($1,102+) San Antonio, TX to Philadelphia, PA Movers
Moving from San Antonio, TX, to Philadelphia, PA, runs anywhere from $1,017 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $10,342 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,742 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 4 to 15 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 $2,368, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $10,342 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,593 - $5,370, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,017 - $2,845.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from San Antonio, TX, to Philadelphia, PA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,309 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
Fact Checked by:
Compare moving options from San Antonio, TX to Philadelphia, PA
Moving options from San Antonio to Philadelphia fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move on this route costs $3,309 - $7,287 and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, while rental trucks land about 60% less, though both require you to load the truck or container yourself. This route spans 1,742 miles and typically takes 4 to 15 days.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,742-mile route from San Antonio to Philadelphia, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $2,368 - $5,430 | $1,593 - $2,860 | $1,017 - $2,078 | $1,392 - $2,652 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $3,309 - $7,287 | $2,019 - $4,287 | $1,122 - $2,424 | $1,631 - $3,332 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $5,849 - $10,342 | $2,838 - $5,370 | $1,401 - $2,845 | $2,161 - $4,384 |
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 San Antonio, TX to Philadelphia, PA
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 1,742-mile move from San Antonio, Texas, to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with costs ranging from $2,368 - $10,342. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $289 - $1,924. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between San Antonio and Philadelphia. Local movers in San Antonio typically start around $192 as a base rate plus $96/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from San Antonio to Philadelphia:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,368 - $5,430
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,309 - $7,287
- 4+ bedrooms: $5,849 - $10,342
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 San Antonio to Philadelphia.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Texas to Pennsylvania. 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.
Don't see your company listed?
Reach customers actively searching for trusted movers in your area. Tell us about your company and services to get your business listed on moveBuddha.
Specialty moving services from San Antonio, TX to Philadelphia, PA
Specialty needs vary by market — 90% of San Antonio movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Philadelphia, 90% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $481 - $4,810 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready90% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: 3 Men Movers | $192 - $1,154/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $289 - $2,309 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage26% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs48% of local movers | $962 - $2,886 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,405 - $9,620 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $721 - $1,369 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items42% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Swift Movers LLC | $962 - $2,405 |
| Piano | Any piano type65% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: 3 Men Movers | $770 - $3,367 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling45% of local movers | $289 - $1,443 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect26% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Swift Movers LLC | $625 - $1,924 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $289 - $14,430+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $289 - $3,367+ |
What are the best full-service movers from San Antonio to Philadelphia?
Look for Pennsylvania Moving & Storage Associates membership as a baseline when comparing movers in Pennsylvania beyond this list.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national van lines are the smarter financial choice over local movers in San Antonio, TX. Local companies can run 30% - 40% more at that range since they don't consolidate shipments the way interstate carriers do. If a direct, dedicated route with an average 2-day delivery appeals to you, a local mover could be worth it, but that convenience comes at a cost.
Moving container costs from San Antonio, TX to Philadelphia, PA
Moving containers from San Antonio, Texas, to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, cost between $1,593 and $5,370. A container is delivered to your home and you load it on your own time. Loading windows vary by company: U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30. From there, the company takes over and transports it to Philadelphia. If you go over that window, storage in San Antonio adds around $70/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from San Antonio to Philadelphia:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,593 - $2,860
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,019 - $4,287
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,838 - $5,370
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Because loading is on you with a container move, hourly labor help is a popular add-on. In San Antonio, TX, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $673, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: After the first month, ongoing rental fees kick in. A small container (7 - 8 feet) averages about $72 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $144 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both San Antonio, TX, and Philadelphia, PA, but confirm a facility is within reasonable distance if you need to retrieve items while in storage.
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection provides broader coverage than the standard liability in your contract. It typically costs 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on $50,000 worth of belongings.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Texas to Pennsylvania 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 $1,593. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $2,019 - $4,287, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers San Antonio to Philadelphia?
