it for $20 on Facebook Marketplace and buy another one at the new place.
Hire Movers or Do It Yourself?
For student moves, this is a real question. The answer depends on how much stuff you have.
| Scenario | DIY Cost | Movers Cost | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dorm room (boxes + small items only) | $0–$50 | $200–$400 | DIY. Fits in a car or borrowed SUV. Not worth hiring movers. |
| Studio (bed + desk + boxes) | $50–$150 | $300–$600 | Depends. If you have help and no stairs, DIY works. If 3rd floor walkup, hire movers. |
| 1BR with real furniture | $100–$250 | $500–$900 | Hire movers. A couch, bed, and dresser through a narrow stairwell = injury risk and wall damage. |
DIY costs assume cargo van rental ($50–$100/day) or borrowed vehicle. Does not include value of your time (4–8 hours), potential damage to rental property (security deposit), or injury risk.
Dorm Move vs Apartment Move
Dorm Move
- Time window: Most schools assign a 2–4 hour move-in slot. The movers need to arrive, unload, and leave within that window.
- Parking: Loading zones fill up fast on move-in day. Some schools require a parking pass or have designated unloading areas.
- Elevators: Shared with hundreds of other students moving in simultaneously. Expect waits. The freight elevator (if one exists) is faster.
- What to bring: Bed (check if loftable), desk chair, mini fridge, microwave, bedding, and boxes. Most dorm furniture is provided.
- Volume: Typically 50–150 cubic feet. Often fits in a car or small van.
Apartment Move
- Time window: Flexible | usually full day. Coordinate with landlord for key handoff and move-in inspection.
- Parking: Street parking, loading zones, or apartment complex parking. Check for truck height restrictions in garages.
- Stairs: Walkup apartments without elevators add $50–$150 to the move and significantly more time. Tell the mover in advance.
- What to bring: Full furniture | bed, couch, table, dresser, TV, kitchen items. Much more volume than a dorm move.
- Volume: 200–600 cubic feet. Usually requires a truck.
When to Book & When to Avoid
Peak times (avoid if possible)
August 15–September 5: Fall move-in. Every student in the city is moving the same week. Prices spike 10–20%, crews book out 3–4 weeks ahead, and traffic near campuses is gridlocked.
May 1–15: Spring move-out. Same surge. If your lease ends May 31, book the movers for mid-May, not the last weekend.
Weekends: Saturday/Sunday moves are always more expensive than weekday. If you can move on a Tuesday, do it.
Best times (cheapest, most available)
Early August or late August: If your school offers early move-in (for orientation leaders, athletes, etc.), take it. Moving August 5 is dramatically easier than August 20.
Midweek: Tuesday through Thursday. Crews are available, prices are lower, and traffic is lighter.
Winter break: December–January is the cheapest time to move. If you're switching apartments between semesters, this is ideal.
Summer Storage for Students
Going home for the summer but keeping your lease? Or between apartments? Summer storage solves the gap.
| Option | Cost/month | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Self-storage unit (5×5) | $50–$100 | Boxes and small items only. You transport yourself. |
| Self-storage unit (5×10) | $80–$150 | Studio apartment contents. Bed, desk, boxes. |
| Mover pickup + storage | $100–$300 + $100–$200/mo | No car? Mover picks up, stores, delivers next semester. |
| Campus storage (if available) | Varies | Some schools partner with storage companies. Check your housing office. |
Pro tip: If 3+ friends all need summer storage, splitting a 10×10 unit ($100–$200/mo) is cheaper per person than individual units. Coordinate before move-out week.
Movers Handling Student Moves in Palisades
| Company | FMCSA | Storage | Min Charge | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| In and Out MoversVerified | - | Active | Yes | Ask |
| Movers USAVerified | - | Active | Yes | Ask |
Colleges & Universities Near Palisades
Students at these schools are within the service area of movers listed above.
First-Time Mover Mistakes
If this is your first move, avoid these.
Booking movers the day before
During August move-in, movers book out 2–3 weeks ahead. Day-before booking means no availability or a 20%+ rush fee. Book as soon as you know your move-in date.
Not measuring the elevator
Your couch is 84 inches. The freight elevator is 78 inches. Now the movers have to carry it up 4 flights of stairs | or it doesn't fit at all. Measure doorways, elevators, and stairwells before move day.
Not having boxes ready
The movers arrive and you're still throwing things into garbage bags. Every hour of mover time costs $50–$100. Have everything packed and ready before they show up.
Forgetting to do a walk-through
Document the condition of your new place (walls, floors, appliances) with photos BEFORE anything is moved in. When you move out, the landlord can't charge you for pre-existing damage if you have timestamped photos.
Not telling the mover about stairs
If you're on the 3rd floor of a walkup, tell the mover when you book | not when they arrive. Stairs change the price, the time estimate, and the crew size. Surprising them costs you more.