($314+) Philadelphia, PA to Boston, MA Movers

Full-service moving costs from Philadelphia, PA to Boston, MA

Hiring full-service movers from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Boston, Massachusetts, costs between $1,004 and $5,806. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 305-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $368 - $2,456, 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 Philadelphia and Boston. For a rough baseline, movers based in Philadelphia tend to start around $282 plus $130/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 Philadelphia to Boston:

• Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,004 - $3,363
• 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,596 - $4,366
• 4+ bedrooms: $2,228 - $5,806

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 Boston.

Specialty moving services from Philadelphia, PA to Boston, MA

Specialty needs vary by market: 55% of Philadelphia movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Boston, 76% of movers offer the same service.

What are the best full-service movers from Philadelphia to Boston?

Movers licensed to operate in Massachusetts are typically members of the Massachusetts Movers Association, worth checking for before you book any of the three below.

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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 Boston with a local mover averages $1,549 - $4,236. 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.

Moving container costs from Philadelphia, PA to Boston, MA

Moving containers from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Boston, Massachusetts, cost between $852 and $2,652. 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 Boston. 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 Boston:

• Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $852 - $1,445
• 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,099 - $2,153
• 4+ bedrooms: $1,510 - $2,652

What other costs come with moving containers?

• Access: Most major container brands operate in both Philadelphia, PA and Boston, MA. 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 $860 in Philadelphia, PA, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
• Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $92 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $184 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 Philadelphia to Boston?

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 Philadelphia, PA to Boston, MA

A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 305 miles from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Boston, Massachusetts, running $314 - $793. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:

• Fuel for the drive: $119 - $136
• Daily insurance: $37/day
• Equipment rentals: $9 - $25
• Philadelphia daily rental rate: $19 - $39
• Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.89 - $0.99

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

• Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $314 - $577
• 2 - 3 bedrooms: $319 - $651
• 4+ bedrooms: $414 - $793

What other costs come with rental trucks?

• Equipment: Tow dollies, appliance dollies, and moving pads are not included in the base rate. These extras often total between $92 and $430.
• Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $184.
• Gas: Expect fuel to run between $119 and $136 for the 305-mile drive, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
• Moving labor: If you'd rather not do all the heavy lifting, budget around $860 for 2 movers in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for about 5 hours.
• Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.

What are the best moving truck rentals from Philadelphia to Boston?

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 Philadelphia, PA to Boston, MA

Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Boston, Massachusetts, 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 $862 and $1,656.

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

• Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $797 - $1,314
• 2 - 3 bedrooms: $862 - $1,656
• 4+ bedrooms: $1,139 - $2,205

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 $92 - $184 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 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, typically costs $860.

What are the best freight companies from Philadelphia to Boston?

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: Philadelphia, PA vs Boston, MA

The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Boston, side by side with Philadelphia 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 305-mile move from Philadelphia, PA, to Boston, MA, costs between $1,004 and $5,806 with full-service movers, $852 - $2,652 with a moving container, and $314 - $793 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 $1,596 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 General Electric and Fidelity Investments.