Moving from Virginia to Maryland
At roughly 139 miles, moving from Virginia to Maryland is a short interstate move — close enough that many people rent a truck and drive it themselves in a day. Here's the full checklist so nothing slips through.
Generate My ChecklistVA vs MD at a Glance
Income Tax
Sales Tax
Time Zone
Distance
Moving Cost
Professional move, 2–3 BR home. Summer +20–30%.
What This Move Means for You
Higher cost of living
Maryland runs about 22% more expensive than Virginia overall. Budget extra for housing, groceries, and day-to-day costs before committing to a new place.
Before You Leave Virginia
Surrender the plates before you cancel the insurance
Do not cancel your Virginia insurance before you surrender your Virginia plates. If you want to cancel the policy, wait until you have coverage from another insurer. You can surrender the plates to DMV online. DMV also asks you to mail the plates back after you register the car in your new state. Mailing them is not required, but it prevents fraudulent use of the plates.
Source: Virginia DMV, Leaving VirginiaClaim a refund and stop the local car tax
You may be eligible for a refund if six full months or more remain on your registration. Mail the Vehicle Registration Refund Application (FMS 210) with your plates. Also notify the Commissioner of the Revenue or Director of Finance in the locality you are leaving. This stops the locality from assessing personal property tax on your vehicle. If the vehicle is leased, tell the leasing company you moved.
Source: Virginia DMV, Leaving VirginiaFile Form 760PY for the year you move
You are a part-year resident if you move out of Virginia during the year to become a resident of another state. Part-year residents usually file Form 760PY. You prorate your personal exemptions and standard deduction, and you subtract your non-Virginia income. If you lived in Virginia for 183 days or less that year, you can file as a nonresident on Form 763 instead. If you move out and return within six months, Virginia generally treats you as not having established residency elsewhere.
Source: Virginia Tax, Residency StatusRent from a house you kept means a Form 763 return
Income from the rental or sale of Virginia real estate is Virginia source income. So are wages for work done in Virginia. A nonresident with Virginia source income files Form 763. In the year you move, you may need two returns. File Form 760PY for the months you lived in Virginia. File Form 763 for Virginia source income you got after you moved. Interest from a Virginia bank account is not Virginia source income. Neither is a pension paid by a Virginia payer.
Source: Virginia Tax, Residency StatusAfter You Arrive in Maryland
Get a Maryland driver license within 60 days
Exchange your out-of-state license within 60 days of moving here. A commercial license must transfer within 30 days. You can exchange a valid license, or one that expired in the last 12 months. If it expired more than 12 months ago, you must pass the knowledge, skills, and vision tests. You surrender your old license at the appointment.
Source: Maryland MVA, Get a Maryland Driver's License or ID CardBring original documents to a New to Maryland appointment
Make a New to Maryland appointment on myMVA. You can do the license, title, and registration in one visit. Bring proof of age and identity, proof of your Social Security number, and two documents with your Maryland address. MVA does not accept copies or scans. You must also pass a vision screening done in the previous 24 months.
Source: Maryland MVA, Get a Maryland Driver's License or ID CardPass a safety inspection before you title the vehicle
Most vehicles must pass a Maryland safety inspection before MVA will title and register them. Go to a station licensed by the Maryland State Police. The station sets the fee. The certificate is valid for 90 days. If you cannot drive legally to the station, you may qualify for a 30-day temporary registration.
Source: Maryland MVA, Safety InspectionsTitle and register within 60 days to keep the tax credit
Title and register the vehicle within 60 days of moving here. If you miss the deadline, you lose the credit for titling tax you paid in another state. Maryland charges a 6.5% excise tax. Inside the 60 days, a vehicle 6 model years old or newer pays $100 if your old state taxed it at 6.5% or more. If your old rate was lower, you pay the difference in rates on the retail value. A vehicle 7 model years or older pays $41.60.
Source: Maryland MVA, Excise TaxWatch for a VEIP emissions notice
Emissions testing is separate from the safety inspection. Vehicles registered in these places need VEIP tests: Anne Arundel, Baltimore City, Baltimore, Calvert, Carroll, Cecil, Charles, Frederick, Harford, Howard, Montgomery, Prince George's, Queen Anne's, and Washington. MVA sends your first notice about three months after you register. After that, most vehicles test every two years.
Source: Maryland MVA, Vehicle Emissions InspectionCarry at least 30/60/15 liability insurance
Use an insurance company approved to do business in Maryland. The minimum is $30,000 for injury to one person, $60,000 per accident, and $15,000 for property damage. Keep the insurance active for as long as the vehicle is registered, even if you do not drive it.
Source: Maryland MVA, Auto Insurance RequirementsYour Moving Timeline
8 Weeks Before
At about 139 miles (~2.5 hours), this is short enough to DIY with a rental truck or a single-day mover run. Get 2–3 quotes and compare them against renting.
4 Weeks Before
Notify your utility providers, update your address with USPS, and begin packing non-essential items.
1 Week Before
Confirm with your movers, finish packing, clean your home, and prepare a moving day essentials bag.
Moving Day
Supervise loading, do a final walkthrough of your old home, and hand over the keys.
After the Move
Update your driver's license at the Maryland DMV, register to vote in MD, and set up your new utilities.
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Climate Comparison
Virginia
Humid subtropical with hot, humid summers and cold winters.
Maryland
Humid subtropical with hot, humid summers and cold winters.
Utilities & Cost of Living
Virginia
Maryland
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is it from Virginia to Maryland?
The driving distance from Virginia to Maryland is approximately 139 miles — about 2.5 hours of driving at highway speeds.
How much does it cost to move from Virginia to Maryland?
A professional interstate move from Virginia to Maryland typically costs between $1,000 and $3,000, depending on the size of your home and time of year.
- Summer moves (May–September) tend to cost 20–30% more.
What is the cost of living difference between Virginia and Maryland?
Virginia has a cost of living index of 99.1 versus 121.1 for Maryland (US average = 100).
- Overall, Maryland is about 22% higher than Virginia.
How soon do I need to update my driver's license after moving to Maryland?
After establishing residency in Maryland, you have 60 days to update your driver's license at a Maryland DMV office.
- Vehicle registration is a separate transaction with its own deadline, which in most states differs from the license deadline — confirm both with the Maryland DMV before you go.
What is the climate like in Maryland?
Maryland has humid subtropical with hot, humid summers and cold winters.
- The annual average temperature is 54°F, with about 43 inches of precipitation per year.
- Average monthly electricity bills run around $166.