($282+) Richmond, VA to Philadelphia, PA Movers
Moving from Richmond, VA, to Philadelphia, PA, runs anywhere from $282 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $5,263 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 248 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 $832, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $5,263 or more.
- Moving containers run $838 - $2,521, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $282 - $696.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Richmond, VA, to Philadelphia, PA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $1,396 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 Richmond, VA to Philadelphia, PA
Moving options from Richmond to Philadelphia fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $1,396 - $3,884 for a 2-3 bedroom home and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers cost about 22% less than full-service for the same size, and rental trucks land around 78% less, with both DIY options requiring you to load yourself. Covering 248 miles, this route usually takes 1 to 2 days from pickup to delivery.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 248-mile route from Richmond to Philadelphia, broken down by home size:
- Full-service movers: $832 for a studio up to $5,263 for a 4+ bedroom home.
- Moving containers: $838 - $2,521 depending on home size.
- Rental trucks: $282 - $696, the lowest-cost option across the board.
- Freight trailers: $754 - $1,916, billed by the space you actually use.
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 Richmond, VA to Philadelphia, PA
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 248-mile move from Richmond, Virginia, to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with prices running from $832 - $5,263. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $296 - $1,972 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between Richmond and Philadelphia are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, Richmond movers tend to run around $360 as a base rate plus $100/hour per mover, for comparison.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Richmond to Philadelphia:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $832 - $3,408
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,396 - $3,884
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,001 - $5,263
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 Richmond 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 Richmond, VA to Philadelphia, PA
Specialty needs vary by market: 71% of Richmond 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 packing85% of local movers | $493 - $4,930 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready71% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $197 - $1,183/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $296 - $2,366 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage12% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs56% of local movers | $986 - $2,958 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,465 - $9,860 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $739 - $1,403 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items32% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Mr. Moving, LLC | $986 - $2,465 |
| Piano | Any piano type50% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $789 - $3,451 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling6% of local movers | $296 - $1,479 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect6% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $641 - $1,972 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $296 - $14,790+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $296 - $3,451+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Richmond to Philadelphia?
Pennsylvania Moving & Storage Associates membership is a quick way to confirm a mover is legitimate in Pennsylvania, on top of the picks below.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing means no surprise charges on moving day, and their support team is consistently rated among the most responsive in the industry.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here, 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, with 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 Richmond, VA?
Based on recent quotes for this route, a 2-bedroom move from Richmond to Philadelphia with a local mover averages $1,396 - $3,884. Working with a local mover based in Richmond, VA 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.
Mr. Moving, LLC (4.58/5 stars) is the top overall local mover in Richmond, ranked #5 in Virginia, based on our analysis of feedback from 214 customers, 87.4% of which is positive.
Address: 1343 Pritchard Ter, North Chesterfield, VA, 23235 | Founded: 2020
Moving container costs from Richmond, VA to Philadelphia, PA
Moving containers from Richmond, Virginia, to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, cost between $838 and $2,521. 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 Richmond typically runs around $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Richmond to Philadelphia:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $838 - $1,385
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,092 - $1,980
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,325 - $2,521
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 Richmond, VA, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $690, 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 $74 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $148 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Richmond, VA, 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 Virginia 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 $838. 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 $1,092 - $1,980.
What are the best moving containers Richmond 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 Richmond 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 Richmond:
- Mr. Moving, LLC (4.6/5), 6 years in business
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.9/5), 0 years in business
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.8/5), 9 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Richmond, VA to Philadelphia, PA
A rental truck for this 248-mile move from Richmond, Virginia, to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, costs between $282 and $696. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $78 - $89
- Daily insurance: $30/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $20
- Richmond daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.89
| 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 Richmond to Philadelphia based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $282 - $520
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $305 - $574
- 4+ bedrooms: $384 - $696
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $282 - $696 when pricing out a rental truck from Richmond to Philadelphia. Fuel alone runs $78 - $89, and overnight lodging ($148/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Gas: Fuel adds $78 - $89 for the 248-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 Richmond, Virginia, for about 5 hours typically costs around $690.
- Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
- Lodging: The 248-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $148 per night, adding $296 - $444 in hotel costs total.
- Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $49 and $296.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Richmond 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 Richmond, VA to Philadelphia, PA
Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from Richmond, Virginia, to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Standard trailers run 28 feet long, and you're only charged for the portion you actually fill. The carrier drops the trailer off, you load it at your own pace, and they handle the drive to your new city.
Pricing is based entirely on the linear footage your shipment occupies, not the full trailer length. Most long-distance freight moves land somewhere between $887 and $1,583.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Richmond to Philadelphia:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $754 - $1,272
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $831 - $1,583
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,139 - $1,916
Pro tip: Freight pricing rewards efficient packing. Trailers are 8 feet tall and accessed via a 4-foot ramp, so technique matters, especially for heavy pieces. Since each additional linear foot adds to your quote, packing strategically is one of the easiest ways to control costs.
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 $74 and $148.
- 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 Richmond, Virginia, for roughly five hours typically average $690.
What are the best freight companies from Richmond 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 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: Richmond, VA vs Philadelphia, PA
There's not a big cost-of-living gap between Richmond and Philadelphia to plan around. Cost of living index: 95 vs. 104. Average rent: $1,595/mo vs. $1,695/mo. The bigger factor in your budget is the one-time cost of the move itself, covered above. Walkability: 51 vs. 75. Safety index: 51.55 vs. 33.91.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Philadelphia, PA to Richmond, VA guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Virginia to Pennsylvania in the past 3 months alone, keeping our pricing data current. Run your numbers through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. For context, we track 262 movers based in Virginia, handy for sizing up options on this 248-mile route.
Our take
A move from Richmond, VA, to Philadelphia, PA, gives you several options depending on your budget and how much you want to do yourself. Full-service movers handle everything but cost the most, ranging from $832 - $5,263 on the 248-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $838 - $2,521, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $282 - $696. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $1,396 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and round-the-clock live support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Amtak and Comcast.
FAQs: Moving from Richmond, VA, to Philadelphia, PA
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Richmond, VA to Philadelphia, PA?
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.
How much does it cost to move from Richmond, VA to Philadelphia, PA?
Costs on this route range from around $282 to $5,263, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $832 and $5,263, 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.
How walkable is Philadelphia?
Philadelphia has a walkability score of 75 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 67, compared to 51 and 51 in Richmond. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($78 - $89), daily insurance ($30/day), and equipment rentals ($7 - $20) on top. Overnight stops can add another $148/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
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 percentage of Richmond movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 50% of movers in Richmond handle piano moves, and 32% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.