($789+) Philadelphia, PA to Kansas City, MO Movers
Moving from Philadelphia, PA, to Kansas City, MO, runs anywhere from $766 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,712 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,125 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 2 to 8 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 $2,065, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $8,712 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,263 - $4,562, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $766 - $2,070.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Philadelphia, PA, to Kansas City, MO. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,543 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 Kansas City, MO
There are 3 main ways to move from Philadelphia to Kansas City: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service is the most expensive but covers everything from labor to transportation, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route averaging $2,543 - $6,264. Containers cost roughly 30% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 60% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 1,125 miles, expect 2 to 8 days in transit no matter which service you choose.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,125-mile route from Philadelphia to Kansas City, broken down by home size:
- Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $2,065 - $4,787, container $1,263 - $2,455, rental truck $766 - $1,516, freight trailer $1,091 - $2,189.
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $2,543 - $6,264, container $1,725 - $3,222, rental truck $827 - $1,665, freight trailer $1,315 - $2,578.
- 4+ bedrooms: full-service $4,444 - $8,712, container $2,133 - $4,562, rental truck $988 - $2,070, freight trailer $1,866 - $3,650.
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 Kansas City, MO
For the 1,125-mile move from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Kansas City, Missouri, full-service movers cost between $2,065 and $8,712. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $293 - $1,952 (1 - 5+ bedrooms), crews will pack your boxes. The weight of your shipment and the mileage between the two cities are what drive your final cost. For scale, local movers in Philadelphia generally start around $282 plus $130 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Philadelphia to Kansas City:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,065 - $4,787
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,543 - $6,264
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,444 - $8,712
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 Kansas City.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Pennsylvania to Missouri. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: Peak moving season (May - September) limits truck availability and pushes up full-service moving costs. Booking during slower months can give you more scheduling room and a lower final price.
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Specialty moving services from Philadelphia, PA to Kansas City, MO
Specialty needs vary by market — 90% of Philadelphia movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Kansas City, 72% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing97% of local movers | $488 - $4,880 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready90% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Gentle Giant Moving Company | $195 - $1,171/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $293 - $2,342 |
| 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 | $976 - $2,928 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,440 - $9,760 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $731 - $1,389 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items59% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Nicky's Moving & Storage | $976 - $2,440 |
| Piano | Any piano type75% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Gentle Giant Moving Company | $781 - $3,416 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling38% of local movers | $293 - $1,464 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect22% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Keep It Moving, LLC | $634 - $1,952 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $293 - $14,640+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $293 - $3,416+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Philadelphia to Kansas City?
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list, with flat-rate pricing that holds firm on moving day and a customer support team available around the clock.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here. With 30+ years of interstate moves behind them, AVL uses full-time in-house crews instead of the contracted labor most national carriers rely on.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, with fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan available on every long-distance move.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in Philadelphia, PA. Van lines spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments, while local movers tend to charge 30% - 40% more for the same distance. A direct route with a local mover averages 2-day delivery, but that added speed typically carries a higher price tag.
Moving container costs from Philadelphia, PA to Kansas City, MO
Moving containers from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Kansas City, Missouri, cost between $1,263 and $4,562. With a moving container, you load on your own schedule. U-Haul gives you 3 days to fill yours, while PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're ready, the company transports it straight to your new place. Need more time first? Storage in Philadelphia typically costs about $80/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Philadelphia to Kansas City:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,263 - $2,455
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,725 - $3,222
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,133 - $4,562
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Access: Most major container brands operate in both Philadelphia, PA and Kansas City, MO. Still, double-check that a nearby facility is available if you need to access your belongings before delivery.
- Moving labor: Because containers are self-loaded, many customers hire hourly help. Two movers for about 5 hours typically cost around $683 in Philadelphia, PA, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $73 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $146 for larger ones (12 - 16 feet).
- Added contents protection: For more coverage beyond the standard minimum, full-value protection is the typical upgrade, generally 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value. On a $50,000 household, that's roughly $500 - $1,000 as a one-time fee.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Pennsylvania to Missouri 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 $1,263. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,725 - $3,222, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Philadelphia to Kansas City?
