($1,429+) Los Angeles, CA to Philadelphia, PA Movers
The cost to move from Los Angeles, CA to Philadelphia, PA ranges from $1,345 to $12,101, with an average cost of $4,450. Moves can be as low as $1,429 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 2,709 miles and usually takes 7 to 21 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.
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Compare moving options from Los Angeles, CA to Philadelphia, PA
Moving options from Los Angeles to Philadelphia fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,345 - $12,101 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $4,450, and movers handle all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 33% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 55% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This particular route covers 2,709 miles and typically takes 7 to 21 days depending on the service you pick.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 2,709-mile route from Los Angeles to Philadelphia, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,345 - $5,801 | $1,916 - $3,650 | $1,429 - $2,944 | $1,690 - $3,284 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $3,753 - $7,420 | $2,509 - $5,029 | $1,694 - $3,332 | $1,889 - $4,023 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $7,061 - $12,101 | $3,561 - $6,993 | $1,997 - $4,089 | $2,712 - $5,594 |
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 Los Angeles, CA to Philadelphia, PA
For the 2,709-mile move from Los Angeles, California, to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, full-service movers cost between $1,345 and $12,101. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $416 - $2,776 (1 - 5+ bedrooms), crews will pack your boxes. The weight of your shipment and the mileage between the two cities are what drive your final cost. For scale, local movers in Los Angeles generally start around $200 plus $100 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Los Angeles to Philadelphia:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,345 - $5,801
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,753 - $7,420
- 4+ bedrooms: $7,061 - $12,101
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 Los Angeles to Philadelphia.
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 Los Angeles, CA to Philadelphia, PA
Specialty needs vary by market: 56% of Los Angeles 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 packing78% of local movers | $694 - $6,940 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready56% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Rigo's Moving Company Inc | $278 - $1,666/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $416 - $3,331 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage14% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs53% of local movers | $1,388 - $4,164 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,470 - $13,880 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,040 - $1,975 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items29% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Rigo's Moving Company Inc | $1,388 - $3,470 |
| Piano | Any piano type40% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: Rigo's Moving Company Inc | $1,110 - $4,858 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling10% of local movers | $416 - $2,082 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect4% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: 5 Star Moving | $902 - $2,776 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $416 - $20,820+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $416 - $4,858+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Los Angeles 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.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national van lines are the smarter financial choice over local movers in Los Angeles, CA. Local companies can run 30% - 40% more at that range since they don't consolidate shipments the way interstate carriers do. If a direct, dedicated route with an average 2-day delivery appeals to you, a local mover could be worth it, but that convenience comes at a cost.
Moving container costs from Los Angeles, CA to Philadelphia, PA
Moving containers from Los Angeles, California, to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, cost between $1,916 and $6,993. 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 Los Angeles typically costs about $110/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Los Angeles to Philadelphia:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,916 - $3,650
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,509 - $5,029
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,561 - $6,993
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Containers are self-loaded, so many people hire hourly help for the heavy lifting. moveBuddha data shows two movers for about five hours runs around $972 in Los Angeles, CA. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: If you want stronger coverage than the default liability, full-value protection is the upgrade to consider. Most providers charge 1% - 2% of your shipment value, roughly $500 - $1,000 for $50,000 in contents.
- Storage: After the first month, rental fees average $104 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $208 per month for a larger 12- to 16-foot unit.
- Access: If you anticipate needing to access items while in storage, confirm there's a facility conveniently located near your Philadelphia, PA, destination before booking.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a California 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 $1,916. 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 $2,509 - $5,029.
What are the best moving containers Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles:
- Rigo's Moving Company Inc (4.3/5), 12 years in business
- Move Central Moving & Storage (3.9/5), 14 years in business
- Best California Movers (5.0/5), 8 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Los Angeles, CA to Philadelphia, PA
Renting a moving truck for the 2,709-mile move from Los Angeles, California, to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, costs between $1,429 and $4,089, before these typical add-ons:
- Fuel for the drive: $1,196 - $1,367
- Daily insurance: $42/day
- Equipment rentals: $10 - $28
- Los Angeles daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.79 - $1.09
| 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 Los Angeles to Philadelphia based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,429 - $2,944
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,694 - $3,332
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,997 - $4,089
Pro tip: The base rate of $1,429 - $4,089 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Los Angeles to Philadelphia. Fuel ($1,196 - $1,367), lodging at around $208/night, meals, and equipment rentals are all on top of that. Factor in roughly $600 - $1,200 more for meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging to get a realistic picture of what the move will actually cost.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Los Angeles, California, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $972.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $1,196 - $1,367 for the 2,709-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 $83 and $451, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $208 per night for hotel stops on the 2,709-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $416 - $625.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles, CA to Philadelphia, PA
Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from Los Angeles, California, 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 $1,249 and $4,023.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Los Angeles to Philadelphia:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,690 - $3,284
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,889 - $4,023
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,712 - $5,594
Pro tip: Loading a freight trailer is a bit different from filling a container. The 4-foot ramp can be steep with large items, and getting the most out of 8 feet of vertical clearance takes planning. Since pricing is based on linear feet used, every inch of wasted space has a cost.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In Los Angeles, California, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $972.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $104 - $208 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 Los Angeles to Philadelphia?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is our pick for best for large moves. The company is best known as a top moving container option for its hybrid model where you load and they drive, and that same model translates well to freight thanks to their 53-foot trucks and pay-by-the-foot pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Beyond their flagship container service, U-Pack also runs freight trailers with the same no-deposit, no-upfront-fee model, charging only for the linear footage you actually fill.
Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from Los Angeles to Philadelphia, 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: Los Angeles, CA 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 Los Angeles on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Los Angeles, CA | Philadelphia, PA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 162 | 104 |
| Average rent | $2,960/mo | $1,695/mo |
| Median home value | $878,142 | $231,098 |
| Average income | $80,366/yr | $60,698/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 10.6% | 10.6% |
| State income tax | Up to 13.3% | Up to 3.07% |
| Walkability score | 69/100 | 75/100 |
| Safety index | 46.19/100 | 33.91/100 |
| 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 Philadelphia, PA to Los Angeles, CA guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from California to Pennsylvania 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 1,126 movers in our California network to compare for this 2,709-mile move.
Our take
The 2,709-mile move from Los Angeles, CA, to Philadelphia, PA, costs between $1,345 and $12,101 with full-service movers, $1,916 - $6,993 with a moving container, and $1,429 - $4,089 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 $3,753 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.
FAQs: Moving from Los Angeles, CA, to Philadelphia, PA
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Los Angeles, CA 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.
What is the best time of year to move from Los Angeles, CA to Philadelphia, PA?
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. A midweek, mid-month date outside peak season is your best bet for saving money.
How long does a move from Los Angeles, CA to Philadelphia, PA take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 7 to 21 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 extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($1,196 - $1,367), daily insurance ($42/day), and equipment rentals ($10 - $28) on top. Overnight stops can add another $208/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
What is the cheapest way to move from Los Angeles, CA to Philadelphia, PA?
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 $1,694 - $3,332. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What percentage of Los Angeles movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 40% of movers in Los Angeles handle piano moves, and 29% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.