($585+) Philadelphia, PA to Huntsville, AL Movers
Moving from Philadelphia, PA, to Huntsville, AL, runs anywhere from $597 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,730 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 835 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 2 to 7 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 $1,735, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $7,730 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,175 - $3,701, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $597 - $1,656.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Philadelphia, PA, to Huntsville, AL. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,253 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 Philadelphia, PA to Huntsville, AL
There are 3 main ways to move from Philadelphia to Huntsville: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service is the most expensive but covers everything from labor to transportation, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route averaging $2,253 - $5,882. Containers cost roughly 30% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 60% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 835 miles, expect 2 to 7 days in transit no matter which service you choose.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 835-mile route from Philadelphia to Huntsville, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,735 - $4,736 | $1,175 - $2,020 | $597 - $1,114 | $1,047 - $1,893 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,253 - $5,882 | $1,436 - $2,920 | $684 - $1,283 | $1,207 - $2,405 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,057 - $7,730 | $1,870 - $3,701 | $847 - $1,656 | $1,591 - $2,961 |
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 Philadelphia, PA to Huntsville, AL
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 835-mile move from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Huntsville, Alabama, with costs ranging from $1,735 - $7,730. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $300 - $2,000. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Philadelphia and Huntsville. Local movers in Philadelphia typically start around $282 as a base rate plus $130/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Philadelphia to Huntsville:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,735 - $4,736
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,253 - $5,882
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,057 - $7,730
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 Philadelphia to Huntsville.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Pennsylvania to Alabama. 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 Philadelphia, PA to Huntsville, AL
Specialty needs vary by market — 90% of Philadelphia movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Huntsville, 88% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing97% of local movers | $500 - $5,000 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready90% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Gentle Giant Moving Company | $200 - $1,200/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $300 - $2,400 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage36% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs39% of local movers | $1,000 - $3,000 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,500 - $10,000 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $749 - $1,423 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items59% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Nicky's Moving & Storage | $1,000 - $2,500 |
| Piano | Any piano type75% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Gentle Giant Moving Company | $800 - $3,500 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling38% of local movers | $300 - $1,500 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect22% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Keep It Moving, LLC | $650 - $2,000 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $300 - $15,000+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $300 - $3,500+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Philadelphia to Huntsville?
All three below meet the standards set by the Alabama Trucking Association, the group most Alabama movers are affiliated with.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list, with flat-rate pricing that holds firm on moving day and a customer support team available around the clock.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here. With 30+ years of interstate moves behind them, AVL uses full-time in-house crews instead of the contracted labor most national carriers rely on.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, with fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan available on every long-distance move.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national full-service movers are almost always better priced than local movers in Philadelphia, PA. 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 Philadelphia, PA to Huntsville, AL
Moving containers from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Huntsville, Alabama, cost between $1,175 and $3,701. 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 Philadelphia typically costs about $80/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Philadelphia to Huntsville:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,175 - $2,020
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,436 - $2,920
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,870 - $3,701
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Access: Most major container brands operate in both Philadelphia, PA and Huntsville, AL. Still, double-check that a nearby facility is available if you need to access your belongings before delivery.
- Moving labor: Because containers are self-loaded, many customers hire hourly help. Two movers for about 5 hours typically cost around $700 in Philadelphia, PA, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $75 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $150 for larger ones (12 - 16 feet).
- Added contents protection: For more coverage beyond the standard minimum, full-value protection is the typical upgrade, generally 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value. On a $50,000 household, that's roughly $500 - $1,000 as a one-time fee.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Pennsylvania to Alabama 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 $1,175. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,436 - $2,920, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Philadelphia to Huntsville?
- 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 Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia:
- Transtar Moving Systems (4.9/5), 64 years in business
- Keep It Moving, LLC (4.2/5), 20 years in business
- Superior Moving & Storage (4.3/5), 45 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Philadelphia, PA to Huntsville, AL
Plan on $597 - $1,656 for a rental moving truck on the 835-mile route from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Huntsville, Alabama. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $266 - $304
- Daily insurance: $30/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $20
- Philadelphia daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.89 - $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 Philadelphia to Huntsville based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $597 - $1,114
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $684 - $1,283
- 4+ bedrooms: $847 - $1,656
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $597 - $1,656 does not include fuel ($266 - $304) , lodging ($150/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Philadelphia to Huntsville typically runs $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate alone.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $700.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $266 - $304 for the 835-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 $60 and $325, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $150 per night for hotel stops on the 835-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $300 - $450.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Philadelphia to Huntsville?
- 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 Philadelphia, PA to Huntsville, AL
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Huntsville, Alabama, 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. Overall pricing for a move of this size and distance typically lands around $1,207 and $2,405.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Philadelphia to Huntsville:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,047 - $1,893
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,207 - $2,405
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,591 - $2,961
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 trailers are billed by the section you fill. If you misjudge your shipment size, each extra foot of trailer space adds around $75 - $150 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 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, typically costs $700.
What are the best freight companies from Philadelphia to Huntsville?
- 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.
- Pipco Transportation, Inc. (4.66/5 stars): Pipco Transportation, Inc. is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Local ownership translates to accessible support staff and facilities based in the communities they serve, giving customers more direct communication than they'd typically get from a national-only freight network.
Pro tip: One of the biggest advantages of freight trailers is speed. For an interstate move, freight delivery is one of the fastest options you have short of driving a rental truck yourself. It's a smart choice when your timeline is firm and you'll be ready to receive your shipment. If there's any chance your new place won't be ready or you need a few weeks of storage, a moving container with built-in storage may serve you better.
Cost of living: Philadelphia, PA vs Huntsville, AL
There's not a big cost-of-living gap between Philadelphia and Huntsville to plan around. Cost of living index: 104 vs. 94. Average rent: $1,695/mo vs. $1,409/mo. The bigger factor in your budget is the one-time cost of the move itself, covered above. Walkability: 75 vs. 24. Safety index: 33.91 vs. 57.45.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Huntsville, AL to Philadelphia, PA guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from Pennsylvania to Alabama 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 106 movers in our Pennsylvania network to compare for this 835-mile move.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from Philadelphia, PA, to Huntsville, AL, comes down to your budget and how much time and work you're able to put into it. Hands-off relocations handled by full-service movers range from $1,735 - $7,730 on the 835-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,175 - $3,701 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $597 - $1,656 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $2,253 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and 24/7 live support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Qualitest Pharmaceuticals and Huntsville Hospital.
FAQs: Moving from Philadelphia, PA, to Huntsville, AL
What are the best neighborhoods in Huntsville?
For families, Blossomwood, Hampton Cove, and Jones Valley are worth a look in Huntsville. If you're moving solo or without kids, Five Points, Downtown Huntsville, and Hampton Cove tend to be popular picks instead.
How long does a move from Philadelphia, PA to Huntsville, AL take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 5 - 7 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are usually the fastest option outside of driving yourself, with deliveries in 3 - 5 days, 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 Philadelphia?
Local movers based in Philadelphia typically start around $282 as a base rate, plus $130/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 Huntsville 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 Philadelphia, PA to Huntsville, AL?
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 Philadelphia, PA to Huntsville, AL?
Costs on this route range from around $1,735 to $7,730, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,735 and $7,730, 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 Philadelphia movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 75% of movers in Philadelphia handle piano moves, and 59% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
