($362+) Philadelphia, PA to Cleveland, OH Movers

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Background image of a moving truck moving from Philadelphia, PA to Cleveland, OH

Moving from Philadelphia, PA, to Cleveland, OH, runs anywhere from $362 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,192 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 431 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 1 to 4 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 $1,048, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $7,192 or more.
  • Moving containers run $916 - $2,997, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $362 - $961.
  • Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Philadelphia, PA, to Cleveland, OH. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $1,889 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.

Compare moving options from Philadelphia, PA to Cleveland, OH

There are 3 main ways to move from Philadelphia to Cleveland: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service handles labor and transportation for you, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route costing $1,889 - $4,781. Moving containers run about 40% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 78% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 1 to 4 days for this 431-mile route, depending on which option you go with.

Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 431-mile route from Philadelphia to Cleveland, broken down by home size:

Home size Full-service movers Moving container Rental truck Freight trailer
Studio / 1 bedroom $1,048 - $3,565 $916 - $1,634 $362 - $667 $866 - $1,470
2 - 3 bedrooms $1,889 - $4,781 $1,137 - $2,163 $411 - $857 $900 - $1,803
4+ bedrooms $3,006 - $7,192 $1,588 - $2,997 $516 - $961 $1,195 - $2,214

Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated October 30, 2026.

Professional moving
Professional
Safeway Moving
star star star star star 4.9 / 5
Read our full Safeway review
Best overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran-owned
Moving container
Container
Unlimited storage
3 container sizes
10% discount
Rental truck
Rental Truck
Budget Truck Rental
star star star star star 4.3 / 5
Read our full Budget review
Affordable pricing
Online estimates
Several discounts
Freight trailer
Freight
MovingYourself
star star star star star 4.5 / 5
Read our full MovingYourself review
Fast delivery
Nationwide
100+ miles moves

Full-service moving costs from Philadelphia, PA to Cleveland, OH

Full-service movers for the 431-mile relocation from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Cleveland, Ohio, cost between $1,048 and $7,192. 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 $287 - $1,912, 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 Cleveland:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,048 - $3,565
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,889 - $4,781
  • 4+ bedrooms: $3,006 - $7,192

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 Cleveland.

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 Cleveland, OH

Specialty needs vary by market: 55% of Philadelphia movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Cleveland, 57% of movers offer the same service.

Service When you need it Typical cost
Full packingFull crew packing72% of local movers$478 - $4,780
Storage in transitNew place not ready55% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Gentle Giant Moving Company$191 - $1,147/mo
Shuttle feeTruck can't reach door$287 - $2,294
Full-value protectionMore than $0.60/lb coverage10% of local movers$300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value)
Small movesUnder ~2,000 lbs48% of local movers$956 - $2,868
Office / commercialWorkplace relocation$2,390 - $9,560
Car shippingSecond vehicle$716 - $1,360
Antiques & fine artFragile, high-value items27% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Gentle Giant Moving Company$956 - $2,390
PianoAny piano type34% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: Gentle Giant Moving Company$765 - $3,346
Pool tableDisassembly & re-leveling8% of local movers$287 - $1,434
Hot tubHeavy, needs disconnect9% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Ramsey's Moving System$621 - $1,912
Wine collectionClimate-controlled transport$287 - $14,340+
Pet relocationGround, air, or concierge$287 - $3,346+

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

Movers licensed to operate in Ohio are typically members of the Ohio Association of Movers, worth checking for before you book any of the three below.

  1. Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 customer support, and 30 days of free storage are included with every move.
  2. American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list, 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.
  3. Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, combining fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan that covers 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 Cleveland with a local mover averages $1,852 - $4,686. Working with a local mover based in Philadelphia, PA often costs less than hiring a national carrier on routes under 500 miles. Shorter routes come with lower fuel overhead and simpler logistics, and local movers can offer more direct communication and quicker booking windows.

The tradeoff is that smaller companies may lack the infrastructure for longer hauls. Verify proper interstate licensing and relevant experience before signing anything.

Zip to Zip Moving Inc (4.56/5 stars) is our preferred moving company in Philadelphia, based on our analysis of feedback from 1,563 customers, 99.3% of which is positive.

