($33+) Philadelphia, PA to Wilmington, DE Movers
Moving from Philadelphia, PA, to Wilmington, DE, runs anywhere from $33 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $3,380 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 32 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes to 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 $391, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $3,380 or more.
- Moving containers run $113 - $1,419, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $33 - $127.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Philadelphia, PA, to Wilmington, DE. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $685 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 Wilmington, DE
There are 3 main ways to move from Philadelphia to Wilmington: 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 $685 - $2,200. 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 32 miles, expect to 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 32-mile route from Philadelphia to Wilmington, broken down by home size:
- A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $391 - $1,129 with full-service movers, $113 - $695 with a container, $33 - $86 with a rental truck, or $0 - $0 by freight.
- A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $685 - $2,200 full-service, $351 - $977 by container, $42 - $110 by rental truck, or $0 - $0 by freight.
- A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $1,146 - $3,380 full-service, $676 - $1,419 by container, $54 - $127 by rental truck, or $0 - $0 by freight.
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 Wilmington, DE
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 32-mile move from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Wilmington, Delaware, with costs ranging from $391 - $3,380. 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 Philadelphia and Wilmington. 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 Wilmington:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $391 - $1,129
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $685 - $2,200
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,146 - $3,380
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 Wilmington.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Pennsylvania to Delaware. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: The summer months (May - September) are the busiest time of year for movers during peak moving season, which drives up prices and limits scheduling options. If you can move in the fall or winter, you'll likely find better rates and more flexibility.
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Specialty moving services from Philadelphia, PA to Wilmington, DE
Specialty needs vary by market — 90% of Philadelphia movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Wilmington, 89% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing97% of local movers | $520 - $5,200 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready90% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Gentle Giant Moving Company | $208 - $1,248/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $312 - $2,496 |
| 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 | $1,040 - $3,120 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,600 - $10,400 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $779 - $1,480 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items59% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Nicky's Moving & Storage | $1,040 - $2,600 |
| Piano | Any piano type75% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Gentle Giant Moving Company | $832 - $3,640 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling38% of local movers | $312 - $1,560 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect22% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Keep It Moving, LLC | $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 Philadelphia to Wilmington?
- 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.
How much do local movers cost in Philadelphia, PA?
Based on recent quotes for this route, a 2-bedroom move from Philadelphia to Wilmington with a local mover averages $698 - $2,244. For moves under 500 miles, local movers in Philadelphia, PA can be a smart choice. Many use hourly pricing models that may reduce your total compared to what a national carrier would charge, and tighter coverage areas often mean faster turnaround and more hands-on communication.
That said, licensing requirements still apply. Make sure any company you're considering is properly licensed for interstate moves for the route you need.
Zip to Zip Moving Inc (4.44/5 stars) is our preferred moving company in Philadelphia, based on our analysis of feedback from 278 customers, 97.8% of which is positive.
Address: 558 W Uwchlan Ave, Exton, PA, 19341 | Founded: 2020
Moving container costs from Philadelphia, PA to Wilmington, DE
Moving containers from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Wilmington, Delaware, cost between $113 and $1,419. You load everything on your own schedule (U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30). When you're ready, the company takes care of getting the container from point A to point B. Need more time than that? Extra storage in Philadelphia typically runs around $80/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Philadelphia to Wilmington:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $113 - $695
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $351 - $977
- 4+ bedrooms: $676 - $1,419
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Access: Most major container brands operate in both Philadelphia, PA and Wilmington, DE. 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 $728 in Philadelphia, PA, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $78 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $156 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 Delaware 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 $113. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $351 - $977, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Philadelphia to Wilmington?
- 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 Wilmington, DE
Plan on $33 - $127 for a rental moving truck on the 32-mile route from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Wilmington, Delaware. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $11 - $12
- Daily insurance: $31/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $21
- 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 Wilmington based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $33 - $86
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $42 - $110
- 4+ bedrooms: $54 - $127
Pro tip: The base rate of $33 - $127 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Philadelphia to Wilmington. Fuel ($11 - $12) , lodging at around $156/night, meals, and equipment rentals are all on top of that. Factor in an extra $600 - $1,200 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 $156 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 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, usually costs about $728 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 32-mile drive falls between $11 and $12, 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 $52 and $312 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Philadelphia to Wilmington?
- 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 Wilmington, DE
Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Wilmington, Delaware. 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 $936 and $0.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Philadelphia to Wilmington:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $0 - $0
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $0 - $0
- 4+ bedrooms: $0 - $0
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 $78 - $156 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 $728.
What are the best freight companies from Philadelphia to Wilmington?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Primarily known as a top moving container option for its DIY hybrid model where customers load and the company drives, MovingYourself also functions as a strong freight option thanks to its 53-foot trucks and pay-only-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. Best known for its container service, U-Pack also runs a top-notch freight trailer operation with the same no-deposit, pay-by-the-foot approach that keeps overall costs lower than most freight competitors.
- Pipco Transportation, Inc. (4.66/5 stars): Pipco Transportation, Inc. is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned facilities and accessible live support staff make scheduling and route coordination easier on local-area routes than what most national freight providers can offer.
Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from Philadelphia to Wilmington, freight trailers are one of the fastest interstate options available, second only to renting a truck and driving it yourself. The tradeoff is that freight works best when you're ready to receive your belongings on the other end. If your timeline is tight on the receiving side or you need a short storage buffer, a moving container might be a better fit.
Cost of living: Philadelphia, PA vs Wilmington, DE
Day-to-day costs in Wilmington are close to what you're used to in Philadelphia: cost of living index of 104 versus 104, with average rent of $1,812/mo compared to $1,695/mo. Housing, income, and taxes are all in a similar range, so budgeting for this move mostly comes down to the moving costs above rather than a shift in your monthly expenses. Walkability and safety scores are close too, at 75/100 and 33.91/100 in Philadelphia versus 74/100 and 32.68/100 in Wilmington.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Wilmington, DE to Philadelphia, PA guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Pennsylvania to Delaware, 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. Pennsylvania alone has 106 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 32-mile move like this one.
Our take
A move from Philadelphia, PA, to Wilmington, DE, gives you several options depending on your budget and how much you want to do yourself. Full-service movers handle everything but cost the most, ranging from $391 - $3,380 on the 32-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $113 - $1,419, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $33 - $127. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $685 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and round-the-clock live support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Nestle and DuPont.
FAQs: Moving from Philadelphia, PA, to Wilmington, DE
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($11 - $12), daily insurance ($31/day), and equipment rentals ($7 - $21) on top. Overnight stops can add another $156/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
What is the cheapest way to move from Philadelphia, PA to Wilmington, DE?
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 $42 - $110. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
How much does it cost to move from Philadelphia, PA to Wilmington, DE?
Costs on this route range from around $391 to $3,380, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $391 and $3,380, 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 size moving truck do I need for this route?
Rental trucks generally range from 10 to 26 feet. A 15- to 17-foot truck covers most 2-bedroom moves, while a smaller 10- to 12-foot truck works for a studio or 1-bedroom. Homes with 3 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
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 Wilmington run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
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.
