($751+) Kansas City, MO to Philadelphia, PA Movers
Moving from Kansas City, MO, to Philadelphia, PA, runs anywhere from $751 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,740 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,125 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 $1,967, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $7,740 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,167 - $4,180, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $751 - $2,051.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Kansas City, MO, to Philadelphia, PA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,499 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 Kansas City, MO to Philadelphia, PA
Moving options from Kansas City to Philadelphia fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $2,499 - $6,089 on this route, with movers handling all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 37% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 68% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This 1,125-mile route typically takes 2 to 8 days door to door.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,125-mile route from Kansas City to Philadelphia, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,967 - $4,560 | $1,167 - $2,294 | $751 - $1,376 | $1,029 - $1,904 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,499 - $6,089 | $1,581 - $3,225 | $788 - $1,668 | $1,252 - $2,481 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,149 - $7,740 | $1,991 - $4,180 | $991 - $2,051 | $1,593 - $3,246 |
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 Kansas City, MO to Philadelphia, PA
Hiring full-service movers from Kansas City, Missouri, to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, costs between $1,967 and $7,740. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 1,125-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $283 - $1,888, 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 Kansas City and Philadelphia. For a rough baseline, movers based in Kansas City tend to start around $251 plus $113/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 Kansas City to Philadelphia:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,967 - $4,560
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,499 - $6,089
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,149 - $7,740
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 Kansas City to Philadelphia.
Pro tip: Moving company rates climb during peak moving season (May –-September) when demand peaks. Scheduling your move outside of that window can lead to noticeably lower costs and better availability.
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Specialty moving services from Kansas City, MO to Philadelphia, PA
Specialty needs vary by market: 61% of Kansas City 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 | $472 - $4,720 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready61% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Moving Proz | $189 - $1,133/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $283 - $2,266 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage8% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs54% of local movers | $944 - $2,832 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,360 - $9,440 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $707 - $1,343 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items17% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Moving Proz | $944 - $2,360 |
| Piano | Any piano type48% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Moving Proz | $755 - $3,304 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling8% of local movers | $283 - $1,416 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect14% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Sunrise Moving and Packing - Kansas City | $614 - $1,888 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $283 - $14,160+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $283 - $3,304+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Kansas City to Philadelphia?
If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in Pennsylvania Moving & Storage Associates is a good first thing to confirm.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving offers the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing locks in your cost upfront, and 24/7 customer support is available throughout the move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. Operating since 1995, AVL staffs every move with full-time in-house crews trained on antiques, art, and other high-value items.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. As one of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, real-time shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national full-service movers are almost always better priced than local movers in Kansas City, MO. Local companies typically run 30% - 40% more at longer distances because they aren't set up to consolidate shipments the way national carriers do. The one case where a local mover might be worth the premium is if you want a dedicated direct-route truck, which averages a 2-day delivery time, but expect to pay more for that convenience.
Moving container costs from Kansas City, MO to Philadelphia, PA
Moving containers from Kansas City, Missouri, to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, cost between $1,167 and $4,180. 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 Kansas City adds around $75/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Kansas City to Philadelphia:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,167 - $2,294
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,581 - $3,225
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,991 - $4,180
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 $661 in Kansas City, MO. 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 $71 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $142 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 Missouri 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 $1,167. 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 $1,581 - $3,225.
What are the best moving containers Kansas City 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 Kansas City 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 Kansas City:
- Moving Proz (4.9/5), 10 years in business
- Bellhop Moving (4.6/5), 15 years in business
- The Dudes Moving Company LLC (4.9/5), 7 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Kansas City, MO to Philadelphia, PA
A rental truck for this 1,125-mile move from Kansas City, Missouri, to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, costs between $751 and $2,051. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $338 - $386
- Daily insurance: $28/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $19
- Kansas City daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.59 - $0.79
| 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 Kansas City to Philadelphia based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $751 - $1,376
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $788 - $1,668
- 4+ bedrooms: $991 - $2,051
Pro tip: The base rate of $751 - $2,051 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Kansas City to Philadelphia. Fuel ($338 - $386), lodging at around $142/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?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $142 per night if your drive requires an overnight stop. Typically, you'll make 1 - 3 overnight stops, depending on move distance.
- Moving labor: Bringing in professional loading help in Kansas City, Missouri, usually costs about $661 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 1,125-mile drive falls between $338 and $386, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, moving pads, and vehicle trailers are easy to overlook but can add between $47 and $283 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Kansas City 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 Kansas City, MO to Philadelphia, PA
Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from Kansas City, Missouri, 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 $850 and $2,481.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Kansas City to Philadelphia:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,029 - $1,904
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,252 - $2,481
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,593 - $3,246
Pro tip: Freight trailers offer generous space but reward good packing strategy. The 4-foot ramp can be challenging for large or heavy pieces, and using the full 8-foot height takes careful stacking. Because you're billed by the linear foot, maximizing vertical space keeps your costs lower.
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 $71 - $142 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 Kansas City, Missouri, typically costs $661.
What are the best freight companies from Kansas City 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: 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: Kansas City, MO 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 Kansas City on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Kansas City, MO | Philadelphia, PA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 88 | 104 |
| Average rent | $1,300/mo | $1,695/mo |
| Median home value | $223,324 | $231,098 |
| Average income | $67,449/yr | $60,698/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 5.3% | 10.6% |
| State income tax | Up to 4.8% | Up to 3.07% |
| Walkability score | 35/100 | 75/100 |
| Safety index | 42.6/100 | 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 Kansas City, MO guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Missouri 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. Missouri alone has 138 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 1,125-mile move like this one.
Our take
For a move from Kansas City, MO, to Philadelphia, PA, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $1,967 for a studio to $7,740 for a 4+ bedroom home on the 1,125-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,167 - $4,180. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $751 - $2,051, 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 $2,499 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 Kansas City, MO, to Philadelphia, PA
Is Philadelphia a safe place to live?
Philadelphia has a safety index of 33.91 out of 100 and a crime index of 66.09, compared to 42.6 and 58.4 in Kansas City. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
How walkable is Philadelphia?
Philadelphia has a walkability score of 75 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 67, compared to 35 and 35 in Kansas City. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
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 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 do local movers charge in Kansas City?
Local movers based in Kansas City typically start around $251 as a base rate, plus $113/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 percentage of Kansas City movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 48% of movers in Kansas City handle piano moves, and 17% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.