Address: 558 W Uwchlan Ave, Exton, PA, 19341 | Founded: 2020

Moving container costs from Philadelphia, PA to Cleveland, OH

Moving containers from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Cleveland, Ohio, cost between $916 and $2,997. 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 Cleveland:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $916 - $1,634
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,137 - $2,163
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,588 - $2,997

What other costs come with moving containers?

  • Access: Most major container brands operate in both Philadelphia, PA and Cleveland, OH. 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 $669 in Philadelphia, PA, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
  • Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $72 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $143 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 Ohio 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 $916. 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 $1,137 - $2,163.

What are the best moving containers Philadelphia to Cleveland?

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

A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 431 miles from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Cleveland, Ohio, running $362 - $961. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:

  • Fuel for the drive: $131 - $150
  • Daily insurance: $29/day
  • Equipment rentals: $7 - $19
  • Philadelphia daily rental rate: $19 - $39
  • Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.89 - $0.99
Home sizeTypical truck size
Studio / 1 bedroom10 - 12 ft
2 - 3 bedrooms15 - 17 ft
4+ bedrooms20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel)

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

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $362 - $667
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $411 - $857
  • 4+ bedrooms: $516 - $961

Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Philadelphia to Cleveland starts at $362 - $961, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($131 - $150), overnight lodging ($143/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate.

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 $669.
  • Gas: Fuel costs total $131 - $150 for the 431-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 $57 and $311, depending on what you need.
  • Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
  • Lodging: Budget around $143 per night for hotel stops on the 431-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $287 - $430.

What are the best moving truck rentals from Philadelphia to Cleveland?

  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 Cleveland, OH

For larger DIY moves from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, freight trailers give you plenty of room without putting you behind the wheel. Standard trailers are 28 feet long. You load the section you need, and the carrier transports everything to Cleveland, Ohio.

Because freight companies bill by linear footage, your total is based on how much of the trailer you occupy, not the full length. For a 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route, pricing typically falls between $900 and $1,803.

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

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $866 - $1,470
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $900 - $1,803
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,195 - $2,214

Pro tip: Loading a freight trailer is a bit different from filling a container. The 4-foot ramp can be steep with large items, and getting the most out of 8 feet of vertical clearance takes planning. Since pricing is based on linear feet used, every inch of wasted space has a cost.

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 $72 and $143.
  • 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 $669.

What are the best freight companies from Philadelphia to Cleveland?

  1. 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.
  2. 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: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Philadelphia to Cleveland. If you have a hard move-in date and want your stuff there as soon as possible, freight is hard to beat. It's worth noting that freight works best when you're ready to receive your delivery, so if your move-in date is still up in the air or you'll need short-term storage, a moving container is likely the more practical choice.

Cost of living: Philadelphia, PA vs Cleveland, OH

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

Measure Philadelphia, PA Cleveland, OH
Cost of living index10483
Average rent$1,695/mo$1,295/mo
Median home value$231,098$96,509
Average income$60,698/yr$39,187/yr
Unemployment rate10.6%6.8%
State income taxUp to 3.07%Up to 3.5%
Walkability score75/10057/100
Safety index33.91/10036.59/100
Air qualityGoodModerate

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 Cleveland, OH 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 Ohio, 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 235 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 431-mile move like this one.

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Our take

How you handle your interstate move from Philadelphia, PA, to Cleveland, OH, 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 $1,048 - $7,192 on the 431-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $916 - $2,997 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $362 - $961 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $1,889 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and 24/7 live support.

Beyond the move itself, people who've relocated to Cleveland tend to point to abundant food options and beautiful nature, though construction and brutal winters come up as common complaints. Major employers in the area include Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals.

FAQs: Moving from Philadelphia, PA, to Cleveland, OH

How long does a move from Philadelphia, PA to Cleveland, OH take?

Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 1 to 4 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are often one of the faster options outside of driving yourself, 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 extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?

The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($131 - $150), daily insurance ($29/day), and equipment rentals ($7 - $19) on top. Overnight stops can add another $143/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.

What is the cheapest way to move from Philadelphia, PA to Cleveland, OH?

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 $411 - $857. 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 Cleveland, OH?

Costs on this route range from around $362 to $7,192, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,048 and $7,192, 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 4 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.

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.