($84+) Philadelphia, PA to Newark, NJ Movers
Moving from Philadelphia, PA, to Newark, NJ, runs anywhere from $84 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $3,668 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 85 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 1 to 2 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 $527, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $3,668 or more.
- Moving containers run $555 - $1,720, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $84 - $159.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Philadelphia, PA, to Newark, NJ. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $960 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 Newark, NJ
There are 3 main ways to move from Philadelphia to Newark: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service handles labor and transportation for you, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route costing $960 - $2,912. Moving containers run about 24% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 91% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 1 to 2 days for this 85-mile route, depending on which option you go with.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 85-mile route from Philadelphia to Newark, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $527 - $2,522 | $555 - $952 | $84 - $132 | $0 - $0 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $960 - $2,912 | $730 - $1,327 | $89 - $154 | $0 - $0 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $1,285 - $3,668 | $942 - $1,720 | $102 - $159 | $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 Philadelphia, PA to Newark, NJ
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 85-mile move from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Newark, New Jersey, with prices running from $527 - $3,668. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $349 - $2,328 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between Philadelphia and Newark 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 Newark:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $527 - $2,522
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $960 - $2,912
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,285 - $3,668
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 Newark.
Pro tip: The summer months (May - September) are the busiest time of year for movers during peak moving season, which drives up prices and limits scheduling options. If you can move in the fall or winter, you'll likely find better rates and more flexibility.
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Specialty moving services from Philadelphia, PA to Newark, NJ
Specialty needs vary by market: 55% of Philadelphia movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Newark, 62% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing72% of local movers | $582 - $5,820 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready55% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Superior Moving & Storage | $233 - $1,397/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $349 - $2,794 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage10% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs48% of local movers | $1,164 - $3,492 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,910 - $11,640 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $872 - $1,656 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items27% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Superior Moving & Storage | $1,164 - $2,910 |
| Piano | Any piano type35% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Superior Moving & Storage | $931 - $4,074 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling8% of local movers | $349 - $1,746 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect9% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Payless Moving Inc. | $757 - $2,328 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $349 - $17,460+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $349 - $4,074+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Philadelphia to Newark?
Movers licensed to operate in New Jersey are typically members of the New Jersey Warehouse & Movers Association, 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 Philadelphia, PA?
Based on recent quotes for this route, a 2-bedroom move from Philadelphia to Newark with a local mover averages $912 - $2,767. Working with a local mover based in Philadelphia, PA often costs less than hiring a national carrier on routes under 500 miles. Shorter routes come with lower fuel overhead and simpler logistics, and local movers can offer more direct communication and quicker booking windows.
The tradeoff is that smaller companies may lack the infrastructure for longer hauls. Verify proper interstate licensing and relevant experience before signing anything.
Zip to Zip Moving Inc (4.56/5 stars) is our preferred moving company in Philadelphia, 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 Philadelphia, PA to Newark, NJ
Moving containers from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Newark, New Jersey, cost between $555 and $1,720. 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 Newark. If you go over that window, storage in Philadelphia adds around $80/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Philadelphia to Newark:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $555 - $952
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $730 - $1,327
- 4+ bedrooms: $942 - $1,720
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $87 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $175 per month for larger units (12 - 16 feet).
- Moving labor: Containers don't come with loading help, so many customers hire hourly movers for the job. Two movers for about 5 hours will run you around $815 in Philadelphia, PA, per moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Standard coverage only reimburses by weight. Full-value protection gives you more complete coverage for higher-value items and typically costs 1% - 2% of your total declared value, around $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 shipment.
- Access: National providers generally operate in both cities, but verify that a facility near your Newark, NJ, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Pennsylvania to New Jersey 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 $555. 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 $730 - $1,327.
What are the best moving containers Philadelphia to Newark?
- 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:
- Superior Moving & Storage (4.3/5), 45 years in business
- Flex Moving & Storage (4.8/5), 4 years in business
- Payless Moving Inc. (4.5/5), 17 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Philadelphia, PA to Newark, NJ
Plan on $84 - $159 for a rental moving truck on the 85-mile route from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Newark, New Jersey. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $31 - $36
- Daily insurance: $35/day
- Equipment rentals: $8 - $23
- 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 Newark based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $84 - $132
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $89 - $154
- 4+ bedrooms: $102 - $159
Pro tip: The base rate of $84 - $159 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Philadelphia to Newark. Fuel ($31 - $36), lodging at around $175/night, meals, and equipment rentals are all on top of that.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Gas: Fuel adds $31 - $36 for the 85-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 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for about 5 hours typically costs around $815.
- Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
- Lodging: The 85-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $175 per night, adding $349 - $524 in hotel costs total.
- Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $58 and $349.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Philadelphia to Newark?
- 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 Newark, NJ
For larger DIY moves from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, freight trailers give you plenty of room without putting you behind the wheel. Standard trailers are 28 feet long. You load the section you need, and the carrier transports everything to Newark, New Jersey.
Because freight companies bill by linear footage, your total is based on how much of the trailer you occupy, not the full length. For a 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route, pricing typically falls between $0 and $0.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Philadelphia to Newark:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $0 - $0
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $0 - $0
- 4+ bedrooms: $0 - $0
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?
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $815.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $87 - $175 per additional foot to your total.
- Time of year: Rates tend to climb during peak moving season (mid-May through mid-September) when trailer demand is at its highest.
What are the best freight companies from Philadelphia to Newark?
- 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: If speed matters on your move from Philadelphia to Newark, freight trailers are one of the fastest interstate options available, second only to renting a truck and driving it yourself. The tradeoff is that freight works best when you're ready to receive your belongings on the other end. If your timeline is tight on the receiving side or you need a short storage buffer, a moving container might be a better fit.
Cost of living: Philadelphia, PA vs Newark, NJ
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Newark, side by side with Philadelphia on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Philadelphia, PA | Newark, NJ |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 104 | 135 |
| Average rent | $1,695/mo | $2,300/mo |
| Median home value | $231,098 | $335,418 |
| Average income | $60,698/yr | $48,416/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 10.6% | 13.0% |
| State income tax | Up to 3.07% | Up to 10.7% |
| Walkability score | 75/100 | 76/100 |
| Safety index | 33.91/100 | 24.76/100 |
| 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 Newark, NJ to Philadelphia, PA guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from Pennsylvania to New Jersey 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 267 movers in our Pennsylvania network to compare for this 85-mile move.
Our take
For a move from Philadelphia, PA, to Newark, NJ, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $527 for a studio to $3,668 for a 4+ bedroom home on the 85-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $555 - $1,720. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $84 - $159, though you'll be handling the driving and loading yourself. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with quotes starting around $960 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage included, and 24/7 live customer support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Panasonic Corporation of North America and Prudential Financial.
FAQs: Moving from Philadelphia, PA, to Newark, NJ
How much does it cost to move from Philadelphia, PA to Newark, NJ?
Costs on this route range from around $84 to $3,668, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $527 and $3,668, 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 are some tips for saving money on a move from Philadelphia, PA to Newark, NJ?
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.
What do local movers charge in Philadelphia?
Local movers based in Philadelphia typically start around $282 as a base rate, plus $130/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 Newark run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
How long does a move from Philadelphia, PA to Newark, NJ take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 1 to 2 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are often one of the faster options outside of driving yourself, 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 are the best neighborhoods in Newark?
For families, Downtown, Upper Vailsburg, and Seventh Avenue are worth a look in Newark. If you're moving solo or without kids, North Ironbound, South Ironbound, and Downtown tend to be popular picks instead.
What percentage of Philadelphia movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 35% of movers in Philadelphia handle piano moves, and 27% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.