($433+) Philadelphia, PA to Ann Arbor, MI Movers
Moving from Philadelphia, PA, to Ann Arbor, MI, runs anywhere from $433 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,202 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 585 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 1 to 6 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 $1,231, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $7,202 or more.
- Moving containers run $941 - $3,153, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $433 - $1,242.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Philadelphia, PA, to Ann Arbor, MI. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,036 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 Ann Arbor, MI
Moving options from Philadelphia to Ann Arbor fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $2,036 - $5,290 on this route, with movers handling all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 40% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 75% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This 585-mile route typically takes 1 to 6 days door to door.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 585-mile route from Philadelphia to Ann Arbor, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,231 - $3,958 | $941 - $1,784 | $433 - $832 | $874 - $1,542 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,036 - $5,290 | $1,220 - $2,417 | $501 - $989 | $985 - $1,934 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $3,491 - $7,202 | $1,711 - $3,153 | $619 - $1,242 | $1,275 - $2,623 |
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated October 30, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Philadelphia, PA to Ann Arbor, MI
Full-service movers for the 585-mile relocation from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Ann Arbor, Michigan, cost between $1,231 and $7,202. 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 $314 - $2,096, 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 Philadelphia typically charge a base rate around $282 plus $130 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Philadelphia to Ann Arbor:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,231 - $3,958
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,036 - $5,290
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,491 - $7,202
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 Ann Arbor.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Pennsylvania to Michigan. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: Peak moving season (May - September) limits truck availability and pushes up full-service moving costs. Booking during slower months can give you more scheduling room and a lower final price.
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Specialty moving services from Philadelphia, PA to Ann Arbor, MI
Specialty needs vary by market: 55% of Philadelphia movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Ann Arbor, 55% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing72% of local movers | $524 - $5,240 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready55% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Gentle Giant Moving Company | $210 - $1,258/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $314 - $2,515 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage10% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs48% of local movers | $1,048 - $3,144 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,620 - $10,480 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $785 - $1,491 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items27% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Gentle Giant Moving Company | $1,048 - $2,620 |
| Piano | Any piano type34% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: Gentle Giant Moving Company | $838 - $3,668 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling8% of local movers | $314 - $1,572 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect9% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Ramsey's Moving System | $681 - $2,096 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $314 - $15,720+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $314 - $3,668+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Philadelphia to Ann Arbor?
Michigan Movers Association membership is a quick way to confirm a mover is legitimate in Michigan, 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.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Philadelphia, PA. At that distance, local movers often charge 30% - 40% more because they don't spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments the way national carriers do. If a direct route and faster delivery (averaging 2 days) are priorities, a local mover may be worth considering, but that service comes at a higher price.
Moving container costs from Philadelphia, PA to Ann Arbor, MI
Moving containers from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Ann Arbor, Michigan, cost between $941 and $3,153. The container gets dropped at your door and you load it at your own pace. U-Haul gives you 3 days to load and PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're done, the company handles all the transportation. If you need extra time, storage in Philadelphia runs about $80/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Philadelphia to Ann Arbor:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $941 - $1,784
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,220 - $2,417
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,711 - $3,153
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 $734 in Philadelphia, PA. 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 $79 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $157 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 Ann Arbor, MI, destination before booking.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Pennsylvania to Michigan 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 $941. 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 $1,220 - $2,417.
What are the best moving containers Philadelphia to Ann Arbor?
- 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:
- Superior Moving & Storage (4.3/5), 45 years in business
- Flex Moving & Storage (4.8/5), 4 years in business
- Payless Moving Inc. (4.5/5), 17 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Philadelphia, PA to Ann Arbor, MI
Plan on $433 - $1,242 for a rental moving truck on the 585-mile route from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Ann Arbor, Michigan. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $195 - $223
- 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 Ann Arbor based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $433 - $832
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $501 - $989
- 4+ bedrooms: $619 - $1,242
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $433 - $1,242 does not include fuel ($195 - $223), lodging ($157/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Philadelphia to Ann Arbor typically runs more than the base rate alone, with meals, equipment, and other extras adding roughly $600 - $1,200 on top of fuel and lodging.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Gas: Fuel adds $195 - $223 for the 585-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 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for about 5 hours typically costs around $734.
- Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
- Lodging: The 585-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $157 per night, adding $314 - $472 in hotel costs total.
- Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $52 and $314.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Philadelphia to Ann Arbor?
- 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 Ann Arbor, MI
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Ann Arbor, Michigan, 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 $985 and $1,934.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Philadelphia to Ann Arbor:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $874 - $1,542
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $985 - $1,934
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,275 - $2,623
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 $79 - $157 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 $734.
What are the best freight companies from Philadelphia to Ann Arbor?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the pick for best for large moves. The company is well-regarded as a top moving container option for its load-it-yourself, we-drive-it model, and that same model makes it a strong freight option for larger homes that benefit from the company's 53-foot trucks and footage-based pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Alongside their flagship container service, U-Pack provides a top-notch freight trailer option that follows the same model: no deposits, no upfront fees, and pricing based on the linear footage you actually use.
Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from Philadelphia to Ann Arbor, 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 Ann Arbor, MI
There's not a big cost-of-living gap between Philadelphia and Ann Arbor to plan around. Cost of living index: 104 vs. 106. Average rent: $1,695/mo vs. $2,260/mo. The bigger factor in your budget is the one-time cost of the move itself, covered above. Walkability: 75 vs. 52. Safety index: 33.91 vs. 79.18.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Ann Arbor, MI to Philadelphia, PA guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from Pennsylvania to Michigan, so our pricing data reflects what movers are actually charging right now. Check our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers, the best way to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and bad actors. We track 235 movers in Pennsylvania, so you have real options to compare for this 585-mile move.
Our take
For a move from Philadelphia, PA, to Ann Arbor, MI, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $1,231 for a studio to $7,202 for a 4+ bedroom home on the 585-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $941 - $3,153. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $433 - $1,242, 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 $2,036 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 University of Michigan and NSK Americas, Inc..
FAQs: Moving from Philadelphia, PA, to Ann Arbor, MI
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 4 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
What is the best time of year to move from Philadelphia, PA to Ann Arbor, MI?
Aim for a move between October and March, when demand drops and rates tend to be lower across all service types. Peak season runs mid-May through mid-September, and weekends and month-end dates are pricier regardless of season. A midweek, mid-month date outside peak season is your best bet for saving money.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Michigan?
The agency regulating local and intrastate household goods movers in Michigan is the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC). State regulation and oversight activities include commercial vehicle registration and safety compliance, review of published tariff rates, licensing, and consumer protection efforts.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($195 - $223), daily insurance ($31/day), and equipment rentals ($7 - $21) on top. Overnight stops can add another $157/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How walkable is Ann Arbor?
Ann Arbor has a walkability score of 52 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 71, compared to 75 and 67 in Philadelphia. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
What percentage of Philadelphia movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 34% of movers in Philadelphia handle piano moves, and 27% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.