($415+) Philadelphia, PA to Cleveland, OH Movers
Moving from Philadelphia, PA, to Cleveland, OH, runs anywhere from $407 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,461 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 431 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 1 to 4 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.
- Full-service moves for smaller spaces (studio apartments and 1-bedrooms) start around $1,178, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $7,461 or more.
- Moving containers run $960 - $3,019, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $407 - $1,089.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Philadelphia, PA, to Cleveland, OH. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $1,865 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
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Compare moving options from Philadelphia, PA to Cleveland, OH
Moving options from Philadelphia to Cleveland fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move on this route costs $1,865 - $4,806 and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, while rental trucks land about 60% less, though both require you to load the truck or container yourself. This route spans 431 miles and typically takes 1 to 4 days.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 431-mile route from Philadelphia to Cleveland, broken down by home size:
- Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $1,178 - $3,961, container $960 - $1,797, rental truck $407 - $720, freight trailer $881 - $1,602.
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $1,865 - $4,806, container $1,253 - $2,384, rental truck $405 - $898, freight trailer $972 - $1,794.
- 4+ bedrooms: full-service $3,181 - $7,461, container $1,712 - $3,019, rental truck $509 - $1,089, freight trailer $1,265 - $2,391.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Philadelphia, PA to Cleveland, OH
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 431-mile move from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Cleveland, Ohio, with prices running from $1,178 - $7,461. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $287 - $1,912 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between Philadelphia and Cleveland are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, Philadelphia movers tend to run around $282 as a base rate plus $130/hour per mover, for comparison.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Philadelphia to Cleveland:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,178 - $3,961
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,865 - $4,806
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,181 - $7,461
Packing, storage, shuttle fees, and added coverage can stack on top of the base price. See the full add-ons and specialty services table below for what each runs from Philadelphia to Cleveland.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Pennsylvania to Ohio. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: Moving company rates climb during peak moving season (May –-September) when demand peaks. Scheduling your move outside of that window can lead to noticeably lower costs and better availability.
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Specialty moving services from Philadelphia, PA to Cleveland, OH
Specialty needs vary by market — 90% of Philadelphia movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Cleveland, 100% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing97% of local movers | $478 - $4,780 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready90% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Gentle Giant Moving Company | $191 - $1,147/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $287 - $2,294 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage36% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs39% of local movers | $956 - $2,868 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,390 - $9,560 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $716 - $1,360 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items59% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Nicky's Moving & Storage | $956 - $2,390 |
| Piano | Any piano type75% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Gentle Giant Moving Company | $765 - $3,346 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling38% of local movers | $287 - $1,434 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect22% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Keep It Moving, LLC | $621 - $1,912 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $287 - $14,340+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $287 - $3,346+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Philadelphia to Cleveland?
Look for Ohio Association of Movers membership as a baseline when comparing movers in Ohio beyond this list.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is our pick for best overall value. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 support, and 30 days of free storage make Safeway the clearest value on this list.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. AVL has been moving customers since 1995 and uses full-time in-house crews trained on high-value items like art and antiques.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. One of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, 24/7 monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan against damage, loss, and breakage.
How much do local movers cost in Philadelphia, PA?
Based on recent quotes for this route, a 2-bedroom move from Philadelphia to Cleveland with a local mover averages $1,865 - $4,806. Shorter moves don't always call for a national van line, and local moving companies in Philadelphia, PA often offer competitive pricing on nearby routes. Smaller crews and regional focus translate to lower overhead and more scheduling flexibility.
Just make sure they're properly licensed for interstate moves and equipped to handle the full distance.
Zip to Zip Moving Inc (4.44/5 stars) is our preferred moving company in Philadelphia, based on our analysis of feedback from 278 customers, 97.8% of which is positive.
