($688+) Memphis, TN to Philadelphia, PA Movers
Moving from Memphis, TN, to Philadelphia, PA, runs anywhere from $688 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,088 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,016 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 $2,063, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $8,088 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,105 - $4,117, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $688 - $1,835.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Memphis, TN, to Philadelphia, PA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,597 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 Memphis, TN to Philadelphia, PA
Moving options from Memphis to Philadelphia fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $2,597 - $6,235 for a 2-3 bedroom home and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers cost about 43% less than full-service for the same size, and rental trucks land around 72% less, with both DIY options requiring you to load yourself. Covering 1,016 miles, this route usually takes 2 to 8 days from pickup to delivery.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,016-mile route from Memphis to Philadelphia, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $2,063 - $5,187 | $1,105 - $2,101 | $688 - $1,282 | $1,027 - $1,967 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,597 - $6,235 | $1,483 - $3,040 | $722 - $1,463 | $1,222 - $2,360 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,044 - $8,088 | $1,919 - $4,117 | $943 - $1,835 | $1,648 - $3,042 |
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated October 30, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Memphis, TN to Philadelphia, PA
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 1,016-mile move from Memphis, Tennessee, to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with prices running from $2,063 - $8,088. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $280 - $1,864 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between Memphis and Philadelphia are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, Memphis movers tend to run around $334 as a base rate plus $125/hour per mover, for comparison.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Memphis to Philadelphia:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,063 - $5,187
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,597 - $6,235
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,044 - $8,088
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 Memphis to Philadelphia.
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 Memphis, TN to Philadelphia, PA
Specialty needs vary by market: 41% of Memphis movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Philadelphia, 55% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing74% of local movers | $466 - $4,660 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready41% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Guardian Moving Systems | $186 - $1,118/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $280 - $2,237 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage19% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs59% of local movers | $932 - $2,796 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,330 - $9,320 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $698 - $1,326 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items19% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Cord Moving and Storage | $932 - $2,330 |
| Piano | Any piano type41% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $746 - $3,262 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling11% of local movers | $280 - $1,398 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect15% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Big League Movers: #1 Rated Memphis Moving Company | $606 - $1,864 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $280 - $13,980+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $280 - $3,262+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Memphis to Philadelphia?
If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in Pennsylvania Moving & Storage Associates is a good first thing to confirm.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving offers the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing locks in your cost upfront, and 24/7 customer support is available throughout the move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. Operating since 1995, AVL staffs every move with full-time in-house crews trained on antiques, art, and other high-value items.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. As one of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, real-time shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national full-service movers are the more cost-efficient choice. Local movers in Memphis, TN, often charge 30% - 40% more at that distance because their operations aren't built for long-haul logistics. The exception is if you want a dedicated point-to-point truck with an average 2-day delivery, though that level of service generally increases your total cost.
Moving container costs from Memphis, TN to Philadelphia, PA
Moving containers from Memphis, Tennessee, to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, cost between $1,105 and $4,117. A container is delivered to your home and you load it on your own time. Loading windows vary by company: U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30. From there, the company takes over and transports it to Philadelphia. If you go over that window, storage in Memphis adds around $45/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Memphis to Philadelphia:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,105 - $2,101
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,483 - $3,040
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,919 - $4,117
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Because loading is on you with a container move, hourly labor help is a popular add-on. In Memphis, TN, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $652, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: After the first month, ongoing rental fees kick in. A small container (7 - 8 feet) averages about $70 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $140 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Memphis, TN, and Philadelphia, PA, but confirm a facility is within reasonable distance if you need to retrieve items while in storage.
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection provides broader coverage than the standard liability in your contract. It typically costs 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on $50,000 worth of belongings.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Tennessee to Pennsylvania 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 $1,105. Underestimating how much you have and needing an extra container means paying for another one, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise. For reference, a 2 - 3 bedroom home typically runs $1,483 - $3,040.
What are the best moving containers Memphis to Philadelphia?
