($294+) Chesapeake, VA to Philadelphia, PA Movers
Moving from Chesapeake, VA, to Philadelphia, PA, runs anywhere from $294 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $5,908 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 281 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 $887, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $5,908 or more.
- Moving containers run $835 - $2,637, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $294 - $774.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Chesapeake, VA, to Philadelphia, PA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $1,458 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 Chesapeake, VA to Philadelphia, PA
Moving options from Chesapeake to Philadelphia fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $1,458 - $4,162 for a 2-3 bedroom home and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers cost about 23% less than full-service for the same size, and rental trucks land around 77% less, with both DIY options requiring you to load yourself. Covering 281 miles, this route usually takes 1 to 4 days from pickup to delivery.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 281-mile route from Chesapeake to Philadelphia, broken down by home size:
- Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $887 - $3,487, container $835 - $1,546, rental truck $294 - $538, freight trailer $736 - $1,378.
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $1,458 - $4,162, container $1,120 - $2,125, rental truck $339 - $649, freight trailer $905 - $1,601.
- 4+ bedrooms: full-service $2,098 - $5,908, container $1,493 - $2,637, rental truck $391 - $774, freight trailer $1,102 - $2,006.
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 Chesapeake, VA to Philadelphia, PA
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 281-mile move from Chesapeake, Virginia, to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with costs ranging from $887 - $5,908. 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 Chesapeake and Philadelphia. Local movers in Chesapeake typically start around $290 as a base rate plus $125/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Chesapeake to Philadelphia:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $887 - $3,487
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,458 - $4,162
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,098 - $5,908
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 Chesapeake to Philadelphia.
Pro tip: Moving company rates climb during peak moving season (May –-September) when demand peaks. Scheduling your move outside of that window can lead to noticeably lower costs and better availability.
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Specialty moving services from Chesapeake, VA to Philadelphia, PA
Specialty needs vary by market: 63% of Chesapeake movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Philadelphia, 55% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing68% of local movers | $520 - $5,200 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready63% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $208 - $1,248/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $312 - $2,496 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage15% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs45% 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 items24% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Atlantic Beach Movers | $1,040 - $2,600 |
| Piano | Any piano type45% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $832 - $3,640 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling15% of local movers | $312 - $1,560 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect11% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Atlantic Beach Movers | $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 Chesapeake to Philadelphia?
If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in Pennsylvania Moving & Storage Associates is a good first thing to confirm.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving offers the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing locks in your cost upfront, and 24/7 customer support is available throughout the move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. Operating since 1995, AVL staffs every move with full-time in-house crews trained on antiques, art, and other high-value items.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. As one of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, real-time shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan.
How much do local movers cost in Chesapeake, VA?
Based on recent quotes for this route, a 2-bedroom move from Chesapeake to Philadelphia with a local mover averages $1,386 - $3,954. Working with a local mover based in Chesapeake, VA 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.
TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.58/5 stars) is the top overall local mover in Chesapeake, ranked #4 in Virginia, based on our analysis of feedback from 410 customers, 83.4% of which is positive.
Address: 500 Woodlake Dr, #105, Chesapeake, VA, 23320 | Founded: 2017
Moving container costs from Chesapeake, VA to Philadelphia, PA
Moving containers from Chesapeake, Virginia, to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, cost between $835 and $2,637. 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 Chesapeake typically runs around $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Chesapeake to Philadelphia:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $835 - $1,546
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,120 - $2,125
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,493 - $2,637
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 $728 in Chesapeake, VA. 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 $78 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $156 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 Philadelphia, PA, destination before booking.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Virginia 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 $835. 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 $1,120 - $2,125.
What are the best moving containers Chesapeake 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 Chesapeake 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 Chesapeake:
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.4/5), 9 years in business
- Atlantic Beach Movers (4.7/5), 20 years in business
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.8/5), 0 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Chesapeake, VA to Philadelphia, PA
Renting a moving truck for the 281-mile move from Chesapeake, Virginia, to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, costs between $294 and $774, before these typical add-ons:
- Fuel for the drive: $93 - $106
- Daily insurance: $31/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $21
- Chesapeake daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.89
| 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 Chesapeake to Philadelphia based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $294 - $538
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $339 - $649
- 4+ bedrooms: $391 - $774
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $294 - $774 when pricing out a rental truck from Chesapeake to Philadelphia. Fuel alone runs $93 - $106, and overnight lodging ($156/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly.
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 $78 and $364.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $156.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $93 and $106 for the 281-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 $728 for 2 movers in Chesapeake, Virginia, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Chesapeake 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 Chesapeake, VA 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 Chesapeake, Virginia, 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. A 2 - 3 bedroom long-distance move using this method runs roughly between $905 and $1,601.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Chesapeake to Philadelphia:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $736 - $1,378
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $905 - $1,601
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,102 - $2,006
Pro tip: Freight pricing rewards efficient packing. Trailers are 8 feet tall and accessed via a 4-foot ramp, so technique matters, especially for heavy pieces. Since each additional linear foot adds to your quote, packing strategically is one of the easiest ways to control costs.
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 $78 and $156.
- 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 Chesapeake, Virginia, for roughly five hours typically average $728.
What are the best freight companies from Chesapeake to Philadelphia?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is our pick for best for large moves. The company is best known as a top moving container option for its hybrid model where you load and they drive, and that same model translates well to freight thanks to their 53-foot trucks and pay-by-the-foot pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Beyond their flagship container service, U-Pack also runs freight trailers with the same no-deposit, no-upfront-fee model, charging only for the linear footage you actually fill.
Pro tip: One of the biggest advantages of freight trailers is speed. For an interstate move, freight delivery is one of the fastest options you have short of driving a rental truck yourself. It's a smart choice when your timeline is firm and you'll be ready to receive your shipment. If there's any chance your new place won't be ready or you need a few weeks of storage, a moving container with built-in storage may serve you better.
Cost of living: Chesapeake, VA vs Philadelphia, PA
Chesapeake and Philadelphia land in a similar range on everyday costs. The cost of living index sits at 104 in Chesapeake and 104 in Philadelphia, and average rent is $1,800/mo vs. $1,695/mo. With an index gap that small, you likely won't need to rework your monthly budget much after this move. For reference, walkability is 21 vs 75 and safety scores are 70.88 vs 33.91.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Philadelphia, PA to Chesapeake, VA guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from Virginia to Pennsylvania over the past 3 months, giving us some of the most up-to-date pricing data around. Running your move through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. There are 262 movers in our Virginia network to compare for this 281-mile move.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 281-mile route from Chesapeake, VA, to Philadelphia, PA, run $887 - $5,908 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $835 - $2,637, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $294 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $1,458, 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 Chesapeake, VA, to Philadelphia, PA
Is Philadelphia a safe place to live?
Philadelphia has a safety index of 33.91 out of 100 and a crime index of 66.09, compared to 70.88 and 25.0 in Chesapeake. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Chesapeake, VA to Philadelphia, PA?
Cutting 500 pounds from your shipment, roughly one bedroom's worth of items, saves approximately $200 - $400 on a full-service move on this route. Beyond that, staying organized matters just as much. A solid moving checklist keeps you on schedule and helps you avoid costly last-minute mistakes.
What is the best time of year to move from Chesapeake, VA 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.
How long does a move from Chesapeake, VA to Philadelphia, PA 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 ($93 - $106), 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 percentage of Chesapeake movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 45% of movers in Chesapeake handle piano moves, and 24% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.