- 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 San Antonio 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 San Antonio:
- 3 Men Movers (4.8/5), 41 years in business
- Swift Movers LLC (4.8/5), 15 years in business
- AB Moving (4.6/5), 26 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from San Antonio, TX to Philadelphia, PA
A rental truck for this 1,742-mile move from San Antonio, Texas, to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, costs between $1,017 and $2,845. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $533 - $609
- Daily insurance: $29/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $19
- San Antonio daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.79 - $1.19
| 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 San Antonio to Philadelphia based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,017 - $2,078
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,122 - $2,424
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,401 - $2,845
Pro tip: A rental truck from San Antonio to Philadelphia looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $1,017 - $2,845. But once you factor in fuel ($533 - $609) , overnight lodging ($144/night), meals, and equipment rentals, most people end up spending $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate suggests. Building that into your budget upfront saves you from sticker shock at the end of the move.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Gas: Fuel adds $533 - $609 for the 1,742-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 San Antonio, Texas, for about 5 hours typically costs around $673.
- Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
- Lodging: The 1,742-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $144 per night, adding $289 - $433 in hotel costs total.
- Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $48 and $289.
What are the best moving truck rentals from San Antonio to Philadelphia?
- 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 San Antonio, TX to Philadelphia, PA
Freight trailers are a good fit for medium-to-large moves where you need more space than a container but don't want to drive a rental truck from San Antonio, Texas, to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The trailer is delivered to your address, you load it, and the carrier takes it the rest of the way.
Unlike truck rentals with flat rates, freight trailers scale with your shipment. Every additional section of trailer space you fill increases your total. Most long-distance moves using this method run roughly between $1,631 and $3,332.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from San Antonio to Philadelphia:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,392 - $2,652
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,631 - $3,332
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,161 - $4,384
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?
- Demand cycles: Trailer costs climb during peak moving season, especially from mid-May through mid-September when demand is at its highest.
- More space: You're billed only for the linear feet you use, but underestimating your inventory means paying for extra space, typically around $72 - $144 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in San Antonio, Texas, for about five hours typically runs $673.
What are the best freight companies from San Antonio to Philadelphia?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Best known as a top moving container option thanks to its DIY hybrid model (you load, they drive), MovingYourself also doubles as a strong freight choice with their 53-foot trucks and pay-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. In addition to their well-known container service, U-Pack offers freight trailers that follow the same pay-by-the-foot model with no deposits or upfront fees, making them one of the most flexible freight options for budget-conscious moves.
- Parkway Transport, Inc. (4.76/5 stars): Parkway Transport, Inc. is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned and operated facilities give you direct access to support staff who know the area and can coordinate pickups and deliveries with greater flexibility than national carriers.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in Philadelphia fast. For interstate moves, freight is one of the quickest delivery methods out there. Just keep in mind that freight carriers expect you to be available to receive your shipment, so it works best when your move-in is locked in and you don't need temporary storage on either end.
Cost of living: San Antonio, TX vs Philadelphia, PA
San Antonio and Philadelphia land in a similar range on everyday costs. The cost of living index sits at 91 in San Antonio and 104 in Philadelphia, and rent tracks closely too ($1,496/mo vs. $1,695/mo). You likely won't need to rework your monthly budget much after this move. Walkability (37 vs 75) and safety scores (51.94 vs 33.91) come out about the same too.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Philadelphia, PA to San Antonio, TX guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from Texas to Pennsylvania, so our pricing data stays current. Use our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and spot bad actors early. We track 289 movers licensed in Texas, useful context for sizing up this 1,742-mile move.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 1,742-mile route from San Antonio, TX, to Philadelphia, PA, run $2,368 - $10,342 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,593 - $5,370, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $1,017 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,309, 30 days of free storage, and a 24/7 support team you can actually reach.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Amtak and Comcast.
FAQs: Moving from San Antonio, TX, to Philadelphia, PA
How much does it cost to move from San Antonio, TX to Philadelphia, PA?
Costs on this route range from around $2,368 to $10,342, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,368 and $10,342, 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.
How walkable is Philadelphia?
Philadelphia has a walkability score of 75 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 67, compared to 37 and 45 in San Antonio. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($533 - $609), daily insurance ($29/day), and equipment rentals ($7 - $19) on top. Overnight stops can add another $144/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania requires moving companies that transport household goods within the state to obtain a license from the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC). Licenses are renewed every 1 to 2 years.
What is the best time of year to move from San Antonio, TX to Philadelphia, PA?
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.
What percentage of San Antonio movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 65% of movers in San Antonio handle piano moves, and 42% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