- 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 Memphis 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 Memphis:
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.5/5), 36 years in business
- Big League Movers: #1 Rated Memphis Moving Company, 18 years in business
- Country Club Moving & Packing Inc, 32 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Memphis, TN to Philadelphia, PA
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 1,016 miles from Memphis, Tennessee, to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, running $688 - $1,835. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $301 - $344
- Daily insurance: $28/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $19
- Memphis daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.59 - $0.79
| 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 Memphis to Philadelphia based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $688 - $1,282
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $722 - $1,463
- 4+ bedrooms: $943 - $1,835
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $688 - $1,835 when pricing out a rental truck from Memphis to Philadelphia. Fuel alone runs $301 - $344, and overnight lodging ($140/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend roughly $600 - $1,200 more on meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging by the time the move is done.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Memphis, Tennessee, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $652.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $301 - $344 for the 1,016-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 $56 and $303, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $140 per night for hotel stops on the 1,016-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $280 - $419.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Memphis to Philadelphia?
- 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 Memphis, TN to Philadelphia, PA
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 Memphis, Tennessee, to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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. A 2 - 3 bedroom long-distance move using this method runs roughly between $1,222 and $2,360.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Memphis to Philadelphia:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,027 - $1,967
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,222 - $2,360
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,648 - $3,042
Pro tip: A 4-foot ramp sounds simple, but heavy or awkward furniture can make the climb tricky. With 8 feet of height to work with, smart vertical stacking is key. Since freight companies charge by the linear foot, every extra foot you use adds to the bill.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- More space: Freight pricing is based on exactly how much of the trailer you fill. If your items take up more than expected, the added footage can increase your cost by between $70 and $140.
- Peak season impact: Moving during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) often means higher trailer rates as demand increases across the board.
- Moving labor: Unless you plan to load everything yourself, factor in labor costs. Two movers in Memphis, Tennessee, for roughly five hours typically average $652.
What are the best freight companies from Memphis to Philadelphia?
- 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.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are one of the fastest ways to move your belongings interstate, often beating full-service movers on delivery time. If getting your stuff to Philadelphia quickly is a priority, freight is worth a hard look. That said, freight carriers typically require you to be available to receive your shipment within a set window, so if you need short-term storage or your new place won't be ready right away, a container or full-service mover may give you more flexibility.
Cost of living: Memphis, TN vs Philadelphia, PA
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Philadelphia, side by side with Memphis on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Memphis, TN | Philadelphia, PA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 86 | 104 |
| Average rent | $1,299/mo | $1,695/mo |
| Median home value | $154,209 | $231,098 |
| Average income | $51,211/yr | $60,698/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 8.0% | 10.6% |
| State income tax | None | Up to 3.07% |
| Walkability score | 35/100 | 75/100 |
| Safety index | 22.51/100 | 33.91/100 |
| 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 Philadelphia, PA to Memphis, TN guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from Tennessee to Pennsylvania 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 181 movers in our Tennessee network to compare for this 1,016-mile move.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 1,016-mile route from Memphis, TN, to Philadelphia, PA, run $2,063 - $8,088 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,105 - $4,117, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $688 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,597, 30 days of free storage, and a 24/7 support team you can actually reach.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Amtak and Comcast.
FAQs: Moving from Memphis, TN, to Philadelphia, PA
What do local movers charge in Memphis?
Local movers based in Memphis typically start around $334 as a base rate, plus $125/hour per mover. That's a useful baseline if you're hiring help just to load a rental truck or container rather than booking a full long-distance move. Rates in Philadelphia run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania requires moving companies that transport household goods within the state to obtain a license from the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC). Licenses are renewed every 1 to 2 years.
What are the best neighborhoods in Philadelphia?
For families, Bella Vista, Bustleton, and Chestnut Hill are worth a look in Philadelphia. If you're moving solo or without kids, Cedar Park, Fishtown, and Manayunk tend to be popular picks instead.
How walkable is Philadelphia?
Philadelphia has a walkability score of 75 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 67, compared to 35 and 41 in Memphis. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
Is Philadelphia a safe place to live?
Philadelphia has a safety index of 33.91 out of 100 and a crime index of 66.09, compared to 22.51 and 77.49 in Memphis. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What percentage of Memphis movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 41% of movers in Memphis handle piano moves, and 19% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.