($133+) Harrisburg, PA to Arlington, VA Movers
Moving from Harrisburg, PA, to Arlington, VA, runs anywhere from $133 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $3,959 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 121 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 $601, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $3,959 or more.
- Moving containers run $658 - $1,916, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $133 - $280.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Harrisburg, PA, to Arlington, VA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $1,054 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 Harrisburg, PA to Arlington, VA
There are 3 main ways to move from Harrisburg to Arlington: 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 $1,054 - $3,299. Containers cost roughly 13% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 87% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 121 miles, expect 1 to 2 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 121-mile route from Harrisburg to Arlington, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $601 - $2,671 | $658 - $1,142 | $133 - $195 | $648 - $1,017 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $1,054 - $3,299 | $915 - $1,617 | $135 - $247 | $717 - $1,281 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $1,529 - $3,959 | $1,174 - $1,916 | $170 - $280 | $876 - $1,486 |
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 Harrisburg, PA to Arlington, VA
Hiring full-service movers from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, to Arlington, Virginia, costs between $601 and $3,959. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 121-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $359 - $2,392, depending on the size of your home. Your final cost comes down to two things: the total weight of your shipment and the distance between Harrisburg and Arlington. For a rough baseline, movers based in Harrisburg tend to start around $300 plus $175/hour per mover on local jobs, before long-distance pricing takes over for a move this size.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Harrisburg to Arlington:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $601 - $2,671
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,054 - $3,299
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,529 - $3,959
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 Harrisburg to Arlington.
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 Harrisburg, PA to Arlington, VA
Specialty needs vary by market: 57% of Harrisburg movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Arlington, 70% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing60% of local movers | $598 - $5,980 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready57% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Geo. W. Weaver & Sons Inc. | $239 - $1,435/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $359 - $2,870 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage3% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs41% of local movers | $1,196 - $3,588 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,990 - $11,960 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $896 - $1,702 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items21% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Movers & Co. LLC | $1,196 - $2,990 |
| Piano | Any piano type36% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Maya's Movers LLC | $957 - $4,186 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling14% of local movers | $359 - $1,794 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect10% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Maya's Movers LLC | $777 - $2,392 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $359 - $17,940+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $359 - $4,186+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Harrisburg to Arlington?
All three below meet the standards set by the Virginia Movers & Warehousemen’s Association, the group most Virginia movers are affiliated with.
- 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.
How much do local movers cost in Harrisburg, PA?
Based on recent quotes for this route, a 2-bedroom move from Harrisburg to Arlington with a local mover averages $1,106 - $3,463. For moves under 500 miles, local movers in Harrisburg, PA can be a smart choice. Many use hourly pricing models that may reduce your total compared to what a national carrier would charge, and tighter coverage areas often mean faster turnaround and more hands-on communication.
That said, licensing requirements still apply. Make sure any company you're considering is properly licensed for interstate moves for the route you need.
The Armstrong Company (4.66/5 stars) is a local mover in Harrisburg, based on our analysis of feedback from 268 customers, 90.7% of which is positive.
Address: 1074 East Main Street, Mount Joy, PA, 17552 | Founded: 1949
Moving container costs from Harrisburg, PA to Arlington, VA
Moving containers from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, to Arlington, Virginia, cost between $658 and $1,916. 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 Harrisburg typically costs about $70/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Harrisburg to Arlington:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $658 - $1,142
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $915 - $1,617
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,174 - $1,916
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $90 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $179 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 $837 in Harrisburg, 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 Arlington, VA, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Pennsylvania to Virginia 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 $658. 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 $915 - $1,617.
What are the best moving containers Harrisburg to Arlington?
- 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 Harrisburg 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 Harrisburg:
- Maya's Movers LLC (4.9/5), 8 years in business
- Keystone Moving and Junk Removal (4.9/5), 12 years in business
- Stephan's Moving (4.7/5), 6 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Harrisburg, PA to Arlington, VA
Truck rentals from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, to Arlington, Virginia, range from $133 - $280 for the 121-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $46 - $53
- Daily insurance: $36/day
- Equipment rentals: $8 - $24
- Harrisburg 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 Harrisburg to Arlington based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $133 - $195
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $135 - $247
- 4+ bedrooms: $170 - $280
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Harrisburg to Arlington starts at $133 - $280, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($46 - $53), overnight lodging ($179/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $837.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $46 - $53 for the 121-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 $72 and $389, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $179 per night for hotel stops on the 121-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $359 - $538.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Harrisburg to Arlington?
- 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 Harrisburg, PA to Arlington, VA
For larger DIY moves from Harrisburg, 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 Arlington, Virginia.
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 $717 and $1,281.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Harrisburg to Arlington:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $648 - $1,017
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $717 - $1,281
- 4+ bedrooms: $876 - $1,486
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?
- Demand cycles: Trailer costs climb during peak moving season, especially from mid-May through mid-September when demand is at its highest.
- More space: You're billed only for the linear feet you use, but underestimating your inventory means paying for extra space, typically around $90 - $179 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, for about five hours typically runs $837.
What are the best freight companies from Harrisburg to Arlington?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the pick for best for large moves. The company is well-regarded as a top moving container option for its load-it-yourself, we-drive-it model, and that same model makes it a strong freight option for larger homes that benefit from the company's 53-foot trucks and footage-based pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Alongside their flagship container service, U-Pack provides a top-notch freight trailer option that follows the same model: no deposits, no upfront fees, and pricing based on the linear footage you actually use.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in Arlington 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: Harrisburg, PA vs Arlington, VA
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Arlington, side by side with Harrisburg on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Harrisburg, PA | Arlington, VA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 90 | 164 |
| Average rent | $1,200/mo | $2,718/mo |
| Median home value | $121,765 | $866,334 |
| Average income | $47,783/yr | $140,160/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 13.4% | 4.0% |
| State income tax | Up to 3.07% | Up to 5.75% |
| Walkability score | 68/100 | 71/100 |
| Safety index | 35.82/100 | 79.15/100 |
| Air quality | Moderate | 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 Arlington, VA to Harrisburg, PA guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from Pennsylvania to Virginia 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 121-mile move.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from Harrisburg, PA, to Arlington, VA, comes down to your budget and how much time and work you're able to put into it. Hands-off relocations handled by full-service movers range from $601 - $3,959 on the 121-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $658 - $1,916 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $133 - $280 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $1,054 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and 24/7 live support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include U.S. Department of Defense and Safran.
FAQs: Moving from Harrisburg, PA, to Arlington, VA
How do I know a mover is licensed in Virginia?
In addition to filing tariffs and complying with insurance, bond, and highway safety requirements, all intrastate moving companies in Virginia must have a certificate from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (VaDMV).
What is the best time of year to move from Harrisburg, PA to Arlington, VA?
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. Virginia also has a hurricane season running June through November, worth factoring into your timing if you have flexibility. A midweek, mid-month date outside peak season is your best bet for saving money.
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.
Is Arlington a safe place to live?
Arlington has a safety index of 79.15 out of 100 and a crime index of 15.67, compared to 35.82 and 64.18 in Harrisburg. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What is the cheapest way to move from Harrisburg, PA to Arlington, VA?
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 $135 - $247. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What percentage of Harrisburg movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 36% of movers in Harrisburg handle piano moves, and 21% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.