($33+) Wilmington, DE to Philadelphia, PA Movers
Moving from Wilmington, DE, to Philadelphia, PA, runs anywhere from $33 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $2,938 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 32 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes to 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 $354, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $2,938 or more.
- Moving containers run $97 - $1,351, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $33 - $126.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Wilmington, DE, to Philadelphia, PA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $584 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 Wilmington, DE to Philadelphia, PA
Moving options from Wilmington to Philadelphia fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $584 - $1,912 on this route, with movers handling all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 49% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 93% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This 32-mile route typically takes to days door to door.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 32-mile route from Wilmington to Philadelphia, broken down by home size:
- Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $354 - $1,106, container $97 - $662, rental truck $33 - $78, freight trailer $0 - $0.
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $584 - $1,912, container $300 - $940, rental truck $39 - $95, freight trailer $0 - $0.
- 4+ bedrooms: full-service $1,038 - $2,938, container $684 - $1,351, rental truck $51 - $126, freight trailer $0 - $0.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated November 2, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Wilmington, DE to Philadelphia, PA
Full-service movers for the 32-mile relocation from Wilmington, Delaware, to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, cost between $354 and $2,938. With a long-distance moving company, loading, transportation, and unloading are all taken care of. If you want to skip packing boxes, too, that can be added for $312 - $2,080, depending on your home size. What you pay in the end is mainly a function of how much your shipment weighs and how far it's traveling. As a point of reference, local movers in Wilmington typically charge a base rate around $334 plus $150 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Wilmington to Philadelphia:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $354 - $1,106
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $584 - $1,912
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,038 - $2,938
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 Wilmington 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 Wilmington, DE to Philadelphia, PA
Specialty needs vary by market: 53% of Wilmington 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 packing72% of local movers | $520 - $5,200 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready53% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $208 - $1,248/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $312 - $2,496 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage11% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs46% of local movers | $1,040 - $3,120 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,600 - $10,400 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $779 - $1,480 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items28% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Ramsey's Moving System | $1,040 - $2,600 |
| Piano | Any piano type33% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $832 - $3,640 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling8% of local movers | $312 - $1,560 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect8% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $676 - $2,080 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $312 - $15,600+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $312 - $3,640+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Wilmington to Philadelphia?
Movers licensed to operate in Pennsylvania are typically members of the Pennsylvania Moving & Storage Associates, worth checking for before you book any of the three below.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 customer support, and 30 days of free storage are included with every move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list, with 30+ years in business since 1995. AVL is one of the few national carriers that uses full-time in-house crews instead of contracted labor.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, combining fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan that covers damage, loss, and breakage.
How much do local movers cost in Wilmington, DE?
Based on recent quotes for this route, a 2-bedroom move from Wilmington to Philadelphia with a local mover averages $567 - $1,855. For moves under 500 miles, local moving companies in Wilmington, DE can be a practical and cost-effective alternative to national carriers. Many price shorter moves using hourly or regional rates that may come in lower overall, with leaner operations and tighter service areas often translating to more flexible scheduling and a more personalized experience.
Keep in mind that not every local mover is authorized for moves that cross city or state lines. Always confirm interstate licensing and proper insurance before booking.
Zip to Zip Moving Inc (4.56/5 stars) is our preferred moving company in Wilmington, based on our analysis of feedback from 1,563 customers, 99.3% of which is positive.
Address: 558 W Uwchlan Ave, Exton, PA, 19341 | Founded: 2020
Moving container costs from Wilmington, DE to Philadelphia, PA
Moving containers from Wilmington, Delaware, to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, cost between $97 and $1,351. 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 Wilmington adds around $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Wilmington to Philadelphia:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $97 - $662
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $300 - $940
- 4+ bedrooms: $684 - $1,351
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 $728 in Wilmington, DE. 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 $78 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $156 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 Philadelphia, PA, destination before booking.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Delaware 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 $97. 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 $300 - $940.
