($146+) Washington DC, MD to Philadelphia, PA Movers

Full-service moving costs from Washington DC, MD to Philadelphia, PA

Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 139-mile move from Washington DC, Maryland, to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with costs ranging from $645 - $4,210. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $397 - $2,644. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Washington DC and Philadelphia. Local movers in Washington DC typically start around $180 as a base rate plus $85/hour per mover.

Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Washington DC to Philadelphia:

• Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $645 - $2,905
• 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,151 - $3,190
• 4+ bedrooms: $1,618 - $4,210

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 Washington DC to Philadelphia.

Specialty moving services from Washington DC, MD to Philadelphia, PA

Specialty needs vary by market: 70% of Washington DC movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Philadelphia, 55% of movers offer the same service.

What are the best full-service movers from Washington DC 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.

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.

How much do local movers cost in Washington DC, MD?

Based on recent quotes for this route, a 2-bedroom move from Washington DC to Philadelphia with a local mover averages $1,105 - $3,063. For moves under 500 miles, local movers in Washington DC, MD 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.

Moving container costs from Washington DC, MD to Philadelphia, PA

Moving containers from Washington DC, Maryland, to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, cost between $704 and $2,003. You load everything on your own schedule (U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30). When you're ready, the company takes care of getting the container from point A to point B. Need more time than that? Extra storage in Washington DC typically runs around $100/month.

Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Washington DC to Philadelphia:

• Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $704 - $1,261
• 2 - 3 bedrooms: $859 - $1,636
• 4+ bedrooms: $1,232 - $2,003

What other costs come with moving containers?

• Access: Most major container brands operate in both Washington DC, MD and Philadelphia, PA. 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 $925 in Washington DC, MD, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
• Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $99 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $198 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.

What are the best moving containers Washington DC to Philadelphia?

1. Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
2. U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
3. MovingYourself (5.0/5 stars)

Moving truck rental costs from Washington DC, MD to Philadelphia, PA

A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 139 miles from Washington DC, Maryland, to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, running $146 - $302. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:

• Fuel for the drive: $58 - $67
• Daily insurance: $40/day
• Equipment rentals: $9 - $26
• Washington DC daily rental rate: $19 - $39
• Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.99 - $1.19

These are typical moving truck rental costs from Washington DC to Philadelphia based on home size:

• Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $146 - $222
• 2 - 3 bedrooms: $146 - $286
• 4+ bedrooms: $188 - $302

What other costs come with rental trucks?

• Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
• Lodging: Budget around $198 per night if your drive requires an overnight stop. Typically, you'll make 1 - 3 overnight stops, depending on move distance.
• Moving labor: Bringing in professional loading help in Washington DC, Maryland, usually costs about $925 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
• Gas: Fuel for the 139-mile drive falls between $58 and $67, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
• Equipment: Appliance dollies, moving pads, and vehicle trailers are easy to overlook but can add between $66 and $397 to your total.

What are the best moving truck rentals from Washington DC to Philadelphia?

1. Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
2. Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
3. 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 Washington DC, MD to Philadelphia, PA

If you're moving a larger household from Washington DC, Maryland, 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 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Freight trailers are priced by the linear feet your belongings take up, so you only pay for the space you use. A 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route typically falls between $730 and $1,361.

Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Washington DC to Philadelphia:

• Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $640 - $1,070
• 2 - 3 bedrooms: $730 - $1,361
• 4+ bedrooms: $929 - $1,539

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 $99 - $198 more per foot.
• Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Washington DC, Maryland, for about five hours typically runs $925.

What are the best freight companies from Washington DC to Philadelphia?

1. MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the best for large moves pick. While it's a top moving container option for the DIY hybrid setup (you handle the loading, they handle the driving), the same approach makes it a strong freight choice for 3 to 5+ bedroom homes that need 53 feet of trailer capacity with pay-as-you-go pricing.
2. U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer here. In addition to their popular container service, U-Pack delivers a top-tier freight trailer option that uses the same pay-by-the-foot pricing model and skips deposits and upfront fees entirely.

Cost of living: Washington DC, MD 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 Washington DC on housing, income, and taxes.

Cost of living index is relative to the U.S. average of 100. Figures reflect the latest available city and state data.

Our take

The 139-mile move from Washington DC, MD, to Philadelphia, PA, costs between $645 and $4,210 with full-service movers, $704 - $2,003 with a moving container, and $146 - $302 for a rental truck. Your budget and how much heavy lifting you want to do are the two biggest factors in choosing the right option. If you go with full-service movers, Safeway Moving is our top recommendation, with transparent flat-rate pricing starting around $1,151 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage, and 24/7 customer support.

Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Amtak and Comcast.