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Moving from Boston, MA to Washington, D.C.
Moving from Boston, Massachusetts to Washington, D.C.
Moving from Boston to Washington, D.C., means that you won’t have to get used too many big differences. While Boston is known as the “Capital of New England” and has a population of 625,087, Washington, D.C., is the capital of the United States and has a population that is only slightly smaller than Boston’s at 617,996. Along with being similar in size, Boston and Washington, D.C., are also not too far from each other, and they are both historical American cities with deep ties to the founding of the United States and a rich cultural legacy. You’re sure to love both the new and the familiar things that Washington, D.C., has to offer!
Driving from Boston to Washington, D.C., and what to expect:
Boston is about 450 miles from Washington, D.C., so if you’re driving, it should take you a little over eight hours to get there. Although this won’t be a long trip, you’ll be passing by a few cities that are worth seeing if you love exploring new places. You’ll be passing by such cities as Hartford, CT, the capital of Connecticut, where you can see the Harriet Beecher Stowe House & Research Center and the Mark Twain House and Museum; New York, NY where you can see the iconic Times Square or go to the top of the Empire State Building; and Philadelphia, PA where you can see the Liberty Bell or Independence Hall where the Declaration of Independence was signed. Then, before you know it, you’ll be in Washington, D.C.!
The move
While the drive from Boston to D.C. isn't very long, navigating the two metro areas can be a challenge in a rental truck. U-Pack is the better way to move. We handle all the driving, so you are free to travel in your own vehicle. We have service centers near both cities, so we are equipped to help. Get a free moving quote to compare rates.
Weather in Washington, D.C.
Boston and Washington, D.C., fortunately, have very similar climates, so moving from Boston to Washington, D.C., doesn’t mean that you’ll have to get used to very different temperatures! Although, Washington, D.C., is a little bit warmer than Boston. Compared to Boston’s average yearly temperature of 52 F, Washington, D.C., is slightly warmer with an average yearly temperature of 58 F. In the winter, Washington, D.C., usually experiences average lows in the low 30s, and in the summer, the city’s average highs usually reach into the high 80s. Washington, D.C., receives much less snow than Boston with about 15.5 inches annually, but the city gets a fair amount of precipitation with about 39.7 inches annually.
Transportation in Washington, D.C.
Whether you choose to drive or take public transportation when moving from Boston to Washington, D.C., it should be an easy transition for you. Similar to the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) in Boston, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) serves Washington, D.C. The WMATA provides buses to the city and surrounding areas through Metrobus as well as rapid transit through the Washington Metro. Driving in the city is somewhat difficult because of the traffic congestion; however, it should be similar to what you’re used to if you drove in Boston, but it may be a little worse. Washington D.C. is also connected to the country’s major east coast highway, Interstate 95, which forms part of the Capital Beltway that is linked to the city.
Education in Washington, D.C.
The District of Columbia Public Schools provides Washington, D.C., with public education and has an enrollment of over 45,000 students which is just a bit smaller than Boston Public Schools’s enrollment of over 57,000 students. Additionally, the District of Columbia Public Charter School Board provides 53 charter schools to the city and has an enrollment of over 31,000 students, and Washington, D.C., is home to 86 private schools that are both religiously affiliated and secular all of which enroll over 15,000 students. So, if you’re moving from Boston to Washington, D.C., with school age children, you’ll have several great options to choose from for their education, and they’re sure to have an easy transition from Boston schools to Washington, D.C., schools!
Arts and Culture in Washington, D.C.
Just as Boston has a rich culture and artistic community, Washington, D.C., offers several ways to experience the arts in the city as well as the rich history of our nation’s capital. To learn more about the history of the United States head over to the National Mall, which is between the Lincoln Memorial and the United States Capitol. Located on the mall are the Washington Monument, the Jefferson Pier, the National World War II Memorial, the Korean War Veterans Memorial, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the National Gallery of Art and several museums that are part of the Smithsonian Institution.
Other great landmarks that are near the mall include the National Archives, the Library of Congress, the 19 museums and National Zoo of the Smithsonian Institution, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and of course, the White House.
If you want to visit the White House, be sure to make a request through a member of Congress from your state. For those who love the arts, Washington, D.C., is home to many great ways to experience them. Visit the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts to see the National Symphony Orchestra, the Washington National Opera and the Washington Ballet; or see Ford’s Theatre which is not only a museum but still a functioning performance space. You’ll certainly never run out of fun things to do or places to explore when moving from Boston to Washington, D.C.!
So, hurry on down to “The Capital of the World”!