($1,620+) San Francisco, CA to Philadelphia, PA Movers
The cost to move from San Francisco, CA to Philadelphia, PA ranges from $1,455 to $13,243, with an average cost of $5,050. Moves can be as low as $1,620 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 2,874 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 San Francisco, CA to Philadelphia, PA
Moving options from San Francisco to Philadelphia fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,455 - $13,243 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $5,050, and movers handle all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 60% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This particular route covers 2,874 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 2,874-mile route from San Francisco to Philadelphia, broken down by home size:
Home size makes the biggest difference in what you'll pay on this route. A studio or 1-bedroom runs $1,455 - $6,483 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($2,055 - $3,804), rental truck ($1,670 - $3,079), or freight trailer ($1,924 - $3,530). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $4,384 - $8,547 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $13,243.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from San Francisco, CA to Philadelphia, PA
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 2,874-mile move from San Francisco, California, to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with costs ranging from $1,455 - $13,243. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $566 - $3,772. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between San Francisco and Philadelphia. Local movers in San Francisco typically start around $284 as a base rate plus $150/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from San Francisco to Philadelphia:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,455 - $6,483
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $4,384 - $8,547
- 4+ bedrooms: $8,410 - $13,243
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 San Francisco to Philadelphia.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from California to Pennsylvania. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
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 San Francisco, CA to Philadelphia, PA
Specialty needs vary by market — 87% of San Francisco movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Philadelphia, 90% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $943 - $9,430 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready87% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Eagle Moving & Storage, Inc. | $377 - $2,263/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $566 - $4,526 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage56% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs49% of local movers | $1,886 - $5,658 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $4,715 - $18,860 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,413 - $2,684 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items70% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Eagle Moving & Storage, Inc. | $1,886 - $4,715 |
| Piano | Any piano type79% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Eagle Moving & Storage, Inc. | $1,509 - $6,601 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling39% of local movers | $566 - $2,829 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect27% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Luigy's Moving & Storage | $1,226 - $3,772 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $566 - $28,290+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $566 - $6,601+ |
What are the best full-service movers from San Francisco to Philadelphia?
Movers licensed to operate in Pennsylvania are typically members of the Pennsylvania Moving & Storage Associates, worth checking for before you book any of the three below.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in San Francisco, CA. At that distance, local movers often charge 30% - 40% more because they don't spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments the way national carriers do. If a direct route and faster delivery (averaging 2 days) are priorities, a local mover may be worth considering, but that service comes at a higher price.
Moving container costs from San Francisco, CA to Philadelphia, PA
Moving containers from San Francisco, California, to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, cost between $2,055 and $7,305. The container gets dropped at your door and you load it at your own pace. U-Haul gives you 3 days to load and PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're done, the company handles all the transportation. If you need extra time, storage in San Francisco runs about $120/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from San Francisco to Philadelphia:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,055 - $3,804
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,638 - $5,408
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,790 - $7,305
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 San Francisco, CA, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $1,320, 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 $141 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $283 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both San Francisco, CA, 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 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 $2,055. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $2,638 - $5,408, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers San Francisco 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 San Francisco 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 San Francisco:
- Good Green Moving (4.7/5), 13 years in business
- Dependable Movers, LLC (4.9/5), 8 years in business
- Johnson & Daly Moving and Storage (4.9/5), 47 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from San Francisco, CA to Philadelphia, PA
Renting a moving truck for the 2,874-mile move from San Francisco, California, to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, costs between $1,670 and $4,500, before these typical add-ons:
- Fuel for the drive: $1,725 - $1,971
- Daily insurance: $57/day
- Equipment rentals: $13 - $38
- San Francisco daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.79 - $1.59
| 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 San Francisco to Philadelphia based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,670 - $3,079
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,845 - $3,628
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,287 - $4,500
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from San Francisco to Philadelphia starts at $1,670 - $4,500, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($1,725 - $1,971) , overnight lodging ($283/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for an additional $600 - $1,200 on top of your base rate to cover those costs.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $283 per night. Most long-distance moves with rental trucks require 1 - 3 overnight stops.
- Equipment: Tow dollies, auto trailers, and specialty moving equipment can add between $123 and $613 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $1,725 - $1,971 in fuel for the 2,874-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $1,320 in San Francisco, California, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from San Francisco 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 San Francisco, CA to Philadelphia, PA
If you're moving a larger household from San Francisco, California, 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. Most moves on this route fall between $2,239 and $4,504.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from San Francisco to Philadelphia:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,924 - $3,530
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,239 - $4,504
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,973 - $6,331
Pro tip: A 4-foot ramp sounds simple, but heavy or awkward furniture can make the climb tricky. With 8 feet of height to work with, smart vertical stacking is key. Since freight companies charge by the linear foot, every extra foot you use adds to the bill.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Seasonal demand: Pricing tends to rise during peak moving season, particularly between mid-May and mid-September.
- Moving labor: Most customers hire loading help since freight is self-loaded. Two movers in San Francisco, California, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $1,320.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $141 and $283 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from San Francisco to Philadelphia?
- 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 Logistics (4.54/5 stars): PRO Logistics is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned and based facilities mean accessible support staff and area-specific scheduling flexibility that national-only freight carriers typically don't match.
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: San Francisco, 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 San Francisco on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | San Francisco, CA | Philadelphia, PA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 245 | 104 |
| Average rent | $3,250/mo | $1,695/mo |
| Median home value | $1,374,773 | $231,098 |
| Average income | $141,446/yr | $60,698/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 5.4% | 10.6% |
| State income tax | Up to 13.3% | Up to 3.07% |
| Walkability score | 99/100 | 75/100 |
| Safety index | 38.59/100 | 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 San Francisco, CA guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from California to Pennsylvania, so our pricing data stays current. Use our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and spot bad actors early. We track 374 movers licensed in California, useful context for sizing up this 2,874-mile move.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 2,874-mile route from San Francisco, CA, to Philadelphia, PA, run $1,455 - $13,243 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $2,055 - $7,305, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $1,670 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $4,384, 30 days of free storage, and a 24/7 support team you can actually reach.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Amtak and Comcast.
FAQs: Moving from San Francisco, CA, to Philadelphia, PA
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 extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($1,725 - $1,971), daily insurance ($57/day), and equipment rentals ($13 - $38) on top. Overnight stops can add another $283/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How walkable is Philadelphia?
Philadelphia has a walkability score of 75 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 67, compared to 99 and 99 in San Francisco. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
How much does it cost to move from San Francisco, CA to Philadelphia, PA?
Costs on this route range from around $1,455 to $13,243, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,455 and $13,243, 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.
What are some tips for saving money on a move from San Francisco, 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 percentage of San Francisco movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 79% of movers in San Francisco handle piano moves, and 70% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