- 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 Kansas City, MO
Plan on $766 - $2,070 for a rental moving truck on the 1,125-mile route from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Kansas City, Missouri. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $349 - $399
- Daily insurance: $29/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $20
- 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 Kansas City based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $766 - $1,516
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $827 - $1,665
- 4+ bedrooms: $988 - $2,070
Pro tip: The base rate of $766 - $2,070 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Philadelphia to Kansas City. Fuel ($349 - $399) , lodging at around $146/night, meals, and equipment rentals are all on top of that. Factor in an extra $600 - $1,200 to get a realistic picture of what the move will actually cost.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $683.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $349 - $399 for the 1,125-mile drive, depending on whether your truck takes gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, auto transport trailers, and furniture pads are separate rentals. Expect to spend between $59 and $317, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $146 per night for hotel stops on the 1,125-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $293 - $439.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Philadelphia to Kansas City?
- 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 Kansas City, MO
If you're moving a larger household from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and want to stay in control of the loading process, freight trailers offer a practical middle ground between hiring movers and renting a truck yourself. A 28-foot trailer is delivered to your door, you load what you need, and the carrier handles the drive to Kansas City, Missouri.
Freight trailers are priced by the linear feet your belongings take up, so you only pay for the space you use. Most moves on this route fall between $1,315 and $2,578.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Philadelphia to Kansas City:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,091 - $2,189
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,315 - $2,578
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,866 - $3,650
Pro tip: Freight trailers come with a 4-foot loading ramp, which can be a challenge with bulky furniture. With 8 feet of vertical space available, stacking efficiently often requires a ladder and a plan. Since you're billed per linear foot, packing tight can make a real difference in your final 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 $683.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $73 and $146 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Philadelphia to Kansas City?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Primarily known as a top moving container option for its DIY hybrid model where customers load and the company drives, MovingYourself also functions as a strong freight option thanks to its 53-foot trucks and pay-only-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. Best known for its container service, U-Pack also runs a top-notch freight trailer operation with the same no-deposit, pay-by-the-foot approach that keeps overall costs lower than most freight competitors.
- Pipco Transportation, Inc. (4.66/5 stars): Pipco Transportation, Inc. is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned facilities and accessible live support staff make scheduling and route coordination easier on local-area routes than what most national freight providers can offer.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in Kansas City 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 Kansas City, MO
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Kansas City, side by side with Philadelphia on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Philadelphia, PA | Kansas City, MO |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 104 | 88 |
| Average rent | $1,695/mo | $1,300/mo |
| Median home value | $231,098 | $223,324 |
| Average income | $60,698/yr | $67,449/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 10.6% | 5.3% |
| State income tax | Up to 3.07% | Up to 4.8% |
| Walkability score | 75/100 | 35/100 |
| Safety index | 33.91/100 | 42.6/100 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
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 Kansas City, MO to Philadelphia, PA guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from Pennsylvania to Missouri, so our pricing data stays current. Use our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and spot bad actors early. We track 106 movers licensed in Pennsylvania, useful context for sizing up this 1,125-mile move.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 1,125-mile route from Philadelphia, PA, to Kansas City, MO, run $2,065 - $8,712 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,263 - $4,562, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $766 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,543, 30 days of free storage, and a 24/7 support team you can actually reach.
Beyond the move itself, people who've relocated to Kansas City tend to point to ample economic opportunity and delicious barbecue, though tornadoes and extreme weather come up as common complaints. Major employers in the area include Public School System and Federal Government.
FAQs: Moving from Philadelphia, PA, to Kansas City, MO
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Philadelphia, PA to Kansas City, MO?
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.
How much does it cost to move from Philadelphia, PA to Kansas City, MO?
Costs on this route range from around $2,065 to $8,712, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,065 and $8,712, while DIY options like rental trucks and containers come in lower. Moving during peak season (May - September) tends to push prices higher across the board.
How walkable is Kansas City?
Kansas City has a walkability score of 35 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 35, 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 extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($349 - $399), daily insurance ($29/day), and equipment rentals ($7 - $20) on top. Overnight stops can add another $146/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Missouri?
Movers that provide local and intrastate relocation services in Missouri fall under the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT). Every household goods mover operating in the state is required to have a MoDOT Number.
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.
