($324+) Boston, MA to Philadelphia, PA Movers
Moving from Boston, MA, to Philadelphia, PA, runs anywhere from $324 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $6,288 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 307 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 1 to 4 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 $927, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $6,288 or more.
- Moving containers run $818 - $2,573, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $324 - $785.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Boston, MA, to Philadelphia, PA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $1,629 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 Boston, MA to Philadelphia, PA
Moving options from Boston 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 $1,629 - $4,366 and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 33% less for the same home size, while rental trucks land about 79% less, though both require you to load the truck or container yourself. This route spans 307 miles and typically takes 1 to 4 days.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 307-mile route from Boston to Philadelphia, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $927 - $3,573 | $818 - $1,551 | $324 - $555 | $797 - $1,287 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $1,629 - $4,366 | $1,088 - $2,174 | $345 - $637 | $827 - $1,639 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $2,320 - $6,288 | $1,424 - $2,573 | $398 - $785 | $1,093 - $2,121 |
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 Boston, MA to Philadelphia, PA
Full-service movers for the 307-mile relocation from Boston, Massachusetts, to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, cost between $927 and $6,288. With a long-distance moving company, loading, transportation, and unloading are all taken care of. If you want to skip packing boxes, too, that can be added for $397 - $2,644, depending on your home size. What you pay in the end is mainly a function of how much your shipment weighs and how far it's traveling. As a point of reference, local movers in Boston typically charge a base rate around $340 plus $100 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Boston to Philadelphia:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $927 - $3,573
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,629 - $4,366
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,320 - $6,288
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 Boston to Philadelphia.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Massachusetts to Pennsylvania. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: Avoiding peak moving season dates (May - September) is one of the easiest ways to reduce costs. Off-season moves typically come with lower pricing and more room to negotiate since movers have fewer bookings.
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Specialty moving services from Boston, MA to Philadelphia, PA
Specialty needs vary by market: 76% of Boston 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 packing82% of local movers | $661 - $6,610 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready76% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Poseidon Moving | $264 - $1,586/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $397 - $3,173 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage16% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs57% of local movers | $1,322 - $3,966 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,305 - $13,220 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $990 - $1,881 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items34% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Poseidon Moving | $1,322 - $3,305 |
| Piano | Any piano type47% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Poseidon Moving | $1,058 - $4,627 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling8% of local movers | $397 - $1,983 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect5% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Michael's Moving & Storage | $859 - $2,644 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $397 - $19,830+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $397 - $4,627+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Boston 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 Boston, MA?
Based on recent quotes for this route, a 2-bedroom move from Boston to Philadelphia with a local mover averages $1,694 - $4,540. Shorter moves don't always call for a national van line, and local moving companies in Boston, MA often offer competitive pricing on nearby routes. Smaller crews and regional focus translate to lower overhead and more scheduling flexibility.
Just make sure they're properly licensed for interstate moves and equipped to handle the full distance.
Safe Responsible Movers (4.38/5 stars) is our preferred moving company in Boston, based on our analysis of feedback from 495 customers, 97.6% of which is positive.
Address: 24 Denby Rd #28, Boston, MA, 02134 | Founded: 2008
Moving container costs from Boston, MA to Philadelphia, PA
Moving containers from Boston, Massachusetts, to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, cost between $818 and $2,573. 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 Boston adds around $145/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Boston to Philadelphia:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $818 - $1,551
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,088 - $2,174
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,424 - $2,573
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 Boston, MA, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $925, 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 $99 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $198 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Boston, MA, 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 Massachusetts 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 $818. 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 $1,088 - $2,174.
What are the best moving containers Boston 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 Boston 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 Boston:
- Boston Best Rate Movers (4.7/5), 21 years in business
- Michael's Moving & Storage (4.9/5), 31 years in business
- Flash Moving (5.0/5), 6 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Boston, MA to Philadelphia, PA
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 307 miles from Boston, Massachusetts, to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, running $324 - $785. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $129 - $148
- Daily insurance: $40/day
- Equipment rentals: $9 - $26
- Boston daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.89 - $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 Boston to Philadelphia based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $324 - $555
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $345 - $637
- 4+ bedrooms: $398 - $785
Pro tip: A rental truck from Boston to Philadelphia looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $324 - $785. But once you factor in fuel ($129 - $148), overnight lodging ($198/night), meals, and equipment rentals, the total adds up to more than the base rate suggests. Building that into your budget upfront saves you from sticker shock at the end of the move.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Gas: Fuel adds $129 - $148 for the 307-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 Boston, Massachusetts, for about 5 hours typically costs around $925.
- Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
- Lodging: The 307-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $198 per night, adding $397 - $595 in hotel costs total.
- Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $66 and $397.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Boston 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 Boston, MA to Philadelphia, PA
If you're moving a larger household from Boston, Massachusetts, 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. A 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route typically falls between $827 and $1,639.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Boston to Philadelphia:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $797 - $1,287
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $827 - $1,639
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,093 - $2,121
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?
- 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 Boston, Massachusetts, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $925.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $99 and $198 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Boston to Philadelphia?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Best known as a top moving container option thanks to its DIY hybrid model (you load, they drive), MovingYourself also doubles as a strong freight choice with their 53-foot trucks and pay-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. In addition to their well-known container service, U-Pack offers freight trailers that follow the same pay-by-the-foot model with no deposits or upfront fees, making them one of the most flexible freight options for budget-conscious moves.
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: Boston, MA 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 Boston on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Boston, MA | Philadelphia, PA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 151 | 104 |
| Average rent | $3,400/mo | $1,695/mo |
| Median home value | $710,400 | $231,098 |
| Average income | $94,755/yr | $60,698/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 6.2% | 10.6% |
| State income tax | Up to 9.0% | Up to 3.07% |
| Walkability score | 98/100 | 75/100 |
| Safety index | 60.12/100 | 33.91/100 |
| Air quality | Good | 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 Boston, MA guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Massachusetts to Pennsylvania, so we know current pricing better than most. Checking our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates. Massachusetts alone has 299 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 307-mile move like this one.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 307-mile route from Boston, MA, to Philadelphia, PA, run $927 - $6,288 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $818 - $2,573, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $324 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $1,629, 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 Boston, MA, to Philadelphia, PA
What is the cheapest way to move from Boston, MA 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 $345 - $637. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
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 Boston, MA to Philadelphia, PA take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 1 to 4 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 Boston?
Local movers based in Boston typically start around $340 as a base rate, plus $100/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 Boston, MA 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 Boston movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 47% of movers in Boston handle piano moves, and 34% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.