($140+) Philadelphia, PA to Washington DC, MD Movers

Full-service moving costs from Philadelphia, PA to Washington DC, MD

A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 139-mile move from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Washington DC, Maryland, with prices running from $637 - $4,282. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $368 - $2,456 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between Philadelphia and Washington DC are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, Philadelphia movers tend to run around $282 as a base rate plus $130/hour per mover, for comparison.

Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Philadelphia to Washington DC:

• Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $637 - $2,732
• 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,104 - $3,317
• 4+ bedrooms: $1,597 - $4,282

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 Washington DC.

Specialty moving services from Philadelphia, PA to Washington DC, MD

Specialty needs vary by market: 55% of Philadelphia movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Washington DC, 70% of movers offer the same service.

What are the best full-service movers from Philadelphia to Washington DC?

Look for Maryland Motor Truck Association membership as a baseline when comparing movers in Maryland beyond this list.

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.

How much do local movers cost in Philadelphia, PA?

Based on recent quotes for this route, a 2-bedroom move from Philadelphia to Washington DC with a local mover averages $1,049 - $3,152. 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.

Moving container costs from Philadelphia, PA to Washington DC, MD

Moving containers from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Washington DC, Maryland, cost between $716 and $1,939. You're in charge of loading, and the timeline is yours to set. U-Haul allows 3 days while PODS gives you a full 30. After that, the company picks it up and delivers it to your new address. Running behind schedule? Storage in Philadelphia costs roughly $80/month if you need it.

Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Philadelphia to Washington DC:

• Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $716 - $1,151
• 2 - 3 bedrooms: $902 - $1,665
• 4+ bedrooms: $1,102 - $1,939

What other costs come with moving containers?

• Access: Most major container brands operate in both Philadelphia, PA and Washington DC, MD. 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 $860 in Philadelphia, PA, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
• Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $92 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $184 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.

What are the best moving containers Philadelphia to Washington DC?

1. Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
2. U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
3. MovingYourself (5.0/5 stars)

Moving truck rental costs from Philadelphia, PA to Washington DC, MD

A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 139 miles from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Washington DC, Maryland, running $140 - $314. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:

• Fuel for the drive: $54 - $62
• Daily insurance: $37/day
• Equipment rentals: $9 - $25
• Philadelphia daily rental rate: $19 - $39
• Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.89 - $0.99

These are typical moving truck rental costs from Philadelphia to Washington DC based on home size:

• Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $140 - $237
• 2 - 3 bedrooms: $149 - $264
• 4+ bedrooms: $177 - $314

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 $92 and $430.
• Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $184.
• Gas: Expect fuel to run between $54 and $62 for the 139-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 $860 for 2 movers in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for about 5 hours.
• Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.

What are the best moving truck rentals from Philadelphia to Washington DC?

1. Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
2. Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
3. 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 Washington DC, MD

Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Washington DC, Maryland, 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 $750 and $1,358.

Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Philadelphia to Washington DC:

• Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $632 - $1,079
• 2 - 3 bedrooms: $750 - $1,358
• 4+ bedrooms: $899 - $1,600

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 $92 and $184.
• 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 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for roughly five hours typically average $860.

What are the best freight companies from Philadelphia to Washington DC?

1. 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.
2. 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.

Cost of living: Philadelphia, PA vs Washington DC, MD

The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Washington DC, side by side with Philadelphia on housing, income, and taxes.

Cost of living index is relative to the U.S. average of 100. Figures reflect the latest available city and state data.

Our take

How you handle your interstate move from Philadelphia, PA, to Washington DC, MD, 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 $637 - $4,282 on the 139-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $716 - $1,939 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $140 - $314 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $1,104 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 Department of Homeland Security and US Navy.