31 Transportation in Baltimore: Residential and Commercial Moving with Local and Long-Distance Service

31 Transportation is a Baltimore-based moving company that handles both local residential moves within Maryland and long-distance relocations, operating as a licensed and insured carrier. The company positions itself between large national chains and smaller independent movers, managing everything from apartment moves to full-house relocations and some commercial jobs. It operates primarily across the Mid-Atlantic and has the flexibility to absorb both a two-bedroom Canton apartment move and a household shift to the Outer Banks in the same week.

What 31 Transportation actually does

31 Transportation offers local moves (typically within a 50-mile radius of Baltimore), long-distance moves, packing services, and storage coordination. The company is licensed through the Maryland Public Service Commission and operates insured trucks, which matters legally when belongings are in transit. Unlike some smaller movers that operate without state licensing, 31 Transportation maintains bonding and liability coverage as required for interstate commerce. The operation includes a small warehouse near the Port of Baltimore where customers can store items short-term or bridge between a move-out and move-in date.

Pricing and service structure

31 Transportation charges an hourly rate for local moves, with crews typically ranging from two to four people depending on job size. Hourly rates run between $110 and $165 per hour for the full crew (two or three movers plus a truck), with a two-hour minimum. Long-distance moves are quoted on a weight-based or flat-rate basis, depending on whether the load fills a portion of a shared truck or requires a dedicated vehicle. A typical two-bedroom Baltimore apartment move with packing runs between $1,800 and $3,200 for local service; confirm current rates as labor costs shift seasonally, with summer months commanding a 15 to 20 percent premium. The company requires a deposit of 25 percent to book, with the remainder due upon completion. Additional services like packing materials, furniture wrapping, and disassembly/reassembly are charged à la carte; a full-house packing package for a three-bedroom house runs approximately $800 to $1,200 depending on item count and fragility.

How 31 Transportation compares to other Baltimore movers

Charm City Movers, another Baltimore-licensed operator, charges on an hourly basis similar to 31 Transportation but maintains no in-house storage, requiring customers to book a separate storage unit elsewhere if needed. Charm City averages $125 to $145 per hour for two movers, slightly undercutting 31 Transportation's floor, but the company has a one-day maximum availability policy during peak summer, making booking difficult for customers with flexible timelines. United Van Lines, a national franchise with a Baltimore branch, handles long-distance and interstate moves at a higher tier, roughly 25 to 35 percent more expensive than 31 Transportation but with a nationwide network; this suits customers relocating to multiple states or needing storage across regions. For strictly local moves, smaller independent operators like Baltimore Affordable Movers advertise rates as low as $90 per hour but often operate without state licensing, creating liability questions if items are damaged in transit.

Choose 31 Transportation if you need both local and long-distance capability without switching companies, or if you want short-term storage bundled into the move. Choose Charm City Movers if your local move is time-flexible and you want to minimize hourly spend. Choose United Van Lines if you are relocating out of state and want a single point of contact for multiple legs. Avoid unlicensed operators unless you accept the risk of uninsured loss.

Who 31 Transportation suits and who it does not

31 Transportation works well for families moving within Baltimore County or to nearby areas like Columbia, Annapolis, or Philadelphia, and for people whose move-out and move-in dates do not align (storage fills the gap). The company also serves small commercial moves, like office relocations within the city. It does not suit customers with extremely time-sensitive moves on peak summer Saturdays, where the two-hour minimum and seasonal pricing may frustrate budget-conscious planners. Customers moving with fragile specialty items like pianos or art should ask explicitly about insurance limits; 31 Transportation provides standard coverage but some high-value items may require riders.

What the first booking involves

Contact 31 Transportation by phone or email to describe your move: origin address, destination, move date, and whether you need packing. A representative will ask about room counts, staircase access, and any large furniture to estimate crew size and time. For local moves, a quote is typically provided within 24 hours. For long-distance moves, the company may request photos or a video walkthrough to assess volume. Once you agree to pricing, the deposit is due immediately to hold the date; the balance is due by cash, check, or card on move day before the crew leaves the final location.

Hours, logistics, and parking

31 Transportation operates Monday through Saturday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., with limited Sunday availability booked on request (expect a 20 percent premium). The warehouse and dispatch office are located near the Harbor East area, though crews meet customers at their origin address. Parking a moving truck in Baltimore rowhouse neighborhoods like Fells Point or Canton can be tight; notify the company if your location requires a parking permit so they can arrange advance placement. The company typically notifies you 24 to 48 hours before the move with crew arrival details.

31 Transportation fills a genuine need for Baltimore movers who want local service without booking a national franchise or gambling on an unlicensed operator, and its bundled storage option solves a real pain point when move dates misalign.