Address: 558 W Uwchlan Ave, Exton, PA, 19341 | Founded: 2020
Moving container costs from Philadelphia, PA to Cleveland, OH
Moving containers from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Cleveland, Ohio, cost between $960 and $3,019. The container gets dropped at your door and you load it at your own pace. U-Haul gives you 3 days to load and PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're done, the company handles all the transportation. If you need extra time, storage in Philadelphia runs about $80/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Philadelphia to Cleveland:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $960 - $1,797
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,253 - $2,384
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,712 - $3,019
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Containers are self-loaded, so many people hire hourly help for the heavy lifting. moveBuddha data shows two movers for about five hours runs around $669 in Philadelphia, PA. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: If you want stronger coverage than the default liability, full-value protection is the upgrade to consider. Most providers charge 1% - 2% of your shipment value, roughly $500 - $1,000 for $50,000 in contents.
- Storage: After the first month, rental fees average $72 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $143 per month for a larger 12- to 16-foot unit.
- Access: If you anticipate needing to access items while in storage, confirm there's a facility conveniently located near your Cleveland, OH, destination before booking.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Pennsylvania to Ohio move in the past 90 days. Our pricing data is drawn from 1,500+ monthly data points across our vetted mover network and refreshed every month.
Pro tip: Before ordering moving containers, take a careful inventory of everything you're moving. A typical 1-bedroom home weighs around 3,000 pounds and fits in a single container starting at $960. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,253 - $2,384, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Philadelphia to Cleveland?
- Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
- U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
- MovingYourself (5.0/5 stars)
Want a hand without paying for full service? A container or truck move does not mean doing all the heavy lifting yourself. You can hire a labor-only crew in Philadelphia to load and unload while you handle the drive, then book full help later if you change your mind. Three top-rated local crews for labor-only help in Philadelphia:
- Transtar Moving Systems (4.9/5), 64 years in business
- Keep It Moving, LLC (4.2/5), 20 years in business
- Superior Moving & Storage (4.3/5), 45 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Philadelphia, PA to Cleveland, OH
Truck rentals from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Cleveland, Ohio, range from $407 - $1,089 for the 431-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $131 - $150
- Daily insurance: $29/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $19
- Philadelphia daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.89 - $0.99
| Home size | Typical truck size |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | 10 - 12 ft |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | 15 - 17 ft |
| 4+ bedrooms | 20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel) |
These are typical moving truck rental costs from Philadelphia to Cleveland based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $407 - $720
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $405 - $898
- 4+ bedrooms: $509 - $1,089
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $407 - $1,089 when pricing out a rental truck from Philadelphia to Cleveland. Fuel alone runs ($131 - $150) , and overnight lodging ($143/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend an additional $600 - $1,200 beyond the base rate by the time the move is done.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $143 per night if your drive requires an overnight stop. Typically, you'll make 1 - 3 overnight stops, depending on move distance.
- Moving labor: Bringing in professional loading help in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, usually costs about $669 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 431-mile drive falls between $131 and $150, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, moving pads, and vehicle trailers are easy to overlook but can add between $48 and $287 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Philadelphia to Cleveland?
- Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
- Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
- U-Haul Truck Rental (4.2/5 stars)
The best truck rental companies for this route, based on moveBuddha's ratings.
Freight trailer costs from Philadelphia, PA to Cleveland, OH
Freight trailers are a good fit for medium-to-large moves where you need more space than a container but don't want to drive a rental truck from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Cleveland, Ohio. The trailer is delivered to your address, you load it, and the carrier takes it the rest of the way.
Unlike truck rentals with flat rates, freight trailers scale with your shipment. Every additional section of trailer space you fill increases your total. Most long-distance moves using this method run roughly between $972 and $1,794.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Philadelphia to Cleveland:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $881 - $1,602
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $972 - $1,794
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,265 - $2,391
Pro tip: Loading a freight trailer is a bit different from filling a container. The 4-foot ramp can be steep with large items, and getting the most out of 8 feet of vertical clearance takes planning. Since pricing is based on linear feet used, every inch of wasted space has a cost.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Seasonal demand: Pricing tends to rise during peak moving season, particularly between mid-May and mid-September.
- Moving labor: Most customers hire loading help since freight is self-loaded. Two movers in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $669.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $72 and $143 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Philadelphia to Cleveland?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Best known as a top moving container option thanks to its DIY hybrid model (you load, they drive), MovingYourself also doubles as a strong freight choice with their 53-foot trucks and pay-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. In addition to their well-known container service, U-Pack offers freight trailers that follow the same pay-by-the-foot model with no deposits or upfront fees, making them one of the most flexible freight options for budget-conscious moves.
- Pipco Transportation, Inc. (4.66/5 stars): Pipco Transportation, Inc. is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned and operated facilities give you direct access to support staff who know the area and can coordinate pickups and deliveries with greater flexibility than national carriers.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in Cleveland fast. For interstate moves, freight is one of the quickest delivery methods out there. Just keep in mind that freight carriers expect you to be available to receive your shipment, so it works best when your move-in is locked in and you don't need temporary storage on either end.
Cost of living: Philadelphia, PA vs Cleveland, OH
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Cleveland, side by side with Philadelphia on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Philadelphia, PA | Cleveland, OH |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 104 | 83 |
| Average rent | $1,695/mo | $1,295/mo |
| Median home value | $231,098 | $96,509 |
| Average income | $60,698/yr | $39,187/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 10.6% | 6.8% |
| State income tax | Up to 3.07% | Up to 3.5% |
| Walkability score | 75/100 | 57/100 |
| Safety index | 33.91/100 | 36.59/100 |
| Air quality | Good | Moderate |
Cost of living index is relative to the U.S. average of 100. Figures reflect the latest available city and state data.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Cleveland, OH to Philadelphia, PA guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from Pennsylvania to Ohio over the past 3 months, giving us some of the most up-to-date pricing data around. Running your move through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. There are 106 movers in our Pennsylvania network to compare for this 431-mile move.
Our take
The 431-mile move from Philadelphia, PA, to Cleveland, OH, costs between $1,178 and $7,461 with full-service movers, $960 - $3,019 with a moving container, and $407 - $1,089 for a rental truck. Your budget and how much heavy lifting you want to do are the two biggest factors in choosing the right option. If you go with full-service movers, Safeway Moving is our top recommendation, with transparent flat-rate pricing starting around $1,865 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage, and 24/7 customer support.
Beyond the move itself, people who've relocated to Cleveland tend to point to abundant food options and beautiful nature, though construction and brutal winters come up as common complaints. Major employers in the area include Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals.
FAQs: Moving from Philadelphia, PA, to Cleveland, OH
How long does a move from Philadelphia, PA to Cleveland, OH take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 5 - 7 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are usually the fastest option outside of driving yourself, with deliveries in 3 - 5 days, though you'll need to be ready to receive your shipment on arrival. Driving a rental truck yourself puts the schedule entirely in your hands.
What is the best time of year to move from Philadelphia, PA to Cleveland, OH?
Aim for a move between October and March, when demand drops and rates tend to be lower across all service types. Peak season runs mid-May through mid-September, and weekends and month-end dates are pricier regardless of season. A midweek, mid-month date outside peak season is your best bet for saving money.
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Philadelphia, PA to Cleveland, OH?
Cutting 500 pounds from your shipment, roughly one bedroom's worth of items, saves approximately $200 - $400 on a full-service move on this route. Beyond that, staying organized matters just as much. A solid moving checklist keeps you on schedule and helps you avoid costly last-minute mistakes.
Is Cleveland a safe place to live?
Cleveland has a safety index of 36.59 out of 100 and a crime index of 63.41, compared to 33.91 and 66.09 in Philadelphia. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
How walkable is Cleveland?
Cleveland has a walkability score of 57 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 52, compared to 75 and 67 in Philadelphia. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
What percentage of Philadelphia movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 75% of movers in Philadelphia handle piano moves, and 59% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