What are the best moving containers Wilmington 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 Wilmington 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 Wilmington:
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.9/5), 9 years in business
- All Around Moverz (4.6/5), 16 years in business
- Forward Moving LLC (4.9/5), 9 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Wilmington, DE to Philadelphia, PA
Renting a moving truck for the 32-mile move from Wilmington, Delaware, to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, costs between $33 and $126, before these typical add-ons:
- Fuel for the drive: $11 - $12
- Daily insurance: $31/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $21
- Wilmington daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $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 Wilmington to Philadelphia based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $33 - $78
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $39 - $95
- 4+ bedrooms: $51 - $126
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $33 - $126 does not include fuel ($11 - $12), lodging ($156/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Wilmington to Philadelphia typically runs more than the base rate alone.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Gas: Fuel adds $11 - $12 for the 32-mile drive, depending on whether your rental truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: You'll handle the heavy lifting unless you bring in help. Two movers in Wilmington, Delaware, for about 5 hours typically costs around $728.
- Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
- Lodging: The 32-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $156 per night, adding $312 - $468 in hotel costs total.
- Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $52 and $312.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Wilmington 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 Wilmington, DE to Philadelphia, PA
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Wilmington, Delaware, to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, when you want to do the loading yourself without having to drive a massive vehicle. The trailer is delivered, you pack it up, and the carrier handles the long haul.
What sets freight trailers apart is the pay-for-what-you-use pricing model. Each additional foot of trailer space you occupy adds to the cost. Pricing for a 2 - 3 bedroom move of this distance typically lands between $0 and $0.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Wilmington to Philadelphia:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $0 - $0
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $0 - $0
- 4+ bedrooms: $0 - $0
Pro tip: Freight trailers offer generous space but reward good packing strategy. The 4-foot ramp can be challenging for large or heavy pieces, and using the full 8-foot height takes careful stacking. Because you're billed by the linear foot, maximizing vertical space keeps your costs lower.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- More space: Freight trailers are billed by the section you fill. If you misjudge your shipment size, each extra foot of trailer space adds around $78 - $156 to your final bill.
- Peak season pricing: Expect higher rates during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) when trailer availability tightens across the country.
- Moving labor: Loading is on you unless you hire outside help. A half-day crew of two movers in Wilmington, Delaware, typically costs $728.
What are the best freight companies from Wilmington to Philadelphia?
- 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.
Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Wilmington to Philadelphia. If you have a hard move-in date and want your stuff there as soon as possible, freight is hard to beat. It's worth noting that freight works best when you're ready to receive your delivery, so if your move-in date is still up in the air or you'll need short-term storage, a moving container is likely the more practical choice.
Cost of living: Wilmington, DE vs Philadelphia, PA
Wilmington and Philadelphia land in a similar range on everyday costs. The cost of living index sits at 104 in Wilmington and 104 in Philadelphia, and average rent is $1,812/mo vs. $1,695/mo. With an index gap that small, you likely won't need to rework your monthly budget much after this move. For reference, walkability is 74 vs 75 and safety scores are 32.68 vs 33.91.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Philadelphia, PA to Wilmington, DE guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from Delaware to Pennsylvania, 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 17 movers licensed in Delaware, useful context for sizing up this 32-mile move.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 32-mile route from Wilmington, DE, to Philadelphia, PA, run $354 - $2,938 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $97 - $1,351, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $33 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $584, 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 Wilmington, DE, to Philadelphia, PA
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($11 - $12), daily insurance ($31/day), and equipment rentals ($7 - $21) on top. Overnight stops can add another $156/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
What is the cheapest way to move from Wilmington, DE to Philadelphia, PA?
Renting a moving truck is almost always the most affordable option, since you handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself. A 2-bedroom rental truck move on this route averages $39 - $95. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
How much does it cost to move from Wilmington, DE to Philadelphia, PA?
Costs on this route range from around $33 to $2,938, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $354 and $2,938, 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.
What size moving truck do I need for this route?
Rental trucks generally range from 10 to 26 feet. A 15- to 17-foot truck covers most 2-bedroom moves, while a smaller 10- to 12-foot truck works for a studio or 1-bedroom. Homes with 4 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
What do local movers charge in Wilmington?
Local movers based in Wilmington typically start around $334 as a base rate, plus $150/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.
What percentage of Wilmington movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 33% of movers in Wilmington handle piano moves, and 28% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.