($700+) Tampa, FL to Philadelphia, PA Movers
Moving from Tampa, FL, to Philadelphia, PA, runs anywhere from $700 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $6,917 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,042 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 2 to 8 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 $1,752, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $6,917 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,195 - $4,115, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $700 - $1,903.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Tampa, FL, to Philadelphia, PA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,285 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 Tampa, FL to Philadelphia, PA
Moving options from Tampa to Philadelphia fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move on this route costs $2,285 - $5,469 and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 35% less for the same home size, while rental trucks land about 69% less, though both require you to load the truck or container yourself. This route spans 1,042 miles and typically takes 2 to 8 days.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,042-mile route from Tampa to Philadelphia, broken down by home size:
- Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $1,752 - $4,362, container $1,195 - $2,118, rental truck $700 - $1,265, freight trailer $1,024 - $1,964.
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $2,285 - $5,469, container $1,494 - $3,125, rental truck $706 - $1,475, freight trailer $1,171 - $2,357.
- 4+ bedrooms: full-service $3,618 - $6,917, container $2,077 - $4,115, rental truck $886 - $1,903, freight trailer $1,677 - $3,041.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated November 2, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Tampa, FL to Philadelphia, PA
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 1,042-mile move from Tampa, Florida, to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with costs ranging from $1,752 - $6,917. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $312 - $2,080. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Tampa and Philadelphia. Local movers in Tampa typically start around $266 as a base rate plus $84/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Tampa to Philadelphia:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,752 - $4,362
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,285 - $5,469
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,618 - $6,917
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 Tampa 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 Tampa, FL to Philadelphia, PA
Specialty needs vary by market: 55% of Tampa 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 packing75% of local movers | $520 - $5,200 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready55% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: 2 College Brothers Moving and Storage | $208 - $1,248/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $312 - $2,496 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage10% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs52% of local movers | $1,040 - $3,120 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,600 - $10,400 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $779 - $1,480 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items30% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: 3 Guys Moving | $1,040 - $2,600 |
| Piano | Any piano type41% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Golden Movers LLC | $832 - $3,640 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling9% of local movers | $312 - $1,560 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect10% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $676 - $2,080 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $312 - $15,600+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $312 - $3,640+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Tampa to Philadelphia?
Look for Pennsylvania Moving & Storage Associates membership as a baseline when comparing movers in Pennsylvania beyond this list.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is our pick for best overall value. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 support, and 30 days of free storage make Safeway the clearest value on this list.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. AVL has been moving customers since 1995 and uses full-time in-house crews trained on high-value items like art and antiques.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. One of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, 24/7 monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan against damage, loss, and breakage.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Tampa, FL. 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 Tampa, FL to Philadelphia, PA
Moving containers from Tampa, Florida, to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, cost between $1,195 and $4,115. 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 Philadelphia. If you go over that window, storage in Tampa adds around $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Tampa to Philadelphia:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,195 - $2,118
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,494 - $3,125
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,077 - $4,115
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 Tampa, FL, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $728, 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 $78 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $156 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Tampa, FL, 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 Florida 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 $1,195. 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 $1,494 - $3,125.
What are the best moving containers Tampa 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 Tampa 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 Tampa:
- Strong College Students Moving (4.7/5), 21 years in business
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.8/5), 13 years in business
- Flex Moving & Storage (4.9/5), 4 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Tampa, FL to Philadelphia, PA
A rental truck for this 1,042-mile move from Tampa, Florida, to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, costs between $700 and $1,903. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $345 - $394
- Daily insurance: $31/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $21
- Tampa daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.60 - $0.99
| 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 Tampa to Philadelphia based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $700 - $1,265
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $706 - $1,475
- 4+ bedrooms: $886 - $1,903
Pro tip: A rental truck from Tampa to Philadelphia looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $700 - $1,903. But once you factor in fuel ($345 - $394), overnight lodging ($156/night), meals, and equipment rentals, most people end up spending roughly $600 - $1,200 more on meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging. Building that into your budget upfront saves you from sticker shock at the end of the move.
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 $78 and $364.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $156.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $345 and $394 for the 1,042-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 $728 for 2 movers in Tampa, Florida, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Tampa 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 Tampa, FL to Philadelphia, PA
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Tampa, Florida, to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 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 $1,171 and $2,357.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Tampa to Philadelphia:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,024 - $1,964
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,171 - $2,357
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,677 - $3,041
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?
- 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 $78 and $156.
- 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 Tampa, Florida, for roughly five hours typically average $728.
What are the best freight companies from Tampa to Philadelphia?
- 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.
- 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.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in Philadelphia fast. For interstate moves, freight is one of the quickest delivery methods out there. Just keep in mind that freight carriers expect you to be available to receive your shipment, so it works best when your move-in is locked in and you don't need temporary storage on either end.
Cost of living: Tampa, FL vs Philadelphia, PA
There's not a big cost-of-living gap between Tampa and Philadelphia to plan around. Cost of living index: 104 vs. 104. Average rent: $1,930/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: 53.85 vs. 33.91.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Philadelphia, PA to Tampa, FL guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Florida 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 885 movers based in Florida, handy for sizing up options on this 1,042-mile route.
Our take
For a move from Tampa, FL, to Philadelphia, PA, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $1,752 for a studio to $6,917 for a 4+ bedroom home on the 1,042-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,195 - $4,115. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $700 - $1,903, though you'll be handling the driving and loading yourself. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with quotes starting around $2,285 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage included, and 24/7 live customer support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Amtak and Comcast.
FAQs: Moving from Tampa, FL, to Philadelphia, PA
What are the best neighborhoods in Philadelphia?
For families, Bella Vista, Bustleton, and Chestnut Hill are worth a look in Philadelphia. If you're moving solo or without kids, Cedar Park, Fishtown, and Manayunk tend to be popular picks instead.
How long does a move from Tampa, FL to Philadelphia, PA take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 2 to 8 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 do local movers charge in Tampa?
Local movers based in Tampa typically start around $266 as a base rate, plus $84/hour per mover. That's a useful baseline if you're hiring help just to load a rental truck or container rather than booking a full long-distance move. Rates in Philadelphia run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Tampa, FL 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 Tampa, FL to Philadelphia, PA?
Costs on this route range from around $700 to $6,917, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,752 and $6,917, 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 percentage of Tampa movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 41% of movers in Tampa handle piano moves, and 30